His Majesty's Temporary Bride. Annie West

      

      Out of the shadows...

      As the illegitimate secret daughter of royalty, Cat’s life has been far from luxurious. After years of bullying, she’s set against a return to her childhood home. But her princess half sister has mysteriously disappeared ahead of her engagement to charismatic King Alexander.

      ...into the bed of the king!

      Cat agrees to stand in for her—but she didn’t agree to the electric attraction between her and Alex! He might have no idea who she really is—but when their insatiable desire threatens to strip away every boundary between them, Cat cannot hold back from the temptation of Alex’s caress...

      With Alex’s hand still cupping her face, his eyes twinkling and his long, lean body hemming her in, Cat felt a ripple of longing. Not for a royal marriage, but for this man who awoke desires she’d sublimated for too long.

       Move away. Break his hold. Say something.

      His touch tightened and need quivered through her. What she felt was real and strong. Pure and true as the swell of the sea on the pristine beach nearby.

      ‘Tell me you understand.’

      His breath warmed her lips. His thumb stroked back and forth across her cheek.

      Cat nodded. ‘You don’t want to marry.’

      ‘I’ve got too much to do. I haven’t got time for a wife. I’m not ready to be a father.’

      Yet Alex didn’t draw back. If anything, he seemed closer.

      ‘If I wanted a bride it would be different.’ His voice was husky.

      Cat didn’t trust herself to speak. His expression held her spellbound, though logic screamed that she needed to put distance between them.

      ‘If I wanted a bride I couldn’t go past those big green eyes. Or those lips. I’d be suggesting we got to know each other much better.’

      His thumb dipped from her cheek to her mouth, pressing her lower lip and dragging it down. Cat exhaled, lungs tight, as his thumb stroked her lip once, twice, till she couldn’t resist and tasted him with the tip of her tongue. He was salt and spice and frighteningly addictive.

       The Princess Seductions

      Driven by duty—destined for desire!

      A dynastic marriage is planned between Princess Amelie of St Galla and King Alexander of Bengaria. They are meant to be meeting for the first time—but Amelie has disappeared!

      Someone must stand in until Amelie returns—and who better than her secret half-sister Cat Dubois?

      But when Amelie embarks on a sizzling forbidden affair will she ever want to return?

      Find out what happens in

      His Majesty’s Temporary Bride

       Available now

      The Greek’s Forbidden Princess

       Coming soon

      His Majesty’s Temporary Bride

      Annie West

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Growing up near the beach, ANNIE WEST spent lots of time observing tall, burnished lifeguards—early research! Now she spends her days fantasising about gorgeous men and their love-lives. Annie has been a reader all her life. She also loves travel, long walks, good company and great food. You can contact her at [email protected] or via PO Box 1041, Warners Bay, NSW 2282, Australia.

       Books by Annie West

       Mills & Boon Modern Romance

       The Flaw in Raffaele’s Revenge Seducing His Enemy’s Daughter Imprisoned by a Vow

       Wedlocked!

       The Desert King’s Captive Bride

       Secret Heirs of Billionaires

       The Desert King’s Secret Heir

      Visit the Author Profile page

       at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

       Dedication

      This is my 30th book for Harlequin Mills & Boon! Thirty stories would not have been possible without the support of my fabulous editorial team in London and all the other staff who work hard to ensure my published books are the best they can be. My family, who are gracious and supportive despite my mind often being elsewhere. My writing friends, who know how to celebrate and motivate and make even the tough days fun.

      And above all you, my readers, who enjoy the books and encourage me to keep dreaming.

      Thank you so very much!

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome to the first of my two The Princess Seductions stories. I had such fun writing His Majesty’s Temporary Bride!

      This story came about because Princess Amelie of St Galla went missing. You’ll find out why in The Greek’s Forbidden Princess. A missing princess…just when her Prince Charming is due to arrive and woo her… Of course there are complications.

      Enter Cat, a sporty, sassy professional bodyguard, who seems to have nothing in common with the Princess but their uncannily similar looks. She hates pretending to be someone she’s not even more than she hates high heels and royal protocol. But she’s been made an offer she can’t refuse and finds herself pretending to be Amelie.

      I had a ball with this Cinderella story. Cat has a zest for life and an innate honesty that appealed to me and to Alex, the Prince who visits St Galla. Unfortunately he really believes she is the Princess—at least in the beginning.

      It’s a situation to make your average prince run for the hills—especially when he begins falling for her. Fortunately Alex is a man who can deal with just about anything. Isn’t that a wonderful trait in a man? The fraught situation challenges Cat and Alex to the max, and it brings out the best in them too.

      I was so happy when this pair, who got off to such a rocky start, found their happy ending. I hope you are too!

      Warmest regards,

      Annie

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       The Princess Seductions

       Title Page

       About the Author