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She considered Ryan, as standing relaxed and casual with Marilee The woue Her lips curved up in a sht not be an alpha, but she had seduction down to an art Hell, whatever he was saying to her, he’d sure got her number She reached over and slid her hands over his shoulders Instantly, Carol wanted to jerk her hands off him, as if he was hers Where that unwelcome notion ca lashes

Which was another of Carol’s shortco lashes that fluttered beautifully Carol’s were pale blonde and short Even with er and more noticeable, hers were not meant to flicker in a provocative way

The woue sweeping over her already shiloss If the lout kissed her, the date was off

Everyone seemed rabidly entranced with Ryan and Marilee’s actions So their temples, arms folded or hands shoved in pockets Some seemed in awe as they watched Ryan, s et a woet a drink, Mervin" Carol had had enough of this fiasco Even though she’d rather be anywhere with anyone else, at least Mervin had the guts to pursue her

Mervin played with his bowtie and looked at Darien

Oh, for heaven’s sake Did he have to get per everyone was so intrigued with Ryan and his conquest that no one would notice she’d left As soon as she exited the sunroo Not without Darien’s permission"

Grow so she liked about Ryan He stood up to Darien, no reat roohly seized her arm She clenched her teeth, her whole body taut with raw irritation

Whipping around, she yanked her arrowled low, unable to curb her anger Partly at being accosted and partly because theover Ryan--and he seemed to like it With Carol, he was strictly business Psychic business, and what she could do with it, was his only interest in her

As soon as the fury at being waylaid had washed over her, heat swept through her, and she cringed Oh hell… not… the… change

Chapter 7

RUSHING THROUGH THE GREAT ROOM, CAROL HURRIED off toward the stairs to her bedrooot naked and shape-shifted in front of Mervin Heaven forbid! If he grabbed her again, she wouldn’t be responsible for her actions

"You can’t leave the gathering," Mervin said, half angrily, half pleading as he stalked after her

Without giving hilance, she ran up the stairs two at a ti she’dthe shift before it caught hold And that Mervin wouldn’t follow her

As if instinct moved her, she tackled the buttons on her sweater before she reached the top of the stairs Her heart was pounding so hard that the sound of Niagara Falls rushed in her ears, but at least Mervin must have paused at the foot of the stairs and didn’t follow her up theined if it had been Ryan, he wouldn’t have let her go Then again, she didn’t think he would have accosted her the way Mervin had, triggering the damnable shift in the first place

"Carol!" Lelandi called out froreat room

Hell Carol raced to her roo to undo her belt Now she knehy more of their kind didn’t wear accessories Or blouses or sweaters with buttons, either

She dove into her bedroom, slarew closer down the carpeted hallway, or at least Carol assu after her

Carol squeezed her eyes shut and stood still, hoping her second sight wouldn’t fail her now Anything that would thwart shifting

"Carol?" Lelandi tapped lightly on the door, her voice soothing

She tried to ignore Lelandi’s entreaty, the heat still coursing through every h every vein

"Carol, open up so we can talk" This time Lelandi used a little estion

Go away, Carol wanted to shout She had to concentrate

"Did Mervin upset you? Darien wants to know And Mervin’s going to be ostracized from the whole pack if he did"

"No, Lelandi, I’ her teeth, she stripped down to her bra and panties