It's my brand that shaped you。 How many others were there？〃
〃That's vulgar！〃 she cried。
〃Maybe。 Answer the question。〃
〃I won't。 Are you jealous； jealous and guilt…ridden？ Well； I don't need
either of those traits in the man in my life。 I'm doing just fine
withoutwithout…〃 Her limbs trembled。
Ross drew her against him； pressing her cheek to his chest； wrapping his
arms around her back。 〃Without love？〃 he asked； so softly that she might
not have heard him had the word not been on the tip of her tongue。
Incapable of speech for the moment； she simply breathed in the scent
that was all male； all Ross。 His heart beat steadily by her ear；
gradually coaxing her own to slow。 His arms enveloped her and lent her
strength。
〃I tried。〃 She spoke； unsteadily at first。 〃I dated。 I still do。〃 It was
easier not having to look at him。 〃I even tried to go to bed with one of
them。〃
She recalled the horror of the moment。 〃He decided I was frigid。〃
A deep laugh broke from Ross's throat； a laugh that was strangely
hoarse。 〃That's ridiculous；〃 he crooned into the warmth of her hair； but
when he tipped her face up he felt her stiffen。 〃Oh； no； you don't。〃 His
mouth found hers。
She fought him then。 Struggling to free herself from the band of his
arms； she pushed against his chest； all the while trying to evade his
lips； but he was stronger tha