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Maya Alden
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Bad Boss: A Standalone Friends With Benefits Office Romance (Golden Knights) Kindle Edition

by Maya Alden (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,430 ratings

In a world of boundaries, Raya was the line I couldn't help but cross.

Life taught me the world was a hard place. So, I built my own world. And it worked. Until Raya became more than my employee.

I thought I could handle it. I thought she could handle it. Keep business in the office, and let passion rule the night. No strings, no mess. But as we danced a dangerous dance of desire, I realized this wasn't just a game. Every touch had a cost, and the price was heavier than I imagined.

Then Raya walked away—from me, from the job, leaving a void I don’t know how to fill.

Can I convince her that together we can face our demons or is the past doomed to haunt us both forever?

Bad Boss is a standalone office romance that includes all your favorite tropes:
🖤Office romance
🖤Dark & Steamy
🖤Friends with Benefits
🖤Other Woman Drama
🖤Suspense
🖤Complete Standalone

Trigger Warning: Some scenes depict descriptions and discussions of sensitive topics. Reader discretion is advised. For more information on content warnings, please go to Maya's website

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  1. Part of series
    Golden Knights
  2. Print length
    305 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    July 11, 2023
  6. File size
    4.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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  1. "That I'll make sure you never see me again. I need to get past you…this…I want to live my life, Mateo. A full life with a man who loves me. I deserve it. Don't I?"
    Highlighted by 200 Kindle readers
  2. What he did was cruel. Did he know I was in love with him, and was that why he was shoving his latest bedmate in my face?
    Highlighted by 164 Kindle readers
  3. "Fine. I want you. But I want a relationship. Do you want that with me?"
    Highlighted by 162 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

Bad Boss
A Content Image
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"I fell in love with this couple."
—5 Star Goodreads Review

"The author did a wonderful job to give us just enough of the past to understand the characters."
—5 Star Goodreads Review

"I could not stop reading. Now I have to go back and read Dec & Esme's story. Can't wait for the others to be released."
—5 Star Amazon Review

"I loved this book more than the first. I couldn't put it down. Both the hero and heroine of the story had strong past issues. I love them both. Trust me you'll love this book."
—5 Star Amazon Review

From the Author

I loved writing Bad Boss even though it wasn't the easiest of topics. (And this is why I request you to read the trigger warnings before you proceed with reading the book). I loved Mateo and Raya and enjoyed their journey very much.

Here is an excerpt to get you started...

MATEO

She looked tired. Beautiful, but weary. Her short blonde hair was in disarray as it often was because she ran her fingers through it. She hardly wore any make up. But she didn't need to.

"Ah...Mateo, I..." She pulled out an envelope from her biker jacket pocket and put it in front of me. "I'm resigning."

I stared at her. "What?"

"I'm resigning. This is my two-week notice. I let Dec know, and he said if I didn't want to stay the two weeks, I didn't have to."

"You told Dec before you told me?" I felt my temper rise.

"I decided this weekend, and he was there. Look, Mateo. I'm going to be honest with you." She wasn't looking at me as she spoke.

"Eyes on me, Raya," I ordered as I would in bed when I was inside her.

She looked up at me immediately and satisfaction coursed through me. She was mine. Still mine.

"Mateo, I can't do this anymore."

"Do what? Use your words, querida." It was perverse to use the endearment that I used when we were together.

She swallowed. She was nervous. As she should be. "I can't have sex with you. I want more. I know you can't give me more. I can't compartmentalize the way you can. I can't keep the sex and emotions separate. I..." she closed her eyes for a moment as if gathering her courage, "I thought I could, but I can't. I want more."

"I was quite clear that this is the best you and I can have."

She smiled sadly. "I know. That's why I have to stay away from you."

"Do we divide our friends, Raya? Dec already thinks I'm a jackass. Doesn't want me around when you're there." I was once again being unfair, blaming her for my mess ups.

She looked stricken. "I'd never come in the way of your friendship with Dec. You know that. I won't come for poker nights. I'll stop seeing them."

"I get to keep the friends in this breakup?" I asked acidly.

"We aren't breaking up, Mateo. We were never together."

"And our friendship?"

"I don't think we were ever just friends, were we?"

I didn't want her to go. I'd be lost without her.

No, I wouldn't be. I'd be fine without her. I was always fine, wasn't I? Self-made and all that jazz.

"Well, then. I agree with Dec. You can pack up your stuff and leave right away. I'll let HR know to pay you for the two weeks' notice period."

Her eyes wavered for a moment and then settled into calm.

"Thanks, Mateo."

I picked up her resignation letter. "I'll make sure that this is filed with HR. You can leave your phone and laptop with Tim."

"Okay."

"Thanks for all your work, Raya. I wish you the absolute best in the future."

I looked away from her and blindly stared at my computer, telling her that the meeting was over.

"Mateo, I am sorry. I couldn't compartmentalize. I couldn't be what you wanted me to be."

I didn't look up at her. She was leaving—and that was her decision. I didn't allow myself to feel the self-loathing that was inevitably going to become part of me when she was gone. I was to blame, and she was apologizing. I knew how she felt about me. I always had. Which was why I'd kept her at an arm's distance until I couldn't. She thought she was at fault, hell, it was me.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CBQ8S6H7
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 11, 2023
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8851945960
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Golden Knights
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,430 ratings

About the author

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Maya Alden

Maya Alden

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Maya Alden is a Top 5 Amazon bestselling author. She's known for her angsty contemporary romances—where charmingly infuriating heroes always find a way to redeem themselves and steal your heart.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,430 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a good read with well-developed characters. They appreciate its emotional content, with one customer noting how it handles sensitive subjects in a thoughtful way.

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11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one customer noting it is well written and thought out.

"...it would add to your enjoyment of this book and is another great one to read as well...." Read more

"...This was a very good story, well put together and thought out...." Read more

"...I love the characters in this series, and the books are well written. Lots of fun se*y times and romance!" Read more

"...I read it in a day and a half. A great read and kept me interested." Read more

10 customers mention "Emotional content"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional content of the book, describing it as a very good story with sadness that makes it a must-read, and one customer notes how it deals with tough subject matter sensitively.

"...This was a very good story, well put together and thought out...." Read more

"I really loved this book. I did want to smack Mateo on more than one occasion. The way he treated Raya to start broke my heart...." Read more

"It was amazing story...." Read more

"...There are also some triggers and childhood trauma. This book brought up so much emotion such as anger, fear, and sadness but a must read!" Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...Although the books have interconnected characters, it is not necessary to read the first book in the series- it would add to your enjoyment of this..." Read more

"...I love the characters in this series, and the books are well written. Lots of fun se*y times and romance!" Read more

"...I am just in love with this whole series and all the characters!" Read more

"...I loved the main characters development, side characters were good but the most perfect character was Daisy, I love how she always takes care of her..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer-J1342
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally Heart Wrenching!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Bad Boss is the second book in the Golden Knight series by Maya Alden. Although the books have interconnected characters, it is not necessary to read the first book in the series- it would add to your enjoyment of this book and is another great one to read as well.

    Both Mateo and Raya have similar pasts but have dealt with them in different ways. Mateo is Raya’s boss and they have been seeing each other in secret for a while. He treats her like a dirty secret though and she finally is fed up with his treatment of her. Things from her past resurface and she decides to quit her job and move on. Mateo finally realizes what he has lost and tries to get her back not only to work for him but to also be with him out in the open. Does he grovel enough to satisfy Raya? Read and find out!
    Helpful
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  • Lolah
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sad but good
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Raya has an exceptionally tragic and heartbreaking past, that affects her in ways she refuses to acknowledge, Mateo has a somewhat similar background and handles it by seemingly burying his feelings and trying to be who he thinks he should be, instead of who he is just meant to be and be with.
    This was a very good story, well put together and thought out.
    Couldn't put it down, absolutely love Raya and her strength, even when she felt she had none, she was a force of will power.
    Highly recommend
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mo Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written romance
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The author needs to put a much stronger trigger warning on this book. The MFC suffered horrific child abuse. The MMC had bad experiences in foster care and living on the streets.
    We meet them when they are working together. At first they have a friends-with-benefits arrangement, but they fall for each other without realizing it. Events ensue, she goes to another company, their relationship goes public.
    Both main characters have trust issues, self esteem issues, and commitment issues. All related to their messed up childhoods. It takes the whole book for them to begin working through those issues. With the help of their friends (introduced in the first book) and therapy. Love conquers all and there is a HEA, including a baby being born and set up for the next book.
    I love the characters in this series, and the books are well written. Lots of fun se*y times and romance!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Meggan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Raya just broke my heart
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I really loved this book. I did want to smack Mateo on more than one occasion. The way he treated Raya to start broke my heart. I adored Raya and I feel like Mateo really came around and did everything he could to prove his love. I loved that most of the book was him coming to his senses and I also loved him chasing her. I loved his possessiveness, which often I am not a lover of. I also loved seeing him get help and therapy.

    I absolutely love the world building in this series. I love the tidbits of the lives of their friends and the friendships. It makes me crave more and I have pretty much read 3 books now in the last day and a half and I’m about to start another. I am just in love with this whole series and all the characters!
    Helpful
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  • Lacee kietzke
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Maya Alden can do no wrong! This wasn’t my fave of her boooks but it definitely was a good one! Check your trigger warnings but this was a hard fought and won HEA, strong FML hard headed MMC lol.
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  • Mariami Tsintsadze
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bad Boss
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    It was amazing story. I loved the main characters development, side characters were good but the most perfect character was Daisy, I love how she always takes care of her friends, brilliant sassy woman and being petty queen. I would recommend everyone to read this book.
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  • Deborah R.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mateo & Raya
    Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    MF, *no cheating/sharing, low heat, HEA
    3.5 stars. *they started a not exclusive relationship, but she didn't see anyone else, he did. We met Mateo and Raya in book one. She had been in love with him for 10 years, but he only wanted a physical relationship. She felt grateful for anything she could get from him, but after he started treating her bad at work, and continued to rip her heart out with his other dalliances, she finally decided to quit and not see him anymore. Of course this is when he realized he didn't want to let her go, but he still didn't think he loved her. He finally asks her to be with him again, and for a while they are both happy, but she felt he would eventually get tired of her, so when he started professing his love, she didn't trust it. When she is confronted by her horrific childhood past and thinks he and her friends will find out, she runs. He finally finds her and convinces her he does love her and want to be with her no matter what.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Tina Howell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Matteo and Raya
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book brought up so much emotion as all of Maya Alden's books do. Matteo and Raya's characters are perfect for each other. Matteo wants Raya but doesn't want Raya. He is to scare to take the step to committee. Raya decides she is done and takes steps to move forward in her life. But then something from her past shows up and she disappears. Matteo searches everywhere for her. There is a lot of groveling in this book. There are also some triggers and childhood trauma. This book brought up so much emotion such as anger, fear, and sadness but a must read!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sarah Barnes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Friends to lovers romance
    Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I was excited to read this book after hearing about Raya and Mateo in Dec's book. The author does a great job of writing some truly heartbreaking scenes for the FMC. I didn't think Mateo could hurt Raya any more than he had. It's hard to read at time and you think he's gone too far. But someone the mmc always redeems himself.
    Report
  • Hannah Murray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Some heavy subject matter
    Reviewed in Australia on November 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    When we first meet Raya and Mateo, they are both deeply affected by their pasts. He is living life up in denial. It takes him a long time to leave his cosy little nest that he made there, but he finally gets his act together and admits the truth. Raya, on the other hand, is more honest with herself about her feelings, but hides a dark, festering secret. There is so much healing for both to do before they can stop hurting each other and start a life together.

    This book deals with some extremely serious subject matter. The trigger warnings are crucial here. The book weaves the issues in with the characters’ pasts, linking them to the bigger themes of shame and self-worth. It’s a great story overall, with mild typographical errors only marring the effect slightly.
    Report
  • megan harris
    5.0 out of 5 stars who truly is the boss
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    my favourite book of the golden knights series
    friends with benefits is a interesting term because in my opinion it is usually benefits one over the other
    raya is one of the best heroines maya wrote growing up the way she did she could have gone one way but she choose a different path for herself
    she created a new family for herself as you will soon read about
    Report
  • Frouke 💖💖
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great love story
    Reviewed in Germany on October 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I cried my eyes out and my heart dropped a few times. This story was so emotional it gave me goosebumps. Maya you write a really good one. And I'm diving in to the next can't stop myself
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  • Lisa1libra
    4.0 out of 5 stars oh my goodness
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a great but also a hard book to read , lots of ups and downs but either way the right friends who care for you you will be as strong as you can be
    Report

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