rekindled(英文版)-第4章

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The　work　I　did　for　the　oil　panies　involved　identifying　the　most
likely　spots　for　oil　deposits。　Wherever　possible；　environmental
considerations　were　put　first。　And　you're　a　fine　one　to　talk　about
selling　out。　I　had　the　impression；　when　I　saw　you　last；　that　you　were
against　everything　the　establishment　had　to　offer。〃

Ross　leaned　back　in　his　chair。　〃You　drew　your　own　conclusions；　Chloe。
Appearances　can　be　misleading。〃　His　tone　was　low；　his　voice　and　eyes
steady。

Chloe　was　stunned。　She　stood　up　and　cried；　〃It　was　all　a　charade；　then？

The　clothes；　the　beard；　even　the　Peace　Corps？〃　She　turned　away；
disillusioned　and　heartsick。　Head　bowed；　she　grappled　with　the　idea　of
an　attraction　based　on　a　lie。

Ross　materialized　before　her。　〃Did　it　matter　so　much？〃　he　asked　softly。

When　she　neither　answered　nor　looked　up；　he　put　a　finger　under　her　chin
and　forced　it　up。　Her　eyes　were　dry；　but　she　knew　they　held　pain。　She
couldn't　hide　that；　couldn't　even　try。

〃Did　it？〃　he　asked。

Chloe　felt　a　well　of　emotion；　emotion　that　had　lain　dormant　for　years。
Ross　was　so　close　that　the　warmth　of　his　body　was　an　intoxicant。　She
used　the　power　of　that　to　speak。　〃Yes。　It　mattered　more　than　you　can
imagine。〃

〃But　why？　The　physical　attraction　between　us　had　nothing　to　do　with
outer　trappings。　As　I　recall；　we　shed　our　clothes　pretty　fast。〃　Chloe
tried　to　pull　away；　he　held　her　chin。　〃Don't　run　from　it。　There　was
something　between　us　that　you　can't　deny。　Are　you　telling　me　you　made
love　to　an　image？〃　His　tone　was　suddenly　cooler。　〃Was　it　an　experiment
for　you？　Was　I　a　tool　in　your　rebellion？〃　His　fingers　tightened　on　her
jaw。　Reflexively；　she　held　his　wrist。

〃No。　That　wasn't　it　at　all。〃　She　was　hurt　that　he　would　suggest　it。　〃All
you　seem　to　think　about　is　the　physical　act。　Yes；　there　was　a　physical
attraction。　With　and　without　clothes。　But　for　me；　at　least；　there　was
more　involved。　There　had　to　be。〃　Her　voice　rose。　〃I　was　a　virgin；　for
God's　sake。〃

Ross　must　have　felt　her　hurt；　because　he　relaxed　his　grip。　He　moved　his
fingers　back　to　her　ear；　pushing　them　through　the　long　strands　of　her
hair　with　infinite　gentleness。

〃I　know　that；〃　he　whispered。　His　eyes　held　the　same　tenderness　they　had
on　that　night；　when　he　had　first　introduced　her　to　the　art　of　love。
Then；　the　world　had　been　hers　on　a　string。　It　certainly　wasn't　now；
still　her　heart　pounded　in　her　chest　the　very　same　way。　Now；　as　then；
she　was　being　held　by　the　most　appealing　man　she　had　ever　known。　He　was
a　leader；　a　freethinker。　He　was　boldly　gentle；　gently　bold。　He　had
confidence　without　arrogance；　success　without　acclaim。　He　was　a　man　who
didn't　mince　words。　She　felt　an　instinctive　respect　for　him。

Much　of　this　same　appeal　had　beckoned　to　her　on　that　night。　Other
details　might　be　forgotten；　but　not　Ross　and　the　force　that　bound　them。
It　was　an　unfathomable　force；　but　frightfully　powerful。　Eleven　years
ago；　it　had　driven　the　fact　of　her　innocence　from　her　mind。　Now　it
obliterated　all　remembrance　of　what　had　happened　so　soon　after　that
night　to　irrevocably　change　Chloe's　life　and　outlook。

As　Ross's　large　hands　framed　her　face；　she　felt　a　special　warmth　steal
through　her；　awakening　senses　from　hibernation　like　the　ing　of
spring。　Her　cheeks　flushed　with　the　heat。　Her　lips　parted。　She　was
entranced　all　over　again。

He　moved　closer；　his　face　lowering。　When　she　closed　her　eyes　it　was　to
savor　the　feather　touch　of　his　mouth　on　hers。　It　seemed　she　had　waited
forever　to　know　its　sweetness　again。　And　guilt？　Guilt　was　light…years
away；　beyond　a　far　horizon　she　hoped　never　to　reach。　It　had　been
pervasive　over　the　years；　but　was　out　of　place　now。　She　wanted　more　of
Ross；　if　only　to　keep　the　past　safely　blotted　from　her　mind。

Opening　her　eyes；　she　found　Ross's　hot　above　her。　His　breath　was
unsteady；　but　he　waited。　She　sensed　he　was　giving　her　a　chance　to　turn
and　run；　but　that　was　the　last　thing　she　wanted　to　do。

She　met　his　kiss　with　an　eagerness　she　hadn't　known　for　eleven　years。
All　the　power　of　her　femininity　that　had　been　stored　up　and　denied　now
burst　forth。　Ross's　lips　were　firm　and　knowing　in　response　to　her
passion；　dominating　then　submitting；　teasing　then　yielding。　They
explored　the　ripe　curve　of　her　mouth　with　a　thoroughness　surpassed　only
when　his　tongue　entered　the　act。　And　Chloe　opened　herself　more　with　each
darting　flicker；　with　each　exchange　of　breath。

She　had　e　alive　and　was　aflame。　At　some　point　her　arms　found　his　neck
and　coiled　beyond；　drawing　her　slender　body　firmly　against　his　longer；
harder　one。　His　hands　played　over　her　back；　caressing　every　inch　from
hip　to　neck　with　the　devastating　touch　of　those　long　fingers。
And　she　was　caught　in　the　web　they　spun；　neither　able　nor　willing　to
move　away。

Everything　about　Ross　was　utterly　male；　from　the　musky　scent　of　his　skin
to　the　trim　tapering　of　the　hair　at　the　top　of　his　collar；　to　the　lean
line　of　his　torso　and　the　corded　steel　of　his　thighs。　It　was　as　though
Chloe　was　innocent　again；　as　though　this　was　that　first　ecstatic　night
relived。　She　was　intoxicated。

When　he　groaned　and　crushed　her　to　him；　she　understood　the　feeling。　It
was　a　statement　of　a　shared　primal　need。　Ross　held　something　for　her
that　no　other　man　had　begun　to　offer。　She　was　driven　by　instinct　closer；
closer　to　him。

At　some　point；　soft　bells　of　warning　sounded。　She　didn't　know　if　it　was
when　his　hand　slipped　from　her　cheek　to　her　throat；　or　when　his　fingers
began　to　knead　her　breast；　or　when　his　palm　turned　to　her　nipple。　She
only　knew　of　a　tug　between　some　relic　of　the　past　that　clamored　for
recognition；　and　the　quickly　coiling　knot　of　need　deep　inside。

She　fought　that　past　by　nurturing　the　need。　Hands　locked　at　the　back　of
his　neck；　she　closed　her　eyes；　let　her　head　fall　back；　and　sought　the
mindlessness　of　sensual　pleasure。　Her　lips　parted；　her　breathing　was
short。　But　she　needed　more。　Against　her　better　judgment；　against　those
tiny　warning　bells；　she　grew　bolder。　Bowing　her　head；　bracing　it　against
his　chin；　she　was　curved　now；　offering　him　an　entrance　he　hadn't　had
before。

Small　explosions　of　delight　flared　through　her　when　he　slid　his　hand
into　her　dress。　Surrounded；　her　breast　was　warm；　full；　and　straining
against　his　hand。　His　thumb　and　forefinger　met　at　a　nipple；　driving　her
higher。　Did　reason　exist？　At　that　instant　she　knew　of　only　one　road　to
satisfaction。

〃e　upstairs　with　me；〃　Ross　said　in　a　voice　thick　with　need。　〃Let　me
love　you。　It's　been　so　long；　princess。〃

Princess。　It　struck　her　that　he　had　done　the　same　thing　she　hadformed　an
image　and　held　it　through　the　years。　In　his　mind　she　was　still　one　step
removed　from　royalty。　But　not　in　hers。

She　strained　away　from　his　hands。　〃Please　stop；　I　can't　do　this。〃

Aroused　still　and　upset　with　herself；　she　trembled。

〃Can't？〃　he　challenged　hoarsely。

〃Won't；〃　she　amended　as　she　clutched　at　threads　of　posure。　Eleven
years　ago　she　hadn't　refused　him。　Her　virginity　had　never　had　a　chance。
But　things　were　different　now。　She　was　different。

〃Why　not；　Chloe？〃

She　heard　hurt；　but　it　didn't　make　her　relent。　〃I　wish　I　could　explain。〃

〃Why　can't　you？　I've　seen　that　pained　look　in　your　eyes。　At　those
moments…at　this　moment…you　do　look　unhappy。　Is　it　something　about　me？

Something　about　what　happened　eleven　years　ago？〃

For　all　of　those　eleven　long　years；　Chloe　had　hidden　a　world　of　inner
feelings　from　everyone　around　her。　They　were　locked　in　tight。　He　could
prod　all　he　wanted；　but　they　weren't　getting　out。

He　spoke　more　gently。　〃Here。　Sit　down。　I'll　make　us　some　coffee。　You　can
talk。〃

〃I　don't　want　to　talk。　Some　things　are　best　left　dead　and　buried。〃　She
shuddered　at　her　own　choice　of　words。

〃Sit。〃　He　nudged　her　into　the　chair　she　had　left；　and　she　sat；　if　only
because　her　legs　were　unsteady。　He　proceeded　to　clear　the　table；　rinse
everything；　and　perk　a　small　pot　of　coffee。　She　watched　almost
incidentally；　her　thoughts　far　off　in　a　world　of　what…it's。　What　if
Crystal　had　won　that　toss　of　the　coin？　What　if　Crystal　had　set　out　to
seduce　Ross　and　been　seduced　herself。？　What　if　Crystal　had　died　anyway？
Would　Chloe　feel　the　same　guilt　now？

〃How　do　you　take　it？〃　Ross　asked；　placing　a　steaming　mug　before　her。

〃Black。　Thank　you。〃

After　lacing　his　own　with　milk　and　sugar；　he　returned　to　his　seat。

Chloe　tried　to　control　her　thoughts　by　speaking　first。　〃You've　e　a
long　way　in　the　business　world　since　I　saw　you　last；　Ross。　How　did　you
manage　it？〃

He　smiled。　〃You　mean；　how　did　I　manage　the　transformation　from'far　out'
to　'far　in'？　The　fact　is；　I　never　was　all　that　'far　out。'　I　went　my　own
way　for　a　while。　I　avoided　money。　I　grew　a　beard　because　there　wasn't
modern　plumbing　where　I　was　in　Africa；　and　I　didn't　want　to　have　to
shave　at　dawn　by　the　riverside。　I　wore　jeans　because　they　were
fortable；　same　with　loose　shirts。　I'd　grown　up　in　a　world　of　rigid
discipline。　I　wanted　my　freedom。〃

〃〃Rigid　discipline'？〃　She　realized　again　how　little　she　knew　of　Ross。

He　eyed　her　with　something　akin　to　amusement。　〃Y'know；　considering　you
slept　with　the　man　the　first　time　you　met　him　。。　。〃

〃That's　not　fair；〃　she　argued。　〃When　we　were　together；　I　couldn't　think
straight。〃

〃History　repeats　itself；〃　he　drawled；　referring　to　what　had　happened
moments　earlier　with　a　mischievous　grin。

Chloe　didn't　like　being　ribbed。　〃You　didn't　know　any　more　about　me　that
night。〃　But　rather　than　turning　the　tables；　she　was　more　deeply
incriminated。

〃Neither　of　us　did　much　talking；　did　we？〃　Ross　asked；　clearly　enjoying
himself　She　shook　her　head。　The　only　talking　they'd　done　had　been　in
soft　moans　and　caresses。　The　attraction　between　them　had　been
overpowering。　〃I　want　you　to　know　that　I　don't　do　that　as　a　rule。　I
mean；　I　don't　make　a　habit　of…〃

〃…jumping　into　bed　with　every　guy　that　es　along？　I　know　that；　Chloe。〃
He　smiled　gently。　〃I　told　you　that　we　had　something　special。　Do　you
think　I　sleep　with　every　pretty　woman　I　meet？〃

〃Of　course　not。　I　just　wanted　you　to　know　not　to　expect　something　I
can't　give。〃

〃Won't　give；〃　he　corrected　a　second　time。　〃The　end　result　is　the　same。
You　understand；　don't　you？〃

〃No；　I　hear　you。　I'm　listening。〃　He　was　sober。　〃But　I　don't　understand。
You　haven't　given　me　a　good　reason　to　understand　yet。　Most　women　with
your　looks　would　have　reached　the　point；　at　age　twenty…nine；　where　they
could　recognize　something　deeper。〃

Chloe　felt　stymied。　〃What　do　my　looks　have　to　do　with　anything？〃

The　amber　gaze　that　touched　her　curves　gave　the　answer　even　before　he
spoke。　〃You're　beautiful；　Chloe。　Beautiful　women　have　options。　You've
never　married？〃

〃No。〃

〃You　must　date　often。〃

〃I　have　friends。〃

〃Male　friends？〃

〃Some。〃

〃Serious　male　friends？〃

When　she　shrugged；　he　looked　at　the　ceiling。　〃What　I'm　trying　to　find
out　is　whether　you're　going　with　someone；　living　with　someone；　or
engaged　to　someone。〃

For　an　instant；　Chloe　imagined　he　was　a　frustrated　suitor。　She　smiled　at
the　thought。　〃No；　Ross。　I　date　here　and　there；　but　there's　no　one
special。　I　live　alone。〃

When　he　expelled　a　breath；　she　suspected　it　was　for　effect。　〃Thank　you；〃
he　added　facetiously；　then　sobered。　〃Do　you　go　home　much？〃

Chloe　flinched。　〃No。〃　That　was　another　topic　better　left　alone。　〃What
about　you？　What　was　that　'rigid　discipline'　you　suffered　through？〃

〃My　father　was　heart…and…soul　Army。　A　career　man。　Our　house　was　run　like
a　barracks。　It　was　almost　a　treat　when　I　was　sent　to　military　school。〃

〃Oh；　my。　It's　no　wonder　you　freaked　out。〃

Ross　laughed。　〃Freaked　out？　That's　one　from　the　old　days。〃

Chloe　smiled。　〃Sorry。　It　just　slipped　out。　I　can't　remember　the　last
time　I　said　that。〃

〃Maybe　way　back　in　the　time　of　you　and　me？〃　He　stared　at　her；　then　gazed
pensively　at　the　table。　When　he　raised　a　hand　and　rubbed　the　muscles　at
the　back　of　his　neck；　Chloe　followed　the　movement。　She　half…wished　she
could　do　it　for　him；　but　dangerous　was　a　mild　word　for　that　type　of
thing。　Once；　danger　had　been　a　challenge。　Now　she　wanted　no　part　of　it。

Ross's　confession　broke　into　her　thoughts。　〃I　may　have　been　pretty
antiestablishment；　at　that。　There　was　a　certain　amount　of　rebellion　in
me　against　routine　and　schedules　and　expectations。　I　guess　I　wasn't　much
different　from　the　average　flower　child；　except　that　I　knew　I'd　be
returning　to　the　fold　before　long。　I　saw　that　period　for　what　it　was…a
time　in　my　life　when　I　could　stretch　my　legs。〃

Chloe　chuckled。　Her　smoky　gaze　fell　to　the　floor；　where　a　pair　of
wellshod　feet；　ankles　crossed；　extended　well　beyond　her　side　of　the
table。　〃An　awesome　task。〃　She　quirked　a　brow。　〃So　how　did　you　bee　a
successful　businessman？　You　obviously　didn't　go　into　partnership　with
your　dad。　But　you've　e　a　long　way　in　eleven　years。　President　of　the
Hansen　Corporation。〃　She　shook　her　head　in　amazement。

〃I　had　a　mentor；　like　you　did；〃　he　explained。　〃I　worked　for　him　through
business　school；　then　after。　The　business　did　well。　I　gradually　acquired
stock。　When　Sherman　died　two　years　ago　he　left　me　shares　enough　to　make
me　the　majority　holder。〃

〃Was　the　Rye　Beach　plex　your　idea？〃

〃Actually；　no。　It　was　the　baby　of　one　of　the　other　vice　presidents。
Sherman　seemed　to　feel　it　had　merit。〃

〃And　yo