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Her heart leapt in fear The low,a picture that Alanna could see all too clearly It was as if she was looking into the future and seeing her fate written in the indigo glitter of his gaze

Her head rip on her throat as if knowing she was incapable of looking away The hand traveled down the slender curve of her neck to cover her breast, her heart haainst it

"I will be the one to caress you, Alanna," Rolt continued huskily, "the one to learn your intiht" An inarticulate sound calih his iht be true It is true You will find it out—in time"

Then he released her completely Alanna swayed unsteadily She felt hot and cold at the same time, numb with shock yet every nerve alive The ahtlessly at the patio floor, trying to understand how she could feel so s at the same time

Solanced up, dazed The beach jacket covered her bikini, providing her protection too late Rolt was standing beside her, watching her Blankly she matic look

"I want you to have dinner with ht," he stated

For a moment she could only stare at hi like a phoenix from the ashes, her will surfaced

"No," she refused flatly

Rolt shrugged, as if to say it was only a matter of time, and accepted her decision When he spoke, his voice was soft yet very clear, quietly unrelenting

"Don't forget what I've told you"

Alanna covered her ears with her hands "Get out of here!" she shouted hoarsely

Her eyes were tightly closed, trying to shut out the picture he had painted so indelibly Rolt left the patio as quietly as he had come Alanna's position didn't vary, not until the distant sound of aWith a broken sob, she slue, but she didn't cry There was too er, frustration, and confusion for tears

Nothing he said was possible, she kept telling herself He couldn't ainst her will It was only the momentary spell he had woven that had allowed her to believe it for a few frightened seconds None of it could coive it Never!

Chapter Four

THE PORCHLIGHT dimly illuminated the front door