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СКАЧАТЬ presence and probable donation, and placed them on his desk.

      ‘I’ll organise for an acceptance when you’ve made your choice.’

      Would he decide to appear solo...and if not, whom would he choose as his partner?

      Like she cared?

      Yet deep down she did, and for a brief few seconds she considered attending with her parents...just because.

      Only to have the decision taken out of her hands when Alexei summoned her into his office prior to an event.

      Natalya took a seat, opened her iPad with her fingers poised to tap in an update, schedule or reschedule a meeting...and glanced up when he failed to begin.

      It was the end of the day, and he’d removed his jacket, loosened his tie, aiding a casual look that succeeded in ruffling her composure.

      ‘Ensure you’re available for Thursday evening’s charity event,’ Alexei began.

      She schooled her expression and met his steady gaze. ‘I’m sure you have a few young women on speed dial who would jump at the chance of an invitation.’

      ‘None of whom possess your observation skills and diplomacy.’

      ‘Assuming their total focus would be on charming you?’ Natalya queried sweetly, sure she caught a faint smile at the edge of his mouth.

      ‘Consider your presence a necessity as my PA.’

      Be seated at his side throughout a lengthy dinner? Play nice, when privately she wanted to hit him? An inconceivable action in public view. Something more subtle...an elbow in his ribs, perhaps? Accidentally, of course.

      ‘Business-oriented,’ she clarified in droll tones. ‘I’ll ensure the mini-recording device will fit in my evening purse.’

      ‘You’ve attended several events in the past. I doubt tomorrow evening’s event will be any different.’

      A number of the people present were repeat guests at several of the city’s charity events throughout each year. Wealthy, influential, dedicated in donating funds to worthy causes, active on the social scene...and most familiar with Roman Montgomery’s fall from grace in the finance sector.

      The fact Roman’s daughter would be seated next to, and to all intents and purposes partnered by, Alexei Delandros would be viewed with interest and a degree of speculation.

      * * *

      Poise and sophistication were an acquired façade, and qualities in which Natalya excelled...on the surface. Education in one of Sydney’s highly respected private schools and world travel had ensured she could handle almost any situation without falling in a heap.

      This evening’s charity event would be no different. So why the edgy onset of nerves as she put the finishing touches to her make-up prior to Alexei’s timed arrival at her home?

      Her expressed insistence she meet him at the hotel venue had been dismissed out of hand, and for twenty-four hours she’d considered defying his edict with a last-minute text...only to abandon the tempting plan.

      Instead she visited one of her favoured boutiques and purchased a new gown in champagne silk with an overlay of matching lace.

      Dressed to kill, she observed as she added a diamond pendant on a slim gold chain, attached a single diamond tennis bracelet to her left wrist, adding discreet diamond ear studs...each of which had been gifts over time from her late grandmother.

      Natalya ran her fingers over her hair, plumping the loose waved tendrils touching each collarbone, and reached for her evening purse.

      Good to go, with a few minutes to spare.

      Alexei’s limousine slid to a halt at the prearranged time, and she drew in a deep breath as the doorbell rang.

      Nervous tension, Natalya excused, and sought to steady the increased pulse-beat at the base of her throat as she opened the door.

      He had presence, an elusive quality that set him apart from most other men. Difficult to define in mere words, but there nonetheless.

      Dark eyes that could sear the soul; a mouth which held the promise of sensual sin...and delivered.

      Stop, a silent voice echoed inside her brain. Remembering how it had been between them served no purpose.

      As an escort he ticked all the boxes. Appearing even more devastating in impeccable evening wear, he could easily have passed as a male model in a photo shoot for Armani. The epitome of the man he’d become...assured, comfortable in his own skin. The acquisition of the fine things in life, its influence and power. An added quality he bore with ease.

      The limousine purred silently through the city streets, entering the inner city perimeter until they reached the hotel where the evening’s event was being held.

      Assembled media, photographers were positioned ready to capture the arrival of well-known guests, and flashbulbs popped as the cream of Sydney’s society descended from a moving procession of limousines...women offering practised smiles, should their photograph be one of a chosen few to make the following day’s social pages.

      Alexei’s light touch at the back of Natalya’s waist was a courtesy, although only she was aware of the flare of sensual electricity coursing through her body.

      Her role was strictly business-oriented. Definitely not personal. She should have organised a pin discreetly emblazoned with PA to clarify her presence.

      Natalya offered a slight smile as she accompanied Alexei into the large atrium where guests were gathering for pre-dinner drinks prior to a bank of doors being opened to allow access into the formal dining room.

      Waiters circled the atrium offering flutes of champagne as guests mingled with fellow associates and friends, increasing the noise factor as the numbers swelled to capacity.

      Natalya offered a smile in silent acknowledgment as she recognised friends among the crowd, aware they’d be able to connect throughout the evening, and when a few scions of industry approached Alexei she achieved each introduction with practised ease.

      It became increasingly obvious Alexei garnered attention. His takeover of Roman Montgomery’s firm had become a lingering buzz among those in the financial sector, fired by successful deals Alexei had achieved worldwide.

      There was media interest in his background, together with any information investigative journalists could dig up about his personal life.

      Until now Alexei had declined to give interviews, sanctioning only information his media personnel were instructed to release. Fine in theory, but the gutter press possessed few scruples, and a grain of truth embellished with innuendo could increase sales of varying tabloids tenfold.

      ‘Natalya.’ The sound of Ivana’s voice captured her attention, and she greeted her parents with affection, formally introduced Alexei to her mother, who offered him a gracious smile and shook his hand.

      ‘You’ve already met my father,’ Natalya indicated, sensing the tension beneath the obsequious smile as Roman extended his hand.

      ‘Indeed,’ СКАЧАТЬ