The Cinderella Princess Read Free Page B

tone—a result of his hangover?—didn’t detract from the high cheekbones, straight nose and full lips. Classically handsome described him. His only physical flaw seemed to be a small scar beneath his left eye. But the slight imperfection made his looks more interesting.
    From an accident, sports or a fight? Most likely a jealous boyfriend or husband. Yeah, she could see that.
    Emily realized she was staring and looked away. She focused on artwork hanging on the wall. A gilded framed oil painting. The landscape consisting of rich, jewel-tone colors fit the luxurious décor of the room and Prince Luc himself.
    She’d known he was handsome from his photographs, but she hadn’t been prepared for his knock-her-down charisma and sex appeal. Or the sound of his voice that washed over her like a caress. Or him wearing nothing, but a smile.
    She took a breath, then another. She still felt like she’d sprinted a hundred yard dash and needed a breather.
    Addie returned with a full glass of water. Her gaze traveled from the prince to Emily. “Everything okay in here?”
    “Fine.” Luc took the water and drank.
    Maybe he was fine. Emily wasn’t. She took two steps back.
    Had she really called him Alvernia’s Adonis?
    So not good.
    But the guy did have a killer body…face…blue eyes… Those thick eyelashes were to-die-for. Seriously.
    She’d never understood the definition of swooning before, but the prince made her feel weak-kneed and all-too-feminine. She didn’t like it. Or him. She stepped back again.
    “Shower?” he asked.
    An image of the white robe slipping off his muscular shoulders and the opening widening at his chest, then lower, made her swallow. Hard.
    If she didn’t stop the fantasy in her mind, she was going to want to get in the shower with him.
    No. NO. NO!
    Her answer had to be no.
    Getting Luc to the bathroom, let alone the shower, meant being close to him. Touching him. That might sound the wake-up call to her hibernating ovaries. She didn’t want her biological clock to start ticking for another ten years or so.
    N-O.
    “I—” Emily’s voice cracked. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had made her feel like this. She bit her lip.
    A serious expression formed on Luc’s handsome face. He glanced at Addie. “If Emma—”
    “Emily.” Getting worked up over a man who didn’t remember her name was the definition of pathetic. She thought about her mom sticking with her dad for so many wasted years. With a flick of the proverbial switch, Emily’s attraction for Prince Luc disappeared. She would never be like her mom.
    Emily squared her shoulders. “My name is Emily.”
    “My mistake.” His attention remained on Addie. “If Emily isn’t up to the task, perhaps you’ll help me shower.”
    Addie pinned him with a stare before Emily could say a word. “Got a death wish? Because if my husband—”
    “Oh, right. Nick.” Luc flashed Emily a this-will-be-fun smile. “Looks like you’re it.”
    Lucky her. A prince with a hangover and short-term memory issues. Who wouldn’t want this gig?
    No worries. Saying no might have been her first instinct, but she couldn’t. Until the prince was back at the villa and his search for a wife underway again, he was her responsibility. Don expected results. She wouldn’t disappoint her boss.
    What was the big deal helping Luc to the shower? He’d caught her off guard. She would be better prepared now. She appreciated the male physique. Never mind that Luc was a stranger or a prince. A naked guy was just that—naked. Nothing left to see except his backside. No reason to stress out.
    Resolve firmly tucked into place, she raised her chin. “I’ll help you.”
    So what if Prince Luc was nothing but trouble wrapped in a sexy package of movie star gorgeous looks, to die for wavy brown hair that curled at the ends, triathlete muscles and wiggle-you-out-of-your-panties charm?
    She had this.
    Emily glanced at Addie. “Call room service. Order lunch.