a pleasant smile, intelligent conversation, light laughter.
Did anyone see beneath the façade? Detect her broken heart had been figuratively stitched together, never to be torn apart again? Healed, resolute, as she fought for contentment...and thought she’d achieved it, until a few days ago when Alexei Delandros reappeared on the scene and any pretence of contentment went out of the window.
Worse...unless she was wildly wrong, he’d deliberately taken advantage of her father’s misdeeds to place her between a rock and a hard place.
Damn him.
He sought to play hardball?
Then so would she.
‘Are you okay with that?’
Marcie’s intrusion wrenched Natalya back into the here and now.
Schedule, overview. ‘Got it.’ At least she thought she had, and, failing that, there was Plan B... Marcie’s printed notes.
Besides, she knew the electronics business well. Her father’s list of contacts was on speed dial, and saved in her computer’s email address file.
How difficult or different could it be?
* * *
Different, Natalya discovered soon after she entered the offices of Alexei Delandros Electronics the following morning.
Absent was the relaxed, almost laid-back atmosphere generated during her father’s regime. Instead there was a fast-paced vibe as she passed through Reception. The receptionist’s usual warm friendly smile was absent, replaced by a slightly harried look, and Natalya arched an eyebrow in silent query, only to receive an expressive eye-roll in return.
Alexei Delandros was in the building, and obviously bent on ensuring everyone followed a high-powered work ethic.
Which indicated she should merely offer a smile in return and walk on through to her office...instead she paused to indulge in a brief post-weekend chat.
Staff camaraderie had always been an important factor during Roman Montgomery’s reign...
At that moment her smartphone buzzed and she retrieved and answered it, only to hear Alexei’s secretary’s voice.
‘Natalya. Mr Delandros expects you in his office.’
Now...was an unspoken directive holding a slightly ominous tone.
‘Two minutes,’ she advised patiently, and fluttered her fingers at the receptionist before heading down the corridor.
A brief stop off in her office to deposit her bag and laptop, then she collected her iPad, breathed in deep and tapped on Alexei’s door.
She could do this...and fervently wishing otherwise wasn’t going to change a thing.
So ignore the man, smile, be so efficiently professional he’ll have no cause for complaint.
Easy in theory...difficult in practice when all it took was a glance at Alexei’s arresting features for her heartbeat to quicken. Worse, the sudden spear of sensation arrowing deep within her belly.
What was with that?
Her body out of sync with her brain. Granted, her polite smile didn’t waver as she met his impenetrable expression.
The dark superbly tailored three-piece business suit, crisp dark blue shirt and perfectly knotted silk tie did little to tame the predator image.
If that was Alexei’s aim...he’d unequivocally nailed it.
Cool, professional, remember? ‘Good morning.’
One eyebrow lifted slightly. ‘Your lateness is an oversight?’
Natalya checked her watch. Three minutes past eight. ‘My usual start time is nine,’ she managed civilly.
‘I gather you failed to check your smartphone for messages...or your laptop?’
She had. Last night. Not this morning.
‘Twenty-four-seven contact,’ Alexei reminded her.
‘Ultimatum,’ she corrected without missing a beat, ignoring the silken warning apparent in his dark gaze.
He rested back a little in his chair and regarded her with a steady appraisal. If she was bent on a confrontational path...he was a few steps ahead of her.
‘Written into your employment contract and specifically drawn to your attention during Friday’s interview.’
Tough. While she had every intention of being the quintessential PA, and polite in the presence of others, any pretence when they were alone went out of the window.
She was something else, Alexei conceded as he took in her groomed appearance, the smooth chignon, skilfully applied make-up, red lipstick which matched the jacket she wore over a pencil-slim black skirt.
He experienced an urge to ruffle her composure, to dig beneath the professional façade. Then what? Rattle her cage?
His body stirred with sensual adrenalin, unwanted and inconceivable, but there. A need to pull her close and ravish her mouth...to remind her of what they’d once shared.
To what end? Play it forward to rumpled bed sheets and hot sex? Simply to satisfy an urge?
Evidence he unsettled her could be detected in the fast-beating pulse at the base of her throat, the edge of tension whenever he entered her personal space.
He had never aimed for the grab-and-conquer method with a woman. Mutual attraction and mutual need were his requisite for sex.
Natalya? Why this instinctive feeling there was a missing link? One only she could provide?
Patience. And time...the latter of which he had plenty.
Alexei indicated the structured curve of studded leather armchairs. ‘Take a seat. I’ll outline the day’s schedule.’
Extensive, Natalya breathed as she noted appointments, calls to be made, two afternoon meetings to arrange...and lunch with a business associate.
‘Book a table for one o’clock,’ Alexei instructed, naming a restaurant with inner harbour views and known for its excellent cuisine. ‘Contact Paul, my driver, and arrange to have my car waiting outside the main entrance at twelve forty-five.’ His eyes didn’t waver from her own. ‘Naturally, you’ll accompany me.’
Hadn’t she attended many business lunches with her father? So why would this be any different? Professionalism ruled as she held his gaze. ‘It would be helpful if you could reveal who’ll be joining us.’
‘Elle Johanssen and her PA.’
Natalya maintained a polite expression. Eleanor, or Elle as she insisted on being called, held a reputation for winning, by whatever means it took. Those among the business sector who’d parried with her and lost were known to refer to the woman as Hell-Jo...an unflattering but self-explanatory
