“I was thinking just one more. For Locke. To keep him company.” She looked up at him, letting him see the yearning in her eyes.
“For Locke.” His mouth twitched.
“And me. And you,” she allowed, giving a little tug on his collar to entice him to come down for a kiss. “We know the signs to look for. You wouldn’t let me lose myself again.”
“I would not. I refuse to lose you to anyone or anything. I love you far too much.”
“So maybe that’s a yes?”
“That’s definitely a passionate yes.”
She smiled as they got started.
* * * * *
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ISBN: 9781488059551
Beauty and Her One-Night Baby
Copyright © 2020 by Dani Collins
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For questions and comments about the quality of this book, please contact us at [email protected].
Harlequin Enterprises ULC
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She didn’t see her own beauty…
Then he unmasked it!
Royal assistant Hester knows playboy Prince Alek is totally out of her league. Shockingly, out of the blue, he proposes a marriage of convenience! In return, she’ll have millions to help disadvantaged women. Warily, Hester agrees…
To retain the throne he’s sacrificed everything for, Alek must choose a bride. It’s Hester’s quiet discretion that catches his attention…until their unstoppable chemistry reveals her startling beauty and inner fire. Alek sees the queen that Hester could truly become—but the real question is, can she?
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
Dear Reader,
The inimitable Audrey Hepburn famously said she liked fairy tales best of all and, finally, I have something in common with her!
I, too, love fairy tales. I think they’ve endured and entertained for a very particular reason—wrapped up in the magical creatures and crowns are emotional experiences and truths that resonate within everyone.
For me The Ugly Duckling is particularly relatable. Who hasn’t ever felt awkward or as if they don’t belong? And many of us have experienced loneliness or bullying.
So it’s wonderfully moving to journey with a character who’s survived hardships and see them grow into the person they’re meant to be. And it’s the hurt on the inside that is far harder to overcome than an external makeover—fun as that is!
Hester is my “ugly duckling.” I loved gifting her Alek, who holds up the mirror, enabling her to see her beauty—both internal and external—and believe in who she really is. It’s that self-belief that then allows her to accept love.
I hope you enjoy Hester’s transformation and her impact on Alek in turn…in his discovery of the magic of love.
Sincerely,
Natalie
Once Upon a Temptation
Will they live passionately ever after?
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a billionaire—or eight! Each billionaire had riches beyond your wildest imagination. Still, they were each missing something: love. But the path to true love is never easy…even if you’re one of the world’s richest men!
Inspired by fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast and Little Red Riding Hood, the Once Upon a Temptation collection will take you on a passion-filled journey of ultimate escapism.
Fall in love with…
Cinderella’s Royal Secret by Lynne Graham
Beauty and Her One-Night Baby by Dani Collins
Shy Queen in the Royal Spotlight by Natalie Anderson
Claimed in the Italian’s Castle by Caitlin Crews
Expecting His Billion-Dollar Scandal by Cathy Williams
Taming the Big Bad Billionaire by Pippa Roscoe
The Flaw in His Marriage Plan by Tara Pammi
His Innocent’s Passionate Awakening by Melanie Milburne
Shy Queen in the Royal Spotlight
Natalie Anderson
USA TODAY bestselling author Natalie Anderson writes emotional contemporary romance full of sparkling banter, sizzling heat and uplifting endings—perfect for readers who love to escape with empowered heroines and arrogant alphas who are too sexy for their own good.
When she’s not writing, you’ll find Natalie wrangling her four children, three cats, two goldfish and one dog…and snuggled in a heap on the sofa with her husband at the end of the day. Follow her at natalie-anderson.com.
Books by Natalie Anderson
Harlequin Presents
The Forgotten Gallo Bride
Claiming His Convenient Fiancée
The King’s Captive Virgin
Awakening His Innocent Cinderella
Pregnant by the Commanding Greek
The Greek’s One-Night Heir
Conveniently Wed!
The Innocent’s Emergency Wedding
One Night With Consequences
Princess’s Pregnancy Secret
The Throne of San Felipe
The Secret That Shocked De Santis
The Mistress That Tamed De Santis
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
For my own Prince Charming and the four delightful sprites we’ve been blessed with.
I love you.
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
CHAPTER ONE
‘FI?’
Hester Moss heard the front door slam and froze.
‘Fifi? Damn it, where the hell are you?’
Fifi?
Hester gaped as it dawned on her just who the owner of that voice was. As Princess Fiorella’s assistant while she was studying in Boston, Hester had met a few of the important
