One Summer in Santa Fe - By Molly Evans Page 0,19

the canyon winds. Everything about him spoke of anger, but she knew beneath that anger was an all-consuming fear he didn’t know how to deal with. Strong men also didn’t know how to deal with fear.

“I’m ready for my hug now,” she said, raised her arms and placed her hands on his shoulders.

“What?” Incredulous, Taylor blinked. She wasn’t serious, was she? A hug? Now?

“At the park the other night you said you’d give me a hug. I’m ready to collect on it now.”

“Piper, now really isn’t the time,” he said, and swore under his breath, looking away from her. He’d nearly killed his nephew and almost maimed her.

“Now is the perfect time,” she replied, her voice husky with emotion. Without his consent, she put her arms around his shoulders and drew him closer to her.

Surprised by her audacity, Taylor’s arms automatically went around her and fit her body against his. The tension that had fired every muscle in his body paused. The feel of Piper against him, the way her lithe body fit against his, and the anxiety of the climb conspired to rob him of his good sense. He should step away from her, and he tried to, but when his hands touched her hips to push her away, something shifted in him, something needy broke free, and he pulled her tightly against him. Burying his face in the side of her neck, he closed his eyes and drew in a ragged breath, savoring the feel and the sweet scent of her. God. She was right. Now was the perfect time.

“I’m sorry, Piper,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” The women he’d taken climbing in the past had been experienced climbers, and he hadn’t had to worry about them. Today had been a disaster that he never wanted to repeat. Of all the stupid things he’d done in his life, this was one of the worst.

“It’s not your fault. And no one was seriously hurt.”

She squeezed her arms tighter around his shoulders and held him. The feel of her lush breasts against his chest, her hips pressed against him inspired a new kind of tension in him, and he pulled back to look into her lovely face. His gaze dropped to her parted lips and a wild hunger for her raged through him.

Without thinking, he took her mouth with his and poured out all his fear and frustration into the embrace. Desire, hot and urgent, swept through him, matching the ferocity of the canyon winds surrounding them. Her mouth parted beneath his and the sweet thrill of her tongue gliding against his made him hunger for more. In a flash, he knew he wanted to take her home and explore every inch of her. Tunneling his fingers into her hair, he held on to her head and deepened the kiss as a dam of emotions broke free in him.

Piper jumped and pulled back. “Ow,” she said, and raised her hand to her head.

“I’m sorry. I got your bump, didn’t I?” he said, stepping away from her and the intensity of shocking desire that surged between them. A few deep breaths did nothing to calm his heart or the needs raging in him.

“Yes, you did, but it’s okay.” She smiled and touched his arm. “I liked everything else.”

That brought a slight smile to him, and he trailed a knuckle over her cheek. “Me, too. Probably more than I should have.”

“This wasn’t your fault, Taylor. The winds weren’t something you could have planned for.” Her eyes were serious, trying to convince him, but he knew better.

“I brought Alex here. I’m responsible—”

“Stop beating yourself up,” she said, and gave him a quick smack on the arm. “It was an accident and we’re okay.”

“But—”

“Shh. Shh.” Piper hugged him to her, then stepped back. “I suppose we ought to collect Alex and head back.”

For a second longer, Taylor stared at her and absorbed the effect his kiss had had on her. Blue eyes limpid with desire, lips red from his kiss, cheeks filled with color. Desire looked good on her. And it was dangerously compelling. Better to give that a wide berth right now.

“Okay. Let’s go.” He took her hand and turned, but stopped. Alex was gone.

CHAPTER SIX

“ALEX!” Taylor cried, and turned to Piper. “Where is he?”

“He was right there by the packs,” she said, and pointed a few feet from them.

“Then where is he? Maybe he was more seriously injured than I thought.” Taylor cupped