The police officer was shown in, recognised the would-be thief on sight and chuckled. ‘Not you again!’

Although the young guy stopped protesting his innocence and admitted to the attempted theft, it was still quite a while before the paperwork was completed. Only then were Megan and Ben allowed to leave.

As they came out of the office into the foyer, he turned to smile at her. ‘You must let me show my gratitude by buying you dinner. Your quick action’s saved me a lot of hassles.’

‘There’s no need. I was happy to help.’ Not that she’d mind having dinner with him. He was every young woman’s fantasy come true. But she didn’t want him to take her to dinner out of cool gratitude. She moved across to the Reception desk to pick up her key, but glanced sideways in surprise when Ben Saunders followed her.

‘We both have to eat,’ he pointed out. ‘It’d be silly for each of us to sit alone in the dining room.’

His smile made her breath catch in her throat. Perhaps she would have dinner with him, then. No, what was she thinking of? A man like him was bound to be married – they always were – and it was one of her prime rules not to get mixed up with married men. And actually, she didn’t know the first thing about him and she always tried to be careful.

‘I’d really enjoy some company,’ he added quietly.

Well, give him a gold star for perseverance, whatever else. She hesitated, glancing towards his hand. No ring. But that didn’t mean anything. Most men didn’t wear wedding rings. Though she’d once or twice wished they were obliged to by law!

He chuckled as if he knew what she was thinking about. ‘I’m not married or spoken for. And you’ll be quite safe having dinner with a stranger in a busy hotel like this. Only we’re not quite strangers now, are we?’

She gave up the battle to be sensible and smiled at him. ‘Oh, well. If you’re sure. I accept your kind offer.’

‘I’m very sure. I’ll pick you up in – what? Fifteen minutes?’

‘Make it half an hour.’

That would give her time to smarten herself up – and calm down a bit. It was probably just reaction to the recent events that was making her heart beat so fast.

Who was she kidding? she admitted to herself as she stood beside him in the lift. You’re reacting to him. And what normal woman wouldn’t?