style="font-size:15px;"> He deposited the bags, broken eggs included, onto the butcher-block countertop and turned. “So was I right? Did you ruin another dinner party by dropping the groceries?”
Obviously he was referring to last night’s parade of women who’d come to her apartment. Once Grace realized her job for CHANCES also enabled her to capture fabulous candid shots of children, she’d begun making copies—and the parents came by once a week for coffee and free photos. Considering her privileged upbringing—that she hadn’t worked for or deserved—it was the least she could do.
Although Grace hadn’t realized Ben was monitoring the comings and goings from her place, as an expression of his interest, it would do nicely.
She shook her head. “No dinner party, now or then. Nothing more planned than an evening in front of the TV. And last night wasn’t as big a bash as you seem to think.”
“I thought I might have missed out on a good party.” Curiosity lit his features as he met and held her gaze.
Warmth trickled through her veins. “Nope. Just a few friends over. Would it soothe your ego if I said your invitation got lost in the mail?” She grinned, unable to help the smile he inspired.
He laughed. “No, but it would help if you threw a welcome-to-the-building party in my honor.”
“I…uh, think that could be arranged.” Her boldness surprised her.
As much as she enjoyed their easy banter, this meeting had thrown her badly. She inhaled deeply. His musky scent seduced and aroused—and would now linger in her apartment long after he was gone. Her life, which just yesterday had been filled with routine and concern about making it on her own, now had spark and zing. Inspiration, she thought, glancing at the man in the fitted T-shirt.
He was everything that intrigued her in the opposite sex, nothing like the kind of men who’d asked her out back home—the suit-and-tie, suck-up to Judge Montgomery type of man, who had turned her ice-cold. And though she’d been just another anonymous female in New York City, she hadn’t given much thought to dating since her move. Not after the last couple of setups courtesy of her friends had turned into boring disasters.
Nothing about Ben was boring. She took in his rugged good looks, his sexy, bad-boy posture and attitude. There wasn’t a thing about him, from his alluring scent to his heated touch, she didn’t enjoy. Why not make use of her discovery?
Professionally Grace had already begun the starting steps toward a life of her own. On a more personal level, she’d become so used to turning down dates in favor of her own company, her femininity and wiles were rusty from disuse. But thanks to Ben Callahan that was about to change.
Whether he knew it or not, he had just become the second step on her road to self-knowledge.
She leaned toward him, a whisper away from temptation. “So what did you have in mind?”
A lazy smile lifted one side of his mouth and caused her to realize she’d backed herself into a corner. A very attractive corner.
“I’d like to get to know you, Grace.”
She smiled. “Sounds good to me.” She liked his boldness. She’d had her fill of too polite men who wined and dined but weren’t honest about their intentions. Ben let her know up-front who he was and what he wanted.
He’d implied he was available. Though Grace wanted to be bold and daring, all this was too new. She wasn’t ready to reveal that she desired to get to know him, too, but she had every intention of satisfying his request.
His aura of confidence appealed to the part of her that wanted to feel the same, and time with this man could teach her a lesson or two in self-esteem. He brought out a newer, bolder side of herself she wanted to experience again. Not to mention that the man was a feast for the senses and a boon to her sensual awakening. The knowledge set her heart jumping and myriad intimate possibilities raced through her mind. Her breath caught in a noticeable hitch.
She licked her dry lips and watched, fascinated, as his eyes followed the movement. Without warning, his gaze darted from hers and he turned away.
His sudden retreat was unexpected and hard to understand, but she let out a slow exhale of relief. The reprieve would give her a chance to catch her breath.
Hands in his back pockets and posture erect, no indication of interest or flirting in sight, he walked past her and glanced around her small apartment. “One bedroom?”
“Yes.”
His hand swept over the living area, replete with Oriental rugs and porcelain decorative pieces. “Beautiful place.”
“Thanks.” She’d decorated the apartment in the days when she’d still been living off her trust, before she’d figured out how to realize her dreams or even what they were. Though she wanted this man to see more to Grace than the trappings of wealth, she wasn’t about to get into explanations now, not when she knew so little about him.
She turned back to her kitchen. “I really should unpack the groceries.”
“Grace?”
She glanced his way.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
Other than the fact that his hot-cold act confused her? But if his feelings were rampaging as quickly as hers, she could begin to understand. “Nothing’s wrong. Just lost in thought. It was nice meeting you, Ben.”
“Likewise.” He hesitated, then reached out and stroked a hand down her cheek. Another sudden change toward her. His fingertip lingered, his touch a sizzling combination of heat and electricity.
His eyes widened and he withdrew once more, confusion and regret sparking his gaze, leaving her to wonder again if he was as thrown by their first meeting as she.
“See you around, Gracie.”
She inclined her head. “Bye.”
He walked out of her apartment with a sexy stride she couldn’t help but admire. The door slammed shut behind him and Grace hugged her arms tight around her chest, amazed at the feelings and sensations he inspired.
Ben brought out the side of her she’d suppressed while trying to live by her father’s rigid rules. The only time she’d snuck out of the house to meet friends at a local bar, she’d lived to regret it. Her father had embarrassed her badly. He’d called every parent, gotten her friends grounded for weeks, and no one had spoken to Grace for an equally long time.
The judge had accomplished his goal. She’d never rebelled again. But in her sexy neighbor Grace saw the opportunity to do just that with no painful consequences.
When she’d decided to branch out on her own, she’d desired change in her life. She hadn’t known it would come in the form of her sexy, intriguing neighbor, Ben Callahan.
But she intended to take full advantage.
CHAPTER TWO
I’D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW YOU, Grace.
Ben smacked his hand against the wall. What the hell had he been thinking, speaking
