One Summer in Santa Fe - By Molly Evans Page 0,61

and a heavy silence hung between them.

“How’s Caroline today?”

“How have you been?” They spoke at the same time.

“You first,” Piper said, and sipped her iced tea. Relaxing with him over a casual lunch wasn’t likely to be happening today. Being on her guard would save her from embarrassing herself by revealing things she wanted to keep hidden. For her own sanity, she had to protect her emotions from him. He’d already been too close to her for comfort.

“She’s much improved, thanks. Out of ICU today, and probably going to rehab by the end of the week.” He picked up his water glass twice, but didn’t drink. “So far no complications.”

“That’s wonderful. I was so worried when she first came in.” Hands nervous, she fiddled with the napkin in her lap.

“How have you been, Piper?” he asked.

The tone of his voice was husky and low, personal and intimate, and she knew he wasn’t talking about her work life or her sister. With him watching her so intently, she had the feeling that the rest of the world faded and it was just the two of them tucked away together. Almost afraid to look at him, afraid she’d reveal her feelings without words, she gave a quick glance and a shrug. “Okay, I guess.”

“Piper, look at me, please.”

Tears pricked her eyes as she glanced at him and looked away. Going to lunch with him had been a really bad idea, no matter how hungry she was or how brilliant the atmosphere. “I’m sorry, I can’t. Not when you look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you want to devour me, like you want me, and I know it’s not true.” She spared him a glance, then returned her gaze to her lap. “Maybe this extension was a bad idea. Maybe I should have left when my first contract ended.” She sighed. “I can’t be a casual lover with no strings attached. I want the strings, and I need the attachment. I can’t be what you want, Taylor. I’m not built that way.”

He leaned back in his seat as the server interrupted with a basket of freshly made tortilla chips and house salsa. “What way is that?”

“You know, Taylor. You know.” Finally, she looked at him. “You’re about danger, adrenaline and excitement. You’re fearless.” She paused and swallowed, the words sticking in her throat. “And I need to be safe.”

“You’re safe with me, I would never let you get hurt.”

“No, I’m not safe.” She would never be emotionally safe and stable around him. He was too volatile, too out there. He had the power to hurt her more than any man she’d ever known.

“I didn’t mean for that rock-climbing thing to happen. It was an accident, you know that.” Now he leaned forward, intense.

She leaned closer and placed a hand on his, waiting until he looked at her. “I wasn’t talking about climbing. I was talking about my heart, Taylor. With you, I’ll be forever fragile, never sure of where I am with you, and I can’t live that way.”

“Piper,” he said, and took both of her hands in his and pressed his face into them. “I’ve never said this to another woman, but…I’ve missed you.”

His voice cracked and the sincerity in his face convinced her that he told the truth. Could there truly be hope for them yet? Could she stand on the truth as he knew it and not get knocked down?

“I’ve missed you, too. That’s what makes this so damned hard. We were friends and I miss that.” She wanted desperately to believe in him, in what they could be together, but some part of her just knew it wasn’t going to happen. Her emotions were a mess when it came to Taylor. Tears escaped her eyes.

Taylor pulled her close and kissed them away, then kissed her mouth as if she were the secret to sustaining his life. “I don’t want to let you go, Piper. I’m not ready to watch you walk out of my life.”

“I don’t want to, either, but how are we going to make this work?” Concern filled her eyes and the tentative smile faded.

“I don’t know. I don’t know. But if we don’t at least try to make it work, we’ll never know, will we?” he asked. Tenderly, he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand and lingered there, as if savoring the smell and the feel of her skin. He looked at her as he pressed his cheek to her hand, his compelling