Arizona Embrace by Leigh Greenwood

They think I ought to be content with things as they are.”
    “And you can’t be?”
    “How would you feel if everybody thought you were a murderer who was only alive because your uncle broke you out of jail?” Her glorious blue eyes entreated him to help her. How could any man resist such a look?
    “There’s not a man on this ranch who believes you’re guilty.”
    “They’ve all been wonderful, but there’s not one of them who believes a pretty woman can commit a crime.”
    “An investigation could cost a lot of money.”
    “My inheritance will cover the costs.”
    “If you’ve got plenty of money, why’re you wasting time with me? You ought to hire a professional.”
    “How do I know he wouldn’t turn against me? No one seems able to stand up to Judge Blazer.”
    “How do you know I could?”
    She gazed directly into his eyes. “I just do.”
    Trinity hadn’t expected that. It caused the knot which had been in his stomach for several days to tighten with a jerk.
    “You don’t know that. I could be a bounty hunter or a sheriffs deputy, or even a private investigator.”
    Her gaze didn’t falter. “You could, but you’re not.”
    “You can’t be sure.”
    “I’m just as sure as I could be of anybody else.”
    Trinity felt desperate. He didn’t want to refuse. But worse than that was the feeling he was somehow betraying her, that he had become a Judas rather than a Paul.
    “What would your uncle and Buc say?”
    “They wouldn’t have to know. This would be between you and me.”
    The words were like an electric shock. He had scrupulously avoided any thoughts involving just the two of them. He couldn’t do that any longer, the vision was too sweet.
    “Why me?”
    She came a step closer.
    “I like you. There’s a kind of kinship between us.” Victoria looked a little uncomfortable about being so direct, but not embarrassed. “You’re different from Buc and my uncle. I haven’t figured out what it is just yet, but I tend to trust people I like. People I’m attracted to.”
    Trinity swallowed hard. For three days he had struggled to control his growing attraction to Victoria. She probably liked him for no other reason than he was someone new to talk to. Only reminding himself it would be insane to become involved with a woman who was about to be hanged for murder had enabled him to maintain his control. … A control her last words shattered.
    Of all the futile things, he wanted to protect her: a woman surrounded by a small army sworn to defend her with their life’s blood, and he wanted to protect her. But they only protected her body. Not one of them had taken the time to get to know the woman inside. That made him feel protective.
    “Being attracted to me isn’t the same thing as liking me.”
    He had to touch her. He couldn’t stand here any longer and wonder what it would feel like to brush her cheek with his fingers.
    “You mean I can’t be attracted to you or like you in a general way?”
    Her cheek felt soft. There was a firmness to her flesh, but it dimpled beneath his touch. He twisted his finger around one of the errant locks which clustered about her face. He barely resisted the impulse to run his fingers through her hair.
    “Not when it’s between a man and a woman.”
    Victoria leaned closer and tilted her face up to his. He couldn’t concentrate on anything but her lips and her deep blue eyes. Victoria pressed ever so slightly against his hand. “Are you saying there’s something sexual in my feeling for you?”
    What was he doing? He couldn’t afford to let an emotional bond develop between them. The scars would stay with him for the rest of his life.
    Trinity snatched his hand back like it had been burned. He’d met several direct women before, but never one who would ask such a question. And the fact that it could be coming from this gorgeous redhead made it even more difficult to believe.
    “Ma’am, I’d never say a thing like that.”
    “Don’t call me