Royal Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page B

interesting speculation of all was whether she could make him smile.
    That was her sole goal in being here.
    Normally, anywhere she went she was treated with the utmost respect. Everyone she met practically fell over themselves to supply her every whim. But Dr. Jacobs didn’t know she was Princess Catherine von Husden. He’d had no idea when they’d met the day before yesterday that he’d been in the presence of royalty.
    Royalty schmoyalty. What good was a gem-encrusted tiara, she wondered, if it kept you guessing whether people were treating you well simply because you were who you were, or because they truly wanted to be your friend?
    She wanted Dr. Jacobs to be her friend. Heck, that wasn’t the full truth. She wanted more from him than that. She’d come to Portland seeking a naughty adventure. This vacation she’d planned would be her one and only chance to experience the sparks that flashed between a man and a woman.
    All she had to do was figure out how to make his sparks flash. Catherine chuckled at the thought.
    However, instinct told her that if she was going to get anywhere with the good doctor, the first thing she had to do was make him smile.
    Two short raps on the door had her lifting her gaze. Dr. Jacobs pushed his way into the small exam room, his brow marred with a frown.
    â€œSo where are you hurting? You strain a muscle in the gym?”
    Nothing like being direct. He was so grumpy, it was kind of cute.
    â€œHello to you, too,” she said.
    Her bright greeting made him pause. He remained silent, just looking at her, and Catherine took full advantage of the quick second to give him a thorough once-over.
    His eyes were a rich shade of brown with enticing flecks of amber. His eyelashes were thick. His hair—chestnut-brown with deep red highlights—was short and traditionally styled. She liked his clean-cut look. His smooth skin had an olive tone.
    â€œWhen you were training to become a doctor,” she quipped, “you must have missed the lesson on bedside manner.”
    The bedazzling smile she offered him had won over the Queen of England, herself. Surely it would charm him, too.
    His frown faded, but his wide mouth didn’t curl up at the ends as she had hoped it would. Well, she’d just have to try harder.
    â€œJust trying to get down to business.” He tossed the file onto the counter and reached for the stethoscope draped around his neck.
    â€œI can’t say I know a thing about being a doctor,” shebegan, “but I’d think part of the ‘business’ of treating people is garnering their trust. Putting them at ease so they’ll feel comfortable enough to tell you about their problem.”
    His jaw went tight. Apparently he didn’t take kindly to her friendly advice.
    Feeling suddenly mischievous, she wondered just how far she could goad him until he caught on that he was being goaded.
    â€œWhat would it hurt for you to have come into the room and greeted me with a happy hello?”
    He dipped his chin just a bit. “Lady, I don’t give anyone a happy hello.”
    That didn’t surprise her in the least. “Well, maybe you should. And how about asking about my day? That might be nice.”
    The man looked about to implode, and Catherine could barely contain her laughter.
    â€œDo you know,” she continued, “that we met two days ago, sat down together and talked, and you never even introduced yourself. I didn’t know your name until I asked Dr. Lassen. You’re too tense, Dr. Jacobs. Too focused.” She pinched her chin between her thumb and fingers, narrowing her gaze. “Do you think that’s a problem you might need to work on?”
    A storm brewed all around him.
    â€œI’ll have you know,” he said, “that up until a week and a half ago, I was treating real patients with real problems. I didn’t have time for happy hellos.” Annoyance tightened the