In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 294

Keira stared at the velvet box in Alexei's hands, her heart hammering against her ribs. Now this… him giving her a ring made it seem so real.

"Alexei." Her voice came out smaller than she intended.

"It's not what you think," he said quickly, reading her expression. "Not yet, anyway." He opened the box to reveal not an engagement ring, but a delicate gold chain with a pendant. "This belonged to my mother. She left it to me."

The pendant was exquisite, a small sapphire surrounded by diamonds in an intricate setting that looked vintage and precious. Keira's breath caught.

"Your mother's?" She looked up at him, searching his face. "Alexei, I can't—"

"You can." His voice was gentle. "She would have wanted you to have it. To wear it tomorrow night."

"But what if—"

"What if what?" He stepped closer, the box still open between them.

"What if your father changes his mind about me? What if I make some horrible mistake tomorrow and embarrass your family?" The words tumbled out before she could stop them. "What if Maria is right and I don't belong here?"

Alexei's expression darkened at the mention of his cousin. "Maria doesn't get to decide who belongs in my life. My father doesn't get to decide. Hell." He cupped her face with his free hand. "You belong here because you choose to be here. Because you're brave enough to try. You know this isn't going to be easy, but you still came."

She leaned into his touch, drawing strength from him and his belief in her. "I'm terrified I'm going to mess this up."

"Then we'll mess it up together." His thumb brushed across her cheek. "Will you wear it?"

Keira looked down at the necklace again.

"Tell me about her," she said softly. "Your mother."

Alexei's expression grew distant, thoughtful. "She was... fierce. Like you. She married into this family as an outsider too, and she never let them change who she was at her core." A smile ghosted across his lips. "My father said she could charm diplomats and intimidate generals in the same conversation."

"She sounds formidable."

"She was. But she was also kind, generous to a fault. She believed the crown existed to serve the people, not the other way around." He looked at Keira directly. "I think she would have liked you very much."

His fingers slid to the zipper of her dress, sliding the tab down, pulling the dress from her shoulders until the fabric pooled around her feet.

Alexei’s mouth hovered at the delicate curve of her neck, lips brushing hot and wet along the tender skin, sending prickles rushing down her spine. He pressed deeper, mouth opening to claim her pulse point, teeth grazing lightly, eliciting a soft, ragged breath from Keira.

Her hands threaded into his hair, pulling him closer; every nerve ignited and trembling beneath his touch. She arched into him.

His tongue traced slowly, deliberate patterns along the hollow of her throat, she let out a moan she couldn't control. His hands roamed, exploring the bare skin his lips hadn’t yet reached, fingertips grazing along her skin, coaxing shivers and gasps.

Keira’s breath hitched as he dipped lower, searing kisses trailing down her collarbone to the swell of her lace covered breasts. His mouth closed around her nipple through the lace, tongue swirling expertly, sucking with a hunger that made the lace wet. She cried out into the curve of his shoulder, fingers clutching at the nape of his neck.

“Lex…” Her voice broke as her core pulsed with the need to have him there.

He groaned, the vibration soaring through her, hands kneading the fullness in his palms, claiming what was his with a needy hunger. With every suckle and flick, waves of fire ignited, pooling deep within her. She squeezed her legs together.

She twisted against him, heart pounding in thunderous rhythm with his strokes. Her hands slipped beneath his shirt, drifting over the taut planes of muscle, he was always so warm to the touch. “Lex, I want you… everywhere."