* * *
Grace swallowed hard. Heat seared her thigh where his erection thrust against her leg, reminding her of exactly what she’d put into motion. The ultimate seduction, she thought.
“It’s not too late to change your mind.” His husky voice reverberated in her ear. “I’ll be disappointed, but I’d understand. My mother raised a gentleman.”
“She did, huh?”
“Not that you’d know it by looking at me, but yes, she did.”
She tilted her head. “Well, tell her she did a fine job.”
“I will. She’ll appreciate it, too. She doesn’t get much outside information anymore.”
Honest information willingly given for the first time. Grace was grateful. “You make it sound like she lives in prison.”
“They call it an independent living facility, but her eyesight’s going, so the independent part no longer fits. She doesn’t get out much anymore.”
Grace heard the love and affection in his tone for the woman who’d raised him. Yet another thing to like and admire about this man. “But I’ll bet she’s got you.”
“Every Sunday afternoon and whenever else I can drop by.”
Her heart opened toward him even more. First, the kids downtown and now, his mother. “You’re special,” she murmured.
It touched her deeply to know he had yet another soft spot. This man, the one she’d picked to help discover and release her inner self, was so much more than just a sexy neighbor.
“You’re pretty special yourself.”
“What makes you say that?”
“For one thing, you’ve polished your investigating skills in a short time.”
She laughed, knowing she’d been caught prying into his life and not caring a bit. “What else?” She’d already decided she was shameless when it came to Ben. Why not push for more compliments? She could use them to bolster her courage.
“You’re an incredible woman.” He squeezed her hand tight in his.
That simple gesture, along with his support, admiration, and respect, solidified her feelings for him. Ben was exactly what she saw, no more, no less. But most importantly, and the one thing that made him the perfect man at this point in her life, was that he respected Grace Montgomery, apart from her family money or family name. Ben Callahan was an honest man, one worlds apart from the Montgomery influence.
Without warning, the subway came to a jarring halt. She lost her balance and fell against his hard male body. His arms grabbed her around the waist. Enveloped in his warmth, surrounded by his scent, Grace wondered who was the seducer and who was the one being seduced.
“I think that’s our cue.”
She straightened and smoothed her outfit at the waist. “I think you’re right.” The doors opened and she preceded him out of the subway. Hands shaking, heart hammering, she waited for him to meet her on the platform.
With his razor stubble, his worn jeans, and ripped sweatshirt, he was her rebel. The antithesis of everyone and everything she’d turned her back on, Ben epitomized all she’d wanted to be and never had the courage to reach out for—until now.
She licked her lips, tasting gloss and wishing she tasted him. She looked into his eyes, seeing a man she desired and a man she respected. Despite her promise of no strings, she wasn’t a casual sex type of person, and she wouldn’t have chosen Ben if all he could give was a glimpse into her passionate side. He had depth and offered her so much more.
“Ready when you are,” she said.
“You already welcomed me to the building.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Anything else is icing on the cake.”
She inhaled an unsteady breath. “So, I guess the question is are you ready to welcome me to your bed?” Who was this shameless woman who had brazenly propositioned Ben Callahan? Grace didn’t recognize her.
But she liked her—a lot.
And she had Ben to thank for bringing out this wanton side of her. For introducing her to Grace Montgomery, the woman. And she knew exactly how to repay him.
Chapter Seven