glimpsed a flicker of amusement in those dark eyes, then it was gone.
‘We’ll confer over breakfast. Order room service for two at seven-fifteen.’
A minor concession... Whether she compiled the report tonight, or rose early to complete it was neither here nor there.
Without a further word she turned and walked towards the adjoining bedroom.
‘Sleep well.’ His faint drawl held a tinge of amusement.
Natalya didn’t miss a beat as she spared him a glance over one shoulder as she entered her room. ‘I always do.’
With that, she closed the door behind her, turned the lock, and silently pumped a fist in the air.
There was something eminently satisfying in having the last word.
* * *
A victory short-lived, Natalya conceded as business ruled their early morning breakfast.
A relaxed CEO, she perceived, with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, sleeves turned back, suit jacket spread over the back of his chair.
A casual look she silently assured she was perfectly comfortable with...and knew she lied.
Five years had added a few slight changes if one looked closely enough. Fine lines fanned out from the far corners of his eyes. Close-clipped designer stubble added a ruthless quality to his facial features...and she squashed the stray thought whether it would feel soft or slightly bristly on a woman’s soft skin.
Are you insane?
Just...curious, she hastened silently, and filled her cup with coffee. It said much for her level of control that her hand remained perfectly steady. So what if she took the coffee black, strong and unsweetened for the maximum caffeine hit?
Cool, professional, as they ran an updated check on the day’s schedule. Tight, Natalya perceived, with little wiggle room for any unforeseen delay.
Vastly different from the leisurely meals she’d shared with her father during his regime when the first business meeting of the day began with an extensive lunch and rarely concluded until late afternoon. Dinner inevitably morphed into a social event with a well-imbibed Roman generously picking up the tab.
Chalk and cheese, she perceived as she drained the last of her coffee, slid the iPad into her satchel, and waited dutifully as Alexei buttoned his shirt, fixed his tie before shrugging into his jacket.
Attired in a black pencil-slim skirt and fitted jade-coloured jacket, killer heels, she felt ready to deal with whatever the day would bring as she preceded Alexei from their suite.
It didn’t help that the elevator doors opened to reveal an almost full occupant capacity entailing up close and personal contact with her nemesis. Nor did it aid an increased pulse-beat as unwanted awareness unfurled deep within.
Natalya stood rigidly still, consciously ensuring her breathing remained even, measured, and didn’t pound to a rapid beat as it threatened to do.
In a few short seconds the elevator would reach ground level, release its passengers...and she’d be able to breathe normally again.
Did he have any idea how his presence affected her?
Or how hard she fought against it?
There were many reasons to hate him, and she did...vehemently. So why did the light musky drift of Alexei’s cologne tease and heighten her senses?
His height and muscled frame proved a powerful force impossible to ignore. So, too, the sexual chemistry he managed to exude with little or no effort at all.
Five years ago she’d relished every stolen moment with him, no matter how brief. His touch, warmth of his smile, the knowledge of more, much more, as soon as they were alone. Did he remember, as she did? Wake in the night wanting, needing what they’d once shared?
Obviously not.
So who’s the fool haunted by images of a past best forgotten?
You have a life...or at least she did have until Alexei reappeared on the scene.
Her relief was palpable as the elevator slid to a smooth halt, and she accompanied Alexei across the marble-tiled lobby to the black limousine and driver parked adjacent the hotel entrance.
Any hope she had of occupying the rear seat alone was dashed when Alexei slid in beside her, and she silently cursed his close proximity as the limousine cruised through city streets towards their destination.
‘No last-minute instructions?’ Natalya managed quietly, and incurred his measured glance.
‘None.’
Okay. Time out from idle conversation. Which suited her just fine.
Instead she reflected on the meeting’s key points, and the background research she had managed to glean on the major player in opposition.
An open mind, adhere with polite formalities, record all details from both parties...and become the quintessential PA.
In other words, be prepared for anything.
The limousine pulled into a semi-circular driveway and drew to a halt adjacent an impressive entrance lobby.
Showtime, Natalya accorded as they were met and led towards a bank of elevators, one of which transported them to a high floor where they were escorted to a designated boardroom.
There was a brief moment when Alexei’s hand inadvertently brushed her arm, and she hated the way her pulse immediately quickened to a crazy beat.
In the name of heaven...focus.
The fact she did owed more to the experience of long practice, and she took her seat at the conference table, extracted the necessary iPad, and mini-recorder.
Playing tough in the business arena was an art form Alexei had mastered with unfailing ease as he calmly stripped negotiations to a base level of take it or leave it. Something which didn’t augur well, and resulted in harsh criticism of ADE CEO’s tactics.
Cut-throat didn’t come close. Although Natalya had to concede the methodology worked. A break for lunch involved food eaten in one of the hotel’s private rooms...and a review of key points from the morning’s meeting.
High-powered, with Alexei’s unyielding stance, and his superb negotiation skills.
Natalya could only quietly admire his ability to figuratively pin his business competitor to the wall...while her personal jury remained out regarding the inherent ruthlessness he managed to employ.
The pace increased during the afternoon, with Alexei adamant his terms were final, which led to a hastily arranged meeting the following morning.
‘Reschedule our flight to mid-afternoon tomorrow,’ Alexei instructed as their limousine took the route to their hotel.
Natalya sent him a killing look as they entered their hotel suite. ‘In this technological age legal documents can be digitally signed and emailed.’
‘True.’ He removed his suit jacket, loosened his tie and tossed both onto a nearby chair as he sent her a piercing look. ‘You’re questioning my decision?’
‘Merely expressing an opinion.’
‘Which you feel entitled to do?’
Why did she suddenly feel as if she’d ventured onto shaky ground? ‘It wasn’t specifically mentioned in my employment contract.’
Was that a faint gleam of humour in his dark gaze?
‘Consult the menu and order a meal to be delivered to our suite at seven.’ Alexei waited a beat. ‘I’ll have the seafood pilaf.’ He reached forward and collected his jacket and tie, then turned towards his room. ‘I’ll change and go down to the gym for an hour.’
All this togetherness didn’t augur well, especially from her perspective. She could