with me；〃 Ross said in a voice thick with need。 〃Let me
love you。 It's been so long； princess。〃
Princess。 It struck her that he had done the same thing she hadformed an
image and held it through the years。 In his mind she was still one step
removed from royalty。 But not in hers。
She strained away from his hands。 〃Please stop； I can't do this。〃
Aroused still and upset with herself； she trembled。
〃Can't？〃 he challenged hoarsely。
〃Won't；〃 she amended as she clutched at threads of posure。 Eleven
years ago she hadn't refused him。 Her virginity had never had a chance。
But things were different now。 She was different。
〃Why not； Chloe？〃
She heard hurt； but it didn't make her relent。 〃I wish I could explain。〃
〃Why can't you？ I've seen that pained look in your eyes。 At those
moments…at this moment…you do look unhappy。 Is it something about me？
Something about what happened eleven years ago？〃
For all of those eleven long years； Chloe had hidden a world of inner
feelings from everyone around her。 They were locked in tight。 He could
prod all he wanted； but they weren't getting out。
He spoke more gently。 〃Here。 Sit down。 I'll make us some coffee。 You can
talk。〃
〃I don't want to talk。 Some things are best left dead and buried。〃 She
shuddered at her own choice of words。
〃Sit。〃 He nudged her into the chair she had left； and she sat； i