rekindled(英文版)-第8章

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〃There　were　several　calls　for　you。　Alabama　called　again　on　that　toxic
waste　burning　problem。　I　told　them　you'd　have　an　answer　for　them　by
Monday。〃

Chloe　nodded；　sighing　her　uncertainty　on　the　Alabama　matter。　〃And　the
other　calls？〃

〃Derry　Township　called　on　the　lecture　series　at　the　munity　college。
They　want　to　know　when　the　printed　material　will　be　ready　to　be　copied。
Jay　called　from　Pittsburgh　to　say　that　he　should　be　back　on　Sunday；　and
Debbie　will　have　the　statistics　on　the　sinkhole　study　for　you　to　see
tomorrow。〃

〃Whoa。　She　sure　got　that　together　fast。〃　She　told　Ross；　〃Debbie　is　the
newest　member　of　the　firm。　She　just　got　her　degree。　Her　working
knowledge　of　puters　is　much　better　than　Lee's　or　mine。〃　She　frowned。
〃Boy；　would　I　like　to　take　more　courses。〃

〃Why　don't　you？〃　Ross　asked。

〃No　time。　Lee　and　I　have　worked　our　butts　off　trying　to　make　ESE　a
functioning　enterprise。〃　She　shot　a　look　at　her　partner。　〃I　think　we're
finally　seeing　the　light　at　the　end　of　the　tunnel。〃

His　grimace　took　her　by　surprise。　Instead　of　agreement；　she　saw　sudden
doubt。　〃That's　another　point　of　discussion　for　the　weekend；〃　Lee
informed　her　softly；　squeezing　her　arm　a　final　time　before　releasing
her。　〃But；　hey；　it's　getting　dark。　Let's　carry　on　inside。　Want　to　stay
for　dinner；　Ross？〃

Chloe　bent　to　retie　a　shoelace　that　needed　no　retying。　She　didn't　want
Ross　staying　for　dinner。　She　wanted　to　return　to　her　life；　and　that
meant　having　him　leave　and　stay　gone。　Naturally；　he　had　other　ideas。

〃That　would　be　fine；〃　he　said　with　gratitude。

But　Chloe　sensed　something　in　him。　As　the　three　of　them　walked　back　down
the　beach　to　her　house；　she　saw　the　tension　on　Ross's　face。　His　eyes　met
hers；　and　she　was　again　grateful　for　Lee's　presence。

Then　Lee　turned　traitorous。　With　a　grin；　he　said；　〃There's　some　great
wine　in　the　cellar；　Chloe。　The　steaks　are　already　on　the　counter。　Why
don't　you　take　another　one　from　the　freezer？　I'll　meet　you　in　the
kitchen。〃

And　he　loped　off。

Before　she　could　follow；　Ross　wrapped　a　hand　around　her　long　ponytail
and　held　her　in　place。

〃What　was　that　all　about？〃　he　asked　with　a　scowl。　〃You　told　me　you　lived
alone。〃

She　stared　straight　ahead；　looking　after　Lee。　〃I　do。〃

Ross　moved　closer。　His　head　lowered　to　hers。　〃Then　why　is　that　fellow　so
damned　at　home　in　your　house？　He　sounds　like　he's　the　live…in
chef…between　the　wine　and　the　steaks。　What　other　services　does　he
perform？〃

She　didn't　like　his　implication。　Still　staring　at　the　house；　she　said；
〃He's　good　enough　to　bring　the　trash　to　the　dump　once　a　week　and　put
They　had　reached　the　base　of　the　field　stone　steps　that　led　to　Chloe's
back　porch。　Ross　paused　on　the　first　step。　〃And　those　others　I　saw　here
this　afternoon。　Who　were　they？〃

：〃Workers　on　our　various　projects。〃

〃Partners　in　the　firm？〃

She　shook　her　head。　〃We　hire　part…time　people。　They're　mostly　students；
master's　candidates　from　local　schools　like　URI　and　Brown。〃

The　pale　blue　of　dusk　was　quickly　giving　way　to　the　darker　purples　of
evening　in　a　star…filled　sky。　Only　the　spill　of　pale　gold　light　from　the
kitchen　window　lit　Ross's　features　now。　It　left　his　lines　more
clear…cut；　his　profile　more　distinct　and　dramatic。　Chloe　was　intrigued。

〃I　admire　you　for　your　dedication；〃　he　said。

She　continued　to　study　him。　〃Do　I　hear　wistfulness？〃

His　chuckle　was　suspiciously　poignant。　〃Maybe。　There　are　times…at　which；
that's　a　whole　other　thing。〃

When　she　would　have　pursued　it；　Lee's　shout　jarred　her。　〃Chloe！〃　Her
head　whipped　around。　〃Where　are　the　matches？　The　pilot　light　is　out　on
the　broiler。　I　can't　get　it　lit。〃

Ross　leaned　close　and　murmured；　〃And　here　I　thought　he　was　the　one　who
always　came　to　your　rescue。〃

She　turned　to　defend　Lee；　only　to　find　Ross's　lips　a　breath　from　hers。
His　eyes　were　glowing；　his　body　warm　though　the　heat　of　the　day　was
gone；　and　her　mouth　was　suddenly　dry。　〃I　think　I'd　better　give　him　a
hand。　Pray　we're　not　out　of　matches。〃

Her　response　was　meant　as　humor；　because　she　wasn't　telling　Ross　the
truth。　Oh；　yes；　Lee　was　a　willing　handyman；　able　in　nine　cases　out　of
ten。　But　they　had　a　running　gag　over　that　tenth。　Chloe　was　convinced；
and　had　told　Lee　as　much；　that　his　occasional　flub　was　intentional；　his
way　of　reminding　her　that　he　needed　her；　too。　He　never　denied　it。　And
Chloe　always　indulged　him。　Emotionally；　he　gave　her　so　much。　She　liked
giving　a　little　some　of　that　back。

Without　further　pause；　she　ran　up　the　steps。　It　was　only　when　she
reached　the　top　and　started　for　the　door　that　Ross　caught　her　hand。　He
pressed　something　into　it。　She　looked　down　at　a　book　of　matches。

〃You　smoke？〃

〃Actually；〃　he　said　with　a　wry　twist　of　his　lips；　〃I　carry　matches
around　with　me　just　in　case　a　pilot　light　goes　out。〃

：；Do　you　smoke？〃

〃Through　my　eyes；　when　I'm　angry。〃

〃Ross；　do　you？〃

〃Smoke？　No。〃

She　sighed。　〃That's　good。　This　is　a　nonsmoking　house。　If　you　wanted　to
smoke　you'd　have　to　sneak　one　in　the　john；　or　stay　out　here　with　the
chipmunks。〃

〃That's　some　choice。　Good　thing　I　don't　have　to　make　it。　As　it　happens；〃
he　informed　her；　〃my　only　vice　is　sex。　Do　we　have　to　sneak　that　in　the
john；　too？〃

She　might　have　choked　if　she'd　been　eating。　But　she　recovered　quickly；
shook　her　head；　and　muttered　a　soft　〃Incorrigible。。　。〃　as　she　pulled　the
screen　open。　She　took　refuge　in　the　kitchen；　where　her　loyal　protector；
Lee；　was　waiting。

And　he　filled　that　role　repeatedly　throughout　the　evening；　taking　over
for　her　when　she　was　distracted。　He　was　an　able　conversationalist；　a
gracious　host。　She　trembled　to　think　what　would　have　happened　had　she
and　Ross　been　alone　in　the　house。　She　was　too　vulnerable；　too
susceptible　where　Ross　was　concerned。　If　she　hadn't　known　it　before；　she
learned　it　that　evening。

It　started　before　dinner；　when　she　left　the　two　men　and　went　off　to
shower。　She　put　on　a　pair　of　jeans　and　a　western…style　blouse　that　had
breast　pockets　and　a　decoratively　stitched　yoke。　Her　intent　was　to　be
cool　and　at　ease。　The　finished　product；　though；　spoke　of　homespun
femininity。　Had　it　been　the　pale　pink　of　the　blouse；　she　later　asked
herself。？　Or　the　way　the　seasoned　denims　outlined　her　hips？　Whatever；
she　caught　Ross's　attention。　Her　first　step　into　the　living　room；　where
the　men　were　nursing　drinks　while　the　steaks　grilled；　brought　Ross's
eyes　her　way　for　a　perusal　that　set　her　pulse　hammering。　Where　Chloe's
peace　of　mind　was　concerned；　it　was　downhill　from　there。　She　wanted　to
tune　him　out；　but　she　couldn't。

The　talk　centered　on　business　matters。　Sitting　quietly　in　a　peacock
chair；　Chloe　learned　that　Ross's　headquarters　were　indeed　in　New　York；
but　that　there　were　corporate　branches　in　the　South　and　in　the　West。

She　tried　to　imagine　it。　〃You　must　live　out　of　a　suitcase　a　good　deal　of
your　time。〃

〃I'm　used　to　it。　Don't　forget；　when　I　was　a　kid　my　family　was　shuttled
around　by　the　Army。〃　At　Lee's　prodding；　Ross　elaborated　on　his
background。　Chloe　found　herself　wondering　if　he　had　ever　settled　down；
even　for　a　short　time；　or　if　he　ever　would。　She　found　herself　wondering
how　as　pelling　and　attractive　a　man　had　avoided　the　lure　of　a　wife；　a
home；　a　family。　When　she　was　caught　in　the　act　of　admiring　him；　Ross
smiled　in　what　she　swore　was　a　knowing　way。

And　so　went　the　evening。　Lee　talked　with　Ross；　and　Ross　talked　with　Lee。
Chloe　listened；　joining　in　from　time　to　time；　trying　to　fight　admiration
without　much　success。

Why　Ross？　she　asked　herself　at　one　point。　Why　not　Lee？　The　two　were　as
physically　alike　as　brothers。　But　then；　why　had　Ross　been　attracted　to
Chloe　rather　than　Crystal？　Or　had　he？　Had　Crystal　been　right？　Had　it
been　a　case　of　his　taking　what　was　offered　by　whichever　sister　came
forward？

That　question　nagged。　Had　her　being　with　Ross　been　pure　chance？　A　simple
turn　of　fate？　But　what　about　that　coin？　There　was　nothing　coincidental
about　Chloe　winning　the　toss。　And　Ross…had　he　been　looking　at　Chloe
rather　than　at　her　identical　twin　sister？　Had　it　all　been　by　design；　or
had　it　been　by　pure　chance？

She　was　distracted　as　the　evening　waned；　unaware　of　looks　of　concern
sent　her　way。　When　Lee　said；　〃I'm　takin'　off　now；　Chloe；〃　she　was
startled。　Her　head　came　up。　Unsure；　she　straightened。

〃I'm　sorry；〃　she　apologized　softly。　〃I'm　afraid　I　haven't　been　much
help。　We　haven't　even　gone　over　those　things　we　should　have。〃

〃No　problem。〃　He　smiled。　〃We'll　do　it　tomorrow。〃　Taking　his　cue　from　the
disquieted　look　in　her　eyes；　he　turned　to　Ross。　〃Are　you　staying　here
tonight？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃No。〃

They　spoke　at　the　same　time。　Chloe　hurried　on。　〃No；　Ross。　You　can't　stay
here。〃　She　was　determined。　〃There's　one　bedroom　and　one　bed；　and　I　need
it。〃

〃Why　don't　you　stay　with　me；　friend？〃　Lee　offered…and　for　the　second
time　that　evening；　Chloe　could　have　disowned　him。　She　wanted　Ross　to
leave。　Out　of　sight　was　out　of　mind。　Lee's　offer　only　plicated
things。

Naturally；　Ross　accepted　the　invitation。　〃No　imposition？〃

〃No　imposition。　The　sofa　in　the　living　room　opens　into　a　bed。　The　back
door　will　be　open。　Chloe　will　point　you　in　the　right　direction。〃　Before
she　could　protest；　Lee　reached　the　door。　〃Good　night；　folks。〃　He
grinned；　letting　himself　out　with　a　flourish。

With　a　steadying　breath；　Chloe　settled　deeper　into　her　high…backed
chair；　tucked　her　feet　under　her；　forced　her　fingers　to　relax　against
the　broad　wicker　arms；　and　looked　across　the　room　at　Ross。

He　spoke　softly。　〃You　really　do　look　like　a　princess　in　that　chair。
Those　peacock　markings　could　as　easily　be　a　crown　of　gold　as　a　swirl　of
wicker。　Are　you　fortable？〃　His　eyes　were　gleaming；　mocking。

〃No；〃　she　answered　honestly。　〃You　know　I'm　not。〃

His　grin　held　no　apology。　〃That's　a　shame。　I　don't　want　you　to　be
miserable　through　the　entire　weekend。〃

〃You　can't　stay　all　weekend！〃

〃Why　not？　I　have　a　place　to　sleep。　That　Lee's　a　good　guy。〃

〃Too　good！〃　she　grumbled。　〃I　thought　I　could　trust　him。〃

Ross　sat　forward；　elbows　on　his　thighs；　fingers　steepled。　〃That's　what
puzzles　me。　I'm　sure　you　can　trust　him；　but　I　can't　figure　out　for　the
life　of　me　why。〃

Chloe　instantly　came　to　Lee's　defense。　〃He's　been　a　true　friend　to　me。〃

〃Why　only　a　true　friend？　Why　not　a　lover？〃

〃Lee　doesn't　want　that　from　a　woman。〃

〃You　mean；　he　prefers…〃

〃No。　No；　Ross。　Don't　twist　things。〃　Beneath　his　stare；　her　own　insides
twisted。　〃Lee　was　married　once。　He　has　two　children。　He　and　his　wife
divorced　five　years　ago。　She　lives　in　St。　Louis。〃

〃Ah。　Once　burned　。。。　okay；　I'll　accept　that。〃

〃How　kind；〃　she　murmured；　but　she　was　annoyed　enough　to　see　an　opening
and　take　it。　〃What　about　you？　In　the　eleven　years　since　I　knew　you　when；
what　have　you　done　along　similar　lines？　Should　I　assume　you've　developed
odd　preferences？〃

The　instant　she　said　it；　she　knew　it　was　a　mistake。　Good　humor　faded
fast　from　Ross's　face。　When　he　stood　and　approached　her；　she　struggled
to　avoid　cringing　into　the　chair。　There　was　a　hard　look　to　him。

〃Would　that　make　you　trust　me　more？〃　he　murmured。　He　towered　above　her
for　a　minute；　then　bent　over。　His　hands　covered　hers　on　the　arms　of　the
chair。　His　face　was　too　near。　〃Sorry　to　disappoint　you；　but　my
preferences　are　still　for　the　opposite　sex。〃　His　lips　moved　closer。
Chloe　looked　down　to　escape　them；　but　his　long　body　filled　her　view。
Everywhere　she　moved　her　eyes；　she　saw　him；　one　point　more　alarming　than
the　next。　If　it　wasn't　the　vee　of　his　chest；　with　its　wisps　of　dark　hair
edging　alongside　the　tab　of　his　collar；　it　was　the　breadth　of　his
shoulders　or　the　lean　tapering　of　his　middle　or　the　casual　set　of　his
hips。　Those　hips　told　their　own　story。　She　tore　her　gaze　away；
pletely　convinced　of　his　preference。

He　grinned。　〃Any　further　questions？〃

The　slight　shake　of　her　head　was　enough　to　bring　his　lips　into　contact
with　her　cheek；　and　Chloe　was　suddenly　conflicted。　Pull　away。　Move
closer。　Keep　your　eyes　shut。　Look　at　him。　Look　at　him。　Look　at　him。

She　looked。　His　eyes　held　gentleness　now。　And　the　same　desire　she　felt。
So　close。　So　far　away。　〃Kiss　me。　Don't。

He　did。　Very；　very　lightly。　A　ghost　of　a　touch　with　shuddering
intensity。　Chloe's　eyes　were　shut；　her　lips　parted。　To　taste　him　once
more　　。。。　When　he　kissed　her　again；　his　tenderness　incited　her　need。　She
moved　closer；　clung　to　him　with　her　own　lips；　drank　in　the　tang　of　his
mouth；　so　moist　and　strong　yet　soft。　His　tongue　touched　hers　briefly
before　he　raised　his　head。

〃Definitely　my　preference。〃　He　spoke　thickly；　his　breathing　uneven。

Chloe　was　momentarily　disoriented。　It　was　a　minute　before　reality
returned。　Then　she　was　appalled。　〃What　am　I　doing？〃　she　asked；　not
realizing　she'd　spoken　aloud。　〃What　am　I　doing？〃

〃Letting　yourself　live；〃　came　the　husky　but　gentle　declaration。

Burying　her　face　in　her　hands；　she　struggled　to　understand　what　had　just
happened。　She　couldn't　face　him；　much　less　herself。　Easier　to　hide
behind　the　cascade　of　hair　that　fell　forward；　shielding　her　from　the
world。

Lost　in　silent　self…reproach　Chloe　was　unaware　that　he　had　moved　away
and　returned　to　the　sofa。　He　was　waiting；　listening；　when　she　finally
raised　her　head。

〃Why　are　you　doing　this　to　me？〃　she　pleaded　softly。　〃Why　can't　you　just