Page 56 of Sweetwater and the Witch

“Thanks.”

Ethan heard a tap-tap-tap at the window just as he ended the call. He turned and saw the ragged silhouette of a dust bunny on the other side of the glass. Harriet was fully fluffed and using one of her six paws to make her presence known.

“How in the world did she make it all the way up to the second floor?” Ravenna asked. “Never mind. She’s a dust bunny. They know how to get around.”

Ravenna raised the window and picked up Harriet. The buzzy, psi-laced fog drifted into the room.

“Where have you been?” she asked. She frowned. “That looks like pie crust on your fur. And maybe some ketchup?”

Harriet chortled a cheerful greeting and offered a small round object to Ravenna. She took it and examined it. “Uh-oh.”

“What is it?” Ethan asked.

She looked up, clearly worried. “It’s a five-dollar poker chip from the Golden Amber Casino.”

Harriet lost interest in the chip. She bounced up onto the foot of the bed, flopped down on a pillow, and closed her eyes.

“Who knew dust bunnies played poker?” Ethan said. “Look on the bright side.”

“There’s a bright side?”

“I doubt if the casino’s security staff will bother chasing after Harriet for a five-dollar chip.”

“I don’t think the missing chip is the problem,” Ravenna said. “According to the logo, the Golden Amber is the home of the ‘Famous All-You-Can-Eat Buffet.’ ”

“So what if Harriet swiped a slice of pie or a couple of fries? We’re not talking about major crimes.”

Ravenna appeared uncertain for a moment, but she finally relaxed. “I suppose you’re right.” She turned back to the window and contemplatedthe flashing lights of the wedding chapel. “About what happened just before your grandfather called—”

His talent allowed him to read the subtle body language of someone who was getting ready to attack or to flee, but he was lousy at picking up more complicated emotions. No, that wasn’t strictly true. He could tell that a person was in the grip of strong emotions—he just didn’t know what to do about it.

It was obvious that Ravenna was regretting the hot kiss that, if not for the phone call, would have led to some very hot sex. But he did not have a clue how to handle those regrets. The only thing he was regretting was the fact that she wished the flash of passion had not happened.

One thing was crystal clear. It didn’t take a psychologist to know the sizzling sensual energy in the atmosphere had changed dramatically, at least as far as Ravenna was concerned. Talk about ruining the mood. Time to be mature.

“Don’t worry,” he said. He tucked in his shirt and buckled the belt. “Probably would have been a bad idea anyway.”

“It was my fault,” she said earnestly, still looking out into the fog. “But you’re right. It would have been a very bad idea.”

“I said itprobablywould have been a bad idea. We’ll never know, because it didn’t happen.” He paused. “Not exactly.”

“Whatever. A matchmaker should never sleep with a client. At Ottoway that alone is grounds for termination. Sleeping with a high-profile client like you would be an even bigger disaster. Not only would I be fired, I probably wouldn’t be able to find a position with any of the elite matchmaking agencies in the city-states. I would end up working at one of those sleazy escort agencies that offers to set up short-term Marriages of Convenience.”

“I’m starting to think I should feel insulted,” Ethan said.

“Nothing personal.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

She swung around to face him. “It’s extremely unfortunate that your aunt and your grandfather got the wrong impression of our relationship.”

He shoved his fingers through his hair. “I’ll get it all sorted.”

“I would appreciate that,” she said. She paused. “I want to apologize for my unprofessional conduct. I do realize I sent mixed signals.”

“Do me a favor and change the damn subject.” He shut his eyes. Great. Now he was snapping at her. He opened his eyes. “Okay, now I need to apologize. This conversation is deteriorating rapidly, isn’t it?”

She gave him a shaky smile. “Yes, it is. Stress, probably.”

---