rekindled(英文版)- 第6部分

Without　waiting　for　her　response　he　went　on；　his　voice　low　but
relentless；　his　gaze　intense。　He　put　his　hands　on　the　table。　〃When　was
the　last　time　you　saw　a　flower　child？　Hmm？　They've　vanished。　Disbanded。
Lost　the　war。〃　The　pause　he　took　was　for　a　deep　breath。　〃Well；　I　haven't
lost。　I'm　working　from　within　to　change　things。　Did　that　ever　occur　to
you；　Chloe？　You've　been　so　quick　to　label　me　first　one　way；　then　the
other。　Did　it　ever　occur　to　you　that　your　impression　wasn't　even　skin
deep；　that　there's　a　me　under　it　all？〃

It　was　a　while　before　Chloe　was　able　to　speak。　She　certainly　didn't　know
Ross。　This　speech　presented　a　new　side　of　him。　And　he　was　right。

〃I'm　sorry；〃　she　said。　〃It　was　wrong　of　me　to　do　that。　I'm　not　always
that　way。〃　She　tried　a　smile　in　apology。　To　her　relief；　it　seemed　to
work。　His　features　relaxed。

〃Only　with　me；　eh？〃　He　inhaled　deeply　and　stood　tall；　holding　his　breath
for　a　minute　while　his　head　fell　back；　then　releasing　it　as　his　eyes　met
hers。

She　felt　suitably　contrite　and　suddenly　drained。　〃You　have　a　knack　for
bringing　out　my　extremes。　I　guess　I'm　just　tired。　It's　late。〃　A　glance
at　the　bold　face　of　Ross's　watch　told　her　exactly　how　late。　〃Oh；　Lord！
It's　two　in　the　morning！〃　She　caught　her　breath；　looked　at　the　ceiling；
and　whispered；　〃Do　you　think　we've　woken　anyone　up？〃

Ross's　chiding　was　gentle。　〃No　need　to　whisper　now。　If　our　yelling
didn't　wake　'em；　nothing　will。〃　He　took　the　two　empty　coffee　cups　and
brought　them　to　the　sink。

Chloe　wiped　off　the　table。　〃If　it　hadn't　been　for　that　battery；　I'd　have
been　back　home　in　bed　by　now。〃

〃Instead；〃　he　teased；　〃we've　had　a　chance　to　get　reacquainted。　Urn；
acquainted。〃

Chloe　stopped　wiping　and　straightened。　Getting　acquainted　was　one　thing；
but　where　did　they　go　from　there？　The　physical　attraction　that　had　been
rekindled　with　a　vengeance　earlier；　weighed　heavily　on　her　now。

〃Uh…uh；　Chloe。〃　He　came　up　behind　her。　〃Just　relax。〃　She　looked　back；
wondering　how　he　knew。　〃I　can　feel　it　in　the　air…that　whatever…it　is
that　disturbs　you。〃　He　took　the　cloth　from　her　and　tossed　it　into　the
sink。　〃I　won't　pounce。　I'll　just　walk　you　to　your　room。〃

That　was　exactly　what　he　did。　He　halted　on　the　threshold。　〃The　manager
said　he'd　leave　plenty　of　towels。　I　wish　I　could　offer　you　something
else。　You　seem　to　be　without　those　。。。　things　that　most　women　can't　live
without。〃

She　smiled。　〃I　don't　need　anything。〃

〃A　shirt？　Would　you　like　a　fresh　shirt　of　mine　in　place　of　a　。。。　a。。

〃Negligee？〃　Her　smile　widened。　〃No；　thanks；　Ross。　If　the　sheets　are
clean；　they'll　be　covering　enough。　But　I　have　to　get　an　early　start　in
the　morning。〃

He　nodded。　〃I　called　the　garage　while　you　were　making　our　dinner。
They'll　be　at　your　car　no　later　than　eight。　Is　that　too　early？〃

〃Lord；　no！　I　have　to　call　Lee；　my　partner；　anyway。　There's　a　small
matter　of　an　appointment　at　nine。〃

〃Will　she　fill　in　for　you？〃

〃No。　He　has　work　of　his　own　to　do。〃　She　grinned　at　Ross's　startled　look。
〃He'll　cancel　and　explain　for　me。　I'll　reschedule　when　I　get　back。〃

Ross　nodded；　but　he　was　gnawing　on　his　lower　lip。　There　was　obviously
more　that　he　wanted　to　say；　but　Chloe　wasn't　inviting　him　in。　That　would
be　dangerous。　Very　dangerous。　But　when　he　turned　and　headed　down　the
stairs　to　his　own　room；　she　felt　disappointed。　Part　of　her　wondered　if
flirting　with　danger　could　end　on　a　happy　note　this　time。

The　night　manager　hadn't　only　left　extra　towels；　but　he'd　also　left　a
package　of　goodies　tailor…made　for　the　stranded　motorist。　There　was　a
toothbrush；　toothpaste；　a　b；　soap；　and；　luxury　of　luxuries；　an
envelope　of　bubble…bath　powder。

Chloe　smiled。　She'd　had　her　share　of　tension　today；　now　she　would
release　it。　The　devil　could　take　the　hour；　she　would　take　a　long；　hot
bath！

Several　deft　flicks　of　her　wrist　sent　a　full　stream　of　hot　water　into
the　long　porcelain　tub；　which　stood；　in　keeping　with　the　vintage　aura　of
the　inn　itself；　on　four　clawed　feet。　Feeling　scandalous；　she　sprinkled
the　entire　contents　of　the　envelope　beneath　the　steaming　flow。

Moments　later　she　was　immersed　to　her　neck　in　bubbles。　Draping　her　hair
over　the　lip　of　the　tub；　she　closed　her　eyes　and　gave　in　to　pleasure。
Was　it　true　what　they　said　about　the　subconscious　urge　to　return　to　the
womb？　Was　this　all…enveloping　warmth；　this　light　floating　what　it　had
been　like？

The　womb；　however；　was　not　where　she　wished　most　to　be　at　that　moment。
Rather；　she　thought　of　the　arms　that　had　held　her　earlier；　the　lips　that
had　kissed　her；　the　strong　body　that　had　supported　her。　Buoyed　by　a
sense　of　euphoria；　she　allowed　herself　to　think　back　on　the　full　story
of　that　night　eleven　years　ago。

It　had　been　the　holiday　recess。　She　and　Crystal　had　returned　from　their
first　semester　at　the　university　to　spend　Thanksgiving　with　the　family。
The　boys　were　gathered：　AJLAN　from　Denver；　Chris　from　Chicago；　Tim　from
St。　Louis…from　their　respective　subdivisions　of　the　Macdaniel　domain。
They　had　spent　a　typically　revel…filled　Thanksgiving　Day；　plete　with
gargantuan　offerings　of　turkey；　stuffing；　salads　and　vegetables　and
fruit　molds；　pies　and　cakes　and　other　goodies；　not　to　mention　the
pany　of　aunts　and　uncles　and　cousins　galore。　Later　that　night；　she
and　Crystal　had　dropped　in　at　Sandra's　house；　where　a　party　had　been　in
progress。

Sandra　had　been　their　best　friend　through　carefree　high　school　years。
They　hadn't　seen　her　since　September　when　she　had　left　to　go　to　college
in　New　York；　where　her　older　brother　lived。

Ross　was　that　brother's　friend。　From　the　moment　Chloe　set　foot　into　the
Brownings'　living　room　her　eye　was　drawn　to　him。　He　had　seemed　to
represent　all　the　things　she　had　never　knowrmonconformity；　independence；
singularity。　Even　in　a　crowd；　he　stood　out。　Sandra　had　said　he　was　in
the　Peace　Corps；　stationed　in　Africa。　He　was　tall　and　breathtakingly
attractive　in　a　wholly　new　and　exciting　way　for　Chloe。　〃Gorgeous；　isn't
he？〃　Crystal　had　whispered　in　the　ear　of　her　twin。

〃I'll　say。　What　do　you　think　he's　doing　here？〃

〃That's　a　dumb　question。　He's　visiting　the　Brownings　like　we　are。〃

They　stood　with　their　heads　together；　both　pairs　of　eyes　glued　to　Ross。

Chloe　asked；　〃Do　you　think　he　has　a　girl？〃

〃A　guy　like　that？　Girls；　plural。　He's　oozing　virility…or　hadn't　you
noticed？〃

〃I　noticed；〃　Chloe　drawled。　〃Think　he'll　notice　us？〃

〃Why　not？　We're　rich　and　beautiful　and　sexy…〃

〃　…and　young。〃

Crystal　bristled。　〃What's　that　got　to　do　with　anything？〃

〃If　he's　Sammy's　friend；　Crystal；　he's　ten　years　older　than　we　are。　You
don't　really　think　he'd　be　interested；　do　you？〃

〃God；　Chloe；　you　are　a　stick…in…the…mud。　Of　course　he'll　be　interested。
Men　like　freshness。　And　we　are　rich　and　beauti…〃

〃I　know；　I　know；〃　Chloe　interrupted　the　litany；　feeling　a　sudden
surprising　disdain　for　her　sister's　arrogance。　So　often　the　arrogance
was　shared。　As　the　babies　of　the　family…and　twins；　at　that…they'd　been
reared　like　royalty。　For　the　first　time；　however；　Chloe　wondered　whether
men　like　this　stranger　were　attracted　to　royalty。　Was　being　rich　and
beautiful　and　sexy　all　that　mattered？　Something　told　her　that　this
divine…looking　man　would　seek　more；　something　in　his　gaze　as　he　slowly
turned　it　their　way。

〃Wow；〃　Crystal　whispered。　〃I'm　going　after　him。〃

〃Oh；　no。　It's　my　turn；〃　Chloe　whispered　back　with　matching
determination。　〃You　got　Roger。　This　one's　mine。〃

〃He　won't　want　a　stick…in…the…mud。　You　think　we're　too　young　for　him。〃

〃I've　changed　my　mind。　Besides；　he's　looking　at　me；　not　you。〃

Crystal　snorted。　〃Arbitrary　choice。　We　look　exactly　alike。〃

〃All　of　a　sudden　we　look　exactly　alike？〃　Chloe　choked。　〃What　about　that
'added　bit　of　spice'　you　claim　to　have？　What　about　your　last…born　'glow
of　vulnerability'？〃

Crystal　crinkled　her　nose。　〃He　can't　see　all　that　at　this　distance。〃

But　Chloe　was　vehement。　〃I　have　a　feeling　about　him。〃

〃You　always　have　feelings　about　people。　I'm　the　doer。　Remember？〃

〃Not　this　time。〃

〃Chloe　。。。〃　Crystal　warned　in　a　singsong　murmur。

〃Crystal　。。。〃　Chloe　warned　right　back。　〃We'll　toss　a　coin。　Heads；　I
win。〃

Crystal's　eyes　narrowed。　〃I'll　do　the　tossing。　You　always　seem　to　win。〃

It　was　true。　While　Crystal；　with　her　heightened　impishness　and
propensity　for　instigating　trouble；　was　often　at　the　fore　in　their
mischief…making；　Chloe　invariably　won　the　toss　of　the　coin。　And　with
good　reason。　As　the　more　levelheaded　of　the　two；　she　was　expected　to　be
the　one　to　produce　the　coin。　It　came　from　a　secret　fold　in　her　wallet
and　served　no　other　purpose　than　this。　It　would　never　have　passed　for
currency。　It　had　two　heads。　But　Crystal　never　knew　that；　not　even　when
she　did　the　tossing　herself。

And　so；　with　the　keenest　of　amber　eyes　pulling　her　forward；　Chloe　had
approached　the　mysterious　man　of　the　love　generation。　Initial　silence
had　given　way　to　the　exchange　of　smiles；　then　names。　There　was　brief
small　talk；　amid　a　riot　of　steamy　looks。　The　party　had　paled。　Forgetting
their　friends；　they　had　wandered　onto　the　patio；　then　taken　refuge　by
the　pool。　Later　they　had　moved　on　to　the　sloping　lawn　of　Sandra's
parents'　estate。

Chloe　shifted　slowly　in　the　tub。　The　heat　of　the　water　had　dissipated；
but　was　replaced　by　the　heat　of　her　body　as　she　remembered。　It　had　been
warm　that　night。　The　crescent　moon　had　been　brilliant；　repeated　in　the
white　smile　that　split　Ross's　dark　beard　when　he　looked　down　at　her。

〃You're　a　vision；　Chloe；〃　he　whispered；　sharing　her　fascination。　〃Are
you　real？〃

〃I'm　real；〃　she　whispered　back　and　was　suddenly；　uncharacteristically
tongue…tied。

But　further　words　were　unnecessary。　The　guest　house　where　Ross　was
staying　was　on　a　far　corner　of　the　estate。　He　took　her　there；　pausing
along　the　way　to　kiss　her；　to　assure　her　with　a　protective　embrace　that
he　wouldn't　hurt　her；　and　he　hadn't。　He　had　been　a　masterful　lover；　so
very　gentle　undressing　her；　so　very　subtle　baring　his　potentially
frightening　body；　so　very　patient　as　he　coaxed　her　to　heights　of　desire；
then　tender　when　he　took　her　virginity。　When　tenderness　gave　way　to
driving　passion；　she　rose　with　him；　reveling　in　an　ecstasy　she　had　never
known　before。

Ross's　lovemaking　had　been　a　magical　experience。　She　would　always
cherish　it。

She　stirred　in　the　tub；　suspended　between　the　world　of　memories　and　the
present。　In　a　final　indulgence；　she　submerged　her　hand　and　touched　the
skin　Ross　had　touched；　traced　the　curves　he　had　traced。　Thoughts　of　him
were　fresh　and　near。　She　sighed　in　delight。

Then　her　back　slipped　on　the　porcelain。　With　a　jerk；　she　sat　up；　but　not
before　her　hair　got　wet。　Hissing　her　annoyance；　she　reached　for　a　towel
to　wrap　around　her　head；　then　soaped　herself　quickly　and　climbed　out。　A
lovely　trip　into　the　past　had　ended　in　frustration。　Satisfaction　would
not　be　forthing。　Nor　would　there　be　a　respite　from　the　guilt　she
still　felt。

For　the　guilt　was　only　in　part　related　to　the　act　of　loving　Ross。　Its
other　part　was　Crystal。　Crystal…her　twin。　Crystal…her　alter　ego。
Crystal…who　had　never　known　that　same　joy；　but　should　have；　should　have
at　least　once　before　her　death　such　a　short　time　later。

The　long　ponytail　bobbed　against　her　neck　as　Chloe