Modern Romance Collection: January 2018 Books 1 -4. Dani Collins
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Название: Modern Romance Collection: January 2018 Books 1 -4
Автор: Dani Collins
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon e-Book Collections
isbn: 9781474082228
isbn:
‘And you’re not exactly in a hurry to find out.’
She sent him a faint smile. ‘No.’
‘Careful, sweetheart. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.’
His concern was touching, and her expression softened. ‘I’m no longer the vulnerable young girl of five years ago.’
‘Nor is he the same man.’
Isn’t that the truth.
A faint shiver slid down her spine, only to be instantly dispelled as they exited the building and crossed to the adjoining car park.
‘Thanks for the game,’ Natalya voiced as they reached her BMW.
‘But not the advice.’
‘That, too.’
Aaron placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘Travel carefully.’
She deactivated the car’s locking system, and sent him a sunny smile as she slid in behind the wheel. ‘Always.’
Asap equated to urgency. Yet she waited an hour before making the call. Justifying the delay as a need to stop by the food mart for grocery supplies, unpacking and depositing same into her fridge and pantry.
‘Your smartphone was on charge; you failed to check for messages,’ Alexei pre-empted with undisguised dryness as he picked up on the second buzz. ‘Or was the delay merely sheer bloody-mindedness?’
‘Good morning to you, too,’ she offered with incredible politeness.
Strike one for Natalya.
‘Afternoon.’
She made a play of checking her watch. ‘By precisely three minutes,’ she agreed. ‘The nature of your call being?’
Was it possible for silence to be explosive? And why did the thought please her?
‘A meeting set up in Melbourne late this afternoon. My car will collect you at three-thirty. You’ll need an overnight bag.’
‘Need I remind you it’s the weekend? You expect me to drop everything at a moment’s notice?’
‘Yes.’
‘And if I decline?’
‘I suggest you reconsider.’ His cool, slightly acerbic response hit a hot button, and she tamped down her temper.
Of course. He held all the cards in this diabolical game, with not one in her favour.
Once, just once she’d kill to be able to upset the balance of power between them.
Not going to happen anytime soon...
‘Could we make it three forty-five?’ Fifteen minutes was a small concession, albeit a deliberate one.
‘No.’
Well, there you go. Nice try, even if it failed. With that, she slipped into smooth professional mode. ‘Any specific instructions?’
Alexei outlined them with succinct brevity and ended the call.
Hotel. Restaurant. Six for seven. Suitable attire.
Natalya extended the tip of her tongue in an unladylike gesture, then she swept into her bedroom to pack.
HIGH-END MELBOURNE HOTEL, stunning river and inner-city views, check.
Top floor restaurant, good table, time and number of guests, check.
Luxury two-bedroom suite, each with en suite bathroom, and separated by lounge, reluctant check. A familiar business arrangement when travelling as Roman’s PA.
However Alexei was not her father.
‘I’d prefer a separate suite on the same floor.’
Alexei’s eyebrow rose. ‘On what grounds?’
She had a few, only one of which she was prepared to voice. ‘Privacy.’
The faint lift at the edge of his mouth was so fleeting, she wondered if she’d merely imagined it.
‘Afraid, Natalya?’
‘Of you?’ Her gaze met his with cool equanimity. ‘Not in this lifetime.’
‘In that case, I don’t perceive there to be a problem.’ He checked his watch. ‘Order coffee in ten. Bring your iPad.’ With that he collected his bag and disappeared into the bedroom on his right.
She ordered room service, took the second bedroom, freshened up, unpacked, and re-emerged into the lounge to find him seated at a desk checking data on his laptop.
He’d removed his suit jacket and tie, released the top few buttons of his shirt, and bore a raw masculinity that tugged at her nerve-ends, heated her blood and made her aware of every breath she took.
Not fair. Any of it.
Coffee arrived, and she filled both cups, placed one within Alexei’s reach, opened her iPad and went to work keying in minor and a few major alterations to contractual clauses, highlighting the changes, then sent the amended contract to Alexei’s laptop and checked the evening’s schedule.
Four guests...three men well known in the electronics field and a PA.
There was time to shower, change into black silk evening trousers, attend to her make-up, style her hair, then slip on a stunning red jacket with matching silk lapels. A simple gold chain at her neck, small gold ear studs, a solid gold bracelet and her watch completed jewellery. Killer black Louboutins, and she was ready to go.
At six-fifty, evening purse tucked beneath her arm, satchel in hand, she emerged into the lounge to join Alexei.
Sensation arrowed deep within her as he turned to face her, and she had no control over the heat warming her body, or the way her pulse thudded to a quickened beat.
There was nothing classical about his features. Cheekbones a little too wide, the jawbone strong and emphasised by dark close-clipped designer stubble. Broad forehead, and eyes so dark they were almost black...equally expressive and warm, or cold as Russian ice. A generous beautifully moulded mouth, groomed hair a little longer than the current conventional style, a lithe toned body, an inherent air of power, success.
Unequivocally the wow factor.
So what?
She’d come into contact with equally attractive men. Yet none affected her the way Alexei had...and still did.
An admission she refused to give the slightest consideration.
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