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Taking the pitcher of juice froerator, Alanna set it on the ss were already there for two people She had expected a cold war to exist between theard her with barbed looks and ibes

But not this He was almost companionable—aloof, yes, but still coerous to her hastily reconstructed defenses than before

THE HONEYMOON WEEKEND passed in that saenial atmosphere They swam, boated, lazed in the sun, and walked in the woods Rolt's invitations were always accompanied by a silent "You're welcome to come if you like or stay if you don't" They didn't talk ether simply because there was no one else to do them with

Yet Alanna found herself identifying days by the ti, he had lifted her froain on their return Swih the woods, he had occasionally held her hand to steady her over rough ground The times he had smoothed suntan lotion on her shoulders and back were the hardest to forget The contact had never lasted long, but Alanna was disturbingly conscious of his touch

At any tihtest indication froed the ie pulsed below the surface each tiether

Early Mondaythe sleep fro the covers about her

"Yes?" she said thickly

The door opened and Rolt stood, outside He was impeccably dressed in a suit of a pale tan check, and Alanna thought fleetingly of hoell he wore the garb of civilization Fathoo eyes examined the sleep-tossed curls of her tawny hair and the hazy vulnerability of her expression

"I'm on my way to the office," Rolt told her impassively "I'll be home around eleven-thirty for lunch It will be expected that the first feeeks I lunch with you whenever it's possible"

"Of course," she nodded

"I'll see you then," he said shortly, and loft A fewout of the drive

Three ti that week he came home for lunch Twice Alanna went into town to visit her parents, ht a new bride should The weekend was almost a repeat of the first, with the exception that on Saturday night they were invited to a dinner with a business associate and friend of Rolt's It wasn't difficult to pretend to be the adoring wife, especially when Rolt was acting out the co role

It sees, that ad that she could fall in love with Rolt ainst the prospect, constantly re herself what a despicable character he was But it was difficult to keep su the old hatreds when he offered no new fuel to keep the fire burning If he had forced hiainst her will, she would have had fresh cause to detest him

As it was—she sighed and pouredimpossible to live under the sa as Rolt and remain iether and separately This falsely platonic relationship couldn't last She had seen the look in his eyes soed

Initially her goal had been toall her efforts on not being caught in her own trap Her chances of succeeding were growing dismally smaller each day, and she felt frustrated and helpless