wondered again what was behind his presence here. “Why, Ben, I’d never have suspected you had an altruistic streak.”
He laughed. “I don’t 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. It’s 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 don’t think I need backup. Who’d be interested enough to bother with me?”
“Don’t underestimate your worth, Grace.”
She shivered, realizing he’d struck her one weakness with deadly accuracy. Though she hadn’t meant to imply she wasn’t worthy of interest, it was her greatest fear. That her worth lay only in her money and family name.
“I meant who’d give me a second look? I’m dressed in rags.” She pointed to her ripped jeans and paint-splattered T-shirt. “No makeup, no jewelry to attract attention.” She shrugged, hoping she’d covered any hint of insecurity she might have revealed.
“Just a fancy camera worth good money in a pawn shop, for starters. Then there’s 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. “That’s okay. I’m not going far.”
Before he could answer, she turned and headed for the playground. Little did Ben know, she wasn’t 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 didn’t 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 he’d pounded the ball, the more he’d thought he would forget that he’d 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 he’d met this morning when he’d 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. Ben’s time here would be well spent, not to mention that helping the guys was a distraction from Grace—who still hadn’t 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 he’d hate to see her good deeds rewarded by trouble.
And why did he care? Ben let out a groan. This was exactly what he didn’t want—to 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 he’d promised himself, he was beginning to care. Being around Grace could put his heart at risk and he didn’t like it worth a damn.
Better he focus on the facts of the case—he’d gotten the answers Emma had sought, in record time. He knew Grace’s 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 wasn’t prime, well, she was a smart woman and an adult—she 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 Grace’s voice. She was sprawled on the ground where she’d 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 Ben’s 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 wasn’t easy.
She offered him a smile he had no doubt was forced. “I’m fine as long as you don’t say ‘I told you so.’”
“I don’t have to. You already did.” He held out a hand to help her up.
She placed her palm inside his, wincing as her skin slid against his coarser flesh. Grabbing her wrist, he gently turned her hand over to reveal angry red scrapes on her palm. “Other one?”
She flipped over her right hand. Similar abrasions covered her skin. “It’s nothing some antiseptic won’t take care of.”
“Agreed.” But his insides didn’t feel as calm as his voice. A queasy feeling settled in his stomach at the sight of the bruises, and an uneasiness pricked at him when he thought of what could have happened if he hadn’t been around to scare off her attacker.
She swiped at her eyes. So she wasn’t as brave as she wanted him to believe. Good. In that case he wouldn’t have to worry about her returning here when he was gone. He pushed aside the added grief that thought caused in his gut.
He helped her rise to her feet without putting pressure on her hands. “You weren’t going to hand over the camera, were you?”
“Of course not! That camera cost a bundle. I couldn’t afford to replace it and, besides, he’s not entitled to take what doesn’t belong to him.”
He laughed at the innocent proclamation along with the determined clench of her jaw. “And just how did you plan to stop him?”
“If he’d gotten the camera, I’d have tripped him before he got two feet away. But you saved me the hassle. And besides, I held on to the camera, didn’t I?”
The little minx sounded proud of herself.
“He could have snapped your neck.”
“But he didn’t. See?” She whipped a fall of blond hair off one shoulder, exposing delicate white skin.
But Ben wasn’t fooled and he pulled back on the camera strap, cringing as he saw the damage. “Your neck doesn’t look much better than your hands, Gracie. Ever think of taking a self-defense class?”
“I haven’t had a chance, but I’ll make time—soon.”
Obviously she’d lied to her grandmother about having taken those classes. What else had she lied to Emma about and what else was she doing in this neighborhood?
“Thanks for the help, Ben.” Her shoulders slumped and much of the earlier