rekindled(英文版)-第9部分

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told　me　about　your　sister；　that　she　died；　that　you　rarely　visit　your
family　back　in　New　Orleans。　But　you　never　talk　about　men。　You're　a
beautiful　person；　Chloe。　I　know　it；　and　he　knows　it。〃　He　tilted　his　head
toward　the　living　room。　〃I　dare　you　to　look　me　in　the　eye　and　deny　that
there　was　ever　anything　between　the　two　of　you。〃

She　couldn't　lie。　Not　to　Lee。　〃I　can't　do　that。　But；　whatever　it　was；
it's　over。〃

〃You　think　so？〃

〃Yes。〃　She　said　it　firmly；　and　held　her　head　the　same　way。

Lee　studied　her　for　a　long　minute；　before　making　a　show　of　wiping　his
hands　together。　〃Well；　then；　I　guess　that　settles　that。〃　He　graciously
redirected　the　conversation　to　safer　ground。　〃I　do　agree　with　you　that
the　private　business　sector　could　be　a　promising　outlet。　I'll　be　in
Washington　next　week　to　work　with　the　Coast　Guard　on　the　Gulf　project。
Let　me　see　what　nosing　around　I　can　do　while　I'm　there。〃

〃How　much　longer　will　the　training　project　take？〃

〃With　the　government；　that's　a　good　question。　And　when　it　es　to　oil
spill　cleanups；　no　amount　of　training　is　ever　enough。　I　would　guess　the
present　phase　will　take　another　few　months　at　least。〃

Chloe　contemplated　those　ing　few　months。　Unthinkingly；　she　glanced
toward　the　door。

Lee　headed　that　way。　〃I　can　take　the　hint；　pretty　lady。〃　His　hand　was　on
the　knob　before　she　could　call　him　back。　〃Anything　else　can　wait。　Have
fun！〃　He　left　with　a　wink。

〃Lee！　Wait…〃

But　one　dark　head　was　replaced　by　another。　〃At　last；〃　Ross　said　and
closed　the　office　door。　〃Alone　at　last。〃

Chloe　forced　herself　to　sit　back　slowly。　〃I　hadn't　realized　you　would
hang　around　all　morning。　I　hope　you　weren't　bored。〃

〃Actually〃…he　circled　her　desk　to　plant　himself　on　the　corner　nearest
her…〃I　went　over　some　papers　of　my　own。　I'm　a　good　loser；　for　a
morning。〃　He　cocked　his　head　toward　the　door。　〃Ready　to　go？〃

〃Go？　Where？〃

〃Oh〃…he　looked　out　the　window　in　amusement…〃I　thought　you　could　show　me
around　town。　I'm　a　stranger　to　these　parts。〃

Judging　from　the　confidence　he　exuded；　it　was　a　wonder　that　any　parts
were　strange　to　him。　Chloe　couldn't　ignore　the　thread　of　excitement　that
he　had　brought　with　him　into　the　room。　Indifference；　she　reminded
herself。　But　it　was　a　tough　order。

Standing　quickly；　she　tried　to　remedy　the　situation。　〃I　wish　I　could
help；　but　I　still　have…〃　A　strong　arm　caught　her　waist。　Before　she　could
say　another　word；　she　was　imprisoned　between　his　thighs。

〃All　work　and　no　play…〃

〃Makes　a　successful　scientist。〃

〃And　a　very　dull　woman。〃

She　frowned；　unwittingly　taking　his　bait。　〃Do　you　think　my　work　is
dull？〃　Her　disappointment　was　genuine。　So　was　the　devastatingly　handsome
smile　that　spread　across　his　face。　The　hands　that　were　looped　loosely
behind　her；　now　brought　her　closer。

〃Nothing　about　you　is　dull；〃　he　said；　〃except　your　determination　to　hold
me　at　arms'　length。〃

Arms'　length　was　a　lot　farther　than　where　she　was　now。　Well　within　the
circle　of　his　arms；　with　her　hands　braced　at　the　point　where　his　jeans
met　his　hips；　she　was　under　his　spell。

Ross　lowered　his　head　and　kissed　her；　tasting　the　sweetness　of　her
mouth；　and　it　struck　her　that　she　might　well　have　been　too　successful　at
her　own　game。　By　denying　the　past；　she　was　responding　to　him　in　the
present　alone。　Her　return　kiss　was　gentle；　sampling。　She　played　with
being　free　of　all　memory；　all　guilt。　Her　lips　opened　to　his。　She　gave　of
herself　as　she　hadn't　done　in　years。

〃That　was　nice；〃　he　whispered　against　her　mouth；　then　pulled　away　and
set　her　back　before　she　could　do　it　herself。　He　trailed　a　long　thumb
across　her　cheek　to　the　lips　he'd　just　left。　〃We'll　do　it　again　soon。〃
It　was　said　so　gently　and　carried　such　lightness　that　Chloe　couldn't
help　but　smile。　A　warm　flush　painted　her　cheeks　a　ely　pink；
plementing　the　gray　of　her　eyes；　which　held　a　hint　of　apology。　〃You
have　a　way　of　sneaking　up　when　a　girl　least　expects　it；　Ross。　What　am　I
going　to　do　with　you？〃

His　gaze　told　her　first；　and　there　was　something　heady　about　it；　until
he　added；　〃You're　going　to　love　me　one　day。　That's　what　you're　going　to
do。〃

She　stiffened；　but　he　went　on。　〃Right　now；　you're　going　for　a　ride　with
me。〃

〃I　have　errands　to　do；〃　she　protested。

〃Like？　〃

〃Like　marketing；　for　starters。　In　one　meal　you've　nearly　wiped　me　out。〃

〃So　we'll　go　to　the　market。　What　else？〃

She　adlibbed。　〃I　need　new　house　plants　for　the　living　room。　With　winter
ing　on…〃

〃Winter？　It's　creeping　up　toward　seventy　again　today。　How　can　you　think
of　winter？〃

〃It'll　be　here。　And　anyway；　the　sooner　the　plants　get　used　to　the　house；
the　easier　it　will　be　for　them　to　adapt　to　the　cooler　weather。〃

His　gaze　narrowed。　〃I　bet　you　talk　to　your　plants。〃

〃No。　If　I　did　that；　they　might　think　I　was　flaky。　I　want　my　plants　to
respect　me。〃

She　doubted　Ross　heard　her。　He　was　focusing　on　her　mouth；　looking
entranced。　Suddenly　he　slid　the　fingers　of　both　hands　through　the　hair
on　either　side　of　her　face；　brought　his　own　head　down；　and　kissed　her
again。　This　time　there　was　a　hunger　there　hadn't　been　before；　a　new
urgency。　This　time　Chloe　was　frightened。　How　not　to　lose　herself　in　that
hunger？

〃Ross；〃　she　cried；　〃don't；　please；　don't。〃

He　released　her。　His　voice　remained　husky；　but　his　eyes　held　a　promise。

〃I　won't　push　you　now。　But　you　will　love　me　one　day。　One　day　soon。〃

〃You're　wrong…〃

〃Not　this　time；　princess。〃　He　paused　to　let　his　breathing　steady。　〃Let's
go。　We'll　stop　for　lunch　first。　I'm　starved。〃

Chloe　took　a　steadying　breath　of　her　own。　〃After　that　breakfast？〃

〃That　breakfast；〃　he　grumbled；　〃was　interrupted。　And　anyway；　that　was
this　morning。　It's　nearly　two。　Any　more　feeble　excuses　to　try　on　me
before　we　leave？〃

Chloe　looked　around　her　office。　Its　familiarity　gave　her　strength。
Indifference。　She　could　do　it。

〃Not　a　one；〃　she　said；　preceding　Ross　from　the　room　without　another
word。　It　was　only　when　they　reached　the　front　door　that　she　felt　an　odd
sense　of　adventure。　Eyes　alight；　she　turned　back　to　Ross。　〃I　have　an
idea。　Let's　take　the　bike。〃

〃I　have　a　better　idea；〃　he　countered；　pulling　the　neck　of　his　turtleneck
away　from　his　skin。　〃Let's　change　into　cooler　things。　I　hadn't　expected
it　would　get　so　warm。〃

Assuming　that　his　clothes　were　still　at　Lee's　house；　she　felt　generous。
〃Okay。　You　go　back　and　change。　I'll　just　sit　here　and…hey！　What　are　you
doing？〃

It　was　pretty　obvious；　actually。　With　a　fast　tug　he　freed　his　sweater
from　his　jeans；　crisscrossed　his　arms；　and　smoothly　whipped　the　black
turtleneck　over　his　head　and　off。　Never；　ever；　would　Chloe　forget　that
moment　when；　muscles　stretched；　his　chest　came　into　view。

Lightly　bronzed；　with　a　liberal　hazing　of　hair　that　tapered　toward　his
navel；　it　was　a　solid　wall　of　hard；　glorious　flesh。　Her　mouth　went　dry。
She　could　only　stare。

〃My　bags　are　right　here；〃　he　replied；　retrieving　a　soft　leather　duffel
from　beside　the　sofa。　Long　arms　pulled　at　the　duffel's　zipper。　Deft
fingers　exchanged　the　sweater　for　a　lighter；　short…sleeved　jersey。　He
quickly　drew　it　over　his　head。　Once　more　Chloe　trembled　as　that　body
stretched；　flexed；　then　settled　back　down；　mercifully　covered　again。

Ross　grinned。　〃There。　Easy　enough。　Do　you　need　to　change　or　anything？
Are　you　cool　enough？〃

Chloe　didn't　think　she　would　ever　be　cool　enough　again。　〃Uh；　I'm　fine。〃
She　cleared　her　throat　awkwardly；　turning　and　escaping　to　the　wide　open
spaces　without　any　further　attempt　at　wit。　And　she　had　suggested　taking
the　bike！　They　would　be　better　off　swimming。　They　might　not　get　to　any
store；　but　they　would　have　a　barrel　of　much…needed　cold　water　between
them！

But　too　late。　He　was　at　her　heels　as　she　led　the　way　to　the　side　shed
that　housed　her　motorbike。

〃You　drive　this　yourself？〃　Ross　asked；　eyeing　the　small　vehicle　with
something　short　of　trust。

〃Sure；〃　she　said；　praying　that　he　not　hear　her　breathlessness　and　guess
its　cause。　〃It's　great　for　the　fresh　air；　uses　practically　no　gas；　and
does　much　less　by　way　of　pollution　than　my　car。〃　She　paused。　〃Unless
you'd　feel　safer…〃

〃No。　No。　I'm　game。　Don't　forget…of　the　two　of　us；　I'm　the　original
hippie。〃

Chloe　drove　with　Ross　straddling　the　seat　behind　her；　and　it　was　totally
traumatic。　He　was　near；　so　near。　His　arms　were　locked　about　her　waist；
his　body　tucked　against　hers。　Even　the　October　breeze　whipping　by　did
nothing　to　relieve　the　intimacy　of　the　trip。　When　he　spoke；　it　was　a
nibble　at　her　ear。　A　nibble？　Had　he　really　done　that@r　was　it　a　product
of　her　overworked　imagination？

Indifference。　Uh…huh。

The　road　they　traveled　was　one　she　covered　daily。　Its　sides　were　edged
with　maples　and　oaks；　grown　ripe　and　mellow　now；　on　the　verge　of
bursting　into　autumn　flame。　Fields　sprawled　to　the　right；　wooded
pastureland　to　the　left。　Ahead　undulated　a　path　to　Sakon　Point；　the
very　tip　of　the　finger　of　land　on　which　Little　pton　sat　just　across
the　bay　from　Newport。

If　Ross　was　aware　of　the　havoc　his　nearness　wreaked　on　her；　he　kept　his
smugness　in　check。　Once；　in　a　gesture　of　soft　intimacy；　he　released　her
waist　to　gather　her　hair　together　in　his　hands；　twist　the　long　fall
once；　and　tuck　it　inside　the　back　of　her　shirt。

〃The　better　to　see　the　town；〃　he　murmured　wickedly。　He　had　to　know　that
her　neck　tingled　from　the　touch　of　those　fingers；　her　ear　from　the　brush
of　his　breath；　so　much　so　that　she　was　oblivious　to　much　of　their
surroundings。　When　at　last　they　reached　the　wharf；　with　its　graceful
fleet　of　pleasure　craft；　she　was　almost　sorry。　The　intimacy　had　been
nice。　She　was　strangely　torn。

Not　so　Ross。　〃Ah！　There's　a　place　that　looks　like　it'll　fit　the　bill。
Can　we　eat　there？〃

The　ultimate　humiliation　had　to　be　being　bested　by　a　restaurant。
Apparently　the　way　to　a　man's　heart　was　through　his　stomach　after　all。
But　then；　Chloe　wanted　no　part　of　Ross's　heart。　The　restaurant　could
have　him。

She　smiled；　pleased　to　have　so　neatly　talked　herself　sane。　〃If　you're
really　hungry；　this　is　the　place　to　be。〃

Ross　was　really　hungry。　He　was　game　to　sample　most　anything　and
everything；　from　clam　fritters　to　little　necks　on　the　half　shell　to
swordfish　puffs；　a　specially　of　the　house。

Chloe　savored　his　enthusiasm；　taking　pride　in　pointing　out　the　small
groups　of　local　fishermen　on　the　pier　arduously　scraping　barnacles　off
tall…stacked　lobster　traps。　The　bright　yellow　of　their　rubber　overalls
was　a　bit　of　sunshine　stolen　from　the　sky；　adding　a　spark　to　the
otherwise　sleepy　air　of　the　harbor。　It　was；　all　in　all；　a　peaceful
lunch；　filled　with　good　food；　thirst…quenching　beer；　and　conversation
that　stuck　to　the　more　general；　less　personal　topic　of　travels；　foreign
ports；　and　favorite　hideaways。

〃The　ocean　is　beautiful；〃　Ross　admitted　at　one　point；　〃but　I　still
prefer　the　mountains。　There's　nothing　more　lovely　than　that　feeling　of
seclusion　you　get　in　a　small　cabin　tucked　into　a　neat　cleft；　with
stretches　and　stretches　of　piggybacked　hills　to　keep　the　world　at　bay。〃

〃Then　you've　never　been　on　the　beach　on　a　foggy　morning；〃　Chloe　returned
softly。　〃It's　like　being　in　a　gentle　white　cocoon；　with　the　solace　of
knowing　that　humanity　is　near；　yet　out　of　sight　and　sound　for　as　long　as
the　mist　should　choose。〃

〃You　like　New　England。〃

〃do。〃

〃You'll　be　staying　here？〃

〃I　will。〃

He　sighed　good…naturedly。　〃Then　we'd　better　get　you　to　the　market　or　you
won't　make　it　through　the　week；　much　less　the　winter。〃

On　that　fortable　note；　they　left　the　restaurant；　spending　leisurely
moments　wandering　along　the　breakwater　before　returning　to　the　bike。

〃I'll　drive　this　time；〃　Ross　said　with　an　arched　brow　and　a　palm　out　for
the　keys。　Chloe　was　only　too　glad　to　relinquish　the　responsibility。
Seated　fortably　behind　Ross；　she　was　more　in　control　of　her　emotions。

What　she　hadn't　counted　on　was　the　broad　expanse　of　his　back；　the　sense
of　contentment　that　flowed　through　her　as　the　wind　rushed　freely　through
her　hair；　the　gentle　fatigue　that　a　night　of　little　sleep；　a　morning　of
busy　work；　and　a　frill　stomach　had　induced。　Indifference　had　no　place
here。　Without　a　care　to　the　wisdom　of　the　move；　she　wrapped　her　arms
about　his　middle　and　laid　her　cheek　against　his　back。

It　was　heaven；　pure　and　simple。　She　didn't　have　a　care　in　the　world。
Ross　was　at　the　helm；　petent　and　strong。　Over　the　wind　that　sailed　by
came　the　steady　beat　of　his　heart；　steadying　her　in　turn。　She　didn't
know　what　it　was　about　this　particular　man　that　affected　her　so　deeply；
nor　did　she　care　just　then。　It　was　enough　to　enjoy　the　respite　from
responsibility　and　to　give　herself　up　to　his　care；　if　only　for　the　brief
ride　home。

The　brief　ride　home；　however；　grew　longer　and　longer。　Peering　around
Ross's　shoulder；　Chloe　saw　that　they　were　on　a　different　road　entirely。
〃Do　you　know　where　we　are？〃　she　called。

〃Roughly。　Where's　your　market？〃

He　followed　her　pointing　finger；　turning　this　way；　then　that；　until　the
town　mon　came　into　view。　Typically　New　England；　it　had　a
white　steepled　church　at　its　hub　and　a　variety　of　rural　shops　and
boutiques。　Chloe　found　everything　she　needed　at　the　grocery　store；
reluctantly　took　Ross's　suggestion　that　the　plants　be　saved　for　another
trip；　then　climbed　behind　him　onto　the　bike　to　return　to　the　house。　Not
one　wrong　turn　later　she　was　on　her　own　front　steps。

The　moment　of　reckoning　was　at　hand。　〃Will　you　be　returning　to　New　York
now？〃　she　asked。

He　had　finished　stowing　the　bike　in　its　proper　spot　and　advanced　on　her
with　a　grin。　Relieving　her　of　the　large　brown　bag　she'd　been　carrying；
he　took　her　elbow　and　guided　her　toward　the　house。　〃Not　yet。〃

〃You're　going　back　to　Lee's？〃

〃Not　yet。〃

〃Then　what　are　you　going　to　do？〃

He　held　the　door　open　for　her　to　pass；　and　followed　her　into　the
kitchen；　where　he　began　to　unload　and　store　the　groceries　as　though　the
place　were　his。　〃I　want　to　make　a　few　phone　calls。〃　He　glanced　at　his
watch。　〃Then　wash　the　car；　catch　the　end　of　the　Giants　game；　shower　and
shave；　and　take　you　out　to　dinner。〃

His　recitation　was　so　nonchalant　that　Chloe　would　have　guessed　he　spent
every　October　Saturday　this　way；　at　least　as　far　as　the　first　part　went。
As　for　taking　her　out　to　dinner；　it　had　certainly　never　happened　before。

〃It's　unnecessary；〃　she　said。

〃Which　part…the　calls；　the　car；　the　game；　or　the　shower？〃

〃The　dinner！　Lunch　was　enough　to　even　us　up。　There's　no　need　for
anything　more。〃

A　muscle　worked　in　Ross's　jaw。　〃It's　not　tit…foretat；　Chloe。　I'd　like　to
take　you　out　to　dinner。〃

〃I　appreciate　the　thought；　but…〃

〃No　buts。　We're　going　out　for　dinner。　Period。〃

〃What　if　I　have　other　plans？〃

He　arched　a　dark　brow。　〃Do　you？〃

〃I　could　just　as　well；〃　she　hedged；　〃for　the　way　you　just　assume　I'm
free。〃

〃Well；　are　you？〃

It　wasn't　that　she　didn't　want　to　go　to　dinner　with　Ross。　On　the
contrary。　She　liked　being　with　him。　She　just　didn't　want　to　get　used　to
it。

〃Chloe？〃

〃Yes；〃　she　said；　sighing。　〃I'm　free。〃

：〃Good。　Say；　about　eight？〃

；：But…〃

Eight　it　is。　And　Chloe？〃

She　felt　totally　helpless。　〃What？〃

〃How　about　if　we　dress　up？〃

〃Dress　up？　I　haven't　'dressed　up'　in　months。　Things　here　are　very
casual。　There's　nowhere…〃

〃There　is；〃　he　argued　gently。　〃Leave　that　to　me。〃

Chloe　lowered　her　eyes　and