LITMIR.BIZ

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yet again. “You really don’t waste time, do you,” she replied.

      “I’ll pick you up around seven. So how much time do you spend in New Mexico?” he asked.

      “Most of the summer. It’s cool at night and I enjoy being there part of the year. Do you have a home anywhere else?”

      “My home is in Dallas and I have a condo in Colorado because I like to ski. I also have a place in Switzerland.”

      “Nice.”

      “Painting is a reclusive occupation. Do you get out much in Santa Fe?”

      “Sure, when I want to. But I enjoy the quiet and solitude. Chalk that up to being an only child.” As Sophia talked, she couldn’t help but study Garrett. His brown hair had been neatly combed, but the breeze soon shifted the locks and they tumbled over his forehead. His rough handsomeness—his hawk nose and firm jaw—and his spellbinding gray eyes fascinated her. When he began to speak, her gaze lowered to his mouth and she recalled his kisses, not hearing what he was saying as heat suffused her and the temperature of the cool morning changed.

      He touched her chin with his fingers. “I don’t believe you’re hearing a word I’m saying. What could you possibly be thinking about?” he asked in a husky voice as if he guessed exactly why she hadn’t heard a word he had said.

      “My mind drifted, sorry,” she said, embarrassed, looking into his knowing gaze. She felt the heat flush her cheeks and couldn’t do anything to stop it.

      “So, Sophia, where did it drift? What were you thinking?”

      She gave up because he knew full well what she had been thinking about.

      “I don’t think you need me to tell you that, do you, Garrett?” He gave her a slight smile as she changed the subject. “Do you travel much with your job?”

      To her relief he moved on with the conversation and the moment passed. But she suspected it had not been forgotten.

      After breakfast Garrett took her to the gallery and parked beside her car. As he walked her to the door, he said, “We’re early. May I come inside with you in case your building is empty?”

      “Actually, people should start arriving in about ten minutes, and there is a guard outside.”

      “I’d rather stay until someone does arrive.”

      “Garrett, it’s safe, and I’ll lock the door once I’m inside.” She turned to unlock the door and reached inside to switch off the alarm. When it became clear that he had no intention of leaving, she headed down the hall and said over her shoulder, “I’ll show you my office.”

      She stepped into her office and he followed, taking in the beige room with bright splashes of color from her paintings. He studied the paintings for a moment, and then turned to her, making her pulse skip. “I expect people any minute now.”

      “I’ll wait and be certain. Why don’t you give me the key and I’ll unlock the front and switch on lights.”

      She handed him the key and he caught her wrist, drawing her to him. Her “no” died on her lips before she ever uttered a sound. His arm banded her waist and he looked down at her. “I didn’t sleep well and I suspect you didn’t either. This is what I’ve wanted since I woke up this morning.” His mouth covered hers, his lips warm and firm as he kissed her.

      Her heart thudded while heat made the room a furnace. Wrapping her arm around his neck, she combed her fingers through his thick hair while their kiss turned to fire. Forgetting her surroundings, she held him tightly.

      She never heard the car but Garrett raised his head and stepped away. “I hear one of your employees.”

      Garrett’s erratic breathing matched hers. She felt disoriented, trying to ignore her desire and get her focus off Garrett and back to the real world.

      He left to unlock the front for her just as she heard a car door slam. One of her male employees came in the back door, and Sophia introduced him to Garrett when he returned to the office.

      “I’ll pick you up at home tonight. How’s six? Too early?” he asked.

      “It’s fine,” she said, still slightly dazed, thinking six o’clock sounded eons away. “Thanks again for breakfast.” He gave her an incredible smile, said goodbye and closed the door behind him. Sophia felt like she was in a daze until her phone rang.

      “You were out late last night,” Edgar said.

      “Hello to you, too, Edgar,” she said, amused. “I can’t recall having a curfew. I don’t think this is what Mom had in mind when she asked you to look out for me.”

      “I think it’s exactly what she had in mind. You didn’t answer the text I sent you this morning.”

      “Sorry, Edgar. I went out for breakfast.”

      “Uh-huh. With the Cantrell fellow?”

      She laughed. “Yes, with the Cantrell fellow—Garrett, to be exact.”

      “Oh, dear,” Edgar said, sighing audibly. “I suppose I will have to remember his name. So you’re seeing him again?”

      “Correct. Am I going to have to check in, Mom 2?”

      He chuckled. “No. I’ll keep tabs. Just answer your text messages.”

      “Yes, Edgar.”

      “Last night seemed a huge success.”

      “I’ll hear shortly when everyone arrives at work.”

      “I’m certain I’m right. Have lunch with me and we’ll celebrate your success.”

      “Thanks. That’ll be nice.” She made arrangements with him and a minute later, her assistant appeared to show her the receipts from the gallery.

      Last night had indeed been a success—in more ways than one.

      Sophia pulled on a blue wool-and-crepe sweater with a deep V-neck, a straight, short skirt and matching pumps. She put her hair up in a French twist. She was nervous, anxious, excited.

      Get a grip, she silently lectured herself.

      It wasn’t easy. Garrett captivated her more than any other man she had known. He was exciting, handsome, interested in her life. If she let herself think of kissing him, she could get lost in memories of the previous night. But she didn’t want that to happen. She needed to stay in control.

      When she was ready, she studied herself thoroughly to make certain she was at her best for the evening.

      When she opened the door to face him, her heart raced, despite all her commands to the contrary. In a navy suit, he looked breathtakingly handsome and commanding. His smile warmed her as his gaze drifted slowly over her.

      “You’re gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice that was like a caress. She smiled, glad for the effort she had taken to get ready. “You have a nice home,” he said.

      “Sometime you’ll get a tour, but right now, we’re headed for your house.”

      “I’ll hold you to that. Shall we go?”

      Nodding, she closed the door behind her, hearing the lock click in place. Garrett took her arm to escort her to a waiting limo where the driver held the door while she climbed inside. She was surprised Garrett wasn’t driving. Did he always travel in limos? Was she seeing another facet of his life? Garrett sat facing her.

      “How were the gallery showings?”

      “Very good. I’m gratified. I’ll paint whether people buy my work or not, but when my paintings sell, I feel good about it. I keep the ones I don’t want to sell. Some are just for me and they’re not going to a gallery.” As she talked, she was intensely aware of Garrett’s smoky gaze on her. His fascinating gray eyes and knowledge of what his kisses could do kept her tingling with anticipation.

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