Chapter 176
Chapter 176
Alexei’s hand tightened on her hip, his breath harsh over her cheek.
“Come for me.”
The second the words left him, Keira’s body shattered, her legs locking tight around his waist as her climax ripped through her. Her scream muffled in his shoulder as she clutched at him like he was the only thing stopping her from flying apart. The muscles of her core spasmed around him, pulling him deeper inside her..
“Fuck-” Alexei’s control broke with hers. His thrusts grew rougher, desperate, until he pulled out at the last second, his release painting her stomach in hot ropes as he let out a guttural groan. His head dropped forward, jaw clenched tight, body shaking above hers.
Keira lay there trembling, still catching her breath when she felt his mouth press hard and possessive against her temple. He didn’t collapse, didn’t let her breathe long enough to drift, already scooping her up with strong arms.
“Alexei-” her voice cracked, a weak protest as he carried her toward the adjoining bathroom, her body limp against his chest.
“No rest yet.” He nudged the door open with his shoulder, setting her feet down. He turned the shower on, adjusting the temperature to his liking before stepping into the stall and tugging her in after him, guiding her beneath the spray.
The water shocked her at first, hot needles prickling her raw skin. His hands stayed on her, steadying, washing the cum from her stomach, down her thighs. Her head lolled forward against his chest, exhaustion heavy in every bone.
“You’re dead on your feet.” His voice rumbled against her ear as he soaped her body in slow deliberate motions.
“Maybe ‘cause someone just wore me out,” she mumbled, lips curved faintly even though her eyes stayed shut.
Alexei huffed something close to a laugh, made quick work of cleaning them both before rinsing off the suds and shutting off the water. He grabbed a towel from the rack, wrapping it firm around her shoulders before drying himself off in quick movements. He worked her hair with the towel, careful but fast, grabbing the brush from the vanity he ran it through her long hair. Once done he tossed the brush back on the vanity, he then scooped her up again without warning.
“Bossy even in the bathroom,” she muttered faintly, arms curling around his neck.
He carried her back to bed, laying her gently down befo against him as if he was shielding her.
pulling the covers over both of them. His bare chest pressed against her back, arms caging her
Keira was asleep within seconds, her body slack and trusting in his hold. Alexei tightened his grip just a fraction, pressing his lips to her damp hair.
She stirred slowly, her body deliciously sore in places that reminded her exactly how she’d spent the night. The space beside her was still warm but empty.
Alexei’s voice drifted from the kitchen, low and urgent. It took her a moment to realize he was on the phone.
“No, Mitchell. I told you.” A pause. “I’m fine. The concussion symptoms are gone. I needed to get out of the hospital.”
Keira pulled on a thigh length robe, went to the bathroom and then padded barefoot toward the sound of his voice. She found him standing by her kitchen window, phone pressed to his ear, wearing only his jeans from the night before. Morning light played across the muscles of his back, highlightin~ the faint red marks her nails had left. Her cheeks heated. Who knew…
“I’ll be there in less than two hours,” he said, jaw tightening. “No, I do not need to be picked up.”
He ended the call and turned, catching sight of her hovering in the doorway. His expression softened immediately.
“Coffee?” she offered, moving past him to the machine.
“Please.” He watched her movements, something unreadable in his expression. “They know I left the hospital.”
20:08 Tue, 19 Aug
Chapter 176
“Figured.” She poured water into the machine, hyper aware of his proximity behind her. “How much trouble are you in?”
“Enough.” His arms came around her waist, pulling her back against his bare chest. “Mitchell’s sending a car to pick me up from my place lont ha long.”
The words settled between them like a countdown timer.
“We should talk,” she said quietly.
“Should we?” His mouth found the sensitive spot on her neck. “I can think of better ways to spend our time.”
Heat flared through her despite everything. But reality pressed in around the edges of desire. “Alexei.”
He sighed, releasing her reluctantly. “I know.”
They sat across from each other at her small kitchen table, mugs of coffee cooling between them. She wasn’t sure what they needed to say to each other but she needed something before he left.
“What happens now?” she asked.
“I go home. Deal with my father. I’ll be back before you know it.” His fingers drummed against the table. “And you?”
“I guess I look for a new job.” She managed a weak smile. “Since my boss fired me.”
“About that.” Alexei reached across the table, covering her hand with his. “I meant what I said. Not the firing part. The part about wanting you as more than my assistant. You can keep your job if you want to still work for me.”
Keira’s pulse quickened, he wanted her around when he got back. “It wasn’t more than a quick fling.” The question slipped out before she could stop it.
His eyes darkened. “After last night, you’re really asking me that?”
Heat crept up her neck at the memory. The way he’d taken control, the way her body had responded to his commands, the complete trust she’d given him. It had been unlike anything she’d ever known.
“Last night was…” She searched for words, “More than I have ever experienced before.” Needing to be honest with him.
“It’s rare for it to be that intense or that good.” He lifted their joined hands, pressing his lips to her knuckles. “I know I don’t have a great track record, but I want you and I want us.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs. “You want us?”
“I want to see where this goes.” His thumb traced circles on her palm. “I want to come back
to
just to New York.”
The honesty in his voice made her chest tight. “But you’re a prince, Alexei. With responsibilities and expectations… I’m just me.”
“And you’re worried I’ll choose duty over you.” He leaned forward. “What if I told you I’m tired of living my life according to other people’s plans?”
Before she could respond, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it and his expression darkened.
“Mitchell?” she guessed.
“My father.” Alexei stood, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “I had better go. We will talk more when I get back.”
Reality crashed back in. He was leaving. Today/And she had no idea when she’d see him again.
After he put his t–shirt and shoes back on. Kefra followed him to the front door, and he pulled her to him for a kiss, but one kiss led to two and then three. She clings to him as he starts to back her towards the bedroom only to pull away groaning. “I need to go. Remember while I’m away no making yourself
come.”
20:08 Tue, 19 Aug
Chapter 176
Keira’s cheeks heated as he pulled the door open to leave, only for them to find dozens of reporters outside waiting.
Camera flashes exploded like strobe lights as reporters surged forward, shouting questions over each other.
“Prince Alexei! Can you comment on the kidnapping?”
“Miss Warner! How are you feeling after your ordeal?”
“Your Highness, what are you doing at Miss Warner’s place?”
“Are you two romantically involved?”
Alexei’s arm shot out, pulling Keira behind him as he shielded her from the cameras. His entire demeanor shifted in an instant from the man who’d just been kissing her senseless to the composed royal who could handle any crisis.
“No comment,” he said firmly, his voice carrying the authority of centuries of royal breeding.
But the reporters pressed closer, microphones thrust in their direction. Keira caught a glimpse of herself in a camera lens… her hair was a mess, wearing
prince. only a short robe, looking exactly like a woman who’d just been thoroughly fucked by a
“Prince Alexei, are you confirming a relationship with
your
assistant?”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Miss Warner, did romance bloom during your captivity?”
Keira’s face burned with humiliation. This was her worst nightmare, reduced to tabloid fodder. She could already see the headlines: “Royal Plaything,” “Prince’s Latest Conquest,” “From Assistant to Bed Warmer.”
Alexei pushed the door closed and locked it as Keira stood there stunned.
