rekindled(英文版)-第20章

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well　past　normal　calling　hours　even　in　the　city。　Perhaps　one　of　the
villagers　wanted　to　warn　her　about　the　storm。　Perhaps　someone　was　lost。
Perhaps　。。。　perhaps　　。。。　A　furious　pounding　came　at　the　door。　Had　it
been　a　gentle　knock；　Anne　might　have　dared　answer　it。　But　this　knock　was
angry；　clearly　no　neighbor　expressing　concern。　At　least　the　door　was
locked；　though　she　wished　fervently　for　the　dead　bolt　she　had　in　New
York。

〃Open　up！　It's　wet　out　here！〃　The　voice　was　deep；　gruff；　and　angry。
〃Open　the　damn　door！〃

Anne　didn't　budge。　This　was　her　cottage　for　the　week；　and　she　had　the
papers　to　prove　it。　She　didn't　have　to　open　the　door。

But　the　banging　went　on；　hard　knuckles　on　wood。　〃e　on；　whoever　you
are；　open　the　door！　I'm　getting　soaked　and　I　can't　reach　my　key。〃

His　key？　Was　this　a　mon　visiting　place？　Had　the　realtor　forgotten　to
tell　her　something？

Feeling　vaguely　guilty　at　being　warm　and　dry　while　someone　was　out　there
wet　and　cold；　she　approached　the　door。　〃Who　is　it？〃　she　yelled；　resting
her　forehead　against　the　smooth　oak。

〃It's　Mitch；　dammit。　Open　up！〃　An　impatient　hand　jiggled　the　doorknob
from　the　outside。

〃I　don't　know　any　Mitch；〃　she　shouted　over　the　storm。　〃What　do　you
want？〃

What　came　back　was　a　menacing　growl。　〃I　want　to　get　dry。　For　God's　sake；
open　up。　I　do　have　a　key；　but　if　I　have　to　put　these　bags　down　to　get
it；　I'll　be　madder'n　hell　when　I　get　in　there！〃

Assuming　she　could　believe　him；　he　had　a　point。　If　he　did　have　a　key　and
would　eventually　open　the　door　whether　she　liked　it　or　not；　she　could
save　him　the　effort　and　spare　herself　his　anger。　Cautious；　she　reached
for　the　knob。　She　opened　the　door　a　few　inches；　leaving　her　weight
against　the　wood　in　case　she　didn't　like　what　she　saw。

Without　warning；　a　heavier　weight　thrust　it　full　open；　throwing　her　back
into　the　room。　Startled　by　the　unexpected　force　and　cursing　herself　for
her　nerves；　Anne　lost　her　balance　and　tripped；　falling　backward　onto　her
bottom　with　a　thud。　From　that　vantage　point　she　watched；　wide…eyed；　as　a
huge　man　entered；　savagely　dripping　water。　He　tossed　in　several　large
bags　before　slamming　the　door　shut　and　leaning　against　it。

The　fire　had　begun　to　die；　leaving　only　the　faintest　glow　to　light　his
face；　but　it　was　enough　to　show　a　tight　jaw；　sneering　lips；　and　eyes
that　impaled　her。

〃You　bitch！　What　took　you　so　long？　Why　didn't　you　open　the　door？

Can't　you　see　what　the　weather　is　like？　And　who　sent　you　anyway？　Was　it
Joe？〃　Narrowed　eyes　gave　her　an　insolent　once…over。　〃No；　it　must　have
been　Lennie。　He　goes　in　for　the　plain；　scrawny　type。〃

Anne　was　dumbstruck　by　the　sudden　turn　of　events。

〃What？〃　he　went　on。　〃No　denials？　No　coy　protestations？〃　He　unbuttoned
his　heavy　wool　jacket；　shrugged　it　off；　and　tossed　it　onto　an　empty
chair。　Even　without　its　bulk；　with　only　snug　denims　and　a　dark
turtleneck；　he　was　imposing。

To　her　horror；　he　advanced　until　he　towered　directly　over　her。　〃Well？

Don't　you　have　anything　to　say？　Or　are　you　just　going　to　lie　there；　all
helpless　and　inviting？〃

Anne　found　her　tongue。　〃You　shouldn't　be　here。　Get　out！〃

A　coarse　laugh　filtered　through　the　sounds　of　the　storm。　〃Ah；　having
second　thoughts；　are　you？　Reneging　on　your　little　deal　so　fast？〃

Anne　slid　backward　on　the　floor。　〃I　think　there's　been　a
misunderstanding。〃

〃Right　in　one！　I　don't　know　who　you　are；　but　I　don't　want　you　or　any
other　woman　up　here。　So〃…he　lowered　his　voice　but　failed　to　relax　his
jaw…〃I'd　suggest　you　pick　up　your　little　carcass　and　get　out。〃

Anne　was　incredulous。　〃I　will　not。〃　Her　eyes　didn't　leave　his　for　a
second；　though　she　inched　farther　away。

Suddenly　he　was　crouched　before　her；　steel…muscled　shins　imprisoning
hers　and　making　movement　impossible。　〃What　did　you　say？〃

Willing　a　strength　she　didn't　feel；　Anne　held　his　gaze。　〃I　said　that　I
wouldn't　leave。　I'm　here　for　the　week。　If　anyone　is　leaving；　it's　you。
Now！〃

She　practically　shrieked　the　last。　Between　frustration　and　fear；　she　was
losing　posure。

But　her　order　had　the　opposite　effect。　The　man　moved　forward；　resting
his　weight　on　his　right　hand；　on　the　hard　floor　inches　from　her　hip。　〃So
this　is　a　new　kind　of　game；〃　he　taunted。

〃I　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about；〃　she　said；　but　her　voice　fell
to　a　whisper　when　his　face　came　closer。　〃This　is　no　game。〃

Lit　by　the　pale　orange　cast　of　the　fire；　his　lips　were　firm　and　grinning
wryly。　His　eyes　narrowed　again；　homing　in　now　on　her　mouth；　which
quivered。　She　couldn't　move。　Terror　rose　up　from　the　pit　of　her　stomach。

〃No　game？〃　he　echoed　as　she　struggled　to　pull　herself　free　of　his
leghold。　With　the　grace　of　an　athlete　and　the　power　of　a　lion；　he
stretched　fully　over　her；　flattening　her　onto　the　cold　floor。

Panic　hit　then。　〃Let　go！　Get　off　me！〃　Futilely　she　pushed　against　him；
but　his　body　weight　was　awesome；　stealing　her　breath。　Gasping　for　air；
she　continued　to　push　as　his　mouth　lowered。　〃No！〃　she　cried　and　wrenched
her　head　to　the　side。

He　brought　it　back　with　a　firm　hand。　〃No　game；　you　say？　We'll　see　about
that。〃　His　lips　seized　hers　with　a　steadiness　that　held　her　head　flush
against　the　oak　planks。　Startling　in　intensity；　relentless　in　duration；
his　kiss　had　an　animalism　that　was　primitive　and　raw。

She　fought　desperately；　writhing　beneath　him　until　one　large　hand　seized
both　of　hers　and　pinned　them　to　the　floor　above　her　head。　Only　then　did
his　lips　finally　release　hers。

Fighting　tears；　she　gasped　for　breath；　and　all　the　while　he　studied　her。
When　he　finally　spoke；　he　was　calm　and　cynical。　〃Tears？　That's　not　part
of　the　game　plan。〃　In　an　effort　to　raise　himself；　his　hand　tightened　on
hers；　forcing　them　to　bear　the　brunt　of　his　weight。　She　cried　out　in
pain　when　her　wedding　band　dug　in。

He　freed　her　quickly　then；　and　sat　back　on　his　haunches。　She　recoiled；
crawling　backward　until　she　hit　a　wall；　then　jumping　to　her　feet　and
racing　to　the　hearth。　She　grabbed　the　only　weapon　in　sight；　a　heavy　iron
poker。　〃Don't　e　near　me；〃　she　warned　in　a　high…pitched　whine。

Her　threat　reached　its　mark。　He　didn't　move　a　muscle。

Silence　hung　heavy　in　the　air。　Even　the　rain　had　eased　to　a　gentle
patter　on　the　roof。　The　storm　was　ending。　But　what　was　she　to　do　now？　As
the　gravity　of　her　predicament　settled　in；　a　fit　of　trembling　shook　her
with　such　force　that　the　poker　waved　precariously。

Appearing　to　sense　her　terror；　the　man　rose　slowly；　palms　open　and　out
from　his　sides。　〃Take　it　easy。　I　won't　hurt　you。〃

〃You　already　have。〃　She　raised　the　poker　higher。

〃Put　that　thing　down；〃　he　ordered；　but　gently；　all　anger　gone　now。
〃You're　apt　to　hurt　yourself〃

She　shook　her　head　and　held　the　poker　at　the　ready。

〃Look。〃　He　sighed；　running　his　fingers　through　the　damp　hair　that　had
fallen　across　his　forehead。　〃Let　me　turn　on　a　light。　At　least　then　I　can
see　what　manner　of　woman　has　the　upper　hand　on　me。〃

She　eased　up　on　her　stance。　Light　would　help　her；　too。

He　crossed　to　the　nearest　lamp　and　turned　it　on。　It　bathed　the　room　a
warm　yellow。　〃That's　better；〃　he　said　and　turned　to　face　her。

Anne　took　a　good　look　at　her　would…be　assailant。　He　was　tall　and　rugged；
thinner　than　she　had　first　suspected；　though　the　breadth　of　his　chest
and　shoulders　spoke　of　strength。　His　sweater　was　black；　his　jeans　faded；
though　darkened　by　rain　at　the　hem；　where　they　fell　over　sodden　brown
leather　boots。

She　had　expected　a　dark　and　glowering　face。　What　she　saw　were　features
that　were　strong　but　kind；　skin　that　was　clear　and　only　faintly　tanned；
hair　that　was　thick　and　blond；　turning　silver；　in　damp　waves。

There　was　an　underlying　gentleness。　But　his　lips　were　stern；　his　cheeks
lean；　his　jaw　set。　And　eyes　that　were　silvery　hazel　stare　'　（I　at　her
without　a　blink。

〃If　you've　finished；〃　he　said　with　a　mocking　twitch　of　his　lips；　〃would
you　please　put　down　that　poker？　You　can　see　I'm　not　a　thug；〃　She　lifted
the　weapon　higher。　〃How　about　a　rapist？〃　She　wasn't　being　deceived　by　a
sweet…talking；　good…looking　man。

A　muscle　flexed　in　his　jaw。　〃I'm　no　rapist。　I　wouldn't　have　forced　you
into　anything。　Especially　once　I　saw　that　wedding　band。　I　don't　fool
around　with　married　women。〃

Tears　threatened　again。　How　bittersweet　that　the　symbol　of　a　marriage
that　had　ended　should　save　her　from　the　unspeakable。　So　she　had　Jeff　to
thank　still。

〃Who　are　you？〃　she　asked　in　a　quavering　voice。

〃You　really　don't　know？　e　on；　you're　holding　all　the　cards。　You　can
confess。〃

Her　voice　came　stronger。　〃Who　are　you？〃

Still　he　persisted。　〃It　was　Lennie；　wasn't　it？　He's　been　trying　to　set
me　up　with　a　woman　for　weeks　now！〃　His　frustration　sounded　sincere。

〃Who　are　you？〃

With　a　sigh　of　defeat；　he　thrust　a　hand　in　his　pocket。　〃Mitch。〃

But　she　knew　that　already。　〃Where　are　you　from？〃

〃New　York。〃

〃You　just　drove　up　from　there？〃

〃Yes。　I；　〃Why？

He　shot　her　a　surprised　look。　〃Why　what？　Why　did　I　just　drive　up；　or　why
am　I　here？〃

〃Both。〃　As　Anne's　pulse　steadied；　she　lowered　the　poker。

〃I　just　got　here　because　I　had　a　late　meeting　this　afternoon　and
couldn't　leave　the　city　until　it　was　done。　I'm　here　because　I　need　a
week's　rest；　free　of　all　human　contact。　All　human　contact。〃

〃Why　are　you　here？〃

〃I　just　told　you。〃

〃But；　why　here；　in　this　house？〃　She　was　beginning　to　think　straight。　He
didn't　look　like　a　thug。　And　he　could　have　taken　advantage　of　her　when
he　was　on　top；　but　he　hadn't。

He　rubbed　the　back　of　his　neck；　much　as　she　had　when　she'd　first
arrived。　〃I　e　here　often。　And　I'm　sure　I　booked　the　weekend　with
Miles。〃

So　he　did　know　the　realtor。　He　deserved　credit　for　that。

She　relaxed　her　grip　on　the　poker。　〃It　looks　like　good　old　Miles　made
mistake。〃　Thinking　about　it；　she　frowned。　Her　eyes　fell。　Absently　she
ran　faintly　shaky　finger　over　the　lip　he　had　bruised。

In　a　single　deft　move；　he　had　the　poker　out　of　her　hands　before　she　knew
he　was　there。　In　that　instant；　terror　returned。　She　had　been　duped。

〃All　right；　ma'am。　Now　you　answer　my　questions；〃　he　ordered。

When　she　tried　to　step　back；　he　grabbed　her　shoulders　and　held　her　in
place。　The　discrepancy　of　their　heights　appalled　her。　Even　accounting
for　the　fact　that　she　had　no　shoes　on；　Mitch　was　nearly　a　foot　taller。

〃Who　are　you？〃　he　asked　with　an　air　of　mand；　even　subtle　threat。

She　began　to　tremble　again。　〃Anne。〃

〃From　。。。　？）

〃New　York。〃

〃So〃…a　smile　touched　his　mouth　but　went　no　further…〃we're　of　the　same
stock。〃

〃Hardly。〃

Her　sharp　gaze　and　clipped　response　erased　his　smile。　〃When　did　you
arrive？〃

She　resented　his　questions。　She　had　a　rental　agreement。　This　was　her
place。　〃I　don't　see　that　this…〃

Hard　fingers　dug　into　her　upper　arms；　stopping　short　of　a　shake。　〃When
did　you　get　here？〃

〃Early　this　evening。〃

〃Why　are　you　here？　Both　versions。〃

He　had　relaxed　his　grip　on　her　shoulders；　but　she　wanted　out　all　the
way。　〃Can　I　sit　down？　My　legs　are　wobbly。〃

He　held　his　hands　out　to　the　sides　for　an　instant；　then　dropped　them。
The　right　went　to　his　waist；　the　left　to　his　pocket。　〃Be　my　guest。　Sit。〃

She　retreated　to　the　wing…back　chair　and　watched　him　add　logs　to　the
fire。　He　used　his　right　hand。　His　left　remained　in　his　pocket。　It　struck
her　that　he　avoided　using　it。

He　approached　her　again；　tall　and　imposing。　〃Why　did　you　e？〃

She　tipped　her　chin　in　defiance　of　his　stance。　〃I'm　here　on　vacation。　I
arranged　it　with　Mr。　Cooper　and　prepaid　for　the　week。〃

〃You　have　proof？〃

〃Of　course。〃

〃Let　me　see。〃

She　scowled。　〃Why　should　I　show　you　anything？　You're　the　one　who　barged
in　here　uninvited。〃

He　leaned　forward；　resting　his　hand　on　the　arm　of　her　chair；　bringing
his　lips　infuriatingly　close　to　her　ear。　〃Get　it；〃　he　demanded　under　his
breath；　then　slowly　straightened　to　let　her　pass。

Moments　later　she　reappeared　to　find　him　studying　the　fire。　He　took　the
paper　she　offered　and　skimmed　it。

〃Looks　authentic　enough；〃　he　conceded。　With　a　muttered；　〃That　fool；〃　he
turned　back　to　the　fire。

〃Where's　your　proof？〃　she　challenged。

He　…clenched　his　jaw。　〃You'll　have　to　take　my　word　for　it。〃

〃No；　thanks。　I　want　proof。　Or　you　can　just　take　your　things　and　leave。　I
didn't　drive　all　the　way　up　here　to　share　a　cabin　with　a　man　I　don't
know。〃

His　mouth　thinned　to　a　grimace。　〃Looks　like　you're　stuck　with　me；　lady。〃

She　was　suddenly　angry。　〃No　way！　I　came　up　here　to　be　alone；　and　that's
what　I　plan　to　be。　If　there　was　a　telephone；　I'd　call　the　local　police
to　get　you　out；　but　there　isn't　one；　and　I　don't　relish　the　thought　of
driving　out　in　this　weather。　So　I'm　asking　you　to　leave　like　a
gentleman。〃　He　stared　at　the　fire。　〃Who　said　that　I　was　a　gentleman？〃

〃I'll　give　you　the　benefit　of　the　doubt。　Now；　do　you　leave；　or　do　I。。
Her　voice　trailed　off。　There　was　no　alternative。

And；　damn　it；　he　knew　it。　Slowly；　he　turned　toward　her。　〃Or　do　you
what？〃

Frustrated　by　the　situation；　infuriated　by　his　calm；　she　gave　in　to　the
need　to　shout。　Loudly。　〃Look　。。。　Mitch　。。。　I　don't　know　who's　to　blame
for　this　fiasco；　but　I'd　like　you　to　leave。　It's　been　a　long　day　and　I'm
tired。　There's　obviously　been　a　misunderstanding；　but　I　have　every
intention　of　spending　the　week　here；　and　I'm　paying　for　that　time　right
now。　So；　do　you　go？〃