by Risk, Mona
After a full day of work at the Belchem Laboratory, Nicolai pulled Cecile aside. “My wife has asked me to invite you for dinner. You can ride with us in the military Jeep. I have already spoken with John. Our Generalle is coming too.”
She nodded with a smile. “Thank you. It’ll be a pleasure.”
As he turned toward the Jeep, Cecile tugged at his sleeve and threw a furtive glance toward the general. “Tell me. When Sergei’s wife was sick, did he leave her all by herself?”
Nicolai spun around, scowling. Irritation clouded his gaze. “Is that what his father-in-law told you? Do not listen to Roussov. That son of a dourak is a corrupt man. He will do anything to destroy Sergei,” Nicolai said through narrowed lips. “Six months ago, our Vice-President awarded Sergei with the Vallianskaya Medaal for his dedication to our mother country. He also promoted him to Major Generalle of Belarus, at the age of forty. Roussov almost burst with jealousy.”
Her mouth curved into a smile. In her tedious routine and well-structured life, she’d never met exciting people. Working on the project took on a different perspective.
“But did she die alone?” Could the hero of Belarus be so insensitive?
“Sergei was a young colonel on a difficult mission in a bloody war. He could not desert his position in Chechnya and leave his troops.”
The revelation punched her and she fell back a step. Nicolai grasped her arm. She realized he wanted to infuse her with his loyalty toward the general he admired. “Sergei adored his wife. Sofya shared his patriotism. She never tried to hold him back.”
“But he let her die alone?” Oh God, had he no feelings?
“He couldn’t be with her.” Nicolai hissed. “His mother stayed with Sofya until the day she died. Sergei arrived in time to bury her. He did not cry but he broke several pieces of furniture in their small apartment. On her tomb, he pledged to cleanse our land from the Chernobyl pollution. Help him keep his promise, Cecile.”
Deep in her heart, she had known Sergei was innocent of Roussov’s accusations but hearing Nicolai absolve him filled her heart with relief. Nicolai helped her into the backseat of the Jeep. As she slid next to Sergei, she caught his questioning look and smiled without answering. This wasn’t the way she’d envisioned her Belarus trip. The contract she fought so hard to win was growing into something more than pure business. It was becoming a passionate mission. Sergei’s mission.
Half an hour later Nicolai and his wife, Yelena received them in a small living room with a bay window. Cecile sat next to John on the red velvet sofa. Sergei leaned against the frame of the bay window while Nicolai removed shot glasses from the cherry wood wall-to-wall unit and filled them with the traditional vodka. He handed around the full glasses.
Yelena set several plates of home-cooked hors d’oeuvres on the table covered with a hand-embroidered tablecloth. With a bright smile, Nicolai raised his glass. “As you well know by now, in Belarus, we greet our friends with a toast. Na zdorovie, moy drouk, my American friends.”
Cecile cautiously sipped her drink until she got used to the fiery liquid. She put down the small glass, her eyes watering, her cheeks burning. Toasting was now included in her job description but she needed to discuss one serious point before they became entangled in the vodka business.
She lifted a hand to request their attention. “General Fedorin has asked me to collect samples from around Minsk and take them to Boston for analysis at EAL lab. John, this task is not included in the contract.”
“You’ve got a fixed price contract. If you want to do some extra work to satisfy the Belarusians be my guest. Your company will have to absorb the cost.” John shook his head. “Can’t you ever relax and stop talking business? I need a drink.”
Cecile shrugged. She didn’t care if they drank themselves under the table. John had answered her question with a sober mind. While the men downed their drinks, she went to stand beside Sergei near the bay window. “It’s all settled, General. We’ll have your samples analyzed in Boston.” She’d met him halfway and agreed to one of his demands.
“So I heard. And you will assume the costs. My country owes you a lot.” He heaved a sigh, relief in his dark blue eyes but his lips remained stretched into a sad line.
“Please, don’t feel indebted to me. You heard John. I have the right to spend the contract money as I see fit. And he agreed that these analyses can be integrated into the project.” She placed her hand on his arm in a soothing gesture. “I know it’s difficult for the Major General of Belarus to ask for help from a woman.”
Hadn’t John mentioned they thought Cecil was a man? With male chauvinism ingrained in his culture, Sergei had probably never worked with a woman as an equal. Cecile hitched her chin to hide her disappointment.
“Oh Cecile, you are not any woman. You are the Program Manager who brought hope back to millions of Belarusians.” A devastating smile replaced his bitter expression and banished the business conversation. He stepped closer and added, “A generous and beautiful woman.”
His deep blue eyes glittered with unbearable intensity. She breathed in the scent of his aftershave and felt almost dizzy with need. A deep quiver slithered to her stomach. Her skin heated. His voice, his touch, his smell created a sensual ambiance that sent her world into a tailspin.
Outside the window, snowflakes twirled in a happy dance. Cecile wished she could walk out and cool off in the snow before she totally combusted. For the life of her, she couldn’t move away.
“Once the project starts, it will last for a few months,” Sergei reminded her.
She nodded blankly. “Yes, I know.”
“Will anyone miss you there, in Boston?” He stilled and fixed her with a strange look.
“Maybe the chemists, if they have problems.”
“No, I mean…” He rubbed a finger over her hand. “You are not wearing a ring. You are not married?”
“I broke my engagement three months ago.”
“You gave him back his ring?”
She glanced at her bare hand and tried not to think of the horrible day Rob had stolen her promotion.
“Not exactly. I dropped it in the flask of nitric acid sitting on the laboratory bench.”
Sergei burst out laughing. “In the acid? Hmm…excuse me. It is inappropriate on my part.” He cleared his throat and stared at her with obvious interest.
Cecile shrugged and looked out the window. “I’ve closed that chapter. Work is my life now.”
“I understand you. Since my wife died of cancer five years ago, I have lived only for my country.”
In his eyes, she saw a sadness that melted her heart. This man had suffered. For her own peace of mind, she preferred not to dwell on his feelings or her own.
“And now, there is no significant man to worry about you?”
No one had ever worried about her. Not even Rob, she thought with a frown of bitterness. Now at thirty-four, she steered away from any new commitment to concentrate on her work.
Sergei’s gaze locked with hers. With a jolt of pleasure, she noticed the anxious glint in his eyes.
“None.” She shook her head to emphasize her statement.
“Cecilya, I have never met a woman like you.”
She loved the local accent he added to her name, Cecilya. The unique way he pronounced it as if he were singing a Russian melody. Tania had confided that every woman in Minsk was a bit in love with the Major General. And he was finding her different? Maybe special? Could it be true?
Mesmerized, she smiled. His hand squeezed her shoulder. She snapped backward. God, how could she ignore her sacrosanct rules of never-fool-around-at-work and don’t-mix-business-with-fun? Especially after Rob.
She freed her shoulder from his hold and eased away. “General, we’ll work together on this project,” she managed to say, using his title as a protective barrier against his charm. “You’re my client, a business colleague,” she affirmed through clenched jaws, trying to convince herself as much as him.
; “Yes, we share an important project. But I also want to know you.” Sergei raked his fingers through his hair. His brows knitted as he captured her gaze.
I’d prefer not to know you better. Her heart thudded heavily as she leveled an uncertain look at his noble face. His eyes reflected the same ache, the same longing. He bent and whispered, “I wish I could take you in my arms right now, Cecilya. Keeping my hands away from you is a greater struggle than fighting on a battlefield.”
Her heart jolted. Heat suffused her cheeks and tremors flared in her belly at the intensity of his gaze. She leaned her forehead against the windowpane to cool her face and her thoughts. “Please, let’s go back with the others.”
He slid a hand to her elbow and guided her to her seat, sitting across the table to face her.
Their host refilled the glasses. More toasts followed. Cecile toyed with her shot glass. Her companions’ laughter and loud conversation reached her through a daze.
Her gaze drifted toward Sergei. He didn’t urge her to drink, didn’t touch her or talk to her. His eyebrows arched in query. A searching look in his eyes sent heat seeping to her belly. Unable to withstand the silent exchange, she heaved an inward sigh. Ignoring the food on her plate and the alcohol in her glass, she struggled to regain her composure.
At the end of the dinner, Yelena collected the dirty dishes. Cecile insisted on helping. She needed to get away from Sergei’s burning gaze. “In America, we always share the cleaning when we’re invited to a meal with family or friends. Besides, I’m curious to see a Belarusian kitchen.”
A stack of dishes in her hands, Cecile followed Yelena to the small kitchen, furnished with white cabinets and a marble countertop. Yelena hand-washed the china, trying to converse in a jumble of Russian, broken English and expressive hand gestures. While Cecile dried the dishes and silverware, she smiled and nodded, not sure she understood.
As Cecile put away the last fork and turned to leave the kitchen, she froze. The general’s massive shoulders blocked the entrance. He stepped in and spoke in Russian. Yelena edged around him to the hallway.
Cecile gasped, stunned by his audacity. “You kicked her out of her own kitchen.”
“I very politely asked her if she would allow me a few minutes of privacy to discuss the contract.” Unperturbed, Sergei chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischievous sparks. He closed the door behind their hostess.
Cecile raised her eyebrows. “General Fedorin, the Nicouvitches invited us. We can’t just abandon them to chitchat in the kitchen.”
“Trust me. We will not be missed,” Sergei assured her with a shrug. “You can hear Nicolai playing his guitar. And John is so drunk he can’t remember his name right now.”
She couldn’t suppress her laughter. He’d locked her in the kitchen to discuss the contract? Her pulse accelerated. She was afraid to guess his intentions, afraid and thrilled.
Folding her arms, she tilted her head. “Okay, what’s so urgent about the contract?”
“The contract, hmm…” He hesitated. “As far as I can see, the contract is starting well. I want to tell you how much I appreciate the effort of the…of our lovely Program Manager.” He stumbled on the words with a sheepish smile, then held her shoulders. “I like her kindness. Her delicate beauty.”
A warm tingling crawled between her legs. Her calm assurance deserted her. She knew her assertive strength would betray her in a second under the onslaught of his charm and she’d melt in his arms like a solitary snowflake under glorious sunshine. “Please, let’s go back.” She tried to disengage herself 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 the general’s office. The colonel opened the door of the antechamber with a huge key and let her pass in front of him. The soundproof duplicate doors to the office jerked open.
Sergei was waiting for them. He smiled and brought her hand to his lips. “I’m glad you came.” He led her into his office and showed her to a chair. “I hope you had a good day, Dr. Lornier. Please have a seat and tell us in layman’s words how the laboratory reorganization is proceeding.”
He sat behind his desk. The carved
lamp illuminated the area between them, leaving the rest of the room in dimness. She cringed at the strange way to give an official report, yet she related her findings and her plans. “It’ll require a lot of work but we’ll eventually succeed.”
Sergei sniffed and waved his hand in a derogatory gesture. “The Belchem scientists are a bunch of lazy guys indulging in their everlasting researches. They need some military training to learn discipline and strict schedules.” He scowled. “Let me know if you need help to handle them.”
Cecile stiffened and eyed him coldly. “General Fedorin, I am used to making people—men and women—work. We’ll reconvene in a couple of days before I leave. By then, you’ll be able to assess our work and form a more accurate opinion of our progress.”
The general smiled the half-smile she was beginning to know well and tented his fingers. “Great, you’re never afraid of challenge. Now, how about sharing a drink and a bite?”
Sergei came around his desk and edged past her to open the closet on the other side of the room. He set a bottle of vodka and glasses on the cocktail table and brought a tray of black bread, sausage and caviar. Cecile peered at him through the darkness of the room and chuckled.
“You have a real feast here.”
“Come sit on the sofa. It is more comfortable.” He gave her a hand to help her out of her chair. She smiled, appreciating his ever-present courtesy and then realized the colonel had disappeared. She scanned the room, her pulse racing in discomfort.
“Where’s your officer?”
“He has gone home for dinner with his family. He will be back in a couple of hours and will drive you to your hotel.”
“He doesn’t mind being at your beck and call?” Cecile asked, somewhat bewildered by the low-key role the dashing colonel accepted.
“Nicolai is my most loyal officer and friend. I trust him implicitly. We grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the local schools. We joined the military academy together. Being a married man, the colonel can walk with a woman without generating gossip. People will assume you’re a relative or a friend.” Sergei shrugged and added, “Or even a lover. Nobody cares about the private life of a simple colonel.”