Modern Romance Collection: January 2018 Books 1 -4

‘Share dinner with me this evening.’ The invitation was tempting, yet she hesitated as she collected a towel from the neatly folded stack adjacent the locker rooms.

‘I’ll make a reservation and collect you at seven.’ His smile held a tinge of humour. ‘Enlighten me or not, your choice.’

She didn’t, because she couldn’t bear to drag into the open how deeply Alexei’s presence affected her. Or revive memories too breathtakingly real to share.

Instead they kept the conversation light, touching on the ordinary, and simply enjoyed fine food, a little wine, and the relaxed benefit of good friendship.

It was a pleasant evening, and Natalya thanked him as he deposited her outside the entrance to her home.

Surprisingly she slept well and woke early, pulled on a Lycra body suit, added a singlet top, affixed earbuds to channel music and took her customary morning run...at a more gruelling pace than was her norm.

Following a shower, she dressed, munched on an apple as she collected keys, shouldered her bag and drove to the nearest mall to stock up on essentials.

As she drove to her parents’ home later that day to share Sunday lunch she couldn’t help but silently question what was real, as opposed to what had been a superbly acted sham on her father’s part, given he’d managed to fool her so well. There were no incidents she could recall to indicate her parents’ marriage had been anything other than a devoted union. There had been the odd private meeting while in London when her presence as his PA was not required. Likewise Paris.

The knowledge refreshed memories of her father taking time out for a relaxing massage. Personal shopping time. The supposed private business meetings he attended alone.

How naive had she been?

Worse, did her mother suspect?

Doubtful, given Roman had provided the perfect cover by employing Natalya as his PA, ensuring his daughter accompanied him to interstate and overseas business meetings.

A string of silent castigations didn’t come close to easing the anger she felt at her father’s deceit. There was a part of her that wanted to confront him, rail her fists against his chest and demand to know how he could have put his marriage, dammit, his life, in jeopardy by such selfish careless actions.

Play nice, Natalya cautioned as she eased her car into the driveway leading to her parents’ modern home set in beautifully tended grounds.

Smile, chat, and pretend nothing has changed.

Except it had, and the conscious effort to maintain a façade affected her appetite.

It was during dessert the question arose regarding her future plans.

‘Darling,’ Ivana broached with interest. ‘Are you going to take a break before applying for another position?’

Oh, my. Evade the issue, or aim for the partial truth? It had to be the latter...

‘No break, unfortunately,’ she managed with a credible smile.

‘Really?’ Disappointment was apparent in her mother’s voice. ‘I was hoping we might share some girl time. Lunch, shop. Book a massage, facial, mani-pedi.’

‘Who will you be working for?’ Roman queried, direct and to the point, as ever.

There was no easy way to break the news, other than to make the truth as simple as possible...then wait for the inevitable fallout.

Natalya met her father’s narrowed gaze with outward calm. ‘The ADE Conglomerate.’

His eyes hardened, so did the tone of his voice. ‘You intend to work for the firm who bought me out?’

Natalya chose not to remind him that technically the bank had foreclosed.

‘Is that a problem?’

Roman’s features darkened. ‘You’re aware of the CEO’s identity?’

‘My interview was conducted by a legal representative.’ Initially it had been, and not precisely an untruth.

The media presses would run overnight for newspapers delivered at dawn. In a matter of hours the news would become public knowledge.

‘Alexei Delandros is ADE Conglomerate.’

‘Delandros?’ Roman’s face grew dark with a mixture of anger and disbelief. ‘Alexei Delandros? What the hell are you thinking?’

Of my mother... Except the words never left her lips. Instead she lifted her chin a little and met his anger with determined spirit.

‘He made an offer I couldn’t refuse.’ The truth...just not all of it.

Dark, almost black eyes hardened, and she saw his mouth thin to an ominous line as he made a visible attempt to rein in his wrath. ‘How could you even consider working for Delandros?’

Because there’s no alternative.

‘In what position?’ The demand was palpable.

With no easy way to break the news...except tell it as it was. ‘PA.’

Roman regarded her with disbelief for several long seconds, then he slammed a fist onto the table, sending crockery rattling in protest. ‘I’m calling my lawyer.’

‘Who’ll only confirm the contract was signed without duress and therefore legally valid.’

A telling silence reigned as Roman processed the inevitable. ‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ he warned heavily.

Her eyes didn’t waver from his own for several seconds, then she discarded her dessert fork and pushed the plate aside. The thought of taking another bite of food made her feel slightly ill.

For as long as she could remember, she’d prided herself on being part of a close loving family worthy of her implicit trust.

Now she was forced to recognise the father she had adored was not the man she’d believed him to be, and the pain of betrayal was almost a physical ache.

The desire to leave was uppermost...now, before she uttered words that, once said, couldn’t be retracted.

Another hour, that was all, then she could escape.

Consequently Natalya accepted coffee, lingered over it, and accepted Ivana’s invitation to admire her treasured garden.

Together they moved outdoors, leaving Roman to add a generous snifter of brandy to his coffee, and smoke a cigar, presumably in the hope the alcohol and nicotine hit would soothe his temper.

Scrupulously tended and picture perfect no matter the season, the beautifully sculptured shrubbery and numerous borders were Ivana’s pride and joy. While a part-time gardener took care of the heavy work, Ivana was very hands-on with the choice of plants and succulents designed to provide a glorious balance of symmetry and colour.

‘Darling, I’m very concerned for you,’ Ivana said quietly as they wandered through the grounds. ‘Having to sell Montgomery Electronics was a blow to your father’s pride and self-esteem,’ Ivana added. ‘It doesn’t sit easily on his conscience he needs to rely on the money and investments I inherited from my late mother’s estate.’

Natalya’s grandmother had expressed a dislike of Roman Montgomery from the onset, and had been fiercely against the marriage, ensuring each and every one of her assets on Ivana’s demise would pass directly to Natalya.

Natalya had adored her babushka, the regular visits with her mother, the joy and the laughter, tales relayed of an early childhood in another land, the treasures representative of a different country and culture...the division between wealth and poverty.

Ivana caught Natalya’s hand and brought it to her lips. ‘Will you find it difficult working with Alexei?’

The answer could only be an unspoken yes. ‘I’m no longer the lovesick young girl of five years ago, Mama,’ Natalya reminded her.

‘Perhaps not. But...’

‘I’ve moved on.’

You have? Like the initial encounter with Alexei Delandros was totally impartial and devoid of any emotion?

‘I hope so,’ Ivana opined evenly. ‘For your sake.’

It was easy to offer a smile and brush lips to her mother’s cheek. ‘I’m fine.’

Little white lies and pretence. Not something she favoured, but forgivable in the circumstances...surely?

She lingered a while as they leisurely wandered through the structured pebbled paths, pausing to admire numerous plants, commenting on the subtle scent of roses, while listening to gardening tips Ivana chose to share.

There was a sense of relief when they reached the silver BMW parked in the pebbled forecourt.

‘Come inside, darling, and have a refreshing drink.’

‘Another time, Mama, if you don’t mind.’

‘You’re leaving so soon?’

‘New job,’ she managed lightly. ‘I need to check my wardrobe, laptop, and grab an early night.’ She leant forward and hugged her mother close. ‘Love you. Thanks for lunch.’ A quick movement released the BMW’s locking mechanism. ‘I’ll phone during the week.’ She slid behind the wheel, fired the ignition, and blew a customary kiss as she eased the car forward.

Not the most convivial lunch, Natalya perceived wryly as she traversed the main road en route to her own home.

Tomorrow was likely to be a whole lot worse.

Working in close proximity to Alexei Delandros featured way down at the end of her choose-to-do list. So how did she prepare to meet her nemesis?

Perfectly groomed, elegantly attired, immaculate make-up, heels to die for...and presenting solicitous professionalism together with a degree of unruffled cool.

Something she achieved following two attempts to acquire the desired effect with her make-up.

Laptop, iPad, leather satchel, smartphone, car fob...check.

Minutes later Natalya joined early Monday morning traffic into the city, fought the long delays at numerous controlled intersections before entering the underground parking area assigned to the building housing ADE Conglomerate.

Easier said than done to tamp down the onset of nerves as she rode the lift to a high floor.

She’d been her father’s PA for several years, she knew what the position entailed. There might be a few adjustments, but how difficult could it be?

CHAPTER FOUR

NATALYA ENTERED THE ADE reception and was met by a personable young woman who moved forward to offer a polite greeting.

‘Natalya?’ A hand was extended, which Natalya accepted.

‘Marcie,’ the blonde enlightened by introduction. The smile was genuine, which helped ease any preconceived tension. ‘I’ll take you through to your office suite.’

A comfortably large room, Natalya perceived, executive fittings, new state-of-the-art electronic equipment.

‘Louise is your assistant, whose office is to your right, separated by a shared lounge,’ Marcie offered with a smile. ‘I’ll introduce you, when we’re finished with the tour.’

So far, so good.

‘Alexei is at the industrial plant today. His office is to your left, accessed via his assistant’s office, and their shared lounge.’

A reprieve, Natalya accorded, aware the day just became a little better.

Space, lots of it with room to move. Comfort, synchronised professional privacy...and far different from her father’s former set-up.

Introductions completed, Marcie indicated Natalya’s office. ‘I’ll provide a brief overview of Alexei’s schedule for the current week, and answer any questions you might care to raise before I leave to take a mid-evening flight back to the States.’

Efficient, capable and very clear re the CEO’s schedule. One which Natalya reluctantly admitted appeared daunting.

Did the man sleep?

Not a wise thought, given it led to imagining if anyone shared his bed, and, if so, whom?

So what do you care?

You hate him, remember?

Focus, she admonished.

‘I’ve printed out notes you may find helpful.’ The attractive blonde bestowed a conciliatory smile. ‘I’m confident you’ll be fine.’

Natalya was sure she would be even if it killed her. For no way would she permit Alexei Delandros to have any reason to find fault with her performance.

As to her emotional heart...it was guarded in self-imposed lockdown. Deliberately sought, to regain a sense of purpose. Sure, she’d indulged in a social life, even flirted a little...if you counted 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.