In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 258

His chuckle vibrated through his chest. "Practical as always."

They lay together in silence, their bodies gradually relaxing against each other. Despite everything, the danger, the uncertainty, the fear Keira found herself growing drowsy, lulled by Alexei's steady heartbeat beneath her cheek.

"Why did you walk away at the gala?" he asked suddenly, his voice quiet in the darkness.

The question caught her off guard. She lifted her head slightly, trying to see his expression, but his face was shadowed.

"I was scared," she admitted after a moment.

"Of me?"

"Of this." She gestured between them, though he probably couldn't see the movement. "Of feeling something I can't control."

His hand moved to her hair, fingers tangling gently in the strands. "And now?"

"Now we're locked in a warehouse by kidnappers, and I'm lying in your arms in a dirty dress with no underwear on." She gave a short laugh. "Perspective changes things."

"That's not an answer."

She sighed, letting her head drop back to his shoulder. "I don't know, Alexei. I've spent so long pushing people away that I'm not sure I remember how to let someone in. I scare men you see. I can't always control my mouth, and I seem to get myself in trouble."

"You let me in and I see you for who you are," he pointed out. "You fight me at every turn and don't take my bullshit. Do you know how refreshing that is."

"That's different."

"Is it?" His fingers continued their gentle movement through her hair. "Or is it just that being here, like this, strips away all the bullshit reasons we tell ourselves why something won't work?"

Keira was silent, considering his words. Was that it? Had it taken a kidnapping for her to finally admit to herself that what she felt for Alexei wasn't just attraction or annoyance or rivalry, but something deeper?

"Maybe," she conceded finally. "But even if that's true, it doesn't change the fact that we're from different worlds. Your family… and my family don't belong in the same playing fields."

"Are all probably working together right now to find us," he finished for her. "And even if they weren't, do you really care what anyone else thinks anymore?"

Keira didn't move, couldn't move. Something was happening, something that had started to change between them. Had they not been kidnapped Keira was sure she would have pushed him away maintaining the wall between them.

Alexei's hand rose slowly, brushing a strand of hair from her face with gentle fingers. His touch lingered against her cheek, questioning.

"Keira," he whispered, her name a question and answer all at once.

Before she could respond, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, hesitant giving her every chance to pull away.

But she didn't pull away.

Instead, she found herself kissing him back, her body responding to his as if it had been waiting for this moment. His mouth was warm against hers, the kiss deepening as her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

The danger surrounding them temporarily forgotten. There was only this…his lips on hers, his hands threading through her hair.

When they finally broke apart, Keira's heart was racing. She stared at him, breathless.