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

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СКАЧАТЬ your back...words which remained silent.

      ‘Ivana, darling. We’re seated together.’ Aaron’s mother, Elvira, Natalya perceived, aware both women were long time friends. ‘Roman. Natalya.’ Her gaze shifted towards Alexei. ‘Alexei Delandros, of course. You photograph well. I’m delighted to meet you.’ She turned towards Natalya. ‘Aaron is parking the car. Al has been shanghaied by a client. I’m sure he’ll manage to escape soon.’

      Interesting didn’t begin to describe the seating arrangement. Aaron, the gay son whose parents were in ignorance of their son’s sexual proclivities; Alexei and Roman...which member of the committee thought to put the fox and the rabbit together? Each table seated twelve. Who were the remaining five?

      ‘Ah, they’re opening the doors,’ Elvira declared. ‘Shall we go in?’

      Moving within a crowd involved some inadvertent contact with other patrons, and she stiffened as Alexei placed an arm along the back of her waist...and kept it there until they reached their table, choosing to position her chair as she graciously took a seat. The gesture polite, impersonal...so why did his touch affect her body as much as it did?

      A temporary madness, and one which she’d avoid by maintaining a reasonable distance between them. Which worked until a complement of five guests soon joined them. None other than Lara and Richard Tremayne, their two daughters Abby and Olivia, with son Jason bringing up the rear.

      Like she needed awkward?

      Nothing she couldn’t handle...and she did, with grace and politeness, expressing amusement at the right intervals, while easing her way through three courses of beautifully presented delectable food.

      ‘Champagne, Natalya?’ Alexei queried, and she spared him a polite smile.

      ‘Thank you.’

      Definitely a departure from her usual preference of sparkling mineral water, and she caught Aaron’s faintly raised eyebrow in silent askance.

      On the surface all twelve patrons at their table appeared to be sharing a pleasant evening. Perhaps they were, and she was the only one present who sensed an edge of tension.

      It was a relief when the wait-staff began clearing tables in preparation for serving coffee. An action which usually pre-empted a series of announcements, speeches offering thanks for generous donations, the evening’s success, followed by music and the voiced encouragement for guests to enjoy the dance floor.

      Roman stood to his feet and crossed to Natalya’s side and extended his hand. ‘Shall we?’

      At least her father employed a little circumspection in leading her part-way through the waltz before he lowered his head a little and quietly demanded,

      ‘What in hell are you thinking?’

      She didn’t pretend to misunderstand. ‘I’m Alexei’s PA, and seated with him in a professional capacity.’

      ‘Darling girl, he’s merely using you to highlight his success over my business failure.’

      Natalya looked at him, glimpsed the anger, the frustration evident, and sought to alleviate it. ‘Why would he do that, when the media have already printed the coup in various newspapers?’

      Roman snorted in derision. ‘Didn’t you learn anything five years ago? The man upped and left you without a word.’

      ‘That’s not relevant to the current discussion.’ Her voice was firm as she refused to placate him. ‘Shall we rejoin the others?’

      Coffee, hot, black, with no sugar helped, Natalya admitted, and she offered a smile as Roman swept her mother onto the dance floor, which left Natalya, Alexei and Jason Tremayne the only occupants at the table.

      Not the best scenario, she perceived, wondering if she could escape to the powder room. However luck wasn’t on her side as Jason rose to his feet and approached her.

      ‘Our turn, I think.’

      ‘Mine actually,’ Alexei intervened smoothly as he rose to his feet and placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘If you’ll excuse us?’

      She could refuse him, plead the need for a coffee refill, and attempt to relax. Instead she inclined her head towards Jason, offered a faint smile, and accompanied Alexei onto the dance floor.

      ‘That wasn’t necessary,’ Natalya said quietly as she matched his steps with familiar ease.

      ‘No?’

      What could she say? If in doubt, don’t, and in this instance silence was the better option.

      The music slowed, and Alexei pulled her in as they adjusted their steps to a softer beat. The top of her head barely reached his shoulder, and he fought the urge to wrap an arm around her slender body, brush his lips to her temple...as he had done in the past. Enjoy the light floral perfume she wore, aware of his body pulsing with need, and the promise of how the night would end.

      He’d been so sure of their relationship, of her, envisaging they’d grow old together, having raised a family, and enjoy grandchildren. Until Roman Montgomery had employed strong-arm tactics to ensure Alexei’s swift departure from Sydney and the country.

      Five years on, Alexei had changed, so too had his life.

      The human psyche had intrigued him to such a point whereby he’d studied psychological behavioural patterns, mannerisms, characteristics that would provide insight to figurative red flags during his business dealings.

      Qualities that had led to his success.

      Had it hardened him? Undoubtedly.

      His late father would have been proud.

      ‘We should return to the table,’ Natalya indicated as the music sped up to a modern beat. ‘Considering the duty dance is done.’

      ‘Duty?’ Alexei queried as he released her. ‘Is that what it was?’

      ‘Of course,’ she dismissed. ‘What else would it have been?’

      Indeed. If he hadn’t noted the fast-beating pulse at the base of her throat, felt the throb of it beneath the palm of her wrist, he might have believed her.

      The evening eventually drew to a close, with the final speech, the lucky door ticket prize, with guests lingering in the adjoining atrium as they waited for taxis, private limousines, while others continued on to a nightclub.

      There were hugs, air kisses, voiced promises to do lunch or coffee...the usual pattern following the end of an evening’s social event.

      ‘The limousine will be here within a few minutes,’ Alexei indicated.

      ‘I can easily take a cab.’

      ‘But you won’t.’

      Her lips parted with the intention of arguing with him, only for her to decide against it. Besides, taxis at this time of night were in short supply.

      ‘Compliance, Natalya?’

      She spared him a glance. ‘Only СКАЧАТЬ