Read Online Royal Holiday Baby by Leanne Banks - Free Book Online

you?”
    Flames lit his eyes and he held her gaze as he moved closer to her. “Frighten?” he echoed in a low, deliberate voice.
    She felt a twist of fear wrench through her, but she refused to give in to it. She gave the shrug that had been bred into her through generations of royals. “What else should I think?”
    Stepping closer, close enough to lower his mouth to hers, he continued to hold her gaze as he gave a husky laugh. “I was giving you some space,” he said. “If you’re sure you’re ready to take me on, I’m here, Princess.”
    Her stomach dipped at the sensual attraction echoing from him to her and back again. She cleared her throat. “Perhaps after you’re finished for the day,” she suggested.
    â€œDinner,” he said. “I’ll have Hildie fix something for us. We can have dinner in my suite so we won’t be interrupted.”
    Her heart fluttered. “I’m not sure that would be a goodidea,” she said, feeling a strong urge to back track, but trying to hold firm.
    â€œDo you need a chaperone?” he challenged.
    She stifled her protests. “Of course not,” she said. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Chapter Six
    Z ach sat across from Tina in what she assumed was the outer room of his bedroom suite. Although the door was closed, she couldn’t help feeling curious about what his bedroom looked like. She wondered if she could learn more about him by seeing more of his most personal space.
    This room appeared to offer a combination of business and pleasure. They sat at a small dark wood table by one of the large bay windows. The view featured rolling hills of land that stretched as far as the eye could see. It occurred to Tina, that in a way, Zach could survey his kingdom from this window every day.
    On the other side of the room sat a large desk with a flat-screen monitor, computer and other electronic equipment. In the center of the room, a plush brown leather sofa sat across from a flat wide-screen TV mounted on the wall.
    â€œMissing the palace?” Zach asked as he stabbed a bite of steak.
    â€œNot really,” she said.
    He lifted an eyebrow in doubt. “You sure about that? I wondered if this place might seem a little rustic in comparison.”
    â€œWell, it’s not full of French antiques and the floors aren’t marble, but it’s far from rustic. You need to remember that I lived in Texas while I went to college. My first two years, I stayed in a dormitory. Not exactly the lap of luxury.”
    â€œTrue enough,” he said.
    â€œPlus, I’ve traveled all over the world and have stayed in places without air conditioning or with limited heat and water.” She frowned. “I’m not a total sissy.”
    He paused, surprise glinting in his eyes, then he gave a low laugh. “Okay,” he conceded. “No sissies in this room.”
    Mollified, she relaxed slightly and picked at her food. “I have enjoyed the quiet,” she said. “And the lack of paparazzi has been wonderful, although I’m sure that won’t last when they find out where I am.”
    â€œThey already know,” he said. “I’ve closed the gates and put a couple of men with rifles at the edge of my property.”
    â€œReally? I had no idea.”
    â€œNo need for you to know. You’re recovering and—” He shrugged. “Gestating. Those Europeans back off when they’ve got a rifle pointed in their direction.”
    â€œI’m not really that fragile,” she protested.
    â€œHey, you just said it was great to get a break from the paparazzi.”
    â€œTrue,” she said and took a bite. The steak was delicious, but her appetite had been iffy lately. She took a sip of water to wash the bite down and studied the hard planes of Zach’s face. There was so much she didn’t know about him.
    â€œWell, I suppose this is a good time for