Pressing　her　cheek　against　Ross's　drumming　heart；　she　began　to　cry。　In　a

frightened　voice；　he　asked；　〃What；　princess？〃

〃Just　hold　me。　Hold　me　tight。〃

He　gathered　her　to　him　as　though　she　were　the　most　precious　thing　in　the

world；　and　held　her　while　she　cried。　She　couldn't　explain　why　she　did

it；　and　he　didn't　ask。　He　simply　held　her；　stroked　her　back；　whispered

sweet　nothings　of　fort　and　support　against　the　top　of　her　head。

Gradually　her　eyes　dried　and　her　pulse　grew　steadier。　〃I'm　sorry。　I

don't　know　what　came　over　me。〃

〃How　do　you　feel　now？〃

〃Better。〃　She　took　a　last　jagged　breath　and　rubbed　her　cheek　against　his

chest。　〃Satisfied。〃　She　thought　about　that　and　finally　tipped　up　her

head。　〃I　actually　feel　great。　That　was　the　most　beautifull…〃　Her　words

died　when　her　throat　constricted　again。

Ross　turned　them　so　that　they　lay　on　their　sides；　facing　one　another。　He

traced　the　slim　lines　of　her　cheek　and　jaw；　then　ran　the　tips　of　his

fingers　down　her　neck　to　her　collarbone。

Chloe　felt　a　stirring　inside。　She　must　have　looked　startled；　because　he

laughed。

〃Didn't　think　you　could　feel　it　again　so　soon？〃　When　he　slid　a　leg

between　hers；　she　moved　against　it；　but　he　didn't　tease　her。　He　was

suddenly　serious。　〃It　was　beautiful；　princess。　Even　more　so　than　before。

I've　lived　all　these　years　wondering　whether　I　had　imagined　it。　I　t