Modern Romance Collection: January 2018 Books 1 -4. Dani Collins

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СКАЧАТЬ will be waiting outside your home at seven.’

      Her chin tilted a little, a response ready...only to have him intercede before she managed so much as a word.

      ‘Business, Natalya,’ he relayed with an edge of mockery, and named a restaurant. ‘Arrange a table for six between seven-thirty and eight.’ Business...naturally. What else would it be? ‘Of course.’

      Selecting what to wear wouldn’t be a problem, given her wardrobe included clothes suitable for every occasion.

      Nevertheless she changed her mind a few times before settling for elegant evening trousers and camisole in deep jade, and teamed the outfit with black killer heels.

      Understated make-up, emphasis on the eyes, a light gloss covering her lips, her hair loose framing her face, and she was done.

      Her iPad was a given, satchel, smartphone, keys, a fine cashmere black wrap folded over one arm, and she was good to go with five minutes to spare.

      Limousine and driver were waiting out front when Natalya checked, and she smiled as Paul crossed to open the rear passenger door.

      ‘Thanks.’

      She moved close, saw Alexei already seated, and bade a polite good evening as she slid in beside him.

      The night was warm, the air-conditioning within the car set at a comfortable level, and she forced herself to relax as the limousine purred through suburban streets towards the city.

      There was a moment caught up at a controlled traffic intersection when Natalya caught a glimpse of Alexei’s profile outlined in sharp relief.

      An attempt to be analytical failed miserably as she skimmed those strong features. The firm jaw, broad cheekbones, eyes as dark as slate, his mouth...

      Don’t go there.

      Except it was impossible to still the sudden flare of emotion in vivid recall of the way his mouth had wrought havoc on every intimate inch of her body. In the name of heaven...get a grip!

      She did, in spite of the effort it cost her, and she offered him a cool glance.

      ‘Do you have anything to add relevant to this evening’s meeting?’

      All she had was a business dinner for six, time and venue.

      ‘No.’

      Great. There was nothing like being unprepared...

      ‘No comeback?’

      She shot him a steady glance. ‘No.’

      For a brief second she thought she sensed a fleeting smile, then it was gone.

      The car eased into a sweeping curve and slid to a halt immediately adjacent the entry foyer of one of Sydney’s upmarket boutique hotels.

      Alexei’s associates were already seated as she entered the Bar Lounge at Alexei’s side.

      Four men of varying ages...three of whom she knew by reputation. And Jason Tremayne, son of one of the city’s wealthy scions, who’d come on to her in the past...charming in company, the reverse in private, as she’d discovered to her cost.

      The tension racked up another notch.

      ‘Natalya.’ Jason’s voice was almost as fake as his smile. ‘How fortunate you were able to score the position of ADE CEO’s PA.’ He waited a beat. ‘But of course, you’re old friends.’

      The subtle emphasis didn’t escape her, yet she managed a cool smile as she took a seat and ordered sparkling mineral water from an attentive waiter.

      The evening’s focus was business, and she assumed the expected role for which she was employed. A pleasant meal, during which her conversational input would be minimal. A few hours, then she’d return home.

      Simple.

      Except she hadn’t factored in Jason’s slightly raised eyebrow, the faint curl of his lip on occasion in a subtle reminder of a reckless mistake in judgment. Hers to have accepted his invitation almost four years ago at a time when she was most vulnerable.

      Sydney’s social elite were intensely active, organising and attending numerous charitable events for various reputable causes. A scene her parents had once been a part of for as long as Natalya could remember. Roman had considered Jason’s late father as a business and social equal. There had even been talk at the time that a marriage between Natalya and Jason would prove a valuable business advantage. Something Natalya had refused to contemplate.

      Until one evening, a few too many flutes of fine champagne, a starry night, and a determined need to move on with her life...the result had been a close encounter of the not wanted kind, ending with Jason’s harsh words, a few hurtful bruises, and her desperate escape.

      Something Jason had never let her forget, nor Roman’s fall from grace in the business sector.

      Alexei’s reappearance in Sydney and his coup in acquiring Montgomery Electronics raised conjecture... So what if Alexei was flavour of the month and the rumour mill shifted up a gear?

      Beating herself up about it wasn’t going to change a thing.

      ‘Indulging in a little mind-wandering, Natalya?’

      Without pause she spared Jason a measured look and recounted a concise review of her condensed notes. ‘I believe that covers it?’

      She offered the three men a brief smile as the waiter appeared to request a preference for tea or coffee.

      It was impossible to ignore Alexei’s presence, or the effect it had on her emotions. A contradiction in terms given she had every reason to hate him...and she did. Unequivocally.

      So why this simmering awareness? For no matter how strong her denial, her body possessed too many vivid memories to be easily dismissed.

      Alexei Delandros was in her face...encroaching her space during working hours, and invading her dreams at night.

      She was over him. At least she’d thought she was...until a few weeks ago when she entered the new CEO’s office and discovered she’d walked into a living nightmare manipulated by a man she’d once loved so deeply, nothing, no one could possibly come between them.

      So much for blind faith.

      It was a relief when Alexei called time on the evening, and issued instructions to summon his driver.

      ‘I’ll take a cab,’ she managed quietly.

      ‘Not an option.’

      Why, when the meeting was done and she was on her own time?

      With the practicalities taken care of, Alexei’s guests exchanged courteous pleasantries and made their way from the restaurant.

      Natalya gathered her satchel. ‘An emailed copy of my notations will be available on your laptop prior to the start of tomorrow’s business day.’ Professional efficiency delivered with firm politeness could hardly be ignored...surely?

      Alexei СКАЧАТЬ