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