Totally unused to being ordered around by anyone, especially in his own home, Alex found himself lost for words and retreated downstairs and poured himself a large whisky.

* * *

Jenny took a final look at the sleeping baby, delaying the final moment when she was going to have to face Alex.

She had to admit that she found him monumentally intimidating. He was physically powerful, of course, but it wasn’t just that. There was something about him. An air of self-belief that had probably been passed down through generations of Westerlings.

She’d expected him to be shocked by her announcement that Daisy was his baby but he’d barely flickered an eyelid. She wondered what it would take to disturb that legendary cool. Remembering his caustic comments, she shivered slightly.

He was everything she’d expected. Staggeringly good-looking, arrogant and loaded with self-confidence. And he was obviously going to take some persuading that Daisy was his.

She reached the bottom of the stairs and paused. He’d opened the French windows and was standing on the wooden deck outside, staring over the sand dunes towards the sea.

Taking a deep breath, she walked towards him, her nails digging into her palms.

He must have heard her because he turned instantly, a glass in his hand, his startling blue eyes cool and discouraging.

He’d discarded the tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. With his tousled hair and the rough stubble grazing his hard jaw, he looked dangerous and thoroughly disreputable and absolutely nothing like a doctor.

She wondered if he shaved before he saw patients.

‘Is she asleep?’

Jenny nodded. ‘Yes. I’ve left the door open so that we can hear her if she wakes.’

‘Fine. Let’s talk. Fast. I want to get on with my evening.’

Jenny took several deep breaths. He certainly wasn’t making things easy for her but then what had she expected? That he’d accept Daisy with open arms? Of course not!

He gave a sigh and ran a hand over his face, as if trying to keep himself awake. She suddenly recalled his comment about having been up for thirty-six hours and her mouth tightened. Obviously he’d been living up to his reputation for partying.

He suppressed a yawn. ‘Perhaps you’d better start by telling me who your sister was.’

‘Her name was Chloe.’ She almost choked as she said her sister’s name. ‘Chloe Phillips.’

He didn’t hesitate. ‘I’ve never met anyone by that name.’

His instant dismissal intensified the lump to her throat. How could he have forgotten Chloe so quickly? Obviously everything she’d heard about him had been correct. That he moved from one woman to another without forming any sort of attachment.

She chewed her lip. ‘I wouldn’t really expect someone with your reputation to remember one particular night. You’ve dated so many women it must be impossible to keep track.’

There was a brief pause and then he threw back his head and laughed. ‘You really disapprove of me, don’t you?’