The Cinderella Princess Read Online Free Page A

mean. At least not on purpose.”
    That gave her an idea. Maybe she should rethink her interactions with the prince. If she approached him with more honey than vinegar in her words and deeds, things might go smoother. Luc seemed to get along with Addie, who was the definition of sweet. Emily was all for making an assignment easier.
    “Come on.” She hadn’t smiled in hours, but she forced her lips to curve upward even if the action felt unnatural. “Let’s get you into the shower. Nick will want to leave right away.”
    Luc stared at her with an odd expression. Puzzled or confused, Emily couldn’t tell. She waited for him to say or do something. He didn’t. Maybe his hangover had worsened.
    “Change your mind about a shower?” she asked, unsure what was going on.
    “No.” He stood. Stepped. Swayed.
    Timber. The word perched on the tip of her tongue. She wrapped her arm around his waist. “Hold onto me.”
    He leaned into her.
    “I’ve got you.” She grunted. Supporting his weight and keeping him steady wasn’t easy, but she managed to keep him upright. “You’re not going to fall.”
    Seconds, maybe a minute passed. She held onto him tight.
    “Lost my balance.” He steadied himself. “I’m okay now.”
    She didn’t want to take any chances and kept hold of him. “Go slow, just in case. I don’t want you to fall.”
    He gazed down at her. “I appreciate your concern.”
    Her heart thudded. That needed to stop. She couldn’t let his words make her feel mushy and want to hear more.
    Forget honey. Pour on the vinegar. “Well, if you fall and crack your head open, blood will go everywhere. I don’t want my new shoes ruined. And we don’t have time for a hospital visit.”
    “Good to have your priorities in order.” He sounded more amused than upset. “Once again, your honesty is…refreshing.”
    “Jet lag must be shutting down my filter.” She wondered, however, if his compliment was a subtle slam. Probably.
    Five days.
    Emily led him toward the bathroom ten feet away. The robe did little to hide his muscles underneath her palms. The guy was fit. He smelled pretty good after a night of drinking and needing a shower, too. “Small steps, please.”
    “I’m okay.” Luc straightened, not fully, but her head still only came to his nose. He was taller than she realized. He let go of her. “Things are no longer spinning.”
    “Good.” Emily loosened her grip, but kept her hands on him. Better safe than sorry. And touching him didn’t suck. “You’ll feel better after a shower.”
    He walked slowly, as if each step took concentration. “I appreciate your help.”
    “Who usually helps you the morning after partying?”
    “No one,” he said to her surprise. “I’ve been a prisoner at the villa for the past month. My taste of freedom may have gone to my head last night. Today is not a typical morning after.”
    Yeah, right. And she was a pretty princess waiting for her one true love to rescue her.
    She eyed him warily. “So you normally just wake up and start partying again.”
    Luc laughed. The deep from the gut sound wrapped around her like a duvet. Cozy and warm.
    Uh-oh. A royal snob and a prince of a jerk shouldn’t make her feel this way, especially one who’d likely forgotten her name again.
    “That’s what the press would like you to believe, but it’s far from the truth,” he said. “I spend the day in bed sleeping it off.”
    “Alone?” Oh, no. She hadn’t meant to say the word aloud. “Don’t answer. It’s none of my business.”
    “No, but I will answer anyway. If you hadn’t arrived, I’d be asleep. Alone.” Luc studied her as if she were a lifeform he’d never seen. “I’m no angel. I’ve never claimed to be, but I’m not a party animal intent on destroying my liver and spending my days in and out of rehab.”
    “You’ve been in rehab.”
    “I have not.”
    “I saw photos. Your parents confirmed you were there.”
    Pain flashed in his eyes. From his