One Summer in Santa Fe - By Molly Evans Page 0,24
tingle in response. Then his eyes met hers, and he smiled, releasing her from the spell of his thorough inspection.
“Ready?” he asked, and even held out an arm for her.
With a smile, Piper took his arm and allowed him to escort her to the convertible. “Where are we going?” she asked, and buckled in, glad she had pulled her hair into a sleek ponytail.
“There’s a place by the Opera House that serves a great Sunday brunch.” He put the vehicle in gear, and they were off. “All the New Mexican food and Mimosa you can handle.”
“Opera House? I didn’t realize that Santa Fe had one.”
“One of the most unusual in the world. An open stage nestled into the hillside with acoustics like you’ve never heard. World class. You like opera?” he asked, casting her a quick glance. “I wouldn’t have thought.”
“Some opera. Some makes my eyes go crossed and my ears want to crawl inside my head.”
Taylor laughed. “Mine, too.”
“I guess it’s like art. I know what I like, whether it’s considered good or not.”
“I hear you. Santa Fe is a haven for artists of all kinds. Some I get, some I don’t. You’ll have to check out the Indian Market at the end of August. They have the biggest, best art exhibits from every Indian pueblo and Indian nation of the Southwest. It’s great.”
“Oh, that sounds fabulous. Elizabeth’s birthday is in September, and I can use that as an excuse to get her a present.” She rubbed her hands together. “I love it when I can rationalize like that. I also send my aunt Ida a gift from every assignment I go to. Keeps her in the loop that way.”
“Indian Market only comes once a year, so you do have to go while it’s here.” Though he’d lived here for years, he’d only managed to take in half of what the city’s culture had to offer. It was shameful not to take advantage of it. Perhaps walking through the city would be better than flying over it sometimes.
“Good to know, thanks. By the way, here’s your shirt back.” She pulled it out from her purse and placed it on the seat beside her. “Thanks for letting me use it.”
“Anytime.”
A short time later they were seated in a one-story adobe restaurant that offered an incredible view of the surrounding valley and mountains to the north. Ceiling fans overhead stirred the air just enough, and classical Spanish guitar played quietly on a hidden speaker system around them. If Piper hadn’t seen the cars in the parking lot, she could have believed she’d opened the door to time and been thrown back to the era of the Spanish land barons. At times, atmosphere was everything.
Silence filled the air between them, and Piper’s gaze skittered away from his, the smile she offered a nervous one. Adjusting her position more comfortably in the carved wooden chair, she reached for the salsa and chips on the table.
“Don’t get shy on me,” Taylor said, and reached for her hand.
“Who me? Shy?” Her gaze fluttered away from the intensity of his. She’d been right the first time. He had eyes that saw right through a person, right into their very soul. Right now her soul was transparent.
“Yes, you.” He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Today it’s just you and me.” He lowered her hand, but didn’t release it and tugged once. “When Alex is around you relax, but with just me there’s tension between us.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean for there to be.” She sighed, knowing the tension in her came from trying to resist a raging case of sexual attraction. They were coworkers and anything between them would be temporary at best. “You make me a little nervous sometimes. I’m sure I’m not the kind of woman you normally spend time with, am I?” Looking up at him, she swallowed. He was so handsome, so confident and masculine. He was a powerful man. She was just someone trying to get through life. He challenged it at every step. Beside him, she felt small and insignificant.
“No, you’re not. I have to admit that. But there’s no reason to limit myself, is there?”
“I guess I just don’t understand what your interest in me is. Aside from being grateful I gave you some suggestions for Alex.” Men of his caliber never noticed her, so having Taylor spend his time and attention on her was an exciting, but puzzling, experience. “I don’t want you to feel indebted to