She　was　the　first　to　get　behind　the　wheel　of　the　car；　the　first　to

choose　the　prettiest　dress　in　the　boutique；　the　first　to　snag　the

telephone　caller。　I　prided　myself　on　being　the　clever　one。〃

〃And　this　coin　toss？〃

Chloe　begged　forgiveness　with　her　eyes。　〃It　was　my　coin。　I　called

heads。〃

Understanding　slowly　dawned　on　Ross's　face。　His　grin　was　appreciative。

〃And　the　coin　had　two　heads？〃

〃It　did。〃

Whatever　he　might　have　thought　of　her　for　having　cheated；　he　was

undoubtedly　pleased　that　〃winning〃　him　had　meant　so　much　to　her。　〃That

deserves　a　kiss；〃　he　said　and　lowered　his　head。

Chloe　met　his　lips　without　hesitation。　She　had　waited　for　this　all

evening。　They　had　been　building　toward　it　from　the　second　she　had　agreed

to　dress　up　and　go　out　to　dinner　with　him。　〃Just　this　once；〃　she　had

told　him　then。　Now　the　words　echoed　through　her。　Just　this　once　she

would　relax　in　Ross's　arms。　Just　this　once　she　would　taste　his　love。

Just　this　once　she　would　be　free　of　the　past。

She'd　had　too　much　wine。　No　doubt　about　that。　Would　she　want　this　if　her

head　were　clear？　Maybe　yes；　maybe　no；　but　it　made　no　difference。　Right

here；　right　now；　she　was　where　she　wanted　to　be。

Ross　appeared　equally　content；　if　the　leisure　of　his　kiss　meant

anything。　He　tasted　her　again　and　again；　seeming　to　find　something　new

each　time。　She　sure　did。　Once　it　was　the　sweetness　of　wine　on　his　lips；

another　time　the　firmness　of　his　mouth；　another　the　heat。　His　kiss　was　a

heady　brew；　warm；　moist；　and　intoxicating。

Seeking　more；　she　spread　her　hands　over　his　chest　and　discovered　a

textured　surface　beneath　the　smoothness　of　his　s