The Lion in Russia Read Online Free Page A

almost black, almost obscuring
the lighter silver ring that encircled his pupils. Though she could
breath she was still incapable of speech.
    “Good evening Vries. Surprised to see you
here,” Leo said.
    It annoyed her that he could be so unaffected
when it was all she could do to remain upright, and actually she
probably would’ve collapsed had she not still been pressed so
tightly against him. And that’s when she realized he wasn’t
indifferent after all. There was a faint tremor in the arms that
still encircle her waist, and she could feel his erection pressed
against the vee of her legs. That might explain why he hadn’t
stepped away as their embrace had certainly superseded the norm of
a public greeting, even between lovers.
    Vries stepped back anyway. She would never
regain coherence standing so close to him. To her relief her legs
supported her and she could provide a reasonable response. “I can’t
imagine why. Gianni gives the best parties in the city, and you
know I never miss a good party.” She nodded toward Deringer who was
staring at both of them looking very annoyed, the frown marring his
aristocratic forehead. “Do you know my--uh--friend?” she asked
hesitating just enough to imply there was more to the relationship.
When Leo shook his head in the negative she made the
introductions.
    Leo gave Deringer a narrow-eyed stare. “You
weren’t seeing anyone the last time I was in town.”
    “That was over a year ago. Besides, as I
said, Deringer and I are friends, nothing more.”
    A surprised expression passed over the planes
of Deringer’s face. Vries knew it wasn’t real, but she could tell
by the way he stiffened next to her that Leo believed the act.
    “If you say so,” Deringer murmured. “Then
again, you told me that the two of you are just friends as
well.”
    Leo made a sound that was close to a growl as
a human could make. Vries pursed her lips hoping Deringer wasn’t
over-playing his hand. “We are friends.”
    “It certainly didn’t look like it to me,”
Deringer snarled in response. He sounded so convincing that for a
moment Vries was worried. She knew he didn’t have romantic feelings
toward her, but no one listening to their conversation would
believe it.
    Now it was her turn to look surprised and
then annoyed. Knowing Leo was watching their little drama Vries put
on her best petulant act. She needed an excuse for Deringer to hang
around and the role of the lovesick swain was perfect. It was quite
common for a coterie of young men to gather around her and profess
their undying devotion. They’d even dubbed her “The Goddess of
Milan.” She didn’t think anything of it until the media picked it
up, now it was a bit embarrassing. She knew Leo would assume that
Deringer was a more persistent member of her entourage. Deringer’s
presence would slow down any movement toward the bedroom as she
could pretend to be deciding between the two men if necessary. It
was a problem she’d realized shortly after receiving this
assignment. She and Leo had been flirting for some time now. If
they started dating she needed a reasonable excuse for not sleeping
with him. Plus, she needed a cover for Deringer’s continued
presence. This assignment was huge. She would definitely need
back-up.
    After an awkward moment during which Leo made
it clear he wasn’t going anywhere Vries took Deringer to the side
to give him leave to go. Then she turned to Leo again with a smile
designed to dazzle even the hardest heart. It had taken her years
to master it. She was delighted to see it had its intended effect.
Leo’s eyes, a shade of gray so translucent they reminded her of
moonstone, widened and she watched color rise across his slash of a
cheekbone. “How long are you in town?” she asked.
    “Not long. No more than a couple of
weeks.”
    “Oh?” she said managing to give Deringer’s
retreating back a longing look.
    She almost laughed aloud when Leo very
deliberately moved to position himself