Royal Holiday Baby by Leanne Banks Read Free Book Online Page A

the least of my concern. Get some rest. If you need anything, let Hildie or me know. I’ll let her take you into town so you can get what you need tomorrow.”
    She still looked vulnerable. His hands ached to pull her against him, but he resisted the urge. She wasn’t exactly the same woman who had gone to bed with him months ago. Back then, he hadn’t known she was a princess. Back then, she hadn’t wanted him to know. She’d wanted one anonymous night just as he had. Now, everything was different. In a way, they were strangers more now than ever before.
    She licked her lips and a flash of that dark night of need snapped through him. “Thank you for taking me away. For bringing me here.”
    Zach gave into the urge to stroke her hair and cup her head. “I know you’re still wound tighter than a spring, but you’re safe here. Soon enough, you’ll realize you can relax.And no thanks are necessary. I wouldn’t have it any other way. ’Night Tina.”
    She took a deep breath that seemed to tremble out of her when she exhaled. “Good night, Zach.”

Chapter Five
    W hen Tina awakened the next morning, the sun slithered through the curtains covering the windows. She heard a vague vibrating sound, but couldn’t quite place it. Glancing at one side of the bed then the other, she squinted at the clock on the nightstand. 10:30 a.m.
    Embarrassment rolled through her. Oh, my Lord. She’d slept for twelve hours. Everyone would think she was the clichéd princess, accustomed to rising late, when that couldn’t be further from the truth. The soft buzzing sound continued and she finally placed the noise. Her cell phone. Blinking, she pushed her hair from her face and slid out of bed. Where had she put the darn thing?
    Following the sound, she finally found it beneath her discarded clothes from the night before. At the moment, she wore one of Zach’s T-shirts and the well-worn cotton felt delicious against her skin. She pulled out her cell phone and surveyed the recent calls. Her brother, her sister in Paris, hernext youngest sister, her assistant, her brother, her brother, and her sister in Paris.
    Sighing, she mentally formed a strategy for each call and pushed speed dial for her brother.
    â€œHow long are you planning on staying there?” her brother demanded as he picked up the phone.
    â€œI’m not going to have a long discussion. As I told you before, I’m here in Texas of my own free will. Not sure when I’ll return. I’m figuring things out.”
    â€œFiguring things out?” her brother echoed. “And how are we supposed to deal with this? I’m shocked at your lack of consideration.”
    â€œConsider it belated rebellion,” she said. “I’ll be in touch when I can give you more information.”
    â€œBut Tina, how are we to explain this to the press?”
    â€œI don’t really care,” she said. “You have professionals on staff to take care of this. Let them do their job.”
    â€œAnd what about your appearances?”
    â€œEither cancel them or let my sisters step up. Take care, sweetie,” she said and disconnected the call.
    She called her sister in Paris to reassure her that she hadn’t been abducted. Ericka was shocked that Tina was pregnant out of wedlock, but recovered enough to offer Tina any and every assistance.
    â€œHow could you do this to me? I’ve only been out of college for two years and just when I’m enjoying life in Florence, Stefan insists I move back to Chantaine?” her younger sister, Bridget, said when Tina called.
    â€œThat’s two more years than I had,” Tina said, more blunt than she’d ever been with her younger sister.
    â€œBut this is a terrible scandal,” Bridget said. “There will be questions every which way I turn. How will I answer them?”
    â€œThat’s what the palace PR is for. They will help