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           Hisquicksmileturnedupthecornersofhisflawlesslips.

           "Idon’tscareyou?"heaskedplayfully,butIcouldheartherealcuriosityinhissoftvoice.

           "Nomorethanusual."

           Hesmiledwider;histeethflashedinthesun.

           Iinchedcloser,stretchedoutmywholehandnowtotracethecontoursofhisforearmwithmyfingertips.Isawthatmyfingerstrembled,andknewitwouldn’tescapehisnotice.

           "Doyoumind?"Iasked,forhehadclosedhiseyesagain.

           "No,"hesaidwithoutopeninghiseyes."Youcan’timaginehowthatfeels."Hesighed.

           Ilightlytrailedmyhandovertheperfectmusclesofhisarm,followedthefaintpatternofbluishveinsinsidethecreaseathiselbow.Withmyotherhand,Ireachedtoturnhishandover.RealizingwhatIwished,heflippedhispalmupinoneofthoseblindinglyfast,disconcertingmovementsofhis.Itstartledme;myfingersfrozeonhisarmforabriefsecond.

           "Sorry,"hemurmured.Ilookedupintimetoseehisgoldeneyescloseagain."It’stooeasytobemyselfwithyou."

           Iliftedhishand,turningitthiswayandthatasIwatchedthesunglitteronhispalm.Ihelditclosertomyface,tryingtoseethehiddenfacetsinhisskin.

           "Tellmewhatyou’rethinking,"hewhispered.Ilookedtoseehiseyeswatchingme,suddenlyintent."It’sstillsostrangeforme,notknowing."

           "Youknow,therestofusfeelthatwayallthetime."

           "It’sahardlife."DidIimaginethehintofregretinhistone?"Butyoudidn’ttellme."

           "IwaswishingIcouldknowwhatyouwerethinking..."Ihesitated.