Jennifer Faye - Heiress's Royal Baby Bombshell

The truth was he was tiring of his partying ways. Moving from city to city, beach to beach and resort to resort was growing old or maybe he was getting old. In the beginning, it had been fun. The freedom had been intoxicating, but now he was starting to get a hangover from too much partying. He needed to do more with his life and to do that he had to go home—he had to officially step down from his position as crown prince in order to find his future.

That acknowledgment stabbed deep into his heart. He’d always been competitive. His parents had raised him that way. And stepping aside to let his younger brother take his place didn’t come naturally to him. But it was more than that—it was knowing he was letting down his family—his country.

His stopover in Mont Coeur was to be his last. After he hit the slopes and cleared his head, he planned to return to Ostania to have a difficult talk with the king and queen. It had been put off long enough. Then he would lead a quieter, more productive life.

The SUV slowed as they entered the heart of the resort. Max instructed the driver to pull to a stop outside a ski supply shop. He’d lost his sunglases at the end of last season and he needed a new pair of shades before hitting the slopes.

Not waiting for his security to get the door for him, he let himself out. He’d just stepped into the narrow road when someone with a camera pointed at him. Max inwardly groaned. It was going to be one of those trips where he was besieged for photos and autographs. Normally it didn’t bother him, but right now he had a lot on his mind.

“It’s the Prince of Ostania!” someone shouted.

Everyone on the sidewalk turned in his direction.

Quickly his security guards flanked him. None spoke. They didn’t have to. The serious look on their faces said they meant business. Being recognized didn’t happen all the time. However, it happened more than Max would like.

Security escorted him around the vehicle. He forced a smile as he passed the tourists and then dashed into the shop. He hoped the people wouldn’t follow him.

Inside the shop, the walls were lined with snowboards and skies. In the background, “Let It Snow” played. Colorful twinkle lights were draped around the checkout where the workers wore red Santa hats with white pom-poms on the tips.

Figuring it might be easier to search for the sunglasses on his own, he bypassed the people at the checkout who were openly staring. He turned into the first aisle and nearly collided with a pretty young woman. She flashed him a big toothy smile. He intentionally didn’t smile, not wanting to encourage her attention. He gave a brief nod and excused himself as he made his way around her.

Ever since he’d met Noemi, no other women had turned his head—not the way she had. And yet, he’d let her get away without even getting her number. He’d thought at the time that he would get over her quickly. That’s the way it’d been with the other women who’d passed through his life. But there was something different about Noemi.

She acted tough, but inside where she didn’t want anyone to see, there was a vulnerability to her. She’d let him get close enough to gain a glimpse of her tender side. Much too soon, she’d hidden behind a big smile and a teasing comment.

He could clearly recall her beautiful face. Her brown eyes had gold specks like jewels. And when he closed his eyes, he could feel the gentle touch of her lips pressed to his. With a mental shake, he chased those thoughts to the back of his mind.

It didn’t take him long to find what he wanted and then he strode to the checkout where the pretty woman was standing, pretending to check out a display of lip balm while she stared at him.

He pretended not to notice as he paid the clerk. All he wanted now was to get to his private chalet and unwind. However, when he pushed open the front door and stepped onto the sidewalk, the crowd had multiplied. Flash after flash went off in his face.

MAYBE SHOPPING HADN’T been such a bad idea.

Noemi clutched the colorful shopping bags stuffed full of goodies and headed for the door. She’d purchased some jeans in a bigger size that had spandex in them, making them so much comfier. They fit her a lot like her leggings. She’d pulled on the waistband and was surprised by how roomy they were without being baggy.

She’d also found some loose blouses and sweaters that hung down to her hips. For a while, they would hide her growing baby bump. It wasn’t the figure-flattering clothes she normally wore, but it was so much better than what she had before. And she just wasn’t ready for maternity—not yet.

As Maria had suggested, Noemi had taken time to do some Christmas shopping, including purchasing two designer sweaters. One for her newfound brother, Leo, and one for Sebastian. She and Sebastian might disagree—heatedly at times—but she still loved him.

With big black sunglasses and a gray knit beanie pulled low, she stepped outside the store and started up the sidewalk toward her car. The snow clouds had passed and the sun shone once more. Up ahead a crowd of people swarmed the sidewalk and spilled out into the roadway. She glanced around, wondering what was going on.

She would love to turn and avoid the crowd, but they were standing between her and her vehicle. And her numerous bags weren’t light. She kept moving toward them. Surely the crowd would part and let her through.

She was on the edge of the group when an excited buzz rushed through the crowd. Noemi paused and turned to a young woman who was holding up her cell phone as though to snap a picture.

“Do you know what all the fuss is about?” Noemi asked.

The young woman with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail smiled brightly. “It’s the best thing. Crown Prince Maximilian Steiner-Wolf has just arrived.”

Noemi had heard the name before, but she knew nothing of the man. It seemed as though she was in the minority as the crowd continued to grow.

Noemi glanced around, curious to see the prince.

The young woman pointed to the shop in front of them. “He’s in that store. Right there. Can you believe it? But his bodyguards aren’t letting people in.”

Noemi felt sorry for the guy. As the face of Cattaneo Jewels, she’d had her fair share of exposure to publicity, but the crowd of people forming around the store was extreme even to her. “And everyone is just standing around waiting for him to come out?”

The young woman gave her a look like she’d just grown a second head. “Well, yeah. Of course.”

Noemi nodded in understanding, even though she didn’t. Her arms ached from the weight of the bags. She continued to make her way to her car.

“Excuse me,” Noemi called out, finding it difficult to thread her way through the crowd.

A cheer rose in the crowd. Then the crowd rushed forward. At last, there was room to walk.

Thud!

Someone ploughed right into Noemi. She lurched forward. In an effort to keep herself upright, she lost her grip on the packages. They fell to the ground in a heap. Her arms waved to the side as she tried to steady herself. Suddenly there were strong hands reaching out, gripping her by the waist.

Once she’d regained her balance, she turned and found herself staring into intriguing hazel eyes. It was Max. Her heart lodged in her throat. What was he doing here? Waiting to see the prince?

“Noemi?” His eyes widened with surprise. And then a smile lifted his lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

He bent over and started to pick up all her bags. She hadn’t realized until then just how many packages there were, but Christmas was her favorite holiday. She had to make sure she bought something for everyone. Maybe more than one thing for everyone—especially her young nephew. It was going to be a difficult Christmas without her parents. And she felt driven to do everything possible to make the holiday bearable.