The Cinderella Princess (10 page)

And heat. Oh, wow.

His kiss tantalized and teased. She parted her mouth, hoping he’d take the invitation. He did. Tongues mingled, danced, explored.

She combed her fingers through his hair, the way he had hers. Her insides tightened, a need suddenly growing, wanting…more.

He pulled her even closer, and she arched, pressing against him. So tall, so strong.

A bird chirped. In her imagination or real, she didn’t know. Nor did she care. His kiss was real. That was enough for her.

He moved his lips away from her mouth and showered kisses along her jawline to her ear. She melted into him. Then tingles exploded. Pleasurable sensations cascaded through her.

Oh, yes.

Emily’s control slipped. She wanted more kisses, more Luc…

Oh, no. What was she doing? She was here to find him a bride. Not kiss him herself.

She tore away from him. “Stop.”

“We’re just practicing.”

Maybe he was, but her lips throbbed. Her body burned. The kiss had been real to her. “We’ve practiced enough.”

“Maybe you have, but I’m thinking we might need a dress rehearsal. Sans cameras, of course.” He reached for Emily.

She leaned away so his hand found only air. “You have this down.”

The guy was a master kisser. Experienced. She’d never been kissed so thoroughly in her life. She doubted she’d ever be kissed as well again. Whatever princess landed him would be living a fairy tale.

Too bad, she wasn’t royalty, but she’d seen a genealogy chart. No blueblood on either sides of her family. “If you get Princess Brigitte to the kissing part, you’ll be set.”

“Thanks, perhaps if we keep practicing…”

The way his voice trailed off told Emily he was waiting for her answer. Her lips screamed yes! They wanted more kisses.

A part of Emily did, too. A big part if she were being honest with herself. But that wasn’t the part of her ruled by logic or common sense.

“No, we’re finished kissing.”

Even if her lips wanted more kisses. She had a job to do, one she couldn’t accomplish if she were kissing Luc. And liking his kiss. Make that kisses.

She needed to focus on the show, on her dream of being promoted. “If you’re kissing me that means you’re not kissing any princesses.”

“It was one kiss.”

She deflated like a balloon. Even if she’d told herself the same thing when his lips touched hers. But Luc had redefined the word kiss. “I know that.”

He raised a brow. “Really?”

Cocky ass. Now he’d just ruined the moment. Good, because she couldn’t afford any more moments with him. “Yes, so don’t act all vain. Women don’t like that.”

“What do they like?”

“Men being themselves and honest. Some flowers, dancing, and kisses won’t hurt. Most importantly, make her feel as if she’s the only woman in your world.”

A charming grin spread across his face and reached his eyes. “I can do that.”

Her heart bumped. “Yes, you can.”

And knowing that bugged the hell out of Emily.

*

That afternoon, Luc
sat across from Princess Brigitte at the small table Emily had set up complete with linen cloth, china tea service, and a crystal bud vase with one perfect red rose. Romantic, yes. Intimate, however, might be a misnomer. Crowded was a better adjective. If his hands weren’t bumping into the princess, then his knees were. Fortunately Brigitte didn’t seem to mind.

Too bad he wished another woman were sitting across from him instead. Emily had surprised him once again. This time with a kiss that seared his lips and made him want another.

Made him want…

“Each dish has been delightful.” Brigitte stared over the rim of her teacup. “Please pass on my compliments to the chef.”

“I will.” He forced himself to concentrate on the lovely princess. “The chef used recipes from Alvernia for the desserts.”

“Your country is known for its delicious pastries.”

“And yours for its beautiful royal family.”

Brigitte tilted her head in acknowledgement of his compliment. The ends of her long brown hair fell mid-back. Perfectly applied makeup accentuated her features. Her light blue short-sleeved dress was made for an outing such as this. She was exactly the type of wife he was looking for, one that would make a lovely princess bride and please his parents.

So why wasn’t he feeling any sort of attraction? And why did he wish Emily were out here instead of inside the villa with Brigitte’s secretary.

Brigitte glanced around until her gaze came to a rose bush. “This is a lovely spot.”

“One of my favorites at the villa. Though I’d never considered having tea here until today.” He raised his teacup, a silent toast to Emily. “Thank you for joining me.”

Brigitte’s closed mouth, polite-looking smile didn’t tell Luc much. But this date had gone better than any during the past month. Not bad given Emily had been here less than twenty-four hours. But he needed to concentrate on the woman sitting across from him. She could be the solution to his problem—the way for him to remain a member of the royal family and keep his foundation going.

“Your invitation surprised me.” Brigitte seemed relaxed, even though cameras were filming through the bushes. Their earlier conversations hadn’t been only about the weather and polo, but growing up royal, attending university, and their love of gelato. “I thought I’d been left off your list.”

Luc had never seen the first list or the new one for that matter. But he remembered what Emily said about making a woman feel special.

He took the rose from the bud vase, dried the water from the stem with his napkin, and handed the flower to Brigitte.

Her lips formed a perfect o, then spread into an open-mouthed smile. Her first during the tea.

“The original list of names was from the former consultant with the show,” he admitted. “I’m sorry for the oversight. I’m fortunate my new list includes you. I’m enjoying our time together.”

Luc spoke the truth. He only wished there was a spark between them, something to make him take Brigitte in his arms, dance with no music playing, and kiss her the way he had with Emily.

Brigitte raised the rose to her nose and sniffed. “Apology accepted. I’m enjoying myself. This is not what I expected.”

“What was that?”

“A Bacchanalian orgy of sorts.”

Emily was right about his reputation. “I hope you’re not disappointed.”

“Perhaps a little.” Amusement twinkled in Brigette’s brown eyes. She stood. “I’m only sorry I can’t stay longer, but I have an engagement tonight.”

Luc rose. “Duty above all else.”

“We do what we must. And sometimes, like this afternoon, that turns out better than expected.”

She must have been forced to come today.

“Thank you for joining me.” He extended his arm to escort her up the path to the villa. This was his chance to ask for a second date. He’d been turned down every time before. “Perhaps you will have time in your busy schedule to visit again.”

She studied him. Not as a princess would, but as a shrewd, calculating lawyer might. “How long do you have until your engagement presentation?”

Not nearly long enough. “Two weeks.”

Brigitte stepped towards him, rose up on her toes, and kissed him on the lips. Unexpected, but pleasant. No burst of heat or fireworks. Maybe next time?

She drew back, then smelled the rose again. “I’d be happy to visit again. Early next week?”

“I’d like that very much.” Luc would, given what was at stake.

“Then it’s a date.”

His second. And no mention of the foundation needed. He should be thrilled and want to celebrate. But all he could think about was how much better he liked Emily’s kiss than Brigitte’s.

‡

E
mily sat in
the villa’s library at a large mahogany desk. Ornate gilded bookshelves filled with hardcovers, many first editions, lined the walls. The smells of the pages and bindings were stronger than the two antique chairs in front of the fireplace and a smaller writing table on the far wall.

She clicked
yes
in the
second date
column of her database. Finding a princess who wanted to go out with him again was what Luc needed, except…

She touched her lips. No more throbbing or tingles, only the memory of Luc’s kiss from a couple hours ago. But a longing for more kept growing. Anticipation of spending more time with him prickled like pins and needles. She didn’t believe in true love’s kiss, but she wanted to kiss him again.

Partner. Partner. Partner.

The word became a mantra to help her forget Luc’s toe-curling kiss—well, practice one—and focus on finding him a bride.

“The tea went well.”

She looked up from her laptop to see Luc standing on the other side of the desk with a smile on his face. He wore a blue suit, blue shirt, and checked blue tie. His hands were behind his back.

“Brad told me.” She hit save, then closed her laptop. “Congratulations.”

He brought his arms forward. He held a pink rose in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other. “Thanks for your help.”

A weight pressed down on her chest making breathing difficult. She wasn’t used to receiving gifts. Not from a man, rather a client, let alone a prince.

Emily accepted his offerings with shaky hands. “You didn’t have to do this. I’m just—”

“Doing your job,” Luc finished for her. “I wanted to show my gratitude. My…appreciation.”

She smiled, feeling tingly all over. “Can’t get much better than flowers and Swiss chocolate. Thanks.”

“Since Nick won’t allow me to leave the grounds, I had to get creative. The rose is from the flower garden, and I raided the chef’s pantry. With permission, of course.”

Emily sniffed the rose. Sweet. “Very thoughtful of you.”

And so unexpected. He didn’t seem like the same man from yesterday morning who’d been hungover and trying to get a reaction from her by tossing back the sheet. Had she misjudged him or was he trying to play her?

Either way, she couldn’t lose her head over his gifts or crush like a teenager because of a hot kiss. Nothing could stand in the way of her getting the job done.

“I have Princess Brigitte’s cell number.” Emily handed him a Post-It note. “Send her a text in the next day or two. Just don’t go overboard.”

“Do I look like a stalker?”

He looked like a dream come true. She swallowed around the tiara-sized lump in her throat. “No, but desperate times…”

“With you here, I’m no longer feeling as desperate. I have a second date.”

“A dinner date tonight also.”

His forehead creased. “Two dates in one day?”

“Making up for lost time. We don’t have nearly enough film to make a show.” She glanced at another note on the desk. “Princess Dimitra of Crystopolas and Eros Isle will be arriving at eight.”

“Never met her.”

“She knows who you are.” Emily had spoken to the princess herself. “Let’s make the evening unforgettable.”

“Sounds good, but first I want to show you my other favorite spot here at the villa. The romantic possibilities are endless there. Might give us some ideas.”

His suggestive grin lit a spark deep inside her. If this kept up, she was going to need to carry a fire extinguisher.

Partner. Partner. Partner.

The mantra didn’t help her much. Especially gazing into Luc’s killer baby blues. She looked away. Stood.

“I’d love to see the spot. Maybe we can use it for your date tonight.”

“Or for another princess if you have more dates lined up for me.”

“Not yet, but I’m working on it.”

She was giving royal social secretaries and assistants the hard sell. Some didn’t buy her the-prince-has-a-hidden-side-no-one-knows-about spiel, but a few had. That was all he needed. The sooner Luc found his bride, the better for Dream Big Alvernia and all involved.

Especially her, who was learning first hand just how irresistible Prince Luc was. And how dangerous too.

*