The Cinderella Obsession Read Free

sipped. The bubbles tickled her nose and the warmth that started in her throat slowly crept through her entire body until she wiggled her toes in the end of her pretend glass slippers. She stifled a giggle of sheer joy.
    For a while she drifted between groups of people, connecting to one and listening to the conversation for a while, then drifting on to another. The varied topics ranged anywhere from banking to the latest movies. Vanessa stayed on the outskirts, listening.
    Another waiter with a silver tray floated past and she discarded her empty glass and scooped up a full one. Vanessa paused, the rim of her glass just touching her lip, as her gaze locked on the perfect Prince Charming. An incredibly gorgeous man, he dressed the part in purple and gold, an ermine-trimmed cape slung over his shoulders and a golden circlet nestled in the dark wavy hair curling around his ears and over his collar. He wore no mask and his strong, masculine features were deftly chiseled to form a classically handsome face. As Vanessa watched in fascination, wishing she could get up the nerve to go and talk to him, he chatted amiably to a woman dressed as Snow White. A fleeting sweep of jealousy flickered through her as she realized the woman must be his date, but she pushed it aside. After all, she didn’t even belong here, let alone with a man who traveled in this social circle. What a laugh. Little Vanessa from the wrong side of the tracks on the arm of a man like that. An unbelievably attractive, compelling man.
    As she smiled at the thought, the man’s gaze flicked up and fastened on her. Vanessa froze in mid-breath, her smile locked in place. His eyes glowed. The smile spreading across his face slowly lit up his features and, though she would have thought it impossible, made him look even more heart-wrenchingly attractive.
    He said something to his companion, then strode toward Vanessa. She quickly patted her wig and brought her hand to her feather mask, ensuring it was secure. Why would he be coming over here? Did he suspect she shouldn’t be here?
    But he continued to smile so brilliantly. Maybe he just wanted to talk. But why? There were so many beautiful women around her--like the one he’d just left behind. Maybe it would be better not to find out, she decided.
    She turned and slipped through the crowd, but had only gone a few yards when someone grabbed her arm and spun her around. She found herself face-to-face with a tall, attractive man dressed as a prince from the Arabian Nights.
    "So you are here. Weren’t you even going to say hello?" His face looked taut, almost angry.
    "Hello," she stammered hoarsely.
    "What’s wrong with your voice?"
    She stared up at him, wondering what to do. If she talked, he would know she wasn’t the woman he thought she was. The only thing she could do was establish a reason why she couldn’t speak. She remembered that the woman she replaced tonight was sick, so she roughened her voice into a hoarse whisper as she said, "Laryngitis."
    "I see. You really shouldn’t use your voice but…." He took her hands and held them tightly, staring into her eyes intently. She could feel his tension like a cord tightening around them. "It’s important that we talk, sweetheart. I don’t want things to end between us. Will you meet me after the party?"
    She’d been wrong. Anger didn’t tinge those troubled eyes with darkness, but frustration, with the added shading of tenderness and concern.
    Good heavens. What had she gotten herself into? Had she dropped into the middle of a lovers’ quarrel? She didn’t want to make life difficult for the innocent woman lying sick at home tonight, but she couldn’t agree to meet him. How would she explain?
    Luckily, she didn’t have to decide because at that moment, Prince Charming arrived.
    "Amy, here you are. I didn’t think you could come." He drew Vanessa’s hand to his lips and brushed them across her knuckles. "You look enchanting."
    The touch of his lips sent