She nodded. She definitely wouldn’t have minded being roused in the middle of the night by a call from him. She watched him stroll over to the window which had a glorious view of the rear of another building, a row of dustbins and a line of parked vehicles. Very romantic.

He turned to look at her. ‘I’m really sorry I had to dash away from Northumberland without saying a proper goodbye. I was looking forward to showing you Bamburgh Castle.’

‘Never mind. Another time, maybe.’ She hoped she didn’t sound as feeble-minded as she felt, but his nearness was having its usual effect on her.

He had crossed the few feet of floor and taken her into his arms before she realised his intentions. ‘I’m glad you agreed to meet again, very glad indeed, Megan.’

The happiness expanded and warm tendrils of hope curled throughout her body.

‘I love the way you blush.’ His eyes were filled with amusement.

‘I’m always embarrassed by it.’

‘Don’t be. It’s very attractive.’

The door banged open and a voice said, ‘Oops! Sorry!’

Megan tried to move away, but Ben’s arms remained firmly clasped around her.

The solicitor from the just down the corridor grinned at her from the doorway. ‘Sorry to disturb you, Megan, my pet, but that damned coffee maker’s not working again.’

‘I’ll – er – call the service firm.’

‘Thanks.’ He winked at her and closed the door.

She put her hands to her hot cheeks. ‘Oh, heavens! It’ll be all over the building in two minutes that I’ve been kissing a man in my office.’

‘Who cares?’ Ben teased his fingers through her hair, releasing it from the clip she always held it back with for work. ‘I love curly hair, especially when it’s red.’

‘Auburn,’ she corrected automatically as she made another half-hearted attempt to pull away.

‘What time do you finish here, Megan?’

She looked at her in-tray, then gave way to temptation. ‘I can finish now, if you like. Karen can call up about the coffee maker and lock up tonight.’ Karen would love to take over her job completely.

As they walked outside together she was very conscious of the eyes following them and even more conscious of the man striding along next to her. What did he want to do tonight? There weren’t many places to eat out round here.

He stopped beside his Mercedes and clicked the lock control.

She pointed across the car park to her own vehicle, which looked even older and more battered in the cruel light of the sun. ‘I’ll have to take my car home first.’

‘I’ll follow you. Then we’ll discuss what to do.’

When they parked at Sandy’s, he got out and leaned against his car, looking more like a movie star than a businessman. ‘Have you got anything planned for this weekend?’

‘Well – no.’