Read Online The Russian Seduction by Nikki Navarre - Free Book Online Page A

charm the ladies, but she was no longer tempted to encourage him. She might be obliged to work with her ex-husband and live practically on top of him in the fishbowl Embassy compound, but she was determined to confine their relationship to strictly professional terms. Letting him into her heart had destroyed her the last time and, despite his frequent assertions to the contrary, she knew Geoff hadn’t changed. He was still a serial cheater and a serial liar about relationships, and Alexis was finished being played.
    “Trust me on this one, Geoff. Kostenko’s here for business,” she said, as though she hadn’t heard his casual invite. “This is not a man who frequents tepid diplomatic functions when he’s in the mood to play.”
    “He’s hunting you in your natural habitat.” Seemingly unaware of her discomfort, Geoff shadowed her as she made for the door. “The man’s entire career has been dedicated to stalking American assets. You’re simply the latest target he’s locked on to.”
    “Even if that were true,” she pointed out, “it would be my problem to deal with.”
    “The devil it would,” he muttered in her ear, clearly conscious of the crowd. “You’re my principal deputy, for God’s sake, and a damn good one. Sleep with a Russian naval officer, Alexis, and you can kiss your career goodbye. They’ll think you’ve been compromised—and perhaps they’d be right.”
    As if that wouldn’t suit you. He spoke like a friend who had her best interests at heart, but she knew him well enough to read the subtext. Despite herself, she was wounded by his willingness to throw her to the wolves. And she resented the hell out of it, considering how hard she worked for him.
    Blinking back the sudden moisture that stung her eyes, she hurried through the door with her ex still in pursuit. Safely beyond earshot of their guests, she forced the words out.
    “If you feel that way about my integrity, Geoff, perhaps I should explore the feasibility of a transfer. Yekaterinburg or Vladivostok, maybe—someplace several time zones away. At least that way I’d be out from under your shadow.”
    “You used to like it there,” he said softly. Sighing, she angled her path toward the ladies’ room. “Only it wasn’t my shadow you wanted to be under, was it?”
    “Too bad for me,” she murmured, “given the number of other women jockeying for the spot. Now stop harassing me, Geoff, unless you want to cause a scene in front of the security cameras.”
    That stopped him, as she’d known it would. Like her father, Geoff Chase always put appearances first. He paused to adjust his silver silk tie, and she hurried into the ladies’ room, relieved beyond measure to find she had it to herself.
    She spent a few minutes before the mirror, cooling down: splashing cold water on her wrists, unbuttoning the oyster wool blazer over her smoke-colored camisole, dabbing a few drops behind her ears from the Coco Chanel in her purse. The dark musky fragrance teased her nostrils, reminding her of last night’s erotic fantasy. She glanced away from her reflection: pupils dilated, pale cheeks tinged with color, a few tendrils escaping the sleek knot she’d twisted her hair into that morning.
    Maybe I should let my hair down—figuratively speaking. That traitorous thought snuck in below her radar. Much as I hate to admit it, I’ve been restless lately…and it can’t be the job. Professionally speaking, I’m exactly where I’ve planned to be.
    Maybe a torrid affair with an incredibly sexy Russian would be just the thing. It’s been two whole years since I slept with Geoff. I’ve lived like a nun, for God’s sake.
    Lightly she touched the blue-white diamonds she rarely removed from her earlobes—a gift from her proud father the day she’d been sworn into the Foreign Service. The happiest day of his life, he’d told her.
    What am I doing? Guilt shadowed her features. Her high-octane career, the exotic locales, the heady whiff