One Summer in Santa Fe - By Molly Evans Page 0,27

ever. Was that going to be the best decision of her life? Probably not, but if she didn’t take the chance, was she going to regret it? Probably so. Opportunities, chances, came so infrequently in her life that she sometimes didn’t recognize them when confronted with one. Now, with this glaring opportunity in front of her, she recognized it for what it was. A chance to be with Taylor, no strings attached. For two healthy, sexual adults to share an experience together. Beyond that, they would simply return to being coworkers. She could accept that, couldn’t she? For one day, she could live for herself and savor the experience with Taylor. This attraction between them was heavier than anything she’d ever experienced. They wanted each other. It was that simple.

Nodding, she turned her head to the side, allowing him more access to the sensitive flesh of her neck. Hot and wet, his mouth opened and teased her skin, hitting all her erogenous zones and tugging at them, drawing away any resistance she might have had. Desire that she’d tried to deny blossomed inside her. Alone with Taylor, resting in his arms, she could find no urge to resist him or herself. The voice of reason was a distant echo that soon faded away. Living in the moment was Taylor’s way. A way that she had longed for, but had never reached out to grab. Her life had been so controlled and molded that she hadn’t embraced many of life’s experiences. Now she wanted to clutch Taylor to her and let the rest of the world fade away from them.

She turned in his arms and looped her arms around his shoulders. His eyes were glowing with desire she knew was for her, and the thought that this powerful man wanted her made her body moist in anticipation. Shoving the past back where it belonged, she reached out to boldly embrace the moment and take what Taylor was offering her, even if it was just for a moment.

“Then I’m going to need that shirt back.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

TAYLOR moved back from her and gave her lush curves a wistful look. “If you insist on covering yourself.”

“I do.” At least the trembling in her heart did.

He left her for a moment and returned with the T-shirt she had borrowed.

“I’ll be right back.” She fled to the bathroom to change, any lingering stiffness in her back remarkably absent. Minutes later, she entered the back yard to the hot-tub deck, nicely shaded by enormous cottonwood trees from too much sun or any prying eyes. High fences surrounding the yard ensured no one could peek in.

Taylor was already in the water up to his chest and leaning his head back against the cushioned bumper, his clothing in a rumpled pile on the deck. Piper eased her legs into the steaming water just as Taylor opened his eyes.

Petals of desire blossomed free in Piper as she entered the water. Stiff muscles forgotten as she looked at Taylor, she submerged all the way to her neck and leaned back, allowing the jets of water to pound her muscles and dissolve her bones. “Oh, this was a fabulous idea. I think I’m going to melt.”

Relaxing was out of the question, though. As Taylor slid closer to her, a different kind of tension pulsed through her, and she opened her eyes to slits to observe him.

“Remember, you’re only supposed to stay about ten to fifteen minutes beneath the water, and then you have to come out for a while.” Taking both hands, he ran his wet fingers through his hair and pushed it away from his face, looking much like an ad for the ultimate aphrodisiac. Who needed drugs when a wet, naked man would do the job?

“Okay.” Piper swallowed, her tongue feeling thick in her mouth as he neared. Did he have a suit on or was he as naked as he suggested that she get? Heart fluttering wildly, she didn’t know if it was from the heat of the water or the heat of Taylor so close to her.

“Your face is flushed. Are you okay?”

“I’m sure it’s just the heat of the tub making my blood vessels dilate.” Yeah, right. That was a great excuse, so flimsy he could see right through it.

Taylor grinned. “I’m sure.” He reached for her hand and tugged until she semi-floated across the tub closer to him. “I’d better check your pulse.” With his fingers on her wrist, and his gaze locked on hers, he