~*~Chapter Seven~*~

"Robert, why are you doing this?" Anna asked. "And what does it have to do with the WSB?"

She had pulled free of his arms, but she wasn't far. She wanted to touch him... to hold him. She wanted him to be hers. They were only a few inches apart, in that elegant, romantic suite meant for passionate love.

"Aside from wanting to help Alex, I am doing this because the WSB sent me. Balantine sent me to defeat Faison," he admitted.

Anna stared at him in shock. "I proposed to Alex with the intentions of getting to Faison," Robert revealed.

"WHAT?" Anna gasped angrily. "How could you do that?! You only wanted to hurt Alex... to deceive her."

"Your sister you once knew no longer exists. She's now just Faison's puppet... and she's been fashioned in your image," Robert reminded.

When Anna began to calm, Robert continued, but he could still see the hurt in her eyes. "Yes, I did love Alex, but it was you I had really fallen in love with," Robert stated.

Very slowly, Robert leaned forward until his lips met hers. In that instant, the passion heated between them. Anna went up in flames. She dissolved into Robert's arms. As his tongue swept her mouth, he guided her toward the bed.

There was no fear, only incredible passion. As he removed the wedding gown and dropped it upon the floor, Anna stared up at him with smoky dark eyes. "Robert, I-," she began. She stumbled on the words.

"What is it, Anna?" Robert asked as he removed the rest of her clothes. He wanted her so badly; he could hardly think.

"I... I've never been with anyone like this," she admitted. "Because my childhood was so horrible."

Suddenly then, the tears began to fall; sorrowed tears from Anna's soul. Robert took her in his arms and held her, his touch loving and gentle. "It will be alright, Anna. I would never hurt you,' he vowed.

Anna believed him. This was Robert. He had only been gentle. She was safe in his arms. Safe.

"I want you," she murmured. Then she kissed him with so much passion. She had been holding it back for so long. She couldn't contain it a moment longer. It exploded, hitting Robert like a ton of bricks.

She knocked him down with that kiss. He could do nothing but follow her lead.

"I love you, Anna," he whispered in her ear.

They began making sweet love. Robert was a gentle and considerate lover and when it was over, Anna cried in Robert's arms.

"What is it, love?" he asked as he held her.

"I've betrayed my sister," she softly sobbed.

"Anna, we're in love... and there is no shame in that," he replied. "Everything's going to be alright. I promise."

He tenderly soothed her and eventually, Anna fell asleep in his embrace. She was cradled against him softly as Robert stroked her long dark hair. As he held her, he vowed he'd defeat Faison and in the process, Alex would be safe. Safe. He was the man who would keep Anna and Alex safe. He was Anna's destiny.