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A lump rose in her throat, and she knew that she could not have told him anything but the truth at that moment if her life had depended on it.
“Oh, no,” she whispered. “No, it’s not you. Never you.”
He looked at her for what seemed a long time, and then he opened his arms and she went into them.
He’d held her before. Touched her before. Kissed her before. But this time, when he drew her against him, when his mouth claimed hers, she gave herself up to him, to what he made her feel.
His kiss seared her lips. Her soul. And when he kissed her throat, cupped her breasts, she moaned with pleasure.
“Jennifer,” he said thickly. “I want to make love to you.”
It was what she wanted too—but if they made love how would she ever find the strength to leave him?
“Roarke.” She put her hands against his chest, felt the heavy race of his heart beneath her palms. “There’s so much you don’t know…”
He kissed her again.
“I know that you don’t really want to leave me.”
Another kiss, gentle at first and then it became hot and deep. She felt the swift, sweet thrust of his tongue.
Susanna’s soft cry rose into the silence of the night.
Roarke’s arms fell to his sides. He was breathing hard.
Jennifer stepped back. She was trembling.
He drew a long breath. Then he smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“There’s a voodoo ceremony tonight. We’ve been invited.”
“I don’t think—”
He silenced her with a kiss.
“Nine o’clock,” he said, and then he was gone.
* * *
The moon seemed tinged with blood as it touched the black sea.
Orange flames from a fire licked hungrily into the night, casting eerie shadows across the men and women gathered on the sandy plateau.
Jennifer edged closer into the protective circle of Roarke’s arm.
“Do they know we’re here?” she whispered.
“Yes, of course. I told you. We were invited.”
“Me too?”
He laughed softly. “You too. You’ve made quite an impression on the people of Isla de la Pantera.”
“What’s that?” She nodded toward a flat boulder on which were set candles, flowers, and objects which she couldn’t quite identify.
“An altar.” He bent his head so that his lips were close to her ear. “Those are things sacred to the Loa they’re honoring tonight.”
She glanced up at him. “Loa?”
