Free Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) by Emma Alisyn, Danae Ashe Page B

do you do?”
    He shifted, lowering her onto the couch. “I’ll tell you soon.” A wicked grin flashed. “I’ve only gotten away with it this long because you don’t watch television. I’m sure my picture has been shown a dozen times already.”
    Oh... shoot. That didn’t sound good. If he was important enough to make the news... she wasn’t stupid. There were only a few reasons why a man like him would be on television. Either he was a celebrity of some sort, a high ranking politician - she was pretty sure he wasn’t a criminal- or some type of nobleman. It would explain the clothes, the money, the accent. His old fashioned manners.
    Hannah strained to remember her geography lessons. Her mother hadn't wanted her to learn too much about the European and Asian shifter countries during school, uncertain whether those people were demons or just another kind of human. But she knew enough to know there were a handful of monarchies, and even a few democracies with shifter governments left in the world. In America there were small communities scattered around and allowed the same autonomy as Native Americans nations.
    “Don’t think so hard,” Andrei said, mouth on her neck. “I’ll get you settled in the house tomorrow- and if you don’t like it we can look for something to your taste later- and then I have to leave. But it will only be a few days. I promise.”
     
    ***
    The house. She’d seen the like in magazines. He'd taken her up north to the Skokie area, driving to a neighborhood a few steps from the beach. The large yard was cordoned off with a stone gate, privacy provided by soaring trees. Wide arched windows greeted her awed expression as they pulled through the red gravel driveway. She could see inside the home- vaulted ceilings and pale walls. When they exited the car, he led her through a double door made of heavy wood latched in black iron.
    The house had only been the first stop, though. Her car was delivered after they arrived, and then Andrei hustled her away again to go shopping. For clothes. All kinds of clothes. And shoes. And makeup- though he preferred she keep it to a minimum. Since that was also what she preferred, she was happy to oblige. He didn’t give much opinion on her clothing choices other than to approve her choices. She wasn’t a woman who wanted to dress sexy- modesty was far too ingrained. So keeping mental eye towards a classic Princess Kate look, she chose pieces that were both bold and demure at the same time. She enjoyed colors, tailored fits and detailed finishes.
    And found she had absolutely no qualms spending his money. They were married in the ways of his people. And it was a husband's job to provide. Her daddy had always provided for the family, though Mother often sold her arts and crafts and preserves for extra money to help with little luxuries. Hannah looked forward to getting to know her new mate better, so she could learn the little things she could do for him in return for his generosity. She could never compete materially- but material things didn’t really matter.
    “You’ll be comfortable here,” he said, pressing a kiss on her forehead.
    They stood outside, Andrei’s car awaiting him. Hannah’s heart twisted at the thought of their separation- but it would only be for a few days.
    “Don’t do the staff’s job, okay? You’ll hurt their feelings.”
    Hannah grimaced. He’d brought in a bodyguard/driver and a housekeeper. Hannah struggled the first day with allowing the woman to do the tidying. Andrei mostly cooked still, though Oana obviously knew him and bullied him into taking a seat once most of the work was done. A family servant then, which told Hannah that whatever he was, it wasn’t Nouveau riche. It had become a kind of silent game between them. Unspoken was that Hannah wouldn’t cheat by simply turning on television- she ignored the shiny black set in his study- or browsing the papers at checkout. Curiosity nearly killed her- but also