OWNED BY MY RUTHLESS BOSS

THE KISS HE SHOULD HAVE REFUSED

The annual celebration of Blackwood International was one of the most anticipated events in Blackwood City.

Every year, Alexander Blackwood hosted an extravagant party for his employees, executives, investors, and business partners. The event was famous for its luxurious decorations, expensive champagne, and the rare opportunity to see the company’s terrifying CEO outside his office.

For Elena Montgomery, however, the evening was still work.

Even at a party, she was Alexander Blackwood’s personal assistant.

And Alexander Blackwood never stopped being her boss.

Elena stood in front of her bedroom mirror, nervously adjusting her dress.

She had chosen a beautiful, deep emerald-green gown that hugged her curves and fell gracefully to the floor. The neckline revealed a little of her collarbone, while the fitted waist complemented her soft figure.

For once, she wasn’t wearing her usual office trousers or modest blouses.

Her long brown hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, and she’d applied a little more makeup than usual.

She barely recognized herself.

Her phone suddenly rang.

Sofia: “Please tell me you’re ready!”

Elena: “Almost!”

Sofia: “Elena, if you look half as beautiful as you sounded describing that dress, we’re going to have a problem.”

Elena laughed.

Elena: “It’s just a company party.”

Sofia: “Exactly! And tonight, you’re going to enjoy yourself instead of spending the entire evening working.”

Elena glanced at the small notebook lying beside her handbag.

She had already prepared Alexander’s schedule, confirmed his guests, and memorized the names of several important investors.

Elena: “I’ll try.”

Sofia: “That means you’re going to work.”

Elena smiled sheepishly.

Elena: “Probably.”

The ballroom of the Grand Imperial Hotel glittered beneath enormous crystal chandeliers.

Music filled the room, champagne flowed freely, and hundreds of elegantly dressed guests mingled beneath golden decorations.

When Elena arrived, Sofia immediately spotted her.

Sofia: “Oh. My. God.”

Elena laughed nervously.

Elena: “What?”

Sofia: “Look at you!”

Sofia stepped back, admiring her friend’s dress.

Sofia: “Elena, you’re absolutely gorgeous!”

Elena’s cheeks warmed.

Elena: “Thank you.”

Sofia: “If the devil doesn’t notice you tonight, he’s officially blind.”

Elena: “Sofia!”

They laughed together.

Then the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

Alexander Blackwood had arrived.

Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, he walked through the entrance surrounded by several senior executives.

His dark hair was perfectly styled, his expression cold, and his grey eyes swept across the ballroom.

Employees immediately straightened.

Conversations became quieter.

Even at his own party, Alexander commanded the entire room.

Elena instinctively approached him.

Elena: “Good evening, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alexander turned.

For a moment, he didn’t speak.

His eyes moved over her emerald dress before returning to her face.

Elena suddenly felt self-conscious.

Elena: “Is something wrong, sir?”

Alexander’s expression remained unreadable.

Alexander: “You’re late.”

She blinked.

Elena: “I’m actually ten minutes early, sir.”

Alexander: “Then stop standing around. The investors are arriving.”

Elena: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”

She hurried beside him.

Alexander glanced at her once more.

He had seen Elena in professional clothing for almost a month.

Tonight, she looked different.

Beautiful.

The thought arrived unexpectedly.

Alexander immediately dismissed it.

Throughout the evening, Elena remained close to Alexander.

While her colleagues danced, laughed, and enjoyed expensive cocktails, she accompanied him from one conversation to another.

She introduced business partners, reminded him of names, and quietly handed him information whenever he needed it.

Alexander barely had to ask.

At one point, he approached the bar.

Alexander: “Whiskey.”

Before the bartender could respond, Elena spoke.

Elena: “Macallan eighteen, neat. No ice, please.”

Alexander looked at her.

Alexander: “You remember?”

Elena smiled.

Elena: “Of course, sir.”

The bartender prepared his drink.

Alexander accepted the glass, studying her over its rim.

Alexander: “You remember everything, don’t you?”

Elena: “Only the important things.”

Something about her answer made him pause.

Then Daniel approached, interrupting them.

Daniel: “Mr. Blackwood, the investors are waiting.”

Alexander turned.

Alexander: “Let’s go.”

Elena followed immediately.

As the celebration continued, employees became increasingly relaxed.

Sofia appeared beside Elena carrying two cocktails.

Sofia: “Enough working!”

Elena: “Sofia, I can’t.”

Sofia: “It’s a party, Elena!”

She handed her a drink.

Elena hesitated before taking a small sip.

The cocktail was sweet.

Dangerously sweet.

Elena: “Oh, that’s actually nice.”

Sofia grinned.

Sofia: “See?”

Elena took another sip.

Then another.

She didn’t realize how quickly the alcohol was affecting her.

Later, Alexander found her standing beside the bar, laughing at something Sofia had said.

He approached.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena turned.

Elena: “Mr. Blackwood!”

Her smile was brighter than usual.

Alexander narrowed his eyes.

Alexander: “Have you been drinking?”

Elena: “Just a little, sir.”

He glanced at the empty glass in her hand.

Alexander: “How little?”

Elena considered the question.

Elena: “Maybe two?”

Sofia quietly stepped backward.

Alexander noticed.

Alexander: “Miss Carter.”

Sofia froze.

Sofia: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood?”

Alexander: “Stop giving my assistant alcohol.”

Sofia: “Of course, sir.”

She disappeared into the crowd.

Elena tried not to laugh.

Alexander looked down at her.

Alexander: “What’s amusing?”

Elena: “You scared her.”

Alexander: “Good.”

Elena giggled.

Alexander stared.

He had never heard her giggle before.

Alexander: “Drink some water.”

Elena: “Yes, sir.”

He handed her a glass.

She accepted it obediently.

As the evening progressed, Elena became increasingly tipsy.

She was still aware of her surroundings, but her cheeks were warm, her movements slower, and her usual shyness had almost disappeared.

Alexander noticed immediately.

When she excused herself to use the bathroom, he watched her walk toward the corridor.

Her heels wobbled slightly.

Alexander placed his whiskey on a nearby table.

He followed.

Not because he was interested.

Because the last thing he needed was his assistant falling and injuring herself at a company event.

At least, that was what he told himself.

Elena emerged from the bathroom several minutes later.

She stopped when she saw Alexander standing near the opposite wall.

Elena: “Mr. Blackwood?”

Alexander: “Can you walk properly?”

She blinked.

Elena: “Of course!”

She took a step.

Her heel caught against the carpet.

Alexander immediately reached forward, catching her by the waist before she could fall.

Alexander: “Clearly.”

Elena looked up at him.

His hands were firm against her waist, steadying her.

They were standing much closer than usual.

Elena: “You’re very tall.”

Alexander stared at her.

Alexander: “An extraordinary observation.”

She laughed softly.

Elena: “And very handsome.”

Silence.

Alexander’s expression changed.

Alexander: “Miss Montgomery.”

Elena tilted her head.

Elena: “But you’re also very scary.”

His jaw tightened.

Alexander: “You’re drunk.”

Elena: “A little.”

He guided her toward the wall so she could stand steadily.

Alexander: “You’re going home.”

Elena suddenly reached for his jacket.

Elena: “Alexander?”

He froze.

She had never called him by his first name.

Alexander: “What did you call me?”

Elena smiled.

Elena: “Alexander.”

His grey eyes darkened.

Alexander: “You should stop talking.”

But Elena wasn’t listening.

She was looking at his face.

At his sharp jaw.

His lips.

His eyes.

And before either of them expected it, she rose onto her toes and kissed him.

Alexander went completely still.

For one stunned heartbeat, he didn’t move.

Then he caught her gently by the shoulders and drew back just enough to look at her.

Alexander: “Elena. You’ve been drinking.”

Her smile faded slightly.

Elena: “I know.”

Alexander: “Then don’t do something you’ll regret tomorrow.”

She looked at him for a moment, her fingers still resting against his jacket.

Elena: “I’m sorry.”

Alexander’s expression was unreadable.

He could feel the temptation to close the distance again. It irritated him more than anything that had happened that evening.

But Elena was tipsy, and he was her employer.

He released her shoulders.

Alexander: “We’ll forget this happened.”

Elena stared at him.

Then the reality of what she’d done seemed to strike her.

Elena: “Oh my God.”

Her hands flew to her mouth.

Elena: “I kissed you.”

Alexander remained silent.

Elena: “My boss.”

Her eyes widened.

Elena: “I’m so sorry!”

She took a step backward.

Suddenly, the corridor seemed to tilt beneath her feet.

Her vision blurred.

Elena: “I don’t feel—”

Before she could finish, her knees buckled.

Alexander caught her against his chest.

Alexander: “Elena?”

No response.

His expression hardened instantly.

Alexander: “Elena. Open your eyes.”

She had fainted.

Alexander immediately checked that she was breathing and called for medical assistance.

After the hotel medical team assessed Elena, Alexander remained beside her.

The medic explained that she needed monitoring and should not be left alone. Although she had regained consciousness briefly, she was still weak and disoriented. The medic advised further medical evaluation because she had fainted.

Alexander arranged for her to be examined at a nearby hospital.

He didn’t leave until the doctor confirmed she was stable and could be discharged with someone responsible to watch over her.

Sofia had already gone home, and Elena was too exhausted to explain where she lived.

Alexander made a decision.

He would take her to his mansion, where his household staff could help ensure she was safe.

Blackwood Mansion stood behind enormous iron gates on the outskirts of the city.

The property was surrounded by perfectly maintained gardens, towering trees, and fountains illuminated by soft golden lights.

Alexander carried Elena through the entrance while his housekeeper hurried toward him.

Mrs. Wilson: “Mr. Blackwood! What happened?”

Alexander: “She fainted at the company party. She’s been examined. Prepare a guest room.”

Mrs. Wilson: “Of course, sir.”

Elena stirred slightly in his arms.

Elena: “Alexander?”

He looked down.

Alexander: “Go back to sleep.”

She murmured something unintelligible before resting her cheek against his chest.

Alexander tightened his hold just enough to keep her secure.

For the first time in years, the enormous mansion didn’t feel quite so empty.

Elena woke slowly beneath unfamiliar silk sheets.

Her head felt heavy.

The room smelled faintly of expensive cologne, and the mattress beneath her was far softer than her own bed.

She blinked.

This wasn’t her bedroom.

Then she felt something warm resting across her stomach.

An arm.

A man’s arm.

Elena froze.

Very carefully, she turned her head.

Alexander Blackwood was lying beside her.

His dark hair was slightly messy, his eyes closed, and one muscular arm rested across her soft stomach.

Elena’s heart nearly stopped.

Oh. My. God.

She tried to lift his arm.

It didn’t move.

She tried again.

Alexander stirred.

His arm tightened reflexively for a moment before he opened his eyes.

Their faces were dangerously close.

Elena stopped breathing.

Alexander looked at her.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then his deep, sleepy voice broke the silence.

Alexander: “Stop moving.”

Elena’s eyes widened.

Elena: “M-Mr. Blackwood?”

His grey eyes opened fully.

He looked down at his arm, then at her horrified expression.

Slowly, he released her and sat up.

Alexander: “You’re awake.”

Elena pulled the blanket toward her chest.

Elena: “Why am I in your bed?”

Alexander rubbed a hand over his face.

Alexander: “That’s a very long story.”

Elena stared at him.

Then fragments of the previous evening began returning.

The party.

The whiskey.

The corridor.

His hands around her waist.

And—

The kiss.

Her face turned scarlet.

Elena: “Oh, no.”

Alexander looked at her.

Alexander: “Remembering something?”

Elena covered her face.

Elena: “Please tell me I didn’t kiss you.”

Alexander leaned back against the headboard.

His expression was as cold and unreadable as ever.

Alexander: “Unfortunately, Miss Montgomery…”

He paused.

Alexander: “You did.”