第6部分(第7/7 頁)

hat

he　wouldn't　hurt　her；　and　he　hadn't。　He　had　been　a　masterful　lover；　so

very　gentle　undressing　her；　so　very　subtle　baring　his　potentially

frightening　body；　so　very　patient　as　he　coaxed　her　to　heights　of　desire；

then　tender　when　he　took　her　virginity。　When　tenderness　gave　way　to

driving　passion；　she　rose　with　him；　reveling　in　an　ecstasy　she　had　never

known　before。

Ross's　lovemaking　had　been　a　magical　experience。　She　would　always

cherish　it。

She　stirred　in　the　tub；　suspended　between　the　world　of　memories　and　the

present。　In　a　final　indulgence；　she　submerged　her　hand　and　touched　the

skin　Ross　had　touched；　traced　the　curves　he　had　traced。　Thoughts　of　him

were　fresh　and　near。　She　sighed　in　delight。

Then　her　back　slipped　on　the　porcelain。　With　a　jerk；　she　sat　up；　but　not

before　her　hair　got　wet。　Hissing　her　annoyance；　she　reached　for　a　towel

to　wrap　around　her　head；　then　soaped　herself　quickly　and　climbed　out。　A

lovely　trip　into　the　past　had　ended　in　frustration。　Satisfaction　would

not　be　forthing。　Nor　would　there　be　a　respite　from　the　guilt　she

still　felt。

For　the　guilt　was　only　in　part　related　to　the　act　of　loving　Ross。　Its

other　part　was　Crystal。　Crystal…her　twin。　Crystal…her　alter　ego。

Crystal…who　had　never　known　that　same　joy；　but　should　have；　should　have

at　least　once　before　her　death　such　a　short　time　later。

The　long　ponytail　bobbed　against　her　neck　as　Chloe