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"Stop worrying," he said harshly "I’ the island How could I, even if I wanted to?"

"You would find a way," Diana said bleakly

"Yeah But here I am anyway," Caine said He aimed the telescope back at the town He could see the blackened hulks of burned-out homes just to the west of don

"Don’t do it," Diana said

Caine didn’t ask what she o," Diana said She put her hand on his shoulder She caressed the side of his neck, his cheek

He lowered the telescope and tossed it onto the overgrown sea grass He turned, took her in his ar time since he’d done that

She felt different in his arms Thinner Smaller More frail But his body responded to her as it always had

She did not pull away

His own response surprised hi ti boys lusted after food, not after girls

And now that it was happening, it was overwhel in his chest He ached all the way through

At the last second, the second when he would have lost the last of his self-control, Diana gently but firasped He hated the neediness in his voice He hated needing anyone or anything that badly Need eakness

She detached his hands fro an actual dress A dress, with her legs showing and her shoulders bare and it was like she was a visitor froa yellow summer dress Her teeth had been brushed Her hair was brushed, too, still a row back while too hungry, but a shadow at least of its for sensuality

She bent down demurely and picked up the telescope She handed it to him

"Your choice, Caine You can have me Or you can try to take over the world Not both Because I’ to be part of that anymore I can’t So it’s up to you"

His jaw dropped Literally

"You witch," he said

Diana laughed

"You know I have the power," he threatened