m gently but firmly away。
As he slowly straightened to what was； even barefoot； an awesome height；
he cleared his throat。 〃You'd better wait downstairs；〃 he said in a
voice that was thick and taut。 〃I'll finish up quickly。〃
She took his suggestion。 By the time she reached the bottommost step；
sanity had frilly returned。 Swearing softly； she traipsed through the
kitchen and stood on the back porch looking out on the beach。 But the
tide within her was high。 No amount of cooling breeze could stern it。
He had to leave。 It was as simple as that。 Indifference was a pipe
dream。 He stirred her too much。
Having him around today was a taste of what it might be like to have him
around all the time。 She wanted to say she had hated it； but she
couldn't。 There had been something nice about waking to find a man in
her kitchen cooking her breakfast； something nice about knowing that he
was patiently waiting for her to finish work； something nice about going
marketing with him； even about finding him in her shower。 It had been
nice。 But would any man fit the bill？
With a sigh； she shook her head。 It had to be Ross。 Always Ross。
〃It's all yours； princess！〃 he called。
Chloe looked up in surprise to find the horizon pink…orange in advance
of sunset。 Back over her shoulder； Ross stood at the kitchen door；
silhouetted by the light inside。
〃Be rig