rekindled(英文版)-第15部分

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appealing　than　he　had　been　in　her　memory　all　those　years。　He　was　a　man
for　today；　to　be　sipped　and　savored　like　the　wine　he　poured　into　her　now
empty　glass。

When　he　spoke；　she　was　grateful　for　the　wine's　mellowing　shield。　〃When
was　the　last　time　you　were　home？〃

〃Home？〃

〃New　Orleans。　Do　you　go　back　there　often？〃

〃No。〃　New　Orleans　was　the　past。　She　wanted　the　present。　〃What　does　that
have　to　do　with　anything？〃

〃Love。　You　asked　me　about　it。　I'm　asking　you　the　same。　You　loved　your
family　once。　Do　you　still？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃But　you　never　see　them。　Don't　you　miss　them？〃

Even　in　spite　of　the　wine；　she　grew　defensive。　〃I　do。〃

〃How　often　do　you　call　home？〃　he　asked　gently。

〃Every　so　often。〃

〃And　the　last　time　you　flew　down？〃

She　hedged。　〃It　was　a　while　ago。〃

When　he　leaned　forward　to　pursue　his　point；　she　sensed　that　he　really
and　truly　cared。　〃Why；　Chloe？　What　does　love　mean　to　you　that　you　can
ignore　those　same　people　who　worry　themselves　sick　about　you？　That　can't
be　what　love　is　about。〃

〃We're　talking　about　different　kinds　of　love。　One　kind　you're　born　into；
the　other　you　choose。〃

〃The　end　result　is　the　same。　Once　a　man　and　a　woman　make　that　mitment
and　marry；　they　face　the　same　kinds　of　trials　that　your　family　faced。
You've　run　away…〃

〃Don't。〃　She　clamped　a　hand　on　his　arm。　〃Please　don't；　Ross。　I　don't
want　to　talk　about　this。〃

His　voice　gentled。　〃You　have　to　talk　about　it　sometime。　There　are　so
many　things　you've　refused　to　face；　about　yourself；　about　your　family…〃

〃Not　tonight；〃　she　insisted　softly。　She　let　her　eyes　plead；　only　because
her　voice　kept　its　dignity。　〃I　want　to　enjoy　myself　tonight。　Please？〃

Ross　stared　first　at　her；　then　at　the　tablecloth；　then　at　the　far　wall。
When　his　gaze　finally　returned　she　saw　a　glint　of　humor。　〃When　you　look
at　me　like　that；　I'd　do　anything！〃

〃Anything？〃　She　clutched　at　that。

〃Anything。〃

〃Then　tell　me　about　the　Picasso　exhibit。　You　saw　it　when　it　was　in　New
York；　didn't　you？　Was　it　as　spectacular　as　the　reviews　claimed？〃

〃Every　bit。〃

She　waited　for　him　to　say　more；　but　he　simply　stared　at　her。

〃Go　on；　Ross。　Tell　me　about　it。〃

His　gaze　narrowed。　〃I'm　not　giving　up；　Chloe。　We'll　get　back　to　that
other　conversation　sooner　or　later。　For　now　I'll　humor　you。〃

〃I'm　waiting；〃　she　sang　brightly；　making　light　of　his　threat。　〃The
exhibit？〃

The　evening　passed　more　quickly　than　she　could　have　dreamed。　Not　only
did　they　discuss　Picasso；　but　they　delved　into　politics；　Wall　Street；
and　the　National　Football　League　as　well。　For　Chloe；　the　Chiteaubriand
Bouquetre　with　B6arnaise　Sauce　was　incidental；　as　was　the　mellow　red
wine　that　flowed　with　the　appearance　of　the　beef。　Her　attention　was　on
Ross　and　Ross　alone。

When　was　it　that　she　had　vowed　indifference？　That　morning？　What　a　fool
she　had　been　to　think　she　could　remain　indifferent　to　Ross　for　long。　She
knew　her　eyes　were　sparkling　and　her　cheeks　flushed；　and　she　couldn't
seem　to　stop　smiling。　Indifferent？　Fat　chance。　Even　aside　from　the
physical；　she　found　him　to　be　the　most　interesting；　well…informed；
articulate　man　she　had　ever　known。　Though　they　didn't　agree　on
everything；　he　respected　Chloe's　right　to　her　own　opinion。　It　made
conversation　free　and　relaxed；　neither　one　fearful　of　offending　the
other。

The　blend　of　Ross　and　the　wine　put　Chloe　at　ease。　When　he　suggested　that
they　take　dessert　cheese　home　to　eat　with　fruit　overlooking　the　ocean；
she　was　all　for　it。　Unfortunately；　it　was　downright　chilly　when　they
emerged　from　Farmington　Court；　and　it　began　to　drizzle　during　the　drive
home。

〃So　much　for　a　gentle　evening　breeze；〃　Ross　grumbled　as　he　hustled　Chloe
up　the　front　steps　to　her　door　between　increasingly　large　drops　of　rain。
〃The　living　room　will　have　to　do。〃

〃That'll　be　fine。　I'm　in　the　mood　for　Debussy　anyway；　and　it　would　have
peted　with　the　surf。〃

He　smiled　at　her。　〃La　Mer？〃

〃I　had　another　of　his　works　in　mind。〃　Once　inside；　she　went　straight　to
the　shelves　below　the　stereo　unit；　where　she　kept　a　small　but　cherished
collection　of　works　of　the　masters。　With　pride　she　pulled　one　CD　from
the　lot。

Ross's　brow　shot　up。　〃L　Aprds…midi　dun　faune？〃　Again　his　accent　was
flawless。　〃I　haven't　listened　to　that　in　years！〃

〃I　always　called　it　Afternoon　of　a　Faun。　I　like　the　way　you　say　it；
though。　It　sounds　so　much　more　romantic。〃

〃It　is　a　romantic　piece。〃

Ignoring　the　note　of　caution　that　sounded　from　somewhere　in　the　back　of
her　mind；　she　took　out　the　CD。　The　entire　evening　had　been　romantic；　so
why　not　this？　If　she　was　enjoying　herself；　why　stop？

Ross　squatted　to　study　her　collection。　His　expression　was　all　male　and
distinctly　wicked　when　he　winked　back　over　his　shoulder。　〃You　have
Ravel。　Should　I　put　that　on？〃

She　had　seen　that　video；　too。　〃Debussy　will　be　fine；〃　she　said　without
batting　an　eyelash。

Richly　pictorial　chords　filled　the　room。　Chloe　sank　into　a　corner　of　the
sofa；　put　her　head　back；　and　closed　her　eyes。　She　was　aware　of　movement
within　the　room；　but　concentrated　on　the　music　floating　softly　through
the　air　about　her。　She　was　dreaming；　wakened　only　by　the　warm　lips　that
kissed　her　bare　throat　once。　Her　eyes　flew　open。

〃e　sit　with　me　and　have　some　cheese。〃　He　took　her　hand　and　coaxed　her
to　the　floor　beside　a　plate　of　cheese　and　fruit。　She　slipped　off　her
high…heeled　sandals。

They　sat　in　front　of　the　sofa　and　chairs；　on　the　thick　cream…colored
area　rug　that　covered　the　hardwood　floor。　Chloe　was　the　keeper　of　the
edibles；　slicing　fruit　and　cheese；　stacking　a　piece　of　one　on　the　other
to　offer　Ross。　He　lounged　casually　on　an　elbow；　legs　stretched　and
crossed　as　he　kept　their　wineglasses　filled。

〃Are　you　trying　to　get　me　drunk？〃　she　teased。

〃What　fun　would　you　be　drunk？〃　He　paused。　〃Are　you　sure　you　don't　want
to　listen　to　Ravel？〃

〃Don't　you　like　Debussy？〃　she　asked　innocently。　Ross　simply　topped　off
her　wineglass。

In　the　hours　that　followed　they　talked　more。　Chloe　asked　Ross　about　his
childhood　and　discovered　that　he　had　both　a　sister　and　a　brother；　that
he　had　studied　the　violin　during　one　of　his　mother's　culture　binges；　and
that　he　had　been　expelled　from　school　for　a　day　after　tossing　a　water
bomb　from　a　second…story　building　and　soaking　kids　in　the　playground。

〃A　water　bomb？　Ross；　how　could　you？　That's　the　type　of　thing　the　girls
always　hated！〃

〃That's　why　I　did　it。〃

〃e　on；〃　she　chided；　her　eyes　half　closed；　〃a　ladies'　man　like　you？〃

〃Sure。　I　was　eight　at　the　time。　It　satisfied　my　need　for　machismo。〃

Chloe　laughed　at　the　idea　of　an　eight…year…old　Ross　striving　for
machismo。　He　certainly　didn't　need　to　strive　now。

〃You　have　three　brothers；　don't　you？〃　Ross　picked　the　perfect　time　to
turn　the　conversation。　She　was　in　a　more　relaxed；　more　open　mood　than
earlier。　It　didn't　occur　to　her　not　to　answer。

〃Uh…huh。　Allan；　Chris；　and　Tim。　They've　gone　into　Daddy's　business。〃

She　frowned。　〃I　haven't　seen　them　in　a　while。〃

〃Will　you　be　going　down　for　Thanksgiving　next　month？〃

November　was　the　last　time　of　year　she　ever　went　to　visit。　〃No。　I　think
Tim　will　be　in　New　York　then。　I　may　meet　him　there。　I'm　not　sure。　I
haven't　heard　from　him　in　a　while。〃

〃Do　you　call　them？〃

This　time；　she　did　smell　the　trap。　〃Oh；　no；　you　don't；　Ross　Stephenson。
I'm　not　so　tipsy　that　I　can't　see　what　you're　doing。　It　won't　work。〃

〃You　won't　tell　me　about　you？〃　he　asked　with　such　honest　disappointment
that　she　almost　gave　in。　Almost；　but　not　quite。　There　was　too　much　she
didn't　want　to　face　tonight。　This　was　a　night　for　the　present。　She　shook
her　head　in　silent　insistence。

〃Then　sit　closer。〃　Before　she　could　protest　he　had　shifted　so　that　she
leaned　against　him　as　he　leaned　against　the　sofa。　〃There。〃　His　voice　was
pleasantly　husky。　〃fortable？〃

〃Ummm。〃　She　was　extremely　so。　In　fact；　she　couldn't　think　of　a　place
where　she　would　have　been　more　fortable。　Ross's　chest　was　broad　under
her　cheek；　his　arms　were　gentle　around　her；　his　heartbeat　a　pacifying
tattoo　through　her。

Time　became　an　expendable　entity；　there　was　no　need　to　move。　They　sat
quietly　in　one　another's　arms；　lulled　by　the　music　that　continued　to
play。　Debussy　had　long　since　given　way　to　Grieg　and　Tehaikovsky。

Given　the　wine；　the　song；　and　the　man；　Chloe　was　mellow。　So　she　had　no
problem　when　Ross　said；　〃You　and　Crystal　were　identical；　weren't　you？〃

〃Technically；　but　there　were　differences　we　could　see。〃

His　breath　rustied　the　hair　at　her　temple。　〃Were　you　inseparable　as
kids？〃

〃Pretty　much。　Since　the　guys　were　a　lot　older　than　we　were；　there　were
only　the　two　of　us　around　the　house。〃

〃You　had　a　built…in　playmate。〃

〃Uh…huh。　It　was　fun。　She　was　the　more　adventurous。　I　was　the　more
conservative。〃

〃But　you　were　the　one　who　approached　me　that　night；　not　Crystal。　I
always　wondered　why。〃

Chloe　tipped　her　head　back　to　look　at　him。　〃We　argued　about　who　you　were
looking　at。　I　thought　it　was　me。　Crystal　said　you　wouldn't　see　the
difference。〃　She　paused。　〃Who　were　you　looking　at；　Ross？　Me；　or
Crystal？〃

His　lips　curved　gently；　tickling　her　nose　for　an　instant。　〃You　both
looked　the　same。〃

〃We　did　not。　e　on；　which　one　was　it？〃　Her　teasing　was　gentle；　but　she
needed　to　know。

Ross　raised　his　eyes。　〃Ah；　let　me　think。　There　was　one　with　dark　hair
curled　to　the　left；　and　one　with　dark　hair　curled　to…〃

She　pinched　his　ribs。　〃I'm　serious！　Or　were　you　just　interested　in　any
pretty　girl？〃

He　sobered　then。　〃I　wanted　you；　Chloe。　I　saw　the　difference。　Your　sister
was　just　as　lovely；　but　you　had　something　more。　I　can't　quite　explain
it。〃

He　didn't　have　to。　Knowing　that　he　had　chosen　her　was　enough　to　ease
part　of　that　guilt　she　had　felt　over　the　years。

He　tightened　his　arms。　〃Okay；　princess。　Now　you　tell　me。　Why　were　you
the　one　who　came　forward？〃

〃I　wanted　you　more。〃

When　he　sucked　in　a　breath　Chloe's　hand　slid　lower　on　his　abdomen。　On
dangerous　ground；　she　raised　it　to　the　point　where　his　tie　lay　in　a
loose　knot；　where　the　top　two　buttons　of　his　shirt　were　released。　His
chest　beckoned。　She　touched　it　and　found　it　wonderfully　warm。

Ross's　voice　grew　thicker。　〃You　argued？〃

〃Not　exactly。〃

〃If　Crystal　was　the　more　impulsive　of　the　two；　I　can't　believe　she　gave
up　without　a　fight。〃

〃I　wouldn't　call　it　a　fight。〃

〃Then　what？　What　settled　it？〃

Chloe　was　suddenly　unsure。　What　they　had　done　sounded　crass。　But　she　had
e　this　far。　〃We；　uh；　we　tossed　a　coin。〃

〃Excuse　me？〃

〃We　tossed　a　coin。〃

〃To　see　which　one　of　you　would　get　me？〃　At　her　nod　he　burst　into　a
laugh。　〃Chloe　Macdaniel！　I'm　appalled！　You　mean　to　tell　me　that　you　let
the　toss　of　a　coin　decide　whether　you　or　your　sister　would　seduce　me？

That's　awful！〃

She　leaned　closer；　whispered；　〃It　wasn't　a　fair　toss。〃　Tempted　headily
by　the　male　tang　of　his　skin；　she　kissed　his　chest。

〃Excuse　me？〃

She　cleared　her　throat。　〃I　knew　I　would　win。〃

Ross　held　her　back；　staring　in　bemusement。　〃Explain；　please。〃

〃Crystal　and　I　used　to　play　tricks　on　one　another。　We　each　had　our
strong　points。　She　always　beat　me　when　it　came　to　motivating　herself。
She　was　the　first　to　get　behind　the　wheel　of　the　car；　the　first　to
choose　the　prettiest　dress　in　the　boutique；　the　first