not having to look at him。 〃I even tried to go to bed with one of
them。〃
She recalled the horror of the moment。 〃He decided I was frigid。〃
A deep laugh broke from Ross's throat； a laugh that was strangely
hoarse。 〃That's ridiculous；〃 he crooned into the warmth of her hair； but
when he tipped her face up he felt her stiffen。 〃Oh； no； you don't。〃 His
mouth found hers。
She fought him then。 Struggling to free herself from the band of his
arms； she pushed against his chest； all the while trying to evade his
lips； but he was stronger than she ore
he steadied her。 His lips stroked hers； demanding the kind of response
that he alone knew she had in her。
When her physical strength waned； Chloe tried passivity。 The last thing
she wanted was a repeat of the night in New Hampshire or； worse； that
fateful night back in New Orleans。 She had no right； she told herself；
no right！
〃e on； Chloe；〃 Ross growled against her lips。 〃Ease up。〃
〃Don't…〃
She shouldn't have said anything。 The tiny parting of her lips gave him
the opening he needed； and then she didn't have a chance。 His tongue
invaded her mouth； spreading its sweetness deep。 She told herself that
it was physical； that she could resist if she wanted to enough； but her
body betrayed her。 It swayed toward him； weak with wanting。
From an odd defense mechanism； her mind went blank。 It was as though the
battle between guilt and desire created a mental void。 In that void
there was nothing but Ross and his body； the lips that caressed her；
arms that held her gently； legs that supported her。 Out of that void
came her response； slowly； surely； and Ross ha