Royal Duties - Book One: Royal Duties

By Nikki Steele

The only good man in Kate’s life is her precocious puppy Baxter. That is until Baxter helps bring her and a handsome stranger together.

Tall, dark and mysterious, there’s something regal about the stranger—not that Kate would ever notice. She doesn’t have time for men, even men with manservants and unlimited credit cards.

But the sexy stranger has noticed her! And with Baxter’s help he’ll make sure she notices him, too. 

Royal Duties Book One is a modern, feelgood fairy tale.

But be warned! This short, steamy romance contains smoking hot scenes between a nurse and a sexy, exotic Prince Charming suitable for adults only.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NightVision Publishing
• Release date: Dec 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386628705

Book preview

ROYAL DUTIES BOOK ONE

The only good man in Kate’s life is her precocious puppy Baxter. That is until Baxter brings her together with a handsome stranger.

Tall, dark and mysterious, there’s something regal about the stranger—not that Kate would ever notice. She doesn't have time for men, even men with manservants and unlimited credit cards.

But the sexy stranger has noticed her! And with Baxter’s help he’ll make sure she notices him, too.

Chapter One

The tiny white dog dropped what looked like half a gnawed root at my feet, then raced back to the hole he was digging. I sighed, wondering not for the first time why I hadn’t chosen a cat. At least they kept themselves clean.

He paused, looking up at me with dirty snout and a sixth sense. So cute! Who was I kidding—he had me wrapped around his little paws. Baxter, come here boy.

He’d come from the pound two years ago, a tiny little ball of fluff all eyes, nose and fur, and we’d been inseparable ever since—my best friend after one day, the only constant man in my life thereafter.

Baxter’s ears pricked up at the sound of my voice. He looked from the hole he was digging to my beckoning hand, then moved toward me reluctantly, shaking dirt from his inch long white fur.

I fished his lead from my handbag. Baxter began to veer away.

Baxter...

His head turned, suddenly—mysteriously—unable to hear the sound of my voice. He began to drift toward a nearby tree as if I wouldn’t see what he was doing.

Baxter! You come here right this minute!

He stopped, then sunk down to the ground, ears flat. I called again, and he began to drag himself along it, whining as if I’d just kicked him. Little devil. He knew exactly what he was doing.

"Mommy’s got to go to work. You know I need this job. It puts food in your bowl."

He began wagging his tail at the word food. He was smart, I had to give him that. "Yes that’s right. Food. Tasty dog treats and bones and kibbles... I began to creep forward, lead behind my back, as his ears pricked up and his tail started thumping. And... and beef chews and jerky..." I leapt, but he sidestepped me adroitly. He began to trot away.

I sat down on the cold hard ground, forehead sinking into my hands. What the hell was I doing? No man and no life, working a double job to make ends meet, and in my free time what did I choose to do? Spend it at a lonely dog park talking to an animal like it was a human, then getting offended when it didn’t talk back. A tear slid down my cheek. Yep, things were going just great, weren’t they Kate?

It wasn’t that I hated my job—being a nurse could be very rewarding. But the hours were screwing me, and the men never lasted, and the last one had been a creep. Suddenly I was that lady whose life had gone by and all she had to show for it was a one bedroom apartment she was struggling to pay off, and a dog that ignored her.

The tears fell in silent earnest, the first joined quickly by another, then another. I began to cry openly. What the hell was I doing with my life?

Something cold and wet touched my leg. It snuffled, then whined, then pushed its way into my arms. I wrapped them around Baxter, feeling his warmth. He began to lick the tears from my face and I squirmed away, depression replaced by instant laughter. Oh buddy. You’re my best friend, you know that?

I gave him a squeeze. "But sometimes... sometimes I just