Read Online His Royal Pleasure by Leanne Banks - Free Book Online Page A

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    â€œI think I read it once or twice,” he deadpanned.
    She rolled her eyes. “Okay, Al Sanders. I’m the toughest first-grade teacher at Greenfield Elementary. I hope you know what you’re getting into.”
    He didn’t have a clue, but as he watched the light in her eyes and the wind through her hair, he sure as hell wanted to find out.
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    â€œNobody else will do it,” Chad said. “So you’ve got to.”
    Katherine wavered, then thought about the greased flagpole and shook her head. “This was your lunatic idea. Find someone else. There must be a teenager in that crowd whose fondest wish is to climb on top of a bunch of men and get a tin can off the top of a greased flagpole.”
    â€œI’ve already tried. Besides, you asked me to come up with something new and physically challenging. The least you can do is show some support.”
    Chad was marginally right, she knew. Katherine exhaled with such force, it ruffled her bangs. “There’s got to be somebody,” she muttered.
    Chad must have sensed her weakening. “You. You’re light and agile. You’ve got great balance. The—”
    â€œThe two teams are ready,” Al said from the open doorway. “Have you found someone to climb to the top yet?”
    Chad threw Katherine a meaningful glance. “Yes, but she’s reluctant.”
    Just seeing Al brought a flutter to her stomach. She deliberately looked away from him. “Okay, Chad. I’ll do it. But you owe me for this one.”
    Al looked from Chad to Katherine, and an expression of disbelief crossed his face. “Not Katherine.”
    Chad shrugged. “She’s perfect for the job. She used to take gymnastics. She’s light and agile. Plus, the guests will love it.”
    Al dismissed it. “She might get hurt. We’ll get someone else. She can be the referee.”
    â€œWe’ll have some people to spot,” Chad argued.
    â€œAnd what if they miss?”
    â€œJust a minute.” Katherine frowned. They were talking about her as if she weren’t there. “I’ve already told Chad I’d do it. You’re not telling me I can’t, are you?”
    â€œYou might get hurt,” Al explained. “You’re not strong enough.”
    Chad snickered.
    Katherine and Al glared at him.
    He cleared his throat, stifling his amusement. “I, uh, think I’ll go outside with the guests.”
    A twinge of irritation compounded by lack of sleep twisted through her.
    Al’s gaze probed hers. “You don’t really want to do this.”
    She shifted. “That’s not the point.”
    â€œYou’re right,” he said with a nod. “The point is that you have no business crawling on top of nine men to reach the top of a flagpole.”
    Katherine grinned in amusement. “Oh, I don’t know. Some women might find the image of having nine men at their feet appealing.”
    Al’s mouth firmed into a straight line. “I won’t allow you to do this.” He turned to leave as if his was the final word.
    Katherine’s eyes opened wide. For a moment she was speechless. Where did he get the nerve to order her as if she were one of his employees instead of the other way around? Where did he get the right? Her temperature rose. This wasn’t the first time he’d pulled this. She tore after him. “I’m doing it. You’ve got this all confused, Al. I don’t take orders from you. I give them to you.”
    He stopped and half turned.
    â€œYou can’t order me not to climb that flagpole. Do you hear me? You can’t order me around.”
    His displeasure was almost a tangible thing. He looked big and very ticked off. At this moment no one in his right mind would cross him.
    Katherine, however, wasn’t in her right mind. His imperious attitude galled her, and it didn’t help that she kept catching herself humming