In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 298

Alexei shuddered above her as his own release tore through him. His fingers dug into her hips with bruising intensity. He collapsed against her back, their sweat-slicked bodies pressed together, both of them trembling in the aftermath. For several moments, they remained frozen in that position, their ragged breathing the only sound in the luxurious bedroom.

"Jesus," Keira finally gasped when she could form words again. "That was..."

"Incredible," Alexei finished, pressing a kiss to her shoulder blade. He withdrew carefully and tied off the condom, tossing it aside on the nightstand, before helping her onto the bed properly.

She curled against him, her body still humming with aftershocks. The pendant he'd given her rested cool against her flushed skin.

"Do you think anyone heard us?" she asked, suddenly remembering where they were in the royal palace, with staff and guards everywhere.

Alexei laughed, the sound vibrating through his chest under her cheek. "The walls are stone and a foot thick. I very much doubt it."

"I'm glad. I don't want talk about us." But she couldn't muster any real embarrassment. She felt too good, too sated, way too content in his arms.

"They already know I'm here," he said, fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare back. "It's not exactly a state secret."

"Your father said separate accommodations." She propped herself up on one elbow to look at him. "Propriety, remember?"

"My father says a lot of things." Alexei smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I've never been particularly good at following orders, and if you think I'm not sharing this bed with you every night… You will be in for a surprise when I come through the balcony doors."

Keira studied his face. There was something different about him here in Wystovia, almost like a weight he carried that wasn't present in New York. The responsibilities. Still, he was her Alexei: infuriating, demanding, and utterly captivating.

"Are you worried? About tomorrow?" she asked quietly, turning to look at his face.

His expression sobered. "Not about the announcement. About what comes after."

"The media frenzy."

"That, and..." He hesitated, his hand stilling on her skin. "I meant what I said earlier, Keira. This isn't just for show, not for me. But I don't want to pressure you into something you're not ready for."

Her chest tightened. This powerful gorgeous man was uncertain about her feelings.

"I'm here, aren't I?" She reached up to trace the line of his jaw. "I could have stayed in New York, faced the press. But I chose to come with you."

"Because you had no choice."

"There's always a choice, Alexei. I have a pretty powerful family remember." She leaned in, brushing her lips against his. "I'm choosing you, complications and all."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning if Niko doesn't have child soon, the line of succession falls to me and any children I might have." He sat on the edge of the bed. "I want you to understand that any child we have could be next in line for the throne."

The weight of his words settled over her and her poor eggs…

Keira felt the blood drain from her face. "Next in line for the throne," she repeated slowly. "You're telling me that if we have children, they might have to... rule a country?"

"It's a possibility. I did bring it up on the plane. I have also told you before about the pressure for me to marry, and why." Alexei's voice was measured, steady but careful. "Niko and Amelia have been married for three years. The pressure from parliament is mounting."

Keira sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. "What kind of pressure?" She tried to remember what he had said on the plane, but she had been tired and almost brain dead. The other times he might have talked about it she may not have paid a lot of attention because it didn't involve her and now it did.

"The succession kind." He ran a hand through his hair. "If the crown prince doesn't produce an heir within a reasonable timeframe, the line passes to me and… you."

Keira felt her heart hammering against her ribs. They were talking about having babies, and they hadn't even got married yet.

"You're talking about babies," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Being raised to wear crowns and make decisions that affect millions of people."