Free Her Russian Hero (International Romance Series) by Mona Risk Page A

from his grasp.
    “Wait.” Sergei stepped closer and
enfolded her in his arms. “Cecilya, you have invaded my life and my soul. I
can’t let you go.” He squeezed her against him and pressed blazing lips against
her temple.
    Cecile sighed, already consumed
by his heat and her desire. How long could she fight her own heart and body?
She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of firm lips and gentle hands. For a
moment, she leaned against him, feeling cozy, cushioned by rippling muscles.
    His hand played with a lock of
her hair then caressed her cheek. She breathed in slow gulps, wishing and
waiting for his kiss. His fingers brushed over the contour of her parted lips.
Her eyelids dropped as she accepted defeat.
    Sergei’s hand slid to her back
pressing her against the hard length of his body. His mouth claimed hers, warm
and demanding. She tasted the burning vodka on his tongue and looped her arms
around his neck, welding her aching body to his muscular frame. Although, she’d
hardly swallowed two sips of her vodka, she felt drunk, intoxicated by his kiss
and the liquor. She freed her mouth gasping for air and breathed in the mingled
scents of alcohol and cologne.
    She nestled her head into the
hollow of his shoulder and her fingers combed the hair at his nape. Sergei
rested his chin against her forehead.
    “Cecilya, we can’t wait for fate
to hand us an hour here and there.” She moaned softly, sharing his frustration.
“I need to see you…privately. I’ll ask Nicolai to drive you tomorrow.” He
smoothed her hair. His hand slid to cradle her cheek. Like a kitten ready to
purr, she rubbed her face against his palm. “Will you come?” His voice grated
low with urgency.
    She nodded, without bothering to
ask where they would meet.
    His fiery gaze locked with hers,
challenging and promising. Soon.
    For one breathless moment, she
realized she would give anything to keep his arms around her body and his lips
on hers.
    Then she sobered up.
    What about the project she’d
worked so hard to obtain? She couldn’t allow herself to forget her goal in his
arms.
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
    Cecile snapped her fingers at the
audience gathered around her. “We’re not here to chitchat and drink vodka.
Today is Wednesday. You have exactly three days to clean and reorganize the
lab. The proper way.” Her sharp tone brooked no discussion.
    Together with Dr. Kadelov and
Colonel Nicouvitch, the Belarusian chemists listened to her directives with
rapt attention.
    “Alexander, please tell the lab
manager I will perform an audit on Friday, before going back to Boston. I’ll
hold him responsible for his staff’s performance.”
    Dr. Kadelov issued his own orders
in a harsh Russian that sounded like barking.
    There were a lot of da , da and okays echoing around her.
    “Good,” she said assuming
everyone agreed with her. “ Kharasho ,” she repeated in Russian “Now let’s
start.”
    Stimulated by her assertive
determination, the local chemists followed Dr. Kadelov to implement her
instructions.
    Colonel Nicouvitch approached
her. “Dr. Lornier, I need a word with you. Outside.”
    She left the lab and strode along
the hallway to the front yard. John already waited in Tania’s van. As soon as
they were out of earshot, the colonel came close to her. “My Generalle wants to discuss your findings about the Belchem Lab.” Nicolai lowered his
voice. “At seven-thirty this evening, I’ll pick you up and drive you to the
Hall of Officers, if you don’t mind.”
    She nodded, suppressing an elated
smile. As she slid in the car she informed John she needed a good night’s sleep
and wouldn’t join him in the lobby to go to dinner at seven.
    * * * * *
    “The Hall of Officers is almost
deserted at night,” the colonel explained in a hushed voice as if the walls
could hear. Honestly, she wouldn’t be surprised if they did, considering the
amount of precautions the Belarusians took to preserve their privacy.
    They arrived in front of