Read Online Silver Master by Jayne Castle - Free Book Online Page A

noise.
    â€œI’m not sure.” Celinda leaned forward, studying the drape of the fluid fabric of the cowl neckline in the mirror. There were lots of deep shadows and some cleavage, but on the whole, everything still looked decent.
    â€œThe earrings may be a little too much,” she said to Araminta. “If there’s a fine line between elegant and boring, the line between sexy and slutty is even thinner. What do you think?”
    The doorbell rezzed. Araminta bounced up and down, dropped the lipstick, and hopped up onto Celinda’s bare shoulder. Celinda could feel four of the dust bunny’s six paws gripping her bare skin.
    â€œWatch the claws,” she said. The warning was probably unnecessary. Araminta had never scratched her, not even by accident.
    The night was warm and humid. There was no need for a wrap. She stepped into a pair of high-heeled sandals and went down the short hall to answer the door.
    Araminta was chortling exuberantly now, scarcely able to contain herself.
    â€œSheesh,” Celinda muttered. “If you like Oakes so much, why did you run off with his relic?”
    Araminta ignored the question, of course. But her eagerness was plain.
    Celinda stopped in front of the door to check the security peephole.
    Her pulse kicked up immediately at the sight of Davis standing on the other side. He looked as if he had just walked straight out of the heart of midnight in a pair of black trousers, an elegantly casual black jacket, and a black shirt undone at the collar. The only touches of color were his amber cuff links and the amber face of his watch.
    But the really startling accessory was the big ball of blue-eyed lint sitting on his shoulder. That explained Araminta’s excitement. She had sensed the other dust bunny.
    Astonished, Celinda opened the door. “No wonder you know so much about dust bunnies,” she said.
    â€œThis is Max,” Davis said.
    Max and Araminta made small, welcoming noises at each other and blinked their daylight eyes.
    Celinda stood back to allow Davis and Max into the tiny front hall. Her astonishment gave way to deep suspicion. “Did you bring Max because you think he can find the artifact that Araminta hid?”
    â€œNo,” Davis said. “That’s not why I brought him along tonight.”
    â€œWhy, then?” she asked, still wary.
    He smiled faintly. “Thought that since you and I are going to be busy, he might like to make friends with Araminta. I doubt if Verdigris welcomes critters. Figured we could leave these two in the car while we eat.”
    Araminta made more small, squeaky sounds. Max responded in kind.
    â€œWell, they do seem to like each other,” Celinda said, still a little uneasy about the situation. “How did you find Max?”
    â€œHe found me. Started coming around my back door a few months ago after I got out of the—” Davis broke off abruptly. “Made the mistake of feeding him. Next thing I knew, he had moved in.”
    â€œThat was pretty much how it was with Araminta and me. Got a hunch dust bunnies choose the people they want to attach themselves to for reasons we’ll probably never figure out.”
    â€œMysterious dust bunny thing,” he agreed. He surveyed the cowl neckline with masculine approval. “Great dress.”
    She blushed a little. “Thanks. Nice jacket.”
    â€œThanks.”
    There was a short pause. Celinda tried to think of what to say or do next. Now that the rules against wearing a provocative dress and allowing a date to pick you up at your home had been broken, things were getting murky fast. She was definitely on a slippery slope, but she had to admit it was exciting.
    â€œReady?” Davis asked.
    â€œYes.” She picked up the small clutch purse on the hall table and followed him out onto the landing. She paused to rez the lock and then dropped her key into the purse.
    They went downstairs into the tiny front hall.