The Russian Seduction Read Online Free Page A

Russian scientists who’ve won slots in our exchange program—”
    “Hardly.” Victor Kostenko snorted as he completed his stroll around her. “And neither are you, Ms. Castle, if you really want to give me those unpleasant documents you’re carrying.”
    She bristled at his peremptory tone. “I’m afraid my presence at that reception is a command performance. May I suggest an earlier appointment?”
    “Unfortunately that will be impossible given my schedule. I’ll send a car for you at 1830 hours,” he finished, those vigilant eyes glinting as they catalogued her reaction. “Don’t be late.”
    Anger flared through her as Alexis stared up at him, absorbing the calm certainty in his tone, his utter conviction that she would yield to his diktat without a syllable of protest.
    Of course, her father had thought nothing of regimenting her life in precisely that manner, without even consulting her. And she’d resented the hell out of it. When Wayne Castle passed away, she’d seized control of her own life, and vowed not to let anyone else behind the wheel. She couldn’t tolerate being pushed around by another man who projected her father’s unquestioning authority. Especially not this Russian skipper, who exuded all the arrogance and aggression that were archetypes of the breed.
    But she had to deliver that message, and he’d just outlined the circumstances under which he would concede to take it. Yet she couldn’t deny—and couldn’t hide, damn it ten times—the wicked thrill of challenge that rippled through her.
    No doubt about it, Captain First Rank Victor Kostenko was far too sure of himself for any woman’s good.
    “I’ll report your proposal to my colleagues, captain,” she said blandly. “Will any of your comrades from MFA be joining us?”
    “No.” Looking amused, the captain extracted a fresh cigarette and a slim silver lighter from his pocket. “Do you think I’m going to require reinforcements to deal with you, Counselor?”
    She’d bet he didn’t allow himself to require or rely on anyone. But if she agreed to take this meeting tomorrow, she’d be on his turf. She wasn’t so blind cocky that she’d pass up the opportunity to secure some allies of her own.
    “As you like,” she said crisply, lifting her chin. “For my part, I’ll be accompanied by our Defense Attaché, General Baker.”
    “We won’t require the general’s presence for the dialogue I’m envisioning.” His voice deepened an octave. “Kindly arrange to leave your minders at home.”
    For a nanosecond he actually smiled, fine lines creasing in the suntanned skin around his eyes, and that flash of bad-boy charm hit Alexis like a triple shot of espresso.
    Whoa. He hadn’t picked that up at the Russian school for sub skippers. That smile made it impossible to overlook the inconvenient distraction she’d been struggling to ignore since she’d walked into the German Ambassador’s library. All his Russian brusqueness and glacial chill notwithstanding, Victor Tarasovich Kostenko was a rather unusual specimen.
    In fact, he was the type of guy she might possibly have gone for—except for that minor detail about being a high-ranking Russian officer. Which was the show-stopper, of course. He was the very last liaison any career-minded American diplomat would ever dare indulge.
    And he was doubly dangerous to Alexis, since her boss Oliver Grey had just been expelled from country for an unsanctioned sexual relationship with Kostenko’s female predecessor. Their capitals were still scrambling to establish who’d been spying on whom. As for the luckless Russian diplomat, rumor had it the Minister of Foreign Affairs had sacked her personally. While the Embassy’s security office had already warned Alexis the pissed-off Russians could target her for the payback.
    So don’t overreact to the fact that the guy’s somewhat attractive…borderline interesting…and apparently single. You’ve probably just been celibate too