Free Irresistible Nemesis by Annalynne Russo Page B

toward Oliver who stood next to the bar in the far edge of the dance floor. Andreas watched her converse with her boss. She covered her mouth, giggling like an innocent school girl. Oliver let his shoulders droop, clearly relaxed in the huntress’s presence. The two seemed completely comfortable with each other.
    Eva spoke briefly to the bartender before he handed her what looked like a shot of whiskey. Andreas’s gaze locked on her as she downed the drink, the muscles of throat constricted as she swallowed.
    Damn if the woman wasn’t the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. He’d been hard since he first spotted her across the room, and he had to have her.
    Eva glanced at him sideways. She licked her lips provocatively then grabbed Oliver by the hand and led him to the dance floor.
    Andreas watched as his would-be assassin glided across the room. His gaze remained riveted on her as she pirouetted on the ballroom’s marble tiles like a wing-tipped angel. Eva’s flawless beauty and impeccable grace unsurpassed by the flock of worthless chits in the room. So why on earth was she waltzing with her boss, a man more than twice her age and absolutely no sense of style? He’d never had much of an opinion about Oliver Polinski, even though several members of his coven wanted his head on a platter. But seeing him so close to Eva, one hand resting on the curve of her hip and the other caressing her bare shoulder, made him want snap the man’s neck in two.
    Three songs played as if in slow motion. Andreas tried to talk some sense into himself. He suddenly understood Eva’s reaction to Ms. Shepard.
    Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nothing going on between them.
    And even if there were, you have no claim on her.
    When the fourth song, a slow-tempo samba, played over the loudspeaker, he couldn’t stand it any longer. He was about to cut in when he noticed Ivan Olshanskey headed toward the couple, with Natasha dogging his heels. Andreas hesitated. The last thing he wanted was a cat fight to ruin his chances to get on the arts council.
    He could read lips well enough to know that Ivan was verifying some basic information about Eva including her name and address. Ivan evidently asked to see her invitation. She whipped it out and handed it to him with a hint of agitation.
    “I knew that little tramp was a party crasher. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have acted so defensive.” Natasha shouted over Ivan’s broad shoulder as Andreas approached the crowd. He saw the color of her eyes shift and knew he had to intervene before the ladies inadvertently unsheathed their claws.
    “Ladies and gentleman, what seems to be the problem?” Andreas stared back and forth between Eva and his two employees.
    His arms crossed in front of his chest. “Surely, this matter can be resolved without causing an embarrassing scene.” Eva stood still, her shoulders rigid and her head held high.
    “Your red-headed stepchild is upset because I upstaged her on the dance floor. The bitch is using her bodyguard to try and intimidate me and my friend, forcing us to leave your little soiree.”
    “Now Eva, that kind of talk is unbecoming of a lady of your stature.” Again Andreas recognized the cues from Eva’s body language. She was coiled tight, ready for battle. He placed his hand at the base of her skull, and massaged the tight muscles in her neck.
    Then, he turned to his head of security. “And Natasha, what do you think you’re doing harassing my guests?”
    Natasha shook her head and feigned innocence. “Andreas, her name is not on the official guest list. You specifically told Ivan not to admit anyone whose names does not appear on that list. I am only trying to be more diligent in light of our conversation earlier.”
    “Can’t you see that whore is lying through her teeth?” Eva fumed, then lunged toward Natasha.
    Andreas caught her around the waist a mere millisecond before she reached the source of her anger. “You’re not making this any