rekindled(英文版)-第15部分

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Your　ticket　will　be　held　there　for　you　and　I'll　be　at　the　station
waiting。〃

〃Ross…〃

〃It's　settled。〃

Her　lips　turned　down。　〃That's　what　I　like　about　you。　You're　so
democratic。〃　He　said　a　gentle　〃I　love　you；　too；〃　before　hanging　up。

Ross　was　indeed　waiting　at　the　station　when　her　train　pulled　in。　She　had
barely　stepped　onto　the　platform　when　he　was　beside　her。　He　took　her　bag
and　her　arm　in　one　smooth　move。　〃Have　a　good　trip？〃　he　asked；　glancing
down　as　he　guided　her　along。

〃It　was　fine。〃　And　she　had　to　admit　that　there　was　something　fine　about
being　met　like　this；　something　that　went　beyond　mere　convenience。　New
York　was　New　York；　always　a　little　intimidating。　Ross's　protectiveness
felt　good；　though　she　wasn't　about　to　tell　him　that。　〃Where　are　we
going？〃　she　asked　when　he　hustled　her　to　a　cab；　then　gave　the　driver　the
same　Park　Avenue　address　to　which　she　had　sent　her　check。

〃I　thought　you'd　like　to　see　Hansen's　corporate　headquarters。　The　team
working　on　the　Rye　Beach　plex　won't　be　meeting　until　tomorrow；　but
you　might　feel　more　fortable　seeing　the　layout　before　you　get　bogged
down　in　work。　I　have　things　to　take　care　of　while　we're　there。〃

Indeed；　he　seemed　all　business。　There　was　no　wele　kiss；　no　hug；　not
even　in　the　privacy　of　the　cab；　and　she　wasn't　plaining。　She　had　felt
a　jolt　seeing　him　back　at　the　train；　and　felt　tingles　even　now。　She
needed　all　the　time　she　could　get　to　regain　full　control。

The　Hansen　Corporation　was　every　bit　as　impressive　as　she　had　known　it
would　be。　Ross　Stephenson　wasn't　one　to　do　things　halfway。　As　she　toured
offices　that　consumed　three　full　floors；　no　one　she　saw　was　idle。

Her　guide　was　one　of　the　vice　presidents；　a　soft…spoken　man　whom　she
instantly　liked。　Ross　himself　had　disappeared　with　a　soft　apology
shortly　after　they　arrived。　She　saw　nothing　of　him　until　late　afternoon；
when　he　materialized　in　the　drafting　room；　where　she　was　admiring　the
architect's　plans　for　a　museum　and　theater　plex　in　Des　Moines。

〃What　do　you　think？〃

Delight　lit　her　face。　〃It's　wonderful；　Ross。　You　have　a　brilliant
architect。　From　the　looks　of　the　plans；　this　museum　will　be　a　drawing
card　for　all　of　Iowa。〃

His　smile　held　satisfaction。　〃That's　what　we're　hoping。　Any
suggestions？〃

She　grinned。　〃You　mean；　will　I　now　go　on　and　pick　the　thing　to　bits　on
the　geological　score？〃

〃Something　like　that。〃

〃I　have　no　way　of　knowing　about　this　particular　project。　Looking　at　the
designs；　I　can　mention　potential　sources　of　worry…drain　pipes；　for
instance…but　unless　I　know　something　about　the　land　there；　I　can't　offer
constructive　criticism。〃

When　Ross　put　his　lips　by　her　ear；　she　realized　that　it　was　the　nearest
he'd　e　since　she　arrived。　The　warmth　of　his　skin　by　her　cheek　sent　a
tingle　through　her。　〃Thank　God　for　that；〃　he　said　in　a　stage　whisper；
though　they　were　alone　in　the　room。　He　straightened。　〃The　day's　pretty
much　over。　Let's　get　going。〃

Chloe　gathered　her　things。　It　had　been　an　unexpectedly　pleasant　and
interesting　afternoon。　If　each　of　her　days　here　were　like　it；　she　might
survive　after　all。

But　something　hung　heavy　in　a　half…hidden　corner　of　her　mind。　It　had　New
Orleans　written　all　over　it。　After　New　York；　there　would　be　Rhode
Island；　then　Alabama。　Should　she　do　New　Orleans　after　that？　Would　it
solve　anything？　Would　it　change　her　feelings　for　Ross？

No　doubt；　she　did　love　him。　Walking　down　a　long　corridor　with　him　now；
she　felt　like　a　princess。　He　ruled　the　place；　but　he　was　gentle　and
caring。　He　loved　her。　Was　she　worthy　of　that？

They　were　silent　during　the　cab　ride　to　Ross's　brownstone。　〃You'll　be
staying　here；〃　he　told　her　calmly；　breaking　what　was　almost　a　truce。

〃Ohhhh；　no；〃　she　balked；　but　followed　him　out　of　the　cab。　〃I'll　go　to　a
hotel。　The　city　is　frill　of　them。　You　can　go　inside　and　make　a　call　to
book　the　room　that　should　have　been　booked　on　Monday。〃

Ross　led　her　up　the　front　stairs　to　the　tall　oak　door；　turned　the　key　in
the　lock；　and　let　them　in。　Once　inside　the　gracious　hall；　he　took　her
coat。　〃There　are　three　floors　here。　I　sleep　on　the　second。　You　can　have
the　third　all　to　yourself。　I'm　not　suggesting　that　you　sleep　with　me；
only　that　you　stay　here。　It'll　be　more　convenient。〃

Chloe　recalled　what　he　had　said　on　the　phone　about　needing　her　near　him。
Separate　bedrooms？　On　separate　floors？

Remembering　Rye　Beach　and　feeling　suddenly　lighter；　she　said；　〃Okay。
I'll　take　the　penthouse。〃　She　had　taken　the　penthouse　in　Rye　Beach；　too。
They　shared　that　past；　and　a　grin　of　remembrance　now。

〃e；〃　he　said　warmly。　〃I'll　show　you　around。〃

From　first　to　second　to　third　floor　they　went；　examining　furniture；
artwork；　and　memorabilia　from　his　travels。　No　room　in　the　house　would
have　won　a　designer's　award；　yet　every　room　had　a　warmth　that　reached
out　to　Chloe　and　made　her　feel　at　home。

Ross；　too；　made　her　feel　at　home。　He　put　no　pressure　on　her；　so　she　put
none　on　herself　They　ate　at　a　nearby　restaurant；　then　returned　for　a
quiet　evening　of　reading。　When　Chloe　excused　herself　shortly　after
eleven；　he　bid　her　good　night　with　a　noticeable　lack　of　lechery。

〃You'll　find　an　extra　blanket　in　the　closet。　If　you　want　more　towels
check　the　cupboard　in　the　bathroom。〃　He　looked　up　from　his　papers；　but
didn't　rise。

〃I'll　be　fine。〃　She　smiled。　〃Good　night。〃

〃Good　night。　Sleep　well。〃

One　glance　back　as　she　left　the　room　told　her　that　he　had　returned　to
his　papers。　She　took　the　stairs　slowly；　one　flight　to　the　next。　This　was
a　side　of　Ross　she　had　never　seen。　In　the　past　their　relationship　had
been　shaped　by　physical　attraction。　Now　Ross　seemed　either　immune；　or
holding　his　interest　in　check。

Whichever；　she　was　grateful。　Living　with　him；　working　with　him　could
have　been　a　nightmare。　As　it　was；　she　was　aware　of　the　fact　that　he
would　be　sleeping　one　short　flight　away。　More　than　once　that　night　she
held　her　breath；　hearing　a　sound；　wondering　if　he　was　making　the　climb。

Her　bedroom　door　remained　closed；　and　when　she　fell　asleep；　she　slept
well。

It　was　good。　Thursday　and　Friday　were　packed　with　work；　long　hours　spent
huddled　with　the　masterminds　of　the　Rye　Beach　plex。　They　were
amenable　to　her　suggestions；　often　mildly　questioning；　sometimes
strongly　doubting；　but　always　ready　to　listen。　Ross　was　absent　during
most　of　the　work；　dropping　in　to　check　on　the　progress；　but　otherwise
yielding　to　the　men　beneath　him。

Chloe　asked　him　about　it　Friday　evening。　〃I　thought　you'd　be　more
fortable　if　I　kept　my　distance　at　the　office；〃　he　said。

〃But　aren't　you　concerned　about　the　project？　For　all　you　know　the
revised　plans　may　be　unacceptable　to　you　personally。〃

〃I　doubt　that；〃　he　replied；　smiling　fortably。　〃I　trust　you。　And　I
trust　the　men　you're　working　with。　They　know　what　I　want。〃　He　paused；
eyes　changing；　voice　lowering。　〃So　do　you。〃

Her　throat　grew　tight。　It　was　the　first　thing　he　had　done　that　was　at
all　suggestive。　For　that　reason；　she　indulged　him　the　lapse。　And　because
the　lapse　was　brief；　she　let　him　bribe　her　to　stay　in　New　York　until
Sunday　with　a　pair　of　choice　tickets　to　the　Big　Apple's　newest　hit
musical。

〃How　did　you　ever　get　seats？〃　she　asked　in　excitement；　reaching　for　the
telltale　envelope。　Ross　only　raised　it　much　higher；　out　of　reach。　〃I
have　ways。〃　He　laughed。　〃You　haven't　seen　it；　have　you？〃

〃You　know　I　haven't！　It　only　opened　last　week；　and　you've　known　every
one　of　my　ings　and　goings　since　then。〃

He　smiled　smugly　and　changed　the　subject；　but　Chloe　easily　acclimated
herself　to　a　Sunday　return　to　Rhode　Island。　When　he　announced　that　he
had　work　to　do　at　the　office　on　Saturday　morning；　she　binged　on　Fifth
Avenue；　treating　herself　to　a　new　dress；　shoes；　and　a　purse。　Again；
though；　there　was　that　dark　tugging　at　the　back　of　her　mind。　The　outfit
was　for　New　Orleans。　If　she　went；　she　wanted　her　parents　to　be　proud。　If
she　went。

Saturday　afternoon　was　something　else。　Had　she　planned　a　few　hours　in
the　city；　they　couldn't　have　been　as　exciting　as　the　ones　Ross　planned。
From　museum　to　park　to　ice　cream　parlor　and　back；　it　was　a　dream　time。
He　was　intellectually　stimulating　and　wonderfully　adventurous；
even…tempered　to　a　fault。

He　appeared　to　be　surviving　abstinence　with　no　problem　but　a　tic　in　his
jaw。　She　noticed　it　when　they　were　the　closest…standing　side　by　side
before　a　Calder　mobile　at　the　Guggenheim；　walking　hip　to　hip　through　the
squeeze　of　the　crowd　at　Rockefeller　Center；　sitting　knee　to　knee　at　a
small　table　in　a　quiet　restaurant。

At　least；　she　wanted　to　think　the　tic　was　from　that。　She　wanted　to　think
he　was　feeling　the　strain；　because　she　certainly　was。　His　hands…off
policy　made　working　easier；　but　it　did　nothing　for　the　desire　she　felt。
It　grew　through　all　of　Saturday；　all　of　Saturday　evening；　all　of
Saturday　night。　By　the　time　they　returned　from　the　theater　in　the　early
hours　of　Sunday　morning　it　was　near　to　bursting。

She　took　his　lead　and　put　it　on　ice。　In　the　living　room　for　a　nightcap；
their　conversation　was　as　soft　and　pleasing　as　the　entire　four…day
stretch　had　been。　She　felt　happy。　Then　she　went　upstairs；　alone；　to　the
bedroom　that　had　been　lonely　all　week；　and　the　ice　melted。　She　dozed　and
woke；　shifting　in　bed　with　little　hope　of　relief　from　frustration。　She
tried　to　think　of　other　things；　but　Ross　kept　her　restless　and　aching。
It　was　dawn　when　she　finally　crept　from　bed　and　went　to　the　window。

The　city　was　rising。　The　deep　purples　and　blues　of　night　were　beginning
to　fade　to　lighter　hues。　The　tallest　of　the　skyscrapers　to　the　east　wore
the　first　pink　traces　of　the　sun　on　its　uppermost　windows。　It　was　lovely
and　peaceful。　Only　the　dull　ache　inside　her　marred　it。

〃I　couldn't　sleep；〃　came　a　voice　at　the　door。　She　turned　to　find　Ross
standing　there。　Standing　tall；　his　features　hidden　in　the　shadows；　he
wore　a　robe　that　wrapped　at　the　waist　and　hung　to　his　knees。　The　unruly
rumpling　of　his　hair　gave　truth　to　his　words。　〃How　'bout　you？〃

Her　throat　was　tight。　〃The　same。〃

She　watched　him　slowly　approach。　Each　step　brought　him　closer　to　the
window；　until　his　features　were　clear　in　it。　Though　his　eyes　reflected
her　own　torment；　he　touched　her　cheek　with　a　tenderness　that　made　her
want　to　weep。　She　couldn't　pull　away。　She　was　desperate　for　his　love。

If　there　were　germs　of　reason　floating　around；　they　vanished　with　his
first　kiss。　What　remained　was　a　hunger　that　had　been　days　in　building。
Chloe　gave　herself　up　to　it　without　a　thought。

Ross　touched　her　everywhere；　caressing　her　through　the　thin　lavender
gown；　and　she　touched　him　right　back。　But　his　robe　was　thick；　and　she
grew　impatient。　The　robe　was　easily　opened　and　his　body　bared。　She
touched　him　then；　bringing　low　sounds　from　his　throat；　and　the　feeling
of　power　was　heady。　He　began　to　shake　under　her　stroking。　His　penis　grew
thick　and　engorged。

Moments　later；　her　gown　fell　to　the　ground　with　his　robe。　His　mouth　ate
at　hers；　as　he　lifted　her　and　carried　her　to　the　bed。　The　weight　of　his
body　pinned　her　to　the　sheets；　but　there　was　no　pain　in　it　for　Chloe。
She　weled　his　force；　wanting　even　more。

〃Yes！〃　she　cried；　clutching　at　his　hips　to　pull　him　closer。

But　Ross　tensed　at　the　sound　of　her　voice。　He　was　breathing　hard；
pressing　his　forehead　to　the　pillow　by　her　ear。　She　felt　him　rock　hard
and　large　against　her；　but　he　didn't　enter。

〃I　swore　I　wouldn't　do　this；〃　he　whispered　hoarsely；　〃swore　I'd　keep　my
hands　off　you。　I've　tried。　God　knows；　I've　tried！〃

When　he　raised　himself　to　look　at　her；　his　expression　shocked　her　into
awareness。　〃Don't　go！〃　she　cried。

〃I　have　to。　For　this　one　release；　I'd　be　buying　a　huge　packet　of　pain。〃

〃No！〃　Her　fingers　tightened　on　his　shoulders　until　her　knuckles　turned
white。　She　was　close　to　panic。　〃Please；　Ross。　I've　never　asked　you　for
anything　else。　But　please　。。。　now　。。。　I　can't　bear　it！〃

The　impetus　was　hers；　lips　and　arms　and　hips　all　working　against　him
until　he　surrendered　with　a　moan。　Falling　to　the　bed　and　rolling　to　his
back；　he　drew　her　over　him；　and　she　loved　him　that　way。　She　couldn't　say
the　words　he　wanted　to　hear；　but　her　body　could　show　him　what　she　felt。

It　did　that；　and　quite　well。　By　the　time　the　sun's　golden　rays　breached
the　windowsill　and　glistened　on　their　sweat；　they　were　totally　spent。

Rasping　breaths　broke　the　air；　but　otherething
was　wrong。　Chloe　felt　it　the　instant　her　pulse　began　to　slow。　There　was
no　talk。　No　closeness。　The　satisfaction　that　usually　kept　them　warm　and
entwined　faded　fast。

Ross　rose　from　the　bed；　retrieved　his　robe；　and　left　the　room。　Alone
again；　Chloe　curled　into　a　tight　ball　with　the　covers　pulled　to　her
ears。

Apparently；　it　was　time　to　put　up　or　shut　up。　Ross　couldn't　live　with
half…measures…but　then；　had　she　really　thought　he　would？　Her　body　might
love　him　to　bits；　but　if　she　couldn't　love　the　rest　with　her　head　and
her　heart；　there　was　no　hope。

She　heard　the　front　door　slam　shortly　after　he　left　her　room。　She　didn't
know　where　he　went；　and　he　was　back　in　time　to　take　her　to　the　train
station；　but　even　the　short　ride　there　was　awkward。　It　wasn't　until　she
was　about　to　board　the　train　that　he　said　more　than　a　full　sentence；　and
then　his　voice　was　quiet。

〃I'd　like　to　follow　through　with　the　liaison　between　Hansen　and　ESE；　but
I　think　Lee　should　handle　the　account。　You're　right。　It'll　be　too
difficult　any　other　way；　at　least　for　now。〃

Chloe　wanted　to　argue；　but　no　words　came　out。

His　eyes　held　defeat　when　he　looked　at　her　a　final　time。　〃I'll　be　here；
Chloe。　When　you're　free；　let　me　know。〃

On　the　Saturday　after　Thanksgiving；　Chloe　boarded　a　plane。　It　taxied　and
took　off；　then　climbed　into　the　sky　and　headed　north。　New　Orleans　fell
behind。　New　York　was　ahead。　She　was　going　back　to　Ross。

She　tried　to　sleep；　but　was　too　excited。　She　ate　dinner；　she　read　a
magazine；　she　looked　out　the　window　and　smiled。　Where　a　haunted　woman
had　been　just　a　few　days　before；　was　one　with　a　newborn　peace。

She　had　e　a　very　long　way　in　a　very　short　time；　but　it　hadn't　been
easy。　There　were　dozens　of　doubts　and　second　thoughts　dogging　her
through　Mobile；　and　added　days　spent　wavering　there；　then　fear　and
unsureness　when　she　arrived　at　her　parents'　home　in　New　Orleans　on
Thanksgiving　morning。

Now；　as　the　plane　began　its　descent；　she　shook　her　head　in　amazement。　So
many　years　lost　over　a　misunderstanding。　But　it　was　cleared　up　now。　It
was　better。　She　would　call　Ross　the　minute　she　landed。　He　would　be
totally　surprised。

But　she　was　the　one　in　for　the　surprise。　Ross　was　at　the　airport　to　meet
her；　standing　tall　and　dark　and　vibrant。　In　a　moment　of　ddji　vu；　their
eyes　met　over　the　crowd。　Chloe　stopped　in　awe；　knowing　that　her　next
steps　would　be　as　momentous　as　the　ones　she　had　taken　eleven　years　ago。
But　she　was　a　woman　now　and　finally　free　to　love。　Breathing　deeply；　she
ran　forward；　Ross　met　her　halfway　and　crushed　her　in　his　arms；　holding
her　tightly　enough；　long　enough　to　say　what　he　felt　without　words。

Chloe　owed　him　the　words；　though。　When　she　drew　back　to　look　up　at　him；
her　throat　was　constricted　by　the　same　emotion　that　brought　tears　to　her
eyes。　A　mouthed　〃I　love　you〃　was　the　best　she　could　do。　It　was　enough。

His　face　lightened。　His　eyes　glowed。　〃Let's　go　home；〃　he　said；　and；　ar