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caught in a tornado of agony. He’d told his sister Catherine some of it, too much, too little, enough that she’d seen fit to send Grace after him. That didn’t mean he couldn’t or shouldn’t help the child.
    Damn it.
    She pinched his arm hard. When he turned his gaze back to her the question hovered in her green eyes.
    Who is out there?
    He shook his head. All he knew was they needed to remain hidden at all costs. She pinched him again. This time it hurt worse since she did it in the same spot.
    “Stop it.” His whisper was barely more than the sound of a breath.
    “Let me up.” Hers was even softer.
    The jangle of a bridle was punctuated by male laughter. He stared into Grace’s eyes and willed her to cease. Their lives, and the life of her son, could be forfeit if she didn’t. She had to understand he didn’t want to be on top of her any more than she wanted him there. He shifted and he nestled between her legs even more.
    Shit, shit, shit.
    His heart beat a staccato rhythm as he waited second by painful second for the sounds of the men and horses to move away. The entire time, which was probably ten minutes but felt like ten hours, he was pressed against her. Ben had only meant to hide both of them, not to have the most erotic moment of his life.
    Danger must have addled his brain. She wasn’t the most attractive female and certainly her form was not lush curves of a woman. Yet his traitorous body still reacted as though a cannon had gone off, hard and hot. Perhaps it was because he’d never experienced the feel of a woman beneath him, clothed or not.
    Ben was too broken inside to become involved with a woman, any woman. There was no reason to think Grace Bennett, or whoever she was, could yank him from his self-imposed celibacy. Except, of course, for how he’d reacted when he’d touched her.
    He closed his eyes and willed away the arousal. It didn’t work well, particularly when she breathed, which in turn pushed her breasts into his chest.
    Holy Christ.
    The threat of the men forgotten, he jumped to his feet. There was no way he could lie there on top of her for even a second longer or he would lose control and do something really stupid. Like kiss her. As a few leaves fluttered in the air from his sudden movements, she waved at them as she stared up at him in confusion.
    “Gone?”
    Ben realized he’d put them both at risk by running from his reaction to her body. It was physical, nothing more. He wasn’t attracted to her, because he couldn’t be. Or hadn’t been. Shit, he was more than confused.
    Fortunately for both of them, it seemed the men were gone. He let the anger seep into his bones and ooze from his skin. It was better than sexual arousal he didn’t want invading his life.
    “No more fires.” He spoke in a harsh whisper, unwilling to raise his voice and call attention to them.
    “Who was that?” She got to her feet and swiped at the dirt and leaves clinging to her trousers and shirt.
    “I don’t know and I don’t care. Whoever they were, you almost got us found because you wanted fucking coffee .” His ears hurt from the force of the blood pumping through him. Being angry was good. It helped him focus. Being off balance because of her was unacceptable. He couldn’t let it happen again.
    Her cheeks blazed a dark pink color. “ I wasn’t followed so I wasn’t expecting to be forced to the ground for wanting some hot food. That means whoever they are, they’re following you .” She thrust one pointy finger against his chest. “Don’t blame me because you’re a wanted man.”
    Her words stung, more because it was true than because of the way the furious whisper erupted from her mouth.
    “Nobody knew where I was until you found me.”
    She snorted. “You’re not invisible, Benjamin Graham.” She waved her hand. “Those men might’ve been just passing through and your guilty conscience turned it into a posse.”
    He gritted his teeth and looked away. “I’ve seen