CHAPTER TWO

      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.

      But right now, her thoughts centered around the father of her baby. And here she’d been thinking she would never see him again. She averted her gaze from him as she knelt down next to him. She scrambled to gather her packages.

      “What are you doing here?” she asked.

      He scooped up most of the packages and straightened. “I was planning to go skiing.”

      When she straightened, she had to lift her chin in order to look him in the eyes. And that was a dangerous thing to do because every time she gazed into his eyes, she forgot what she was about to say.

      Just then a flash went off. And then another. And another.

      “What’s going on?” She glanced around as everyone was looking at them. And then the lightbulb went on in her mind. “You.” Her gaze met his again. “You are the prince?”

      His jaw flexed as his body stiffened. “Yes. I am Prince Maximilian Steiner-Wolf.”

      Her mouth gaped. Realizing that everyone was watching them, she forced her mouth closed. How was this possible? Was she really that out of touch with reality that she’d missed the father of her baby was royalty?

      She had so many questions for him, but they lodged in her throat. This wasn’t the time or the place to rehash the not-so-distant past.

      “Come with me,” he said.

      Not waiting for an answer, he took her hand and led her to a waiting black SUV. With the help of two men, they reached the vehicle without people stepping in their way.

      She wasn’t sure it was wise being alone with him, not when he still filled her dreams, but it beat being in public where everyone was watching them and eavesdropping. Once inside, she turned to him. She needed answers. She needed to know why he’d kept his title from her. She needed to know so much.

      “Not now,” he said as though reading her mind. Turning to the driver, he said, “Go.”

      “My vehicle is back there,” Noemi said.

      “Don’t worry. We’ll come back for it. Later.”

      The driver, as though used to driving through crowds, safely maneuvered the SUV past the sprawling mass of people.

      She turned to the window and stared blindly at the passing shops. This had to be some sort of dream. Perhaps she’d fallen back there and hit her head. Yes, she thought, grasping at straws. She’d hit her head and this was all a dream. Because there was no way that she was pregnant with a prince’s baby.

      “Noemi?” Max’s voice cut through her thoughts.

      She had absolutely no idea what he was asking her. She turned to him. “What?”

      “I asked where you are staying.”

      “Um...” She thought about returning to her vehicle and decided that Max was right. Later would be better to pick it up. “Take a left at the next intersection.”

      His dark brows rose. “Those are private residences.”

      She