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。