His Christmas Acquisition. Cathy Williams

his secretary. Just the thought of it made her shiver in nervous apprehension.

      ‘It’s wonderful the way you can answer on my behalf.’ Ryan grinned at Jamie, who scowled back at him. ‘It’s probably why we work so well together. You know just when to read my mind.’

      ‘Ha-ha. Very funny.’

      ‘But she’s right.’ He stood up and glanced at Jessica. ‘I’ll think about it and let Jamie know.’

      ‘Or you could let me know. I’ll give you my mobile number and you can get in touch any time at all. No need to go through Jamie.’

      He left five minutes later and Jamie sagged. The peace of having her sister upstairs safely in bed was greatly diminished by the nasty tangle of thoughts playing in her mind.

      Not only had Ryan found out more about her in the space of an hour than he had in eighteen months, but she was now facing the alarming prospect that, having wedged his foot through the door, it would be impossible to get him to remove it.

      Everything that had always been so straightforward had now been turned on its head.

      And what if the man decided to descend on them for Christmas lunch?

      Apprehension sizzled in her and, alongside that very natural apprehension, something else, something even more worrying, something that closely resembled … anticipation.