Beneath Her Bastard Boss

She pushed theChapter 157

bedroom door open and marched straight to the partly opened bathroom door.

“Alexei!” She pounded on it with her fist. “I need to talk to you. Now!” She wasn’t going to look around the door… seeing Alexei hadn’t been part of her plan.

“Keira?” His voice sounded genuinely surprised from the other side of the door. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? What are YOU doing here? Sending me fifteen messages on my day off!”

The water shut off. She heard movement from her side of the door. She forced herself not to think about him being naked.

“Give me a minute,” he called.

“No! I’m not giving you another minute of my Saturday!” Her tone was clearly upset. “You’ve had plenty already!”

The door swung all the way open, releasing even more steam.

And there stood Prince Alexei, dripping wet with only a white towel wrapped low around his hips.

Keira’s words died in her throat. Oh shit.

She’d seen the photos, of course. The tabloids had made sure the whole world had seen parts of Prince Alexei. But this… this was different. This was real and right in front of her, up close and in her face. Water droplets trailed down his broad chest, over defined abs, disappearing beneath the towel. His dark hair was slicked back, water beading on his shoulders. Oh my god. She could feel the heat raise in her own body and she just stopped herself from reaching out and touching his rock–hard chest.

He looked like a goddamn cologne advertisement.

“You were saying?” He quirked that infuriating eyebrow, noticing her sudden silence.

Keira snapped her gaze back to his face, fury reigniting. “Put some clothes

”

on.

“You’re the one who barged into my bathroom demanding immediate attention.” His lips curved into that one–dimpled smirk. “Didn’t give me much choice in the wardrobe department.”

“I didn’t-” She crossed her arms. “Fine. Go put something on, and then we’re talking.”

“As you wish.” He moved past her, close enough that she caught the scent of his soap, it made her brain short–circuit for half a second. “Although most women don’t want me putting clothes on…”

“I don’t want to know Alexei.”

bed before turning to look at her. “Are you going

let his

half–naked appearance derail her. She was here to set boundaries, not ogle her boss’s abs, impressive as they might be. But she had always known that. You couldn’t hide how fit he was/under his suits, but

low/slung sweatpants and a black t–shirt that clung to

he said, leaning against the back of the lounge with arms crossed, “to what do I owe this

Chapter 157

her shoulders.

word slowly, tet, “The ones you just crossed by barging into

lunch with my sisters.” Keira crossed her arms this has to stop, Alexel. All of it. The constant demands,

never

assistant,”

her contract?

through Friday, nine–to–five.” She took a step closer. “And of course when really, really needed. Not every weekend, not after midnight, and definitely not when I’m trying to have a life outside of

her having a life. “Is that in your

decency.” She was getting fired up now, the words tumbling out faster. “You treat me like I’m an extension of your phone… available twenty–four seven, expected to respond instantly, no matter what

you well,” he

she snapped. “Not well enough to compensate for the fact that I haven’t had a proper date in over a year because I’m

lips twitched. “You

She threw her hands up. “Between your 1 a.m. crisis calls and

got his attention. His posture

“Done?”

we establish clear boundaries, or I walk. I won’t be at your beck

a long moment, his expression unreadable. He

I need you?” His voice had dropped to that dangerous

to keep her voice steady. “Like a normal boss. I’m not doing everything

smile ghosted across his lips. “I’m not

who puts up with your shit.” She met his gaze directly. “But even I have

flashed in his eyes… something that looked dangerously like respect. He stepped back, giving

“Alright.” Alexei sighed.

She blinked. “Alright?”

“No more weekend texts unless it’s urgent. No more midnight calls unless it’s a genuine

8

Chapter 157

of the

that?*