What was it she started to say? She raised you?
Grace nodded. She was the only adult in the house who cared about me and my brotherabout how we felt, not how we appeared to the outside world. I adore her. Warmth and kindness softened her voice.
Her relationship with Emma seemed to parallel Ben and his mothers and he could understand her strong feelings for the woman whod raised and cared for her. Then Id say you were lucky to have her around.
Grace laughed wryly. You cant possibly feel that way now.
Considering Emma had placed him firmly back in reality, reminding him of his job and what his relationship with Grace was supposed to be, Ben most definitely appreciated her call.
But she has good reason to worry, wouldnt you say? He turned the conversation back to Emmas message.
Graces gaze darted from his. Until today, not really, she said, lightly.
Her soft laugh didnt fool him. This afternoons attack had shaken her up more than she was willing to admit. Why else had she sought to release her adrenaline with that heart-stopping kiss?
Why dont you just stop by every once in a while and reassure her? Ben asked, to keep conversation flowing. But he hated lying to her, even by implication.
She lives in Boston.
Ah. Youre a New Englander. That explains the accent.
Hampshire, Massachusetts, born and raised. But I really dont want to talk about me.
He raised an eyebrow. Then what would you like to talk about? And dont say that kiss because it never should have happened. No matter how great it was, he silently added. Women tended to dislike being told they were a mistake. But for Ben, being honest with Grace was the only way to avoid finding himself in this predicament again.
Oh, really? She folded her arms across her chest. Care to tell me why not? Unfortunately she didnt seem the least bit upset about his comment.
I took advantage of your injuries.
A smile curved her lips. Id say I took advantage of you. But instead of quibbling, why dont I just tell you what I want to talk about?
Without waiting for a response, she jumped right in. I want to talk about you. Using her hands to brace herself, she hopped off the counter, then winced.
You okay?
She nodded. I just have to remember to watch myself for the next few days.
At least you have the weekend. Unless you have someplace you have to be, like work?
I work at a portrait studio uptown, but Im off Saturday and theyre closed Sundaywhich reminds me. I need to call and let them know why I never showed up after lunch.
Go ahead. He gestured to the phone. While she made her call, a wave of relief washed over him. He wouldnt have to follow her around and watch her back for the next two days because shed take care of herself at home. Hed have a reprieve.
The owner was very understanding. She hung up the receiver. Ill rest up today but Im working on a freelance project in my spare time, so I cant afford to sit around and pamper myself because of a few scratches.
He was curious about the project shed mentioned but more concerned about her safety. He narrowed his gaze. Youre not planning on heading back to the park, are you?
Her shoulders stiffened and she lifted her chin a determined notch. Not a good indication that hed get his wish on this. And definitely not a sign she was pleased with his interference, either.
She let out a slow exhale. Any reason why I shouldnt go back there?
Other than the obvious? Much as hed love to back off and respect her independence, he couldnt.
No punk kid is going to run me off. I come from stronger stock than that and I dont respond to threats.
Threats? Threats? What havent you told me, Grace?
She opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again, clamping her jaw tight. Apparently shed decided not to let him in on whatever hed missed back at the park. If she thought keeping secrets would deter him, she was wrong.
Grace?
She bit down on her lower lip. The same lip hed kissed, and sucked into his mouth minutes earlier. He stifled a groan and concentrated on what was important: her safety.
She shook her head. Youre doing it again, you know. Changing the subject.
If you ask me, youre doing the same thing.
She grinned. But were talking about you. She stepped closer. And youre avoiding the fact that I had a question of my own. I want to know about you.
He shook his head in exasperation. Emma was right. Grace needed a keeper. Like it or not, hed have to stick close at least until he knew more about the threats shed mentioned, and until he discovered what was behind todays attack. Suddenly it didnt seem as random as hed originally thought.
He spread his palms wide and played along, treating her to an easy grin. Ask away. Im an open book.
Good. Then you wont mind telling me how long youre staying across the hall?
He lifted her chin and looked into those brown eyes. I wouldnt mind at all, if I didnt think you had an ulterior motive. Whats up, Gracie?
She stepped closer, until he could inhale her scent and practically taste her glistening lips. I just want to know how long I have to seduce you.
SEDUCE HIM. Grace had uttered those words with such complete certainty that even twenty-four hours later Ben was still aroused. The hell of it was, he didnt think he could deny her if faced with an all-out assault. One he felt certain would come. Grace now knew she had three weeks to actor not act, if he had his way.
After her proclamation, hed answered her question and made a quick exit. She should have taken the hint. But her soft laughter had followed behind him, telling him she didnt consider his hasty retreat a defeat. Considering the feelings rioting inside him, she had every reason to feel victorious.
If it were just her sexuality he had to deal with, Ben felt certain he could easily maintain his professional distance. Instead he found himself faced with a beautiful woman he also respected and admired. Walking away from her trust fund when it would have been easier to give in and live easy, spending her days at the park to give back to societyhed yet to discover what that meant, but he sensed great import behind her words. She was generous, caring and gutsy. And though hed withdrawn last night, he didnt know if hed have the strength to do it again.
What Grace didnt know or understand were the reasons for that withdrawal. So far she hadnt asked. But she would. And he couldnt give the simplest explanation without revealing he was being paid to investigate her and he wouldnt betray a clients trust without permission. Emmas trust had to come before his personal feelings, never mind the money hed see from this case.
But he never wanted to face Graces wrath should she ever discover hed deceived her. He felt guilty enough as it was and guilt was an emotion alien to him when dealing with the subject of an investigationanother clear sign Ben was in too deep.
He hooked a hose up to the buildings outside spigot and dragged it over to his car. The high-rise boasted not only a doorman, but a circular driveway with plenty of room to spare. The super, being a car fanatic himself, hadnt minded Bens request to hand-wash his old Mustang outside the building. He needed the distraction even more than his car needed cleaning.
He squeezed the sprayer on the hose and began watering down his car. As he bent for the bucket of soapy water, an uncomfortable sensation of being watched pricked at him. He shook off the feeling, knowing he was surrounded by high-rise apartment buildings and windows galore.
Impossible, Ben thought. But the longer he stayed there, the stronger the feeling grew.
CHAPTER FOUR
GRACE LOWERED THE CAMERA and placed it down on her dresser. A light sheen of perspiration tickled the back of her neck and blood was pumping fast and furious through her systema result of both watching Ben and worrying about the day to come. She stretched, arching her back and feeling her sore muscles from yesterdays struggle with her attacker. She shivered at the reminder and decided some raw courage was in order.