Christmas Ransom by Jenna Ryan

Author:Jenna Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

UNFORTUNATELY, THE JUDGE didn’t like Monday Night Football as much as Noel and her associates had hoped. Her court session ran very late. The last witness for the prosecution had a fainting spell, then tried to pass it off as a heart attack. It was after eight by the time she returned to her office.

With the exception of Martin Faber, the entire floor was empty. Noel tried for the fifth time to reach Jack, but she got no answer and finally gave up.

“Noel!”

Two feet inside her office door, she swung around. “Matthew.” She forced a smile. “What are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you.”

She let him come in, motioned to a leather armchair. “About Jack?”

He gave a short laugh. “How did you know?”

“You don’t like him, and I was with him at the Christmas party.” She shed her jacket. “What’s that in your hand?”

He shook the box. “Chocolates. They were on your secretary’s desk. Your name’s on the label.”

“You can open them if you want to.”

“You know me and my sweet tooth all too well, I’m afraid.”

She also recognized the charm he was turning on for her benefit. “Jack and I are business associates, Matthew, and that’s exactly all you need to know.”

“He wants you, Noel.”

She faced him from behind her desk. “I’m not going to do this with you, okay? We had a relationship. It ended. I’m sorry, but we’re done.”

With deliberate, almost velvety movements, he undid the ribbon and paper. “They’re Belgian, your favorite. You don’t seem overly sorry.”

“I was at the time. Right now, I’m tired—of work and games.”

“Jack has his grandfather in him. You shouldn’t discount that, darling.”

She hated when he called her darling. “Jack’s his own person, Matthew. If you bothered to know him, you’d realize that.”

“If I bothered to know him? He’s a Ransom. You can’t get anywhere near him.”

“Have you tried?”

“What, go into his office and say, ‘Hey Jack, let’s do lunch’?”

“Maybe he’d surprise you, and say yes.”

Matthew selected two chocolates and sampled the first. “Mocha creme. Excellent flavor. Noel, I didn’t come here to argue with you.” The charm returned full force. “I was hoping we could have dinner.”

“Sorry. I have other plans.”

His mustache twitched sideways, a sure sign he was displeased. “With Jack Ransom?”

“That’s my business. Have another chocolate, Matthew, then let yourself out.”

His very handsome face didn’t look quite so handsome when the color rose in it. But he smiled and acknowledged her with a nod. “Obviously, I can’t force you. But I’d watch myself where Jack Ransom’s concerned. You know the saying.”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?”

He held up forbearing hands. “It’s your funeral, sweetheart.”

“Mmm. Matthew?” She watched him pocket two more chocolates. “What brand of cologne do you use?”

“It’s a blend of three.”

It figured. “Which three?”

His eyes gleamed. “That’s for me to know and you to sniff out. Ciao, Noel.”

“Hey—” Jack came through the door just as Matthew was preparing to leave. He looked the man up and down, then glanced at Noel. “Am

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