His Royal Pleasure by Leanne Banks Read Free Book Online

her head automatically. He might as well ask for one of her lungs.
    â€œNo.” He lifted his shoulders in a masculine shrug. “What a shame. You’ll have to find someone else.”
    Exasperation swept through her. “But—”
    â€œYou’re not being equitable. You want something from me when you’ll give me nothing.”
    â€œI’ll pay you,” Katherine offered.
    The children began to get restless. “Do the sword again, Mr. Al,” one called.
    â€œYeah, do it again,” another one said.
    â€œIt’s up to you,” Al said to Katherine.
    The kids got louder, and Katherine vacillated. This was crazy. She hardly knew the man.
    â€œI can’t,” she whispered.
    â€œThen I guess we’re at a stalemate.” He turned to the children. “That’s all for today, kids. Talk to Katherine if you want to learn more. She’s in charge.”
    Past a chorus of moans and protests, she glared at him.
    He grinned.
    Fearing a riot, she grabbed his arm as he began to leave. “There’s got to be something else you want.” She cringed at how suggestive that sounded. “Something like Saturday nights off, or the use of my car.”
    He thought it over for a moment and nodded. “Saturday nights off, yes. And the use of your car. Add one more thing.”
    â€œWhat?” she asked suspiciously.
    â€œAnswer my questions.”
    Katherine was nonplussed. She’d been certain he’d ask for something more, perhaps something provocative.
    â€œKatherine?” Al prompted.
    Heat scorched her cheeks, and she drew a breath of thanks that he couldn’t read minds. Answering questions wasn’t difficult. After all, she’d led a pretty boring life except for her brief marriage, and she’d developed a pat uninformative response due to countless inquiries she’d received from reporters. It seemed harmless enough. Two children pulled on her leg and asked for cookies.
    Katherine shrugged. “Fine.”
    He gave her a devastating smile and garnered the attention of the entire room simply by clapping his hands together and picking up the sword. He had such a powerful, commanding presence that even she was awed. The cookies were forgotten, and Katherine wondered again what she’d just gotten herself into.
    Â 
    That evening Katherine skipped her late-night swim and watched a movie on television. Since Chad was in hot pursuit of Suzanne, Katherine and Al shared the evening together.
    It should have been comfortable. After a long, hot bath and dinner, she should have been happy and relaxed. They both sat on the plaid sofa, she on one end, he on the other. But Al’s proximity unsettled her, and her gaze kept wandering to him.
    His hair was damp and ruffled from a shower. He’d changed into a pair of khaki canvas shorts and a yellow pullover. There was nothing seductive about his clothing. Still, she noticed how the yellow of his shirt contrasted with his tanned skin. The gap left by his open collar hinted at the dark chest hair beneath.
    Her gaze fell to muscled legs brushed with brown hair. His powerful thighs spread wide in a typically male position. Remembering how he’d felt pressed against her, she felt a rush of heat.
    Mentally cursing, Katherine sighed and forced her attention back to the TV.
    â€œBored?” Al asked.
    â€œNo. I guess I’m just tired,” she said, keeping her gaze trained on the screen.
    â€œYou’ve earned it. You never told me what Logan had to say.” Al turned away from the TV and faced her.
    â€œNow that would bore you.” Katherine smiled grimly.
    â€œAre you welshing on our agreement?”
    Katherine looked at him. He appeared displeased. “Welshing?”
    â€œYou agreed to answer my questions,” he pointed out.
    â€œOh.”
    â€œI’m waiting.”
    Katherine thought about making an early night of it, but her conscience won. She sighed