rekindled(英文版)-第3部分

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easy　part。　Maneuvering　now　that　he　was　there　was　the　challenge。

But　he　managed。　When　he　tried　the　ignition；　though；　he　had　no　better
luck　than　Chloe。　He　listened　to　that　impotent　click　once；　twice；　three
times。　Then　he　hoisted　himself　out　of　the　car　and　looked　under　the　hood。

〃You're　right；〃　he　said；　straightening。　〃It's　the　battery。〃　He　slammed
the　hood　shut　and　brushed　his　palms　against　one　another。　〃It　looks　like
you'll　have　to　stay。　I　don't　see　how　you'll　get　someone　to　e　out　at
this　hour。〃

She　reached　for　her　bag。　〃I　have　triple…A。〃

〃Chloe。〃　He　sighed　softly。　〃This　isn't　a　bustling　metropolis。　By　the
time…〃

〃Do　you　have　jumper　cables？〃

〃No。〃　He　patted　his　pockets。　〃Not　anywhere　close　by。〃

〃In　your　car？〃

〃It's　a　rental。〃

Her　gaze　fell　to　the　pavement。　She　could　rant　and　rave　all　she　wanted；
but　it　seemed　she　had　little　choice。　〃I　suppose　Lee　could　change　that
early　appointment　for　me；〃　she　murmured　quietly；　then　looked　up。　〃And
you　think　your　inn　would　have　a　room？〃

His　gaze　was　steady。　〃I'm　sure　it　would。〃

Not　one　to　belabor　a　no…win　situation；　Chloe　sighed。　〃Lead　on；　Ross。
Lead　on。〃

Ross　led　her　to　a　late…model　rental　car　roomy　enough　for　both　pairs　of
long　legs　to　stretch　fortably。　Vibes　were　something　else。　Chloe
sensed　that　no　space　would　be　large　enough　for　the　ones　that　circuited
back　and　forth　during　the　short　drive　to　the　inn。

〃You　flew　in　just　for　tonight's　meeting？〃　she　asked；　seeking　to　ease　the
silence。　It　was　awkward；　given　the　intimacy　they　had　once　shared。

〃That's　right；〃　he　answered；　paying　close　attention　to　roads　that　were
now　dark　and　deserted。　〃From？〃

〃New　York。〃

〃Do　you　live　there？〃

〃Occasionally。〃

It　was　an　odd　answer。　When　he　failed　to　elaborate；　Chloe　tried　again。
〃Have　you　had　to　e　here　often？〃

〃More　often　than　I'd　anticipated。　This　project　has　created　something　of
a　stir。〃　If　the　glance　he　shot　her　was　accusatory；　she　accepted　it　as
fair　game　and　took　no　offense。　She　believed　in　her　cause。

〃From　what　Felix　Hart　implied；　you　move　around　a　lot；〃　she　said。

〃I　always　did。〃

It　was　a　direct　reference　to　the　past。　Then；　he　had　been　in　the　Peace
Corps　on　leave　for　Thanksgiving；　the　world　traveler　ing　stateside　for
a　visit。　There　had　been　an　air　of　excitement　about　him。

He　still　had　it。　His　profile　was　strong；　lean；　preoccupied　in　ways　that
suggested　big　business　in　far　places。　She　looked　away；　focusing　on　the
view　outside　her　window；　trying　to　ignore　a　silence　that　she　could　feel
and　taste。　She　was　relieved　when　the　Wayward　Sailor　came　into　view。

Ross　turned　to　her　as　soon　as　the　car　stopped。　His　features　had
softened。　His　tone　was　solicitous。　〃Why　don't　you　wait　here？　I'll　make
the　arrangements　and　find　out　where　we　can　get　a　bite　to　eat。　You　are
hungry；　aren't　you？〃

She　smiled　awkwardly。　〃I　haven't　had　anything　since　lunch。〃

〃No　wonder　you're　pale。〃　He　touched　her　cheek。　〃Stay　put。　I'll　be　right
back。〃

She　sat　quietly；　trying　to　think　of　anything　but　Ross。　Just　when　she　was
on　the　verge　of　declaring　defeat；　he　loped　back　down　the　steps　of　the
charmingly　ancient　house。　〃Any　luck？〃　she　asked　when　he　reached　the　car。

〃There's　good　news　and　bad　news。〃　He　was　leaning　down　to　talk　through
the　window　again。

〃Give　me　the　good　news　first；〃　Chloe　said。　She　needed　that；　needed　it
bad。

He　grinned。　〃The　good　news　is　that　you　have　the　penthouse。〃

She　looked　up　the　inn's　facade　to　the　very　top；　the　third　floor。
Assuming　the　attic　was　clean　and　had　a　bed；　it　would　do。　〃The　penthouse
is　fine。〃　She　scrunched　up　her　face。　〃What's　the　bad　news？〃

He　opened　the　door　with　a　flourish。　〃The　bad　news　is　that　no　one　serves
food　at　this　hour。　The　night　manager　here　says　we　can　raid　his
refrigerator；　though。〃　He　paused；　staring　down　at　her　for　a　minute
before　offering　his　hand　to　help　her　out。　〃The　service　won't　be　fancy。
We'll　be　on　our　own。〃　The　warning　note　in　his　voice　jarred　her。　He　was
remembering　the　old　Chloe。　That　Chloe　had　been　spoiled。　She　hadn't　known
how　to　cook；　having　had　everything　done　for　her　for　the　entire　eighteen
years　of　her　life。　But　her　lifestyle　had　changed　drastically　since　then。

She　rose　from　the　car。　〃That's　fine。　I　think　we　can　manage。〃　Oh；　yes；
she　could　certainly　manage　to　put　together　a　meal。　She　was　actually　a
fine　cook　now。　But　it　occurred　to　her　that　she　and　Ross　would　be　alone。
She　wasn't　so　sure　about　managing　that。

A　frown　creased　her　brow　as　she　entered　the　inn　with　Ross　by　her　side。
He　left　his　overnight　case　at　the　front　desk　with　the　night　manager；　who
cheerfully　directed　them　into　the　kitchen；　a　decidedly　old　room　into
which　every　modern　convenience　had　been　crammed。　Chloe　made　herself　at
home。　Only　after　she　had　placed　a　crock　of　steaming　beef　stew；　put
together　from　leftovers；　and　a　half…loaf　of　what　appeared　to　be
home…baked　bread　on　the　table　did　she　realize　that　she　had　done　all　the
work。　But　it　had　kept　her　mind　occupied。　Ross　had　been　in　and　out　of　the
room　as　she　worked；　finally　settling　down　on　a　tall　stool　by　a
butcher…block　counter　to　watch。

His　presence　didn't　upset　her　now　as　much　as　it　had　earlier。　She　had
gotten　over　the　shock；　she　guessed。　Still；　she　felt　vaguely　shy　when
they　were　actually　ready　to　eat。

〃Uh；　is　there　anything　else　you　want？〃　She　skimmed　the　simple　place
settings；　the　two　large　bowls　filled　with　stew。　〃A　drink？〃

He　made　no　move　to　help　himself　For　old　times'　sake；　so　the　liberated
woman　told　herself；　she　indulged　him。

〃Milk　would　be　fine。〃

He　waited　while　she　searched　for　glasses　and　filled　two。　She　sat　down
opposite　him。　Once　several　mouthfuls　of　the　thick　stew　had　warmed　her
stomach；　she　put　her　spoon　down。　Something　stuck　in　her　craw。

〃I'm　not　unhappy；〃　she　stated；　so　softly　and　apparently　unexpectedly
that　Ross　looked　perplexed。　〃You　thought　I　looked　unhappy。　I'm　not。〃

He　went　back　to　eating；　but　slowly；　thoughtfully。　〃No；　I　suppose　you're
not；　not　right　now；〃　he　finally　said。　〃But　earlier；　there　was　a　look　in
your　eyes。　It　es　and　goes。　There　it　is　again。〃

The　sound　of　his　voice　had　been　enough　to　spark　memories。　With　a　barely
perceptible　shake　of　her　head；　she　chased　them　off　again。　〃I　do　love
what　I'm　doing；〃　she　said。

〃Tell　me　about　it。　How　did　you　get　started？〃

〃You　heard　the　bare　outline　tonight。〃

〃The　bare　outline。　Now　I'd　like　to　hear　more。〃　His　pause　was　pregnant
with　unspoken　thoughts。　〃Why　geology？〃

She　shrugged。　〃Why　not？〃

He　didn't　pull　any　punches。　〃Because　it's　one　of　the　last　fields　that
someone　raised　in　the　style　of　conspicuous　consumption　would　choose。〃

〃Maybe　that's　why　I　chose　it。〃

〃Ah。〃　He　smiled。　〃You　were　rebelling。〃

〃Not　entirely…〃

〃Escaping？〃

She　looked　away。　〃You're　perceptive。　But　only　half　right。〃

〃Go　on。〃

Chloe　tucked　a　long　strand　of　dark　hair　behind　her　ear。　〃It　was　actually
a　simultaneous　discovery@scape　and　excitement。　At　that　period　of　my
life；　I　needed　something　that　was　a　total　change　from　everything　I'd
known　before。　I　spent　some　time　in　Newport　with　friends　and　fell　in　love
with　the　ocean　there。〃

〃You　found　solace？〃　he　asked　gently。

She　admitted　it　with　a　small　tilt　of　her　head。　〃I　spent　a　lot　of　time　on
the　beach　and　happened　to　befriend　an　old　man　who　felt　very　strongly
about　environmental　considerations。　He　affected　me　deeply。〃　The　memory
of　Hector　Wallaby　brought　a　sad　smile　to　her　lips。

〃He's　dead？〃

〃Yes。　I　miss　him。　He　never　knew　it；　but　in　spirit　at　least；　he　was　the
founding　father　of　ESE；　Inc。〃

〃Were　you　in　college　during　the　time　you　knew　him？〃

Chloe　sat　straighter。　〃Uh；　no。　I　。。。　my　freshman　year　was　postponed。〃

〃So　you　started　college　late　and　have　still　done　all　this？〃

The　pliment　gave　her　a　boost。　She　smiled。　〃Once　I　decided　to　go　into
geology　I　was　in　a　rush。〃

Ross　smiled　back。　Firm　lips　framed　the　whitest　of　teeth；　mesmerizing　her
for　the　split　second　until　he　said；　〃You　worked　for　Conam　Petroleum？〃

〃Yes。　Do　you　know　the　pany？〃

He　shook　his　head。　〃Only　by　reputation。〃　He　looked　at　her　sideways；
skeptical　now。　〃I'd　have　thought　that　if　environmental　concerns　were
your　focus；　the　oil　panies　would　be　your　archenemies。〃

She　blushed。　He　made　nothing　easy；　that　was　for　sure。　But　if　he　wanted
to　be　honest；　she　could　be　honest　right　back。　〃I　needed　the　money；〃　she
said　and　braced　herself　for　the　response　that　was　sure　to　e。

And　she　wasn't　let　down。　Ross's　eyes　widened；　then　narrowed。　〃You　needed
the　money？〃　He　frowned。　〃Did　I　miss　something　here？　I　was　given　to　think
James　Macdaniel　was…is…mne　of　the　wealthiest　men　in　New　Orleans。〃

〃He　is。〃

〃Then；　why　。。。　？〃

〃Among　other　things；〃　she　began　in　self…defense；　〃it　was　a　matter　of
pride。　I　wanted　to　start　my　own　consulting　firm　and　didn't　want　to　ask
my　father　for　money。〃　Ross　should　know　how　much　she　had　changed。　He
should　know　that　she　was　her　own　woman　now。

But　his　take　on　the　situation　was　different　from　hers。　〃So　you　sold　out
to　the　powers　that　be　for　the　amount　of　time　it　took　you　to　gather　the
resources　to　mount　a　systematic　campaign　against　those　same　powers？〃

Chloe　reacted　quickly　and　vehemently。　〃That's　not　true。　Not　true　at　all。
The　work　I　did　for　the　oil　panies　involved　identifying　the　most
likely　spots　for　oil　deposits。　Wherever　possible；　environmental
considerations　were　put　first。　And　you're　a　fine　one　to　talk　about
selling　out。　I　had　the　impression；　when　I　saw　you　last；　that　you　were
against　everything　the　establishment　had　to　offer。〃

Ross　leaned　back　in　his　chair。　〃You　drew　your　own　conclusions；　Chloe。
Appearances　can　be　misleading。〃　His　tone　was　low；　his　voice　and　eyes
steady。

Chloe　was　stunned。　She　stood　up　and　cried；　〃It　was　all　a　charade；　then？

The　clothes；　the　beard；　even　the　Peace　Corps？〃　She　turned　away；
disillusioned　and　heartsick。　Head　bowed；　she　grappled　with　the　idea　of
an　attraction　based　on　a　lie。

Ross　materialized　before　her。　〃Did　it　matter　so　much？〃　he　asked　softly。

When　she　neither　answered　nor　looked　up；　he　put　a　finger　under　her　chin
and　forced　it　up。　Her　eyes　were　dry；　but　she　knew　they　held　pain。　She
couldn't　hide　that；　couldn't　even　try。

〃Did　it？〃　he　asked。

Chloe　felt　a　well　of　emotion；　emotion　that　had　lain　dormant　for　years。
Ross　was　so　close　that　the　warmth　of　his　body　was　an　intoxicant。　She
used　the　power　of　that　to　speak。　〃Yes。　It　mattered　more　than　you　can
imagine。〃

〃But　why？　The　physical　attraction　between　us　had　nothing　to　do　with
outer　trappings。　As　I　recall；　we　shed　our　clothes　pretty　fast。〃　Chloe
tried　to　pull　away；　he　held　her　chin。　〃Don't　run　from　it。　There　was
something　between　us　that　you　can't　deny。　Are　you　telling　me　you　made
love　to　an　image？〃　His　tone　was　suddenly　cooler。　〃Was　it　an　experiment
for　you？　Was　I　a　tool　in　your　rebellion？〃　His　fingers　tightened　on　her
jaw。　Reflexively；　she　held　his　wrist。

〃No。　That　wasn't　it　at　all。〃　She　was　hurt　that　he　would　suggest　it。　〃All
you　seem　to　think　about　is　the　physical　act。　Yes；　there　was　a　physical
attraction。　With　and　without　clothes。　But　for　me；　at　least；　there　was
more　involved。　There　had　to　be。〃　Her　voice　rose。　〃I　was　a　virgin；　for
God's　sake。〃

Ross　must　have　felt　her　hurt；　because　he　relaxed　his　grip。　He　moved　his
fingers　back　to　her　ear；　pushing　them　through　the　long　strands　of　her
hair　with　infinite　gentleness。

〃I　know　that；〃　he　whispered。　His　eyes　held　the　same　tenderness　they　had
on　that　night；　when　he　had　first　introduced　her　to　the　art　of　love。
Then；　the　world　had　been　hers　on　a　string。　It　certainly　wasn't　now；
still　her　heart　pounded　in　her　chest　the　very　same　way。　Now；　as　then；
she　was　being　held　by　the　most　appealing　man　she　had　ever　known。　He　was
a　leader；　a　freethinker。　He　was　boldly　gentle；　gently　bold。　He　had
confidence　without　arrogance；　success　without　acclaim。　He　was　a　man　who
didn't　mince　words。　She　felt　an　instinctive　respect　for　him。

Much　of　this　same　appeal　had　beckoned　to　her　on　that　night。　Other
details　might　be　forgotten；　but　not　Ross　and　the　force　that　bound　them。
It　was　an　unfathomable　force；　but　frightfully　powerful。　Eleven　years
ago；　it　had　driven　the　fact　of　her　innocence　from　her　mind。　Now　it
obliterated　all　remembrance　of　what　had　happened　so　soon　after　that
night　to　irrevocably　change　Chloe's　life　and　outlook。

As　Ross's　large　hands　framed　her　face；　she　felt　a　special　warmth　steal
through　her；　awakening　senses　from　hibernation　like　the　ing　of
spring。　Her　cheeks　flushed　with　the　heat。　Her　lips　parted。　She　was
entranced　all　over　again。

He　moved　closer；　his　face　lowering。　When　she　closed　her　eyes　it　was　to
savor　the　feather　touch　of　his　mouth　on　hers。　It　seemed　she　had　waited
forever　to　know　its　sweetness　again。　And　guilt？　Guilt　was　light…years
away；　beyond　a　far　horizon　she　hoped　never　to　reach。　It　had　been
pervasive　over　the　years；　but　was　out　of　place　now。　She　wanted　more　of
Ross；　if　only　to　keep　the　past　safely　blotted　from　her　mind。

Opening　her　eyes；　she　found　Ross's　hot　above　her。　His　breath　was
unsteady；　but　he　waited。　She　sensed　he　was　giving　her　a　chance　to　turn
and　run；　but　that　was　the　last　thing　she　wanted　to　do。

She　met　his　kiss　with　an　eagerness　she　hadn't　known　for　eleven　years。
All　the　power　of　her　femininity　that　had　been　stored　up　and　denied　now
burst　forth。　Ross's　lips　were　firm　and　knowing　in　response　to　her
passion；　dominating　then　submitting；　teasing　then　yielding。　They
explored　the　ripe　curve　of　her　mouth　with　a　thoroughness　surpassed　only
when　his　tongue　entered　the　act。　And　Chloe　opened　herself　more　with　each
darting　flicker；　with　each　exchange　of　breath。

She　had　e　alive　and　was　aflame。　At　some　point　her　arms　found　his　neck
and　coiled　beyond；　drawing　her　slender　body　firmly　against　his　longer；
harder　one。　His　hands　played　over　her　back；　caressing　every　inch　from
hip　to　neck　with　the　devastating　touch　of　those　long　fingers。
And　she　was　caught　in　the　web　they　spun；　neither　able　nor　willing　to
move　away。

Everything　about　Ross　was　utterly　male；　from　the　musky　scent　of　his　skin
to　the　trim　tapering　of　the　hair　at　the　top　of　his　collar；　to　the　lean
line　of　his　torso　and　the　corded　steel　of　his　thighs。　It　was　as　though
Chloe　was　innocent　again；　as　though　this　was　that　first　ecstatic　night
relived。　She　was　intoxicated。

When　he　groaned　and　crushed　her　to　him；　she　understood　the　feeling。　It
was　a　statement　of　a　shared　primal　need。　Ross　held　something　for　her
that　no　other　man　had　begun　to　offer。　She　was　driven　by　instinct　closer；
closer　to　him。

At　some　point；　soft　bells　of　warning　sounded。　She　didn't　know　if　it　was
when　his　hand　slipped　from　her　cheek　to　her　throat；　or　when　his　fingers
began　to　knead　her　breast；　or　when　his　palm　turned　to　her　nipple。　She
only　knew　of　a　tug　between　some　relic　of　the　past　that　clamored　for
recognition；　and　the　quickly　coiling　knot　of　need　deep　inside。

She　fought　that　past　by　nurturing　the　need。　Hands　locked　at　the　back　of
his　neck；　she　closed　her　eyes；　let　her　head　fall　back；　and　sought　the
mindlessness　of　sensual　pleasure。　Her　lips　parted；　her　breathing　was
short。　But　she　needed　more。　Against　her　better　judgment；　against　those
tiny　warning　bells；　she　grew　bolder。　Bowing　her　head；　bracing　it　against
his　chin；　she　was　curved　now；　offering　him　an　entrance　he　hadn't　had
before。

Small　expl