“Whydidyou change?” I love the feel of his rough beard but too soon, he removes my palm, kisses my wrist, and lets go.
“I don’t wear pantaloons and needed more places to store my weapons. Besides, I can’t imagine any self-respecting bloke agreeing to an iron codpiece.”
I hope no one’s watching because I’m blushing to the tips of my ears.
Seeing my discomfort, he adds to it. “Don’t worry luv, your secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell anyone you drooled over me donga.”
What? Embarrassment forgotten, my curiosity is piqued. He’s not using proper English and from the way he’s grinning, he purposefully let something slip. If this is a test, I’ll need him to speak again.
I don’t get a chance to ask him anything else because we’re asked to pose for a dozen photos.
Then, it’s time for a drink and I walk with him to the bar.
“I’ll have a gin and tonic... Oh shit.” I point out my mother coming across the room with a fortyish gentleman in tow. “On second thought, just seltzer. I’ll need my wits about me.”
Sir James stiffens and whispers into my ear. “That’s Yuri Lenovski AKA Romanoff. He changed his name when a DNA test revealed royal blood.”
“Seriously?” My brows raise at the poser.
“Nah, yeah.”
Hmm. I’m not sure what that means but he’s dropped me another clue. Before I can research on my phone, my mother reaches our side. “Calliope? Please meet Yuri Romanoff. He’s also interested in microwaves.”
I laugh in that polite way when people are annoyed but don’t want to show it. “EMF, mother.”
With a sexy chuckle, Yuri steps into my personal space. “I find a keen mind in a woman so refreshing.”
“Agreed. Sheisremarkable.” My bodyguard steps closer, his thighs touching mine. Then, he stretches out his hand, undaunted by my mother’s attempt to ignore him completely.
“Sir Lochlan James. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Are you a Scott?” The Russian uses an insulting tone but Sir James lets it roll off him.
“On my mother’s side. My father’s a London diplomat. I understand you’re related to the royal Romanoffs?”
Yuri smiles and puffs out his chest. “Yes. A great-grandfather on my mother’s side.”
“The man was fruitful. I read he produced over fifty bastards.”
Oh shit.My mother’s about to blow a cork so I give her a thin smile, shoot my escort a look that says stand down, and take Yuri’s hand. Better to spend time with the Russian than pistols at dawn.
“So, tell me, what is your interest in EMF?” I shoot him a genuine smile, happy to speak with someone who might understand my work.
“Is he going to follow us all evening?” Yuri glances behind us nervously where I sense Sir James at my back.
I shrug. “The earrings, you know how it is.”
“Very well, but I must insist on having you all to myself. Coffee, next week?”
With my mother listening, it’s impossible to say no. After all, this evening is about raising money to cure cancer and if Yuri was invited, he must have plenty to give away.
However, by now, I’m an expert at deflection and beam at him, politely. “First, tell me your interest in EMF.”
As he walks me toward an empty table, he holds my upper arm with his fingers too close to my breast. “It fascinates me, my dear. The fact it is so deadly and yet it’s everywhere. That it can cause madness, tumors, and burn the skin. I understand you’re studying it’s use as a weapon.”
His creepy smile and his tone send chills down my back so I step away, directly into the brick wall that is Sir James.
Heart thumping and emboldened by my bodyguard, I scold the Russian. “My research is tobanstates from using EMF not kill people.”
