Alex treated her to a smile that was guaranteed to weaken the knees of any female, regardless of age.

‘You’re not in the way. In fact, I’m very relieved you’re here or my future on this planet would be in severe jeopardy.’

Libby noticed the way that Adrienne was staring at her brother and suppressed a groan.

Alex affected all women that way, no matter how young or old they were. He was lethal.

‘So come on.’ She looked at him pointedly. ‘What happened? And don’t give me any more of this ‘‘I was saving a life’’ rubbish.’

Alex leaned back in his chair and gave her a slow smile. ‘I decided to do you a favour and let someone else buy you. Someone you could actually have a relationship with.’

Libby gaped at him. ‘But that isn’t what I want. You know I don’t want a relationship.’

‘Of course you do.’ Alex suppressed a yawn. ‘All women want relationships. It’s in the genes. The minute you meet a new man you start scribbling his surname after your name just to see what it looks like.’

Libby was momentarily speechless. ‘I don’t do that! I don’t want a relationship any more than you do!’

Alex regarded her steadily. ‘Yes, you do, sweetheart. You’re terrified of being hurt but deep down you believe in Mr Right as much as every other woman.’

‘You’re an insufferable chauvinist.’ Libby was simmering and Alex looked amused.

‘No, I’m honest. Men have different needs to women. We don’t need all that ‘‘till death us do part’’ nonsense to enjoy a relationship. Even when we do end up marrying we only do it because that’s what women expect. Not because it’s what we want.’

Libby scowled at him, dying to let rip but constrained by Adrienne’s presence. ‘One day, Alexander Westerling, you are going to meet the woman of your dreams,’ she muttered, her teeth gritted as she struggled with her temper, ‘and I truly hope she refuses to marry you.’

Alex threw back his head and laughed. ‘Sweetheart, the woman who refuses to marry me is the woman of my dreams.’

Libby glared at her brother with frustration.

He was devilishly good-looking and his ego had been fed a constant diet of adoring, hopeful women since he’d mastered the art of smiling. Consequently he didn’t believe that there was a single woman he couldn’t seduce into his bed if he put his mind to it.

But that was as far as it went. Libby knew that underneath the light-hearted banter her brother was icily determined never to settle down with one woman. She looked at him sadly, the anger melting away as she acknowledged that he was as much a victim of their upbringing as she was. When things had become heated between her parents, it had frequently been Alex who had intervened. The experience had left him with a serious allergy to long-term relationships.

She’d thought she was the same, but his words had kindled a doubt deep inside her.