Сумерки

           Ifelthishand,lighterthanamoth’swing,brushingmydamphairback,sothathislipscouldtouchthehollowbeneathmyear.

           "Much,mucheasier,"Isaid,tryingtoexhale.

           "Hmm."

           "SoIwaswondering..."Ibeganagain,buthisfingerswereslowlytracingmycollarbone,andIlostmytrainofthought.

           "Yes?"hebreathed.

           "Whyisthat,"myvoiceshook,embarrassingme,"doyouthink?"

           Ifeltthetremorofhisbreathonmyneckashelaughed."Mindovermatter."

           Ipulledback;asImoved,hefroze-andIcouldnolongerhearthesoundofhisbreathing.

           Westaredcautiouslyateachotherforamoment,andthen,ashisclenchedjawgraduallyrelaxed,hisexpressionbecamepuzzled.

           "DidIdosomethingwrong?"

           "No-theopposite.You’redrivingmecrazy,"Iexplained.

           Heconsideredthatbriefly,andwhenhespoke,hesoundedpleased."Really?"Atriumphantsmileslowlylithisface.

           "Wouldyoulikearoundofapplause?"Iaskedsarcastically.

           Hegrinned.

           "I’mjustpleasantlysurprised,"heclarified."Inthelasthundredyearsorso,"hisvoicewasteasing,"Ineverimaginedanythinglikethis.Ididn’tbelieveIwouldeverfindsomeoneIwantedtobewith...inanotherwaythanmybrothersandsisters.Andthentofind,eventhoughit’sallnewtome,thatI’mgoodatit...atbeingwithyou..."

           "You’regoodateverything,"Ipointedout.

           Heshrugged,allowingthat,andwebothlaughedinwhispers.

           "Buthowcanitbesoeasynow?"Ipressed."Thisafternoon..."

           "It’snoteasy,"hesighed."Butthisafternoon,Iwasstill...undecided.