The Royal Wager: Persuading the Playboy King / Unmasking the Maverick Prince / Daring the Dynamic Sheikh. KRISTI GOLD

sliding into her body, holding her close in his arms. But as much as he desired her physically, he longed more for her trust and respect.

      And that could prove to be the greatest challenge of all.

      Kate entered the clinic the next morning prepared for her first official day at work. Or as prepared as she could be, considering she’d had relatively little sleep over the past three days. Last night was no exception, thanks to Cecile—and to Marc. But she couldn’t be angry with either one of them, especially not after she’d observed Marc’s late-night interaction with Cecile. She’d remained hidden in the doorway of the room adjacent to the nursery when she’d heard him come in and watched in fascination as he walked Cecile around the room, comforting her until the baby had finally gone back to sleep. And Marc had left the room not knowing Kate had been there witnessing his care and concern.

      To Kate, Marc had seemed like a natural father comforting his daughter. Even if it turned out that he wasn’t the father, at least Kate was assured that Marc would step into the role with little effort if necessary.

      But right now she had to get her mind on to the business of healing.

      After checking in with the clinic’s receptionist, Kate was directed to follow Isabella, the nurse who had eyed Marc as if he were chateaubriand during their first meeting. After they entered a small lounge, she told Kate, “You may place your things in the locker,” then immediately left, as if she couldn’t quite take being in the same room with the new doctor. Maybe she viewed Kate as competition, a ridiculous assumption, Kate decided. She’d never been anyone’s competition. And she also needed to remember that the woman’s name was not Nurse Lustful so that she wouldn’t accidentally slip up.

      Kate settled into the routine without much trouble, considering she had acclimated herself to the surroundings the day before. The schedule again was hectic as Kate moved through the exams with Caroline, fueled solely by adrenaline, since she hadn’t had the opportunity to have lunch. By the time the afternoon ended, she’d seen almost twenty patients but fortunately she hadn’t seen Renault—until she kicked off her shoes and collapsed into the office chair with a cup of weak coffee and a headache that throbbed with each beat of her pulse.

      Renault eyed her stocking-covered legs exposed by the skirt she wore, and her bare feet propped on the desk. His perusal made Kate feel as if she’d taken off all her clothes. “Is there something you need, Doctor?” She regretted the words the minute they left her mouth when he sent her a sleazy grin.

      “You seem as if you have had a rough day. Perhaps I should ask if there’s anything you need from me?”

      Your absence. “I’m fine.” Kate lowered her feet to the floor and slipped her shoes back on, but she still felt grossly naked due to his continued assessment. “I was just leaving for home.”

      “Where is home, Dr. Milner?”

      How should she answer? She didn’t like the thought of mentioning a hotel in the presence of a man who fancied himself a Don Juan. She wasn’t too fond of mentioning the palace either, but at least he would realize she had guards at her disposal. Of course, she could say it was none of his business. She opted to affect courtesy and give him a partial truth. “I’m staying at the palace for the time being, until I can find a place of my own.”

      He took the chair across from her. “I believe there is a cottage available next door to my apartment. It is not far from the hospital.”

      Living on the other side of the continent from him would be too close for Kate. “Thanks for the suggestion.”

      “I also have a spare bedroom, if you are interested.”

      Not on your life. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

      He nailed her with his demonic eyes. “I believe it would be a very good idea. We could get to know each other better.”

      “I prefer to keep our relationship on a professional level.”

      “That is not as enjoyable, ma chèrie. But I assure you that my intentions are very honorable.”

      The scoundrel didn’t know the first thing about honor. “Again, I appreciate the offer but I need extra room for myself and my daughter.”

      Kate picked up her bag and moved from behind the desk, ready for a quick exit until Renault came to his feet and asked, “How is your daughter? Did her laboratory tests turn out well?”

      “She’s fine. Very healthy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

      “I find it somewhat coincidental that she looks very much like the DeLoria family. Is there any relation?”

      “Of course not,” Kate snapped, probably to her own detriment. “Why would you think that?”

      “I suppose you could say that I’ve noticed how the king looks at you. Are you lovers?”

      Are you a jackass? “No, we’re not lovers. We attended the same university in America. We’re friends.”

      “Only friends?”

      “Yes. I need to go.”

      He moved in closer like a snake in the grass. “First, I would like to say I am pleased you are working with me. Running this clinic can present quite a challenge. At times I wish that I had pursued my goal to become a surgeon.”

      No one wished that as much as Kate at the moment. “You would’ve made a good surgeon, I imagine.”

      “I am flattered, but why would you believe this about me since you have not seen me in action?”

      Kate was going to enjoy the heck out of this. “Your hands are made for surgery. Small. Easy to fit into tight spots. And you know what they say about small hands and feet. Guess that’s why you tend to overcompensate in other areas.”

      She headed out the door, smiling all the way down the hall as she reflected on the shock and chagrin on Renault’s face.

      Little man, big ego, bigger mouth.

      After exiting through the service entrance, Kate was surprised to find Mr. Nicholas hadn’t arrived to take her back to the palace. When she’d called a few minutes before, he’d said he was on his way. She decided to check the main entrance in case she’d misunderstood his instructions.

      She crossed the hospital’s vestibule and pushed through the double doors leading outside. Suddenly, hordes of reporters surrounded her, led by one balding, rotund gentleman holding a tape recorder. “Miss Milner, I have a few questions.” His English was impeccable but his clothing was not. He looked as though he’d slept in his suit, but then Kate probably didn’t look much better.

      “Doctor Milner,” she corrected, craning her neck in hopes of finding the Rolls waiting at the curb to rescue her, but it wasn’t to be.

      Cameras flashed and videotape rolled when the man said, “Could you please state your relationship with King DeLoria?”

      Not again. Why couldn’t everyone mind their own business? She had no idea how to handle this situation, but decided honesty would be her best course. After all, she had nothing to hide—except her feelings for the king. She hoped her face wouldn’t give her away. “We’re former university colleagues.”

      “Are you lovers?” another man asked.

      First Renault, and now this. Where was Marc when she needed him? “We’re friends and nothing more.”

      “Then you deny the rumor that your child was fathered by the king?” one woman shouted from the center of crowd.

      Where had that come from? She suspected she already knew the answer. Dear Dr. Renault. “Yes, I deny that,” she snapped, then added more sedately, “Before three days ago, when I arrived in Doriana to accept the hospital position, I had not seen King DeLoria in almost a decade.”

      The bald guy shoved the recorder close to her mouth. “But are you not staying at the palace with