Capture the Rainbow Read Free Page A

hazily.
    “Are you okay, Ken?” Dave’s voice was full of concern.
    She looked at him wonderingly. What a foolish question. “Of course I am,” she said liltingly. “I was a little tired before, but now I’ve got my second wind.”
    His glance dropped speculatively to her glass. “I have an idea that’s not all you’ve got. How many cocktails did you have before I found you in this mob?”
    Did he think she was tipsy? The idea was so absurd that her throaty laugh rang out causing a few bystanders to look at her in surprise. “Only one,” she answered, standing on her tiptoes to plant an affectionate kiss on his cheek. “You know I never have more than two in an evening.”
    “I thought I did.” He frowned as he studied her flushed cheeks and velvet-brown eyes shining with an almost feverish excitement. He linked his arms loosely about her waist. “But something’s sure got you lit up like neon. Are you on something?”
    “On something?”
    “Coke, uppers, Quaaludes?” he enumerated tersely.
    “Don’t be silly,” she said indignantly. “I’ve seen enough careers blown to atoms by drugs to shy away from them like the plague.” Drugs. She had taken that painkiller earlier but it could have no connection with this lovely mood she was in. Well, perhaps a minor connection. It had taken the pain away and no doubt relief was partly responsible for the joyous ebullience that was surging through her. But she wasn’t going to worry about that now. She was too happy. It seemed a lifetime since she’d felt this irresponsible, this free from care.
    “I think I’d better take you home.” Clearly worried, Dave chewed at his lower lip. “Where’s your wrap?”
    “I think one of the maids put it in a bedroom upstairs,” she said vaguely. “But I can’t go home yet. I haven’t paid my respects to the wizard. He might get angry and turn me into a frog.” She shook her head, her forehead knitting in thought “No, that’s a prince.” She laughed again, her face alight with amusement. “And I’m not even a princess, so I guess I’m safe.”
    “What wizard?” Dave asked blankly, as he turned her firmly in the direction of the staircase that led to the upper level of the ranch-style house.
    “Is there more than one?” she asked, turning toward the corner of the room where Damon was still holding court. She knew exactly where he was, even though she’d been careful not to glance at him after that first searing exchange. She had been as aware of him as if they’d been linked by a golden cord. Perhaps they had, she thought hazily, but the cord was invisible. Sorcerers could weave spells like that, couldn’t they? She realized she had been a little afraid of him, but the emotion was gone now. She wasn’t afraid of anything at the moment. “Joel Damon, magician extraordinaire!” She lifted her glass in a mocking salute.
    He was gazing at her as she knew he would be. She’d felt his eyes on her all evening and it had engendered a tiny flame of excitement she had refused to acknowledge. He wanted her. Desire for her was there, blazing openly and hungrily in his expression, but there was something else as well. An anger and resentment so intense it pierced even her present buoyant self-confidence. “Perhaps you’re right; maybe I shouldn’t press my luck.” She smiled impishly up at Dave. “He might not realize I’m not a princess.”
    “At the moment he’s looking at you as if you’re a full course dinner after a month-long fast,” he said, his lips tight. “I think I’d better get you out of here before he decides to gobble you up.” He was propelling her rapidly across the room toward the stairs. “Home,” he said firmly.
    “If you say so,” she agreed cheerfully. “However, I don’t know why you think there’s anything wrong with me.”
             
    “Who is she?” Joel’s voice was clipped. His gaze followed Balding and the chiffon-clad woman as they slowly climbed the