The Cinderella Princess Read Online Free Page B

hangover or from the truth, she didn’t now. But a part of her wished she could take back the words.
    “You’re in advertising. You should know better than to believe everything you see in the media.”
    Emily waited for him to say more and defend himself. He didn’t. “That’s all you’re going to say.”
    “You’ve made up your mind.”
    She had. “But most people would—”
    “I’m not most people.” He stopped at the bathroom doorway. His hard gaze locked on hers. “I am a prince of Alvernia.”
    The pride in his voice and change in his posture sent a chill running through her. Regal was the only way to describe him.
    “I will not discuss this further,” he added.
    His dismissive tone made her feel as if she’d been caught spreading rumors. Being nice had backfired. So had being her typical self. What now? Emily turned on the light in the bathroom.
    A white marble countertop provided the perfect backdrop to the gold fixtures and large mirror. A toilet and a bidet were off to the left next to the tub.
    He entered the bathroom. Squinted. “Is there a way to dim the light?”
    “No. But I can turn off the light if you don’t mind the dark.”
    “That will be best.”
    She lowered the toilet lid. “Sit until the water’s warm enough.”
    He did.
    She turned off the light, then propped open the door with a towel so the bathroom wouldn’t be pitch black. She pushed back the shower curtain and turned on the tub faucet. “Taking a bath in the dark will be safer than standing in the shower.”
    “I’ve never been one to take the safest path.” He sounded like he might be smiling, but she focused on the warming water. “I’d rather shower.”
    Of course he would. She checked the water temperature. “Warm enough. Step into the tub. I’ll close the curtain, then you can hand me your robe and switch the water stream from the faucet to the showerhead.”
    “Turn on the showerhead now. I’ll disrobe, then get in.”
    She didn’t want him in her face naked again. That would be too distracting, even with the lights off. “I prefer my plan.”
    “Yours is complicated. Mine is simple. You’ve seen me naked.”
    “Yes, but I’m trying to avoid impropriety. One wrong step, you hurt yourself. Imagine help arriving with you naked and me trying to explain what happened. Word would get out. The press would be nothing but hyperbole. That would mean trouble for both of us.”
    “Not to mention blood on your new shoes.”
    That made her smile. “Must avoid ruining the shoes.”
    A beat passed, then another. “Help me into the tub, hang up my robe, then step outside. Leave the door ajar. I’ll call if I need assistance.”
    “You feel steady enough?”
    He stood. This time he didn’t sway. “Yes.”
    Thank goodness. She blew out a breath of air.
    “That relieved?” he asked.
    She helped him into the tub, then closed the shower curtain. “You have no idea.”
    “You do realize you’re missing out on seeing me undress.”
    His playful tone made her laugh. Of course, he was right. His personality might leave a lot to be desired, but not his body. “I do. I’ll just have to console myself.”
    “With champagne?”
    She heard him taking off the robe. Tried not to think about him undressing. “Chocolate.”
    A bundle of fabric pushed around the edge of the curtain. She took the robe and hung it on the back of the door. “You’re all set.”
    “I believe I am.”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    “I have a feeling if anyone can find me a princess bride, it’ll be you, Emily Rodgers.”
    A sense of pride swelled at his words. He’d remembered her name, too. “That’s why they sent me. I won’t let you down.”
    *
    Twenty minutes later, Luc found a white button-down shirt, gray pants, boxer briefs, a pair of gray socks, and a yellow tie on the bed. He dressed.
    Emily must have done this. She seemed the type to have researched what outfit a royal should wear based on the time of day and