Page 13 of Bachelor Cop Finally Caught? (Hot off the Press! 2)

When he saw her, Riley rather abruptly disengaged himself from the two giggly teenagers who’d been testing their flirting skills on the good-looking, unconventional reporter. With his characteristic rolling saunter, he made his way easily through the crowd, coming to a stop in front of Lindsey. Hands on his lean hips, he gave her a slow once-over. “Damn,” he drawled. “You look good.”

She giggled like one of the teenagers. “Thanks. Did someone forget to tell you this is a dressy occasion?”

Lifting an eyebrow, he looked down at his own outfit, which consisted of a blue-and-cream checked-cotton shirt, worn unbuttoned over a cream-colored T-shirt and khakis. “What do you mean?” Riley asked with feigned innocence. “I’m even wearing socks.”

“Oh, so you are. For you, that counts as formal wear, doesn’t it?”

He extended an arm to her. “Dance with me. It will keep me from falling into a coma.”

“Not the most flattering offer I’ve had in a while,” she chided, laying her fingers on his surprisingly muscular forearm. “Are you asking me to dance only because you’re so bored?”

Fully aware that she wasn’t really offended, he chuckled as he escorted her to the dance f

loor, where a good number of other couples swayed to recorded dance music. A new number was just beginning, and Riley turned Lindsey into his arms, comfortably taking the lead. Riley had always been a good dancer. She allowed herself to relax and enjoy.

“So what’s with the new look you’ve been showing off the last couple of weeks?” Riley asked, proving once again that very little escaped him despite his carefully cultivated air of lazy unconcern.

She shrugged one almost-bare shoulder. “I just decided it was time to start looking like a grown-up.”

He made a face. “Why would you want to do that? You’re not even thirty yet.”

Lindsey smiled up at him. “Who said you have to be thirty to be grown-up? You’re thirty and I wouldn’t exactly call you a model of maturity.”

“Oh, gee, thanks. So why’d you suddenly decide it was time for your metamorphosis?”

“Just ready for a change, I guess. In a lot of ways.”

“I’ve heard rumors that you’re thinking about selling your house. Maybe moving away.”

Even though she’d mentioned the possibility to only a few people, she wasn’t surprised Riley had heard. Word traveled fast in Edstown, and Riley had a way of staying abreast of the latest gossip—though he would have heatedly denied being in the least interested, of course. “It’s a possibility.”

“Thinking about jumping back into the fast lane, hmm?”

“I just need changes,” she repeated. “Don’t you ever get…restless? Itchy?”

“Itchy?” His grin turned wicked. “Sounds to me like what you need is a sex life.”

“I just need a life,” she retorted flatly. “Of any kind.”

“Well, as happy as I would be to offer my services in certain areas, I know you too well. You’re the kind who gets involved with a guy and you start thinking permanence. Commitment.” He gave a dramatic shudder before adding, “Kids.”

He was right, of course. Lindsey was the traditional type at heart. Marriage and children had always been in her plans. Unfortunately, her long-time obsession with a man who gave little indication of returning her interest had kept her from looking seriously in other directions. It was probably time for that to change, too.

With a bittersweet smile, she replied, “No offense, but I can’t see the two of us having babies and growing old together. So, as fond as I am of you, we’ll stay just friends.”

“I’ll have to defer to your wisdom. Even if you do look incredibly hot in that dress.”

Because he sounded sincere enough about the compliment to give her a completely feminine little thrill, she went up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “If a no-strings, ungrown-up affair was what I wanted, you would be at the very top of my list,” she assured him.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was intended as one.”

The music came to an end. Riley released her, but laid a hand on her arm to keep her still for a moment. “Seriously, Lindsey, if you need to talk, you always know where to find me.”

“Thanks, Riley.” She smiled at him, then turned away—only to find herself face-to-face with Dan, who didn’t look at all happy with her.

She and Dan hadn’t exactly parted on the best of terms earlier, she remembered. And it had been her fault, she admitted now. She’d been prickly and defensive, and she couldn’t expect him to understand why. She was the one who had suddenly changed. Dan hadn’t been acting any differently than he ever had—which, of course, was exactly why she was upset with him. It was no wonder he was watching her now as if he wasn’t sure what to expect from her.

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