She might be living on her own, and he admired the attempt, but sooner or later, Grace Montgomery would miss the family shed left behind and desire the easier lifestyle shed grown up with. The expensive decor of her apartment proved she hadnt completely left the life behind.
Ben didnt begrudge her that life. He just had no intention of being a casualty when the novelty of making it on her own wore off.
GRACE STEPPED OUT of the dark subway station. The freedom she felt walking into the fresh air, camera in hand, the breeze warm on her arms and the sun hot on her face, was liberating. She passed by the boarded-up building that once held a restaurant, waved to a bunch of neighborhood kids she saw on her daily trips to the park and rounded the corner leading to the playground she loved.
As usual during lunch hour, the basketball courts were crowded with kids and she paused in front of the wrought-iron gate. Clutching the cold metal in her hands, she peered through the open spaces and watched the games from the sidelines. The smack of the ball against the blacktop mingled with the low strains of male voices. With most of the players in white T-shirts, Grace was hard-pressed to tell them apartuntil she caught sight of the guy in gray.
She couldnt mistake the jet-black hair hitting his shoulders as he ran or the physique shed memorized the day hed moved in. But it was the distinctive sound of his voice over the dull roar of the other players that sealed her certainty. She didnt know what Ben Callahan was doing down here, and she intended to find out. But not until shed captured this moment on film.
She hadnt seen him for a week and she had no intention of letting the opportunity to feast on his good looks and masculinity pass her by. She flipped off the lens cap and raised the camera to eye level. At the same moment, play on the court stopped, the guys hitting the benches to take a breakexcept for Ben and a lone player who remained by the hoop. Though Grace stood in the shade of the buildings shadows, Ben stood bracketed by sunlight.
Her week of deprivation was at an end and she paused to revel in the sight.
He wiped a hand over his forehead to remove the sweat and grime from the gamea typically masculine move, but there was nothing typical about Ben. His sexy mannerisms, his powerful stance, the muscles in his legs visible thanks to his nylon shorts, set him apart from the other men in the world. And Grace appreciated it all as she began to capture his movements on film.
His body language mimicked those around them. He spoke to the kids as if he knew their language, as if he were accepted. Yet shed never seen him here before. Grace wondered who he was and why hed shown up now. Did he know the neighborhood residents because he worked in the area or did he have family down here? she wondered.
But firstwith the easy adjustment of her zoom lens, she zeroed in. With each click of the shutter, she became one with Ben, and as she seized his every nuance, every undercurrent on film, she began to feel. Her heart raced as if shed run the court and her pulse pounded in time to the dribble of the ball smacking the ground.
As he gestured and moved, explaining something to the youth beside him, she couldnt draw her gaze from the ripple of muscle in his arms and the strength in his calves and thighs. Thanks to the suns strong rays and his hard play, damp stains darkened his T-shirt. She snapped the shutter automatically, not missing a beat, but her body continued a rampage of its own. Her back grew damp and her shirt stuck to her skin, while a fine sheen of perspiration dotted her face. She lowered the camera and inhaled deep, drawing an unsteady breath.
Grace had been searching for clues to what kind of woman lay inside the polite female created by her judge father and well-bred mother. Now she knew seething sensuality lay dormant inside her, just waiting to be unleashed. And Ben was the man to take her on the next part of her journey of self-discovery.
Everything he made her feel was honest and real, so opposite to the artificial world shed grown up ina world where people hid their feelings, married for show, cared little for their children, and worst of all repressed their sexualityunless they were cheating on a spouse. Except for her brother Logan, whod defied the family political tradition and had also married for love, the Montgomery world was a phony one.
The opposite of the real world Ben inhabited.
She could only imagine the strength and beauty of the photos shed just takenphotos for her personal album, not a stepping stone in her career.
Another glance at the court, and she saw Ben once more, hand on the kids shoulder, apparently explaining the finer points of the game. Not many men cared enough to work with the kids in this neighborhood, kids who needed guidance. Grace admired not just Bens physique but the obvious goodness he possessed inside.
She headed around the gate and came up behind him. Hey there, neighbor.
Grace? He turned toward her, surprise in his voice, disbelief in his gaze.
The one and only. She sprinted onto the court to join him.
He tossed the ball to the young boy. Get to work on those jump shots. Ill be with you in a second. He pivoted back to her. What are you doing here?
Was that anger she heard in his tone? She raised an eyebrow in question. Well, hello to you, too. And I could ask you the same thing. It just so happens Im a regular around here. How about you?
Whats with the camera? he asked without bothering to answer her question.
She lifted her prized piece of equipment before letting it fall back around her neck. Im working. Whats your excuse? Because if you dont mind my saying so, it seems awfully coincidental that wed both end up in the same neighborhood.
He met her gaze, which was a good sign that he wasnt hiding anything, but she didnt know him well enough to read himyet.
Dont get yourself worked up, Gracie. His voice softened and she couldnt help melting like ice cream on the hot sidewalk. I was just concerned to find you hanging in a neighborhood like this. His arm swept the air around him.
She figured that was as much of an apology as she would get from the man. Well, I admit its not as fine as most, but the people here are real. Considering concern was behind his attitude, she didnt mind explaining. And they deserve the same little joys in life the rest of us have.
She waved the camera. Thats what these pictures are for, to help raise money on behalf of the kids in this neighborhoodand the mothers love them. Pictures of their kids are the least I can give back. She silently cursed the insecurity she hadnt meant to reveal.
He stepped forward. And why is that? His soft voice wrapped around her like a warm caress. Is your background more privileged than most?
Howd you guess? she asked, suddenly wary. Because theyd met once and shed never revealed her background to her neighbor. Of course her apartment decor reeked of wealth, but his tone held more than a hint of certainty that he knew her well.
He lifted her chin with his hand, holding her face up to daylight. Heat having nothing to do with the sun skittered across her skin. That cultured voice is a dead giveaway. And besides those sculpted cheekbones speak for themselves.
So hed pegged her from day one. But to Ben, she didnt want to be the spoiled rich girl, she wanted to be just Grace. And she believed she still had that chance.
So hed pegged her from day one. But to Ben, she didnt want to be the spoiled rich girl, she wanted to be just Grace. And she believed she still had that chance.
She inhaled deep. The air held Bens raw scent and if Grace thought shed been swept away by the sight of him before, she was on fire now. What makes you such a good judge of people?
In my line of work, being observant is second nature.
She shot him a questioning look.
Private investigator, he explained.
His occupation surprised her, but she appreciated the insight. Is that what youre doing down here? Working on a case?
She glanced over her shoulder, hoping the kid Ben had been coaching wasnt the subject of some undercover investigation that would get him in trouble. Drugs, the illegal sale of fake merchandiseshe saw too many kids in danger and hoped the money from CHANCES would help kids like these. Not only would it open the door to her career, but shed ease the guilt she felt for having so much when others had so little.
Now, Grace, are you avoiding the question about your background? He not-so-subtly turned the subject back to her.
She grinned. Apparently, with their interest in each other running high, neither one was willing to give without receiving in return. No, Mr. Private Investigator. Lets just say Im leveling the playing field. You answer my question, Ill answer yours.
He fingered the camera strap between his thumb and forefinger. I didnt know this was a game, but Ill play. Since Im new to the building, I asked the landlord which areas to avoid and he mentioned this neighborhood. High crime, drug traffickingkids in need. He pointed to the game of basketball that had resumed behind them. So here I am.
Shed found this neighborhood in much the same way, but she was a permanent resident. Ben was a temporary neighbor, which made his actions that much more generous and giving.
She wondered again what was behind his presence here. Why, Ben, Id never have suspected you had an altruistic streak.
He laughed. I dont go around advertising it, but I grew up in a place like this. Whenever I go in to a new neighborhood, I like to go back to my roots. Like you, I give back in return.
Her chest constricted at the admission. So not only was the man of her dreams sexy, but he had a heart.
No welching. Its your turn. Is your background more privileged than most? Is that why you feel the need to hit these areas without backup?
She laughed. I dont think I need backup. Whod be interested enough to bother with me?
Dont underestimate your worth, Grace.
She shivered, realizing hed struck her one weakness with deadly accuracy. Though she hadnt meant to imply she wasnt worthy of interest, it was her greatest fear. That her worth lay only in her money and family name.
I meant whod give me a second look? Im dressed in rags. She pointed to her ripped jeans and paint-splattered T-shirt. No makeup, no jewelry to attract attention. She shrugged, hoping shed covered any hint of insecurity she might have revealed.
Just a fancy camera worth good money in a pawn shop, for starters. Then theres those cheekbones I mentioned earlier. His finger slipped down her face, whisper-soft but with enough electricity to light this neighborhood in a blackout.
I can take care of myself.
I know you believe that, but
I know that. She grasped his finger in her hand. The desire to feel the rough glide of his skin over her aching breasts was overwhelming. Somehow she found the ability to speak. I appreciate the concern but I really need to get going. I want to shoot a few pictures before I have to get back to work.
He stepped backward and the distance gave her breathing room. You owe me some answers, Gracie.
She laughed, grateful to be off the hook for now. Thats okay. Im not going far.
Before he could answer, she turned and headed for the playground. Little did Ben know, she wasnt kidding.
He was the key to her sensual self-discovery and she planned to get very close to him, very soon.
BEN SHOOK HIS HEAD, watching as her behind swayed gracefully in tight denim. Her name suited her perfectly, Ben thought. Which was why Grace had no business being in this neighborhood.
Hell, he didnt like being back in an exact replica of his old stomping grounds. With little money growing up, the basketball courts had been his escape. The harder hed pounded the ball, the more hed thought he would forget that hed be coming home to an empty apartment. No father, a mother who was working too hard, and neighbors screaming at each other on both sides of the paper-thin walls.
He related to the kids hed met this morning when hed stationed himself here to wait for Grace. If Ben could get one in particular, Leon, to keep his focus on the game and not the streets, the kid could get a scholarship and make his way out of the slums. Bens time here would be well spent, not to mention that helping the guys was a distraction from Gracewho still hadnt given him a strong enough reason for hanging out in a place like this. He admired her desire to give back. He respected her for the effort. But hed hate to see her good deeds rewarded by trouble.
And why did he care? Ben let out a groan. This was exactly what he didnt wantto get involved in her life. His job was to find the facts for his client. Instead he was thinking about Grace too much, words like admiration and respect coming to mind as he did.
No sense in denying the truth. Far from the detachment hed promised himself, he was beginning to care. Being around Grace could put his heart at risk and he didnt like it worth a damn.
Better he focus on the facts of the casehed gotten the answers Emma had sought, in record time. He knew Graces professional occupation and how she filled her free time. He could see for himself she was indeed happy as Emma wanted for her granddaughter. If her choice in locations wasnt prime, well, she was a smart woman and an adultshe could take care of herself.
Distance, he reminded himself and turned back to the court. Leon threw him the ball, catching him off guard. Ben began a steady dribble, echoing the word detachment each time the ball smacked the blacktop. He went for a layup at the same moment a feminine, familiar shriek pierced the air, sounding over the raucous voices of the guys in the game.
His gut clenched hard. Ball forgotten, he ran toward the sound of Graces voice. She was sprawled on the ground where shed obviously been pushed, and a tall kid in a red sleeveless, hooded sweatshirt pulled on the camera strap around her neck. His strength nearly lifted her off the ground, while Grace, looking petite and out of her league, refused to hand over her precious possession.
Hey! At the sound of Bens shout, the youth released the strap, causing Grace to fall backward against the pavement. Given a choice between running after the attacker or seeing to the victim, Ben chose Grace.
He knelt down beside her. You okay? Long strands of blond hair fell over her face and he brushed them aside with one hand. Ignoring the sensation of silk beneath his fingertips wasnt easy.
She offered him a smile he had no doubt was forced. Im fine as long as you dont say I told you so.
I dont have to. You already did. He held out a hand to help her up.