Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

Chapter 2

Alexei stood at the window and saw the female photographer hurry across the park and onto the sidewalk. He had been watching her for a while now, observing her as she snapped away with her camera at the models in flashy outfits standing in poses he didn’t think existed. She was professional and quick, laughing and joking with everyone around her. A few times he had caught a glimpse of her smile and he had been drawn in.

He had only gone to the window to have a break from his work, which seemed to have stalled. And now Alexei had got distracted with the photo shoot in Central Park and the petite photographer. He couldn’t tell what she was really like from a distance and her body was covered up with a woolly hat and windbreaker but Alexei couldn’t take his eyes off her.

There had been a moment when a young model wearing a black leather jacket and jeans had approached her and then for a moment the woman had stiffened. Alexei had wondered what was going on. Was he an ex-boyfriend? Was he a threat? For some reason he felt his chest tightening.

This was bad if he was feeling emotions for a woman he had never met.

It was when she started running across to his gallery that Alexei left the window. She was coming here? What for? Trying to not look excited, Alexei made his way downstairs and across the gallery floor. He could see the woman arguing with one of the removal men, her words coming across to him through the open door.

“Why are you getting rid of this piece? And without a cover? That’s just nuts.”

“Nothing to do with me, lady. I just get paid to move things.”

But she was clearly not taking that for an answer.

“Who said you could move that without so much as a by your leave?” She demanded.

Alexei stood in the doorway and crossed his arms.

“I can.”

The woman spun around. Up close Alexei was taken aback. She was lovely. Petite, black hair poking out from under her hat, lovely slim legs and smooth dark brown skin like mahogany. Her eyes were the color of dark chocolate and she had long eyelashes, a pert nose and the loveliest mouth Alexei had ever seen.

He felt his body waking up but he pushed these thoughts away. Now was not the time. And in his slacks his thoughts would be obvious. He ignored his body demanding that he got up close and personal and focused on her face, trying not to look at her mouth.

“You’re the woman taking pictures in the park, aren’t you?”

The woman blinked. She had been staring at him with her mouth open, her eyes wide, as if she was just as stunned with him as he was with her. Asking her that seemed to knock her out of her trance.

“I am.” Her eyes narrowed. “How did you know?”

“I’ve been watching you from my window. You’re good.”

Was she blushing? Now she looked flustered. Alexei could see the removal men watching them and beckoned her inside.

“Come on in out of the wind. If you need to talk, you can speak to me in here.”

She came with him without objection. Alexei gave the removal men a glare and shut the door. Then he turned to the woman, who had taken off her hat and was looking flustered. Her hair was cut short in a pixie style, slightly sticking up in different directions. She looked cute like that.

“Look, I know you’re busy but…”

“What’s your name?”

Her voice trailed off as she looked stunned at the sudden question.

“What?”

“What’s your name?”

For a moment she looked like she had forgotten her own name. But she gathered her thoughts and swallowed.

“Maya. Maya Featherstone.”

Maya. Nice name. Alexei held out a hand.

“It’s a pleasure, Maya.”

He shook the hand Maya gave him, almost in stunned amazement. Warmth touched his hand and zinged up his arm. Alexei had to brace himself at the sudden surge of lust that ran through his body. He had no idea what was happening; he had never been attracted to a woman as fast as this. Even his ex-wife hadn’t created this reaction within moments of meeting. There was something about Maya Featherstone that Alexei found himself craving.

Was this a good sign? Alexei didn’t know.

He coughed and carried on, dropping Maya’s hand when he realized he was still holding it as he stared at her.

“I’m Alexei Petrov. I’ve just bought the gallery.”

“You’re the new owner?”

“I am.” Alexei tried to keep himself calm. He didn’t want to start acting like a preening peacock in front of this woman; he had a feeling it wouldn’t impress her at all. “Are you having a problem?”

It was then Maya seemed to remember what she was there for.

“You could say that. Why are you taking out that painting?”

Alexei glanced towards the van, which was being closed up and the removal men were getting in.

“It’s not as popular as the other pieces in here and I thought it was best to get rid of it. It won’t be destroyed but it doesn’t have a home here.”

“Get rid of it?” Maya looked outraged at this. “But it’s a beautiful painting. I think it’s the best of the lot.”

Alexei frowned. She seemed to strongly think that but he didn’t recognize her. And he knew all of the people who came in there.

“I’ve never seen you here before.”

“I’ve never seen you here before but that doesn’t mean anything.” Maya shot back. “Whenever I can I come in and just look at it. It’s my favorite artwork.”

Alexei could well believe it with the anger simmering just below the surface. He wished he could help out but he wasn’t going to put up a painting he didn’t really like and wasn’t much liked by the other people who came in, just to satisfy one woman.

Even if that woman had gorgeous legs and a mouth to die for. Alexei had a feeling if he saw the rest of her body he would have his lust in overdrive. The thoughts of what she had underneath her windbreaker were going wild.

“Well, I’m sorry, Maya, but I can’t keep it here just because you like it. It’s not popular and the patrons who come in here are all I care about.” He frowned. “Why are you getting so worked up over a painting?”

Maya’s eyes flared. She looked beautiful when she was angry.

“I don’t know about paintings but I do know a good one when I see one.”

“So do I.” Alexei shot back. He stepped up close to her, breathing in her subtle perfume. Dior, he was sure. She had good taste. “I work in the art world and have for years. Don’t presume I don’t know what’s good and what’s not.”