rekindled(英文版)-第9部分

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who　worked　at　uncorking　the　wine。

〃I'm　not　frowning。〃　But　she　was。　She　felt　it。　〃I　was　wondering　。。。〃

When　the　maitre　d'　poured　a　sip　of　wine　into　Ross's　glass　and　waited；
Chloe　held　the　thought。

Ross　lifted　the　long…stemmed　goblet；　inhaled　the　scent；　took　the　pale
liquid　into　his　mouth；　patiently　let　his　taste　buds　warm　it；　finally
swallowed。　〃Excellent；〃　he　plimented　the　very　pleased　maitre　d'。
Without　further　fanfare　the　goblets；　first　Chloe's；　then　Ross's；　were
filled。

〃What　were　you　wondering？〃　Ross　asked　the　instant　they　were　alone　again。
〃Whether　you're　happy。　Are　you　content　with　your　life？〃

〃For　the　most　part。　There　are　still　things　I　want。〃　The　directness　of
his　gaze　should　have　tipped　her　off。

But　she　was　too　curious　to　see。　The　softness　of　her　voice　spread　to　her
lips；　now　moist　with　wine。　〃What　things？〃

〃You　hit　on　them　yesterday；　actually。　I　want　a　wife　and　children。〃

〃But　you've　waited　this　long。〃

〃Not　by　choice。〃

〃Then　why？〃

His　crooked　grin　did　stranger　things　inside　her　than　even　the　wine；　with
its　gentle　warming　touch。　〃I'm　not　totally　different　from　that　man　back
in　New　Orleans。　I'm　an　idealist　at　heart。　I　always　will　be。　I　have　a
certain　image　of　what　love　should　be　like。　If　I　can't　have　it　that　way；
I'd　rather　not　have　it　at　all。〃

Chloe　looked　down。　What　was　love？　What　would　she　have　wanted　from　it　had
she　allowed　it　into　her　life？　She　watched　Ross's　fingers；　curling
absently　around　his　goblet's　stern。　At　that　moment；　love　would　have
meant　reaching　out　to　touch　them；　to　thread　hers　through　them。

Burying　her　hand　in　her　lap；　she　said；　〃Tell　me　about　that　image；　Ross。
In　its　most　ideal　form；　what　should　love　be　like？〃

He　stared　at　her；　his　eyes　a　pensive　gold。　He　seemed　to　weigh　and
balance；　to　sift　through　both　sides　of　a　private　debate　as　the　quiet
sounds　of　the　restaurant　drifted　by。

Chloe　waited；　sipping　wine；　buoyed　by　it。　Her　thoughts　wandered；　but　not
in　debate。　There　was　nothing　to　debate。　Ross　Stephenson　was　even　more
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　to　snag　the
telephone　caller。　I　prided　myself　on　being　the　clever　one。〃

〃And　this　coin　toss？〃

Chloe　begged　forgiveness　with　her　eyes。　〃It　was　my　coin。　I　called
heads。〃

Understanding　slowly　dawned　on　Ross's　face。　His　grin　was　appreciative。
〃And　the　coin　had　two　heads？〃

〃It　did。〃

Whatever　he　might　have　thought　of　her　for　having　cheated；　he　was
undoubtedly　pleased　that　〃winning〃　him　had　meant　so　much　to　her。　〃That
deserves　a　kiss；〃　he　said　and　lowered　his　head。

Chloe　met　his　lips　without　hesitation。　She　had　waited　for　this　all
evening。　They　had　been　building　toward　it　from　the　second　she　had　agreed
to　dress　up　and　go　out　to　dinner　with　him。　〃Just　this　once；〃　she　had
told　him　then。　Now　the　words　echoed　through　her。　Just　this　once　she
would　relax　in　Ross's　arms。　Just　this　once　she　would　taste　his　love。
Just　this　once　she　would　be　free　of　the　past。

She'd　had　too　much　wine。　No　doubt　about　that。　Would　she　want　this　if　her
head　were　clear？　Maybe　yes；　maybe　no；　but　it　made　no　difference。　Right
here；　right　now；　she　was　where　she　wanted　to　be。

Ross　appeared　equally　content；　if　the　leisure　of　his　kiss　meant
anything。　He　tasted　her　again　and　again；　seeming　to　find　something　new
each　time。　She　sure　did。　Once　it　was　the　sweetness　of　wine　on　his　lips；
another　time　the　firmness　of　his　mouth；　another　the　heat。　His　kiss　was　a
heady　brew；　warm；　moist；　and　intoxicating。

Seeking　more；　she　spread　her　hands　over　his　chest　and　discovered　a
textured　surface　beneath　the　smoothness　of　his　shirt。　He　was　a　man　of
many　layers　to　be　explored；　one　by　one。　She　was　the　explorer；　on　an
ocean　of　desire；　clinging　to　him　as　to　a　raft　on　a　rising　sea　of
sensation。

His　tongue　sought　and　caressed；　sucking　hers　deeper；　sparking　greater
response；　and　she　gave　it　unconditionally；　opening　to　him　in　delight。
Soft　sighs　were　breathed　and　swallowed；　one　mouth　to　the　other。

The　urgency　built。　Just　when　she　needed　it；　he　deepened　the　kiss。　His
lips　controlled　hers　now；　as　did　the　hands　that　framed　her　face。

His　voice　was　thick　against　her　mouth。　〃Do　you　have　any　idea　what　you　do
to　me？〃

Her　answer　was　a　breathy；　〃I　know　what　you　do　to　me。　It　happens　every
time。〃

〃Does　it？　It's　been　a　long　time　since　you　were　with　a　man。〃

〃By　choice。　By　choice。〃　Tipping　her　head　back　on　his　shoulder；　she
studied　his　strong　jaw；　straight　nose；　amber　eyes。　〃It　was　never　a　trial
for　me　before。　I've　never　really　wanted　another　man。〃

〃Is　it　a　trial　now？〃　he　whispered；　momentarily　cautious。　〃What　do　you
want；　Chloe？　Do　you　know？〃

She　answered　by　dipping　her　head　and　putting　her　lips　to　his　throat。
Intoxicated　by　its　musky　scent；　she　freed　the　knot　of　his　tie　and
released　the　front　buttons　of　his　shirt。　Her　sigh　warmed　him　when　her
hands　slid　over　his　flesh；　but　his　moan　prevented　her　from　going　on。

He　pushed　his　hands　into　her　hair。　〃Look　at　me！〃　His　eyes　were　hot　with
desire。　〃Do　you　know　what　I　want；　Chloe？　I　want　to　feel　you。　I　want　to
know　every　inch　of　your　body。　Half　measures　never　worked　for　me　with
you。　I　need　to　be　inside　you。　Can　you　accept　that？〃　His　gaze　flickered
over　her　flushed　features。　〃Will　you　hate　yourself　tomorrow？〃

The　question　took　her　by　surprise。　She　didn't　want　to　think　about
tomorrow。　Her　eyes　filled　with　the　tears　of　a　deep；　emotional　yearning。
〃I　don't　know　what　I'll　feel　tomorrow；　but　I　know　what　I　want　now。　I
know　what　I　need。〃

〃Why　now？〃　It　was　another　surprise　question。　〃Eleven　years　ago　it　was
rebellion。〃

〃Not　rebellion。〃

〃Then　why？〃　he　asked　more　gently。

She　took　a　deep　breath。　The　scent　of　his　skin　gave　her　strength。　〃Yes；
you　were　different。　The　other　men　we'd　known　had　been　handpicked。　Our
brothers　were　as　fussy　as　our　parents。　But　there　was　more　for　me。　You
were　new。　Refreshing。〃

〃A　challenge？〃

〃Maybe。〃

〃Do　I　challenge　you　now？〃

〃Yes；　but　that's　only　part　of　it。〃　Need　loosened　her　tongue。　〃The　pull
is　there；　just　like　it　was　eleven　years　ago。　Don't　make　me　try　to
explain　it；　because　I　can't。　Lord　only　knows　I　didn't　want　to　feel
anything　for　you！

You　were　the　one　who　showed　up　uninvited；　remember？〃

He　smiled　dryly。　〃So　you've　told　me。〃

〃You　bring　back　memories。　Maybe　what　I　need　is　to　wipe　out　those
memories　with　new　ones。〃

His　smile　turned　wry。　〃You　are　using　me。〃

When　Chloe　pushed　herself　up；　his　hands　fell　away。　She　was　on　her　own；
as　she　had　been　all　those　years。　And　she　knew　what　she　wanted。

〃Yes；　I'm　using　you！　I'm　using　you　to　show　me　that　I　can　feel　and　live。
I'm　using　you　to　help　me　put　the　past　to　rest。　You're　right。　I　have　to
do　that。　But　don't　you　see；〃　she　ended　on　a　note　of　pleading；　〃that
you're　the　only　one　who　can　help　me？〃

For　long　moments；　silence　was　as　thick　in　the　air　as　the　lingering　heat
of　passion。　Finally　Ross　lifted　a　hand　to　her　cheek。　〃I　want　to　believe
it；　Chloe。　Want　it　bad。〃

〃Then　make　love　to　me。　You　show　me　what　love　should　be　like。〃

With　a　low　animal　sound；　he　reached　out　and　pulled　her　under　him；
kissing　her　fiercely；　erasing　everything　but　the　here　and　now。　Chloe　put
herself　into　his　hands。　Trusting　him　fully；　she　lost　all　inhibition　and
returned　his　kiss　with　everything　she　had。

His　lips　moved　on　her　neck；　inching　down　into　the　dip　of　her　dress。
〃I've　been　wanting　to　do　this　all　night；〃　he　whispered　moments　before
his　mouth　found　the　bottommost　point。　He　kissed　her　there；　wet；
openmouthed；　then　rose　again。　His　mouth　was　ready　when　he　cupped　her
breasts　and　lifted　them　there。

Chloe　sighed　softly。　She　squeezed　her　eyes　shut；　buried　her　fingers　in
his　hair；　and　held　him　closer。

With　excruciating　slowness　he　drew　back　her　bodice；　freeing　her　breast
bit　by　bit。　Her　insides　quivered　when　her　nipple　was　bared。　His　breath
was　hot；　the　air　cool。　Arching　closer；　she　watched　his　tongue　touch　the
pebbled　tip；　circle　it；　touch　it　again。

〃Ross！〃　she　gasped；　straining　beneath　him；　needing　more。

〃Love　is　torment；　Chloe。　It's　wanting　and　wanting　and　wanting　until　you
would　do　anything　to　get。　Be　patient。〃

She　tried；　but　it　was　a　torment；　indeed；　to　watch　him　p