In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Keira leaned against the stone balustrade of the terrace, the cool night air providing blessed relief against her flushed skin. The distant sounds of the gala floated through the open French doors behind her, the orchestra starting another waltz. She closed her eyes, willing her

heart to settle.

What had just happened? “Pull yourself together,” she muttered, pressing her palms against her cheeks. “It’s Alexei, for God’s sake.”

Alexei, her boss. Alexei, who had women falling at his feet. Alexei, who’d never looked at her like that until tonight.

A shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the evening breeze. The memory of his hardness pressed against her, the heat of his hand on her bare back, the intensity in his eyes, it was all dangerous territory.

The sound of footsteps behind her made her stiffen. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was. She had known he wouldn’t let it go.

Alexei’s voice was low, controlled. “Running away doesn’t solve anything, Keira.”

She squared her shoulders before turning to face him. “I wasn’t running. I needed air.”

“And I need to finish our conversation.”

“There’s nothing to finish.” She crossed her arms, creating a barrier between them. Hoping he would read her body language, she said, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He stepped closer. “You can’t keep pretending there’s nothing between us!””

“Watch me. I’m tired, I want to go home.”

His jaw tightened. “Why are you fighting this?”

“Because this-” she gestured between them, “-is a disaster waiting to happen. I’m your employee. You’re a prince. Your father is pushing you toward a royal marriage. Pick any reason; they’re all valid.”

“None of those reasons matter if-”

“If what? If we sleep together? And then what, Alexei?” She shook her head. “I become another conquest? Another headline? ‘Prince beds

assistant, searches for next thrill“?”

She could see she was pissing him off, and she didn’t care. “You think that’s what this is?” His voice dropped dangerously low. “That I’d risk everything we’ve built professionally for a one–night stand?”

“Wouldn’t you?” She held his gaze. “Your track record isn’t exactly stellar in the commitment department.”

He took another step toward her, close enough now that she could smell his cologne, feel the heat radiating from his body.

“My track record is irrelevant. This is about you and me.”

“There is no you and me,” she insisted, even as her body betrayed her with a shiver. “There’s you, there’s me, and there’s a professional relationship I’m not willing to destroy.”

Alexei’s expression hardened. “You’re scared.”

“I’m pragmatic.”

“Bullshit.” He moved closer still, backing her against the balustrade. “You feel it too. Every argument, every challenge, every moment we

1/3

11:46 Sun, 10 Aug

Chapter 160

push each other to the edge, it’s been building since the day we met.”

Her pulse quickened. “That’s just… tension. Workplace friction.”

“Is that what you call it?” His eyes dropped to her mouth. “Because I have another name for it.”

For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them charged with possibility, with danger. Keira felt herself leaning toward him, drawn by some magnetic force she couldn’t resist.

Then a voice called from the doorway.

“Your Highness? Your car is ready whenever you’re prepared to leave.”

The spell broke. Keira stepped sideways, putting distance between them again as a bodyguard stood waiting at the terrace entrance. Alexei must have called the car before finding her.

“Thank you,” Alexei replied without turning. “Give us a few more minutes.”

But Keira jumped in. “No, we won’t be needing the few minutes. I’m ready to leave now.” She walked around Alexei and headed towards the bodyguard. Alexei could follow or not.

Alexei fell in beside her. “We’re not finished with this conversation.”

“I think we are,” she said, looking ahead. “If you can’t shut up, I’ll find my own way home.”

“Like hell you will.” His tone left no room for argument. “It’s nearly midnight, and you came in my car.”

อ

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify