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.

irrelevant. This is about 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

hardened. “You’re

“I’m pragmatic.”

the balustrade. “You feel it

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11:46 Sun, 10 Aug

Chapter 160

other to the edge, it’s

pulse quickened. “That’s

dropped to her mouth. “Because I have

of them moved. The air between them charged with possibility, with danger. Keira felt herself leaning toward him, drawn by some magnetic

a voice called from

Your car is ready whenever you’re prepared

broke. Keira stepped sideways, putting distance between them again as a bodyguard stood waiting at the terrace entrance. Alexei

Alexei replied without turning. “Give us a

we won’t be needing the few minutes. I’m ready to leave now.” She walked around Alexei and headed

her. “We’re

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

will.” His tone left no room for

call

softened his voice. “Please. Let me at least see you

wanted to argue, but exhaustion was setting in. Fighting

conceded. “But this conversation

within ten

She turned, finding his eyes in

“What?”

said, her voice sounding small even

possible.” The honesty in his tone made her

Without thinking, she punched his shoulder, hard enough to

don’t get to

before narrowing with intensity. “You really

to,” she

bodyguards moved toward them, having

Your Highness?” The guard’s eyes fixed

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Chapter 160

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