latter appeared a safe choice, and she selected a stylishly cut dress in emerald-green.
Ear studs, a simple necklace, black heels, a black clutch with essentials, then she caught up a black wrap and she was good to go within minutes before the appointed time. On cue the security gate buzzer sounded and she crossed to the video link, identified Alexei and released the locking mechanism.
He was waiting for her as she opened the front door, attired in casual trousers, open-necked shirt and casual jacket. Tall, ruggedly attractive... Her stomach flipped as heat flooded her body as she walked into his outstretched arms, lifted her face for his kiss and breathed him in, relishing the moment as his arms pulled her close.
Nice. She could have stayed longer...resisting the urge to invite him in, suggest they forgo dinner, and eat later. Much later.
Except he trailed his mouth to the sweet curve of her neck, savoured briefly, then took hold of her hands linked behind his neck and brought one to his lips.
‘Food,’ Alexei opined with a wicked smile, and led her to the sleek Aston Martin waiting kerbside.
Natalya wondered which restaurant Alexei had chosen as he eased the luxury car into traffic. A boutique place in one of the suburbs, or city venue.
Not a restaurant, she discovered as the car headed towards one of the elite northern suburbs where residences commanded multimillion-dollar prices, and were guarded by high-tech security.
Alexei turned into a tree-lined street and slowed the car before a wide set of high black elaborately scrolled gates, beyond which stood a graceful two-level residence at the apex of a semi-circular driveway.
Were they dining as guests at a private home?
His home, appeared the correct answer, as he used a remote to open the gates and eased the car towards the front entrance.
Immaculate lawns bearing some decorative sculpted shrubbery, and there were borders bearing a beautiful array of flowers lining the driveway.
The front door opened as he disengaged the engine, and a middle-aged woman stood waiting to welcome them.
‘My housekeeper, Lisette,’ Alexei informed her quietly as he curved an arm across Natalya’s shoulders and drew her forward, effecting introductions.
Together they entered a large circular foyer with a marble-tiled floor, showcasing a sweeping double staircase leading to an upper level.
Lisette greeted Natalya with a pleasant smile before turning towards Alexei. ‘I expect you would enjoy a drink in the lounge. Dinner will be served at seven in the private dining room.’
‘Thanks, Lisette.’
He turned towards one of four heavily panelled doors leading off from the lobby and led her into a spacious lounge, closed the door behind them, then pulled her close.
What began as a gentle kiss soon became an evocative tasting as he explored her mouth, and she met and matched him, luxuriating in his touch as she lifted her arms to link each hand at his nape.
Natalya’s entire body came alive, as the kiss moved up a few levels, where the urge to dispense with his clothes...and have him remove her own, became almost impossible to ignore.
She wanted to slide the palms of her hands over his naked skin. Explore the tight muscles sculpting his body, admire the strength apparent, and savour every inch with her mouth as she drove him wild.
Then welcome him into her body as they became lost in each other...lust, avid, earthy and beyond mere words.
Love, as it had been in what seemed to be another lifetime when they had implicit trust in each other.
Alexei gently shifted his hands to cup her face. He traced her cheek with his thumb, his eyes dark as he examined her features.
‘I’ll get you a drink.’
Did she look as if she needed one? Probably. ‘Preferably non-alcoholic.’ It was a while since lunch, and she recalled she’d eaten very little. ‘I’ll have some wine with dinner.’
Alexei moved to the drinks cabinet, retrieved two crystal wine glasses, filled one with mineral water, the other with white wine, then he retraced his steps and placed a glass in her hand.
She avoided the prosaic, and went for the most relevant.
‘I had lunch with my father today.’
His eyes sharpened. ‘He upset you?’
‘In hindsight...not so much.’ Surprising, given how much pain Roman’s actions had caused her. ‘I said what I wanted to say, paid the bill, and walked out of the restaurant.’
She possessed an inner strength. Yet he sensed the hurt, her loss of trust for her father’s almost criminal meddling. Worse, perhaps, for having been totally unaware of her father’s other life.
Roman had created the perfect cover in choosing Natalya as his PA.
Which bore the question of Ivana’s wealth and social standing...somehow it didn’t add up with the woman he’d come to know. Her values, her unconditional love for her daughter.
Perhaps a woman was entitled to her reasons, none of which were his to attempt to explore.
Of one thing he was certain. Natalya’s total loyalty to her mother.
‘You have a beautiful home,’ Natalya complimented as they entered a tastefully furnished dining room.
‘Which I will show you after dinner,’ Alexei said as he led her to the table and withdrew her chair.
The housekeeper had excelled herself, providing a seafood entree, followed by perfectly grilled salmon steaks accompanied by a delicious salad, with fresh fruit compote for dessert.
Later they took coffee on the terrace, relaxed following a pleasant meal. The view over the harbour to the city with its buildings lit and rising high against a darkened sky presented a superb panorama. Coloured neon signage promoting varying products, the moving headlights of passing traffic...mere pinpricks observed from this distance.
Peaceful, tranquil. A place that could be a home, filled with love, perhaps children...
A vision of which the stuff of dreams was made. Not always the reality.
So where did they go from here?
The word love hadn’t been mentioned.
Alexei unwound his length from the chair, leant forward to take hold of her hands and gently pulled her to her feet and into his arms.
His touch, the brief flare of unguarded emotion in his eyes...dear heaven, his kiss...sensuality at its peak as his tongue curled around her own, tasted, teased, gentling a little at the sound of her despairing groan as he went in deep, persuasive, pervading as he gifted his heart...his soul.
It was more, so much more than she believed possible, and seemingly an age before he lifted his head, his eyes dark as he glimpsed her flushed cheeks, the soft mouth slightly swollen from his touch, and caught the faint quiver as she visibly sought control.
He lifted a hand to smooth the pad of his thumb over the fullness of her lower lip. ‘Stay with me tonight.’
Her eyes lit with a tinge of humour. ‘Presumably this isn’t a work-related request?’
‘Not even close.’
‘I’ll give it some thought,’ she said, delighting in teasing him.
Without a word he led her inside, secured the terrace doors, set the security alarm, moved towards the beautifully curved staircase leading to an upper floor and the master bedroom.
He took it slow and easy, removing each item of her clothing, as she unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it from his body. Loving the muscular chest, the tight abs, the strength apparent in his broad shoulders.
‘Don’t stop.’
Natalya