The Royal Affair (The Palmera Royals) Read Online Free Page B

“Of course. I drove a hard bargain, but nor was I prepared to lose. You should know not to dare me, Jonas.”
    His gaze narrowed, his expression stern, mouth set in a grim downturn. “You have changed.”
    “I’ve grown up. I’m no longer controlled by what’s expected of me. I might be part of the Palmera royal family, but I’m independent too.”
    Did she really believe that? A sudden niggling thought careered through her brain. She had tried so hard to make her own life, not dictated to by royal expectation. But…was she? She’d never doubted herself before. Until now—until meeting Jonas again had dug up hopes and dreams she’d buried all those years ago.
    Now those silly dreams tried to resurface, and Marina shut them right back down. It had taken heartbreak for her to realize she couldn’t stay cooped up in her royal world, always doing what was expected of her. She’d broken free, and freedom tasted good.
    Marina twisted the T-shirt in her hands. He shot her hands a humor-filled glimpse, and his lips curled upward, highlighting his beautiful, full mouth. “I bet right now you’re wishing that T-shirt was my scrawny neck.”
    “So reading minds is one of your talents too.”
    His gaze smoldered, dark and chocolaty, igniting tiny goose bumps across her body. He dragged a hand through his silky hair, frustration etched clearly in his expression, and shook his head. “Go to bed, Princess. Tomorrow is another day, and you can return to your world.” On that note, he retreated to his bedroom.
    Just as he was about to close the door, she called out to him. “Jonas.”
    He stilled, ahnd on the doorknob, and then turned to face her. There was something in his expression, something she couldn’t read. But she could read the sadness. “Yes, Marina.”
    “I…I just wanted to say I’m sorry, about your wife, and…”
    “She was my ex-wife when she died.”
    “And your daughter. You never mentioned her.”
    “No. I didn’t, and I’m sorry. I should have.” He stepped into his room and slammed the door shut behind him, and, if she wasn’t mistaken, she heard the faint click of the lock being turned too. Staring at the empty hallway, she let out an explosive sigh.
    Walking into her bedroom, she closed the door, hesitating as her fingers hovered over the lock, and then she shook her head at the silliness of it all. No need to lock the door, because Jonas Wilder was definitely over her.
    Sleep, however, proved elusive. Moonbeams radiated through the window where she’d purposely left open the curtains. It reminded her of times so many years ago when she would sit on her sill, staring up at the giant orb in its celestial heaven wondering if this moon were the same one that other little girls watched. She wondered too what their lives were like, unable to imagine anything different from her structured world. Then she found television programs— Happy Days and The Waltons —and would wish her life was normal, just like on television.
    They didn’t have to wear silk dresses or learn to curtsey to aging relatives, and know their entire family history back five hundred years. Other little girls got to go McDonald’s, while she got to go to parties with the proviso that her bodyguard went too. Marina learned early on that her life was restrictive, and freedom became her silent war cry. Creating her business empire had been her bid for freedom.
    She’d succeeded.
    So why did she feel as if something was still missing?

Chapter Three
    As the first rays broke through night’s veil, Marina tugged the duvet up and over her shoulders and stared out at the new day dawning. She awoke refreshed, but she also awoke determined to leave as soon as possible. Road closed or not, she would find a way out ofDodge, because hopes and dreams could not be rekindled. Nothing good could come of staying in Jonas’s circle any longer.
    Hearing the clip-clop of horse hooves outside, she tossed aside the duvet and stood. For a