The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone

lights.”
    “A whimsical touch.”
    “If you like that sort of thing.”
    “You don’t?”
    The lights made Emily think of a fairy tale or amusement park. “I’m practical.”
    That meant even though she was embarrassed for opening up the way she had about her parents, she was also relieved knowing what was at stake for Luc. Failure had never been an option, but she felt more urgency knowing about the king’s ultimatum.
    “Yet you plan romantic dates,” Luc said.
    “I’m here to help.”
    She spoke the words as much for his benefit as hers. He was a client, nothing else. So what if the secluded spot he’d taken her to this afternoon was the perfect setting for another kiss? His kisses weren’t meant for her.
    “Is your microphone on?” she asked.
    “Not yet.” He motioned to the pack he wore at his waist. “Nick taught me how to turn it off and on.”
    “Turn it on.” The words came out like a captain’s order. She softened her voice. “The princess will be here any minute.”
    “Nervous?”
    “No.” Emily straightened another flower. “I want tonight to go well for you.”
    “Look at this table, the flowers, the lights, the pool, and me.” A charming smile spread to his eyes. “What could go wrong?”
    “Nothing. You make James Bond look like he shops at a thrift store and cuts his own hair.”
    Luc gave a mock bow. “I aim to please.”
    If only he could please her… Emily swallowed a sigh.
    The villa’s butler, a man in his fifties named Aldo, stood at the doorway to the drawing room. He cleared his throat. “Her Royal Highness Princess Dimitra of Crystopolas and Eros Isle.”
    “I’m going to slip into the darkness.” Emily headed into the pool cabana where the crew had set up their equipment. The location gave her a perfect view of the terrace. She couldn’t wait to see Luc on a date. She’d been speaking with Princess Brigitte’s secretary and missed watching the tea.
    “Hey,” she whispered to Dylan. “Ready?”
    “All set.” His left headphone was off his ear. “I’ve got twenty bucks riding on this princess kissing him longer than the first one did.”
    Emily’s stomach did a somersault. “Brigitte kissed Luc?”
    “Right on the lips. She looked like she wanted another one, but she had to leave.”
    Emily knew how the princess must have felt wanting more. Except Brigitte’s kiss hadn’t been for practice. Hers had meant something. The thought left Emily feeling uneasy. A stupid reaction when her goal was to find Luc a wife.
    “Here comes the princess.” Dylan kept his voice low. “Whoa, baby. Look at that rack. Talk about hot. Luc will have to tell us if she’s a natural blonde.”
    “Do your job. And let Luc do his.”
    Dylan shook his head. “If the prince doesn’t propose to this one, there’s something wrong with him. The woman is sexy as hell. Look at that ass.”
    Emily wanted to see what the fuss was about.
    Talk about gorgeous. The princess had more curves than Lombard Street in San Francisco. While Brigitte looked like a quintessential princess from the pages of a magazine, Dimitra could have been mistaken for an escort or stripper.
    She crossed the tiled terrace in four-inch heels and a scandalously short skirt. If Emily’s eyes weren’t deceiving her, the princess wore red lace panties. Sexy blonde curls bounced. The princess’s ample breasts appeared ready to break out of her corset top at any second.
    “Come on wardrobe malfunction,” Dylan muttered.
    Luc’s mouth dropped open. He stared at Dimitra like she was a mountain spring and he was dehydrated and needed water. No matter that he stood in front of a swimming pool. That wouldn’t quench his thirst.
    Not that Emily blamed him. The princess was dressed for a night of seduction and sex, not a romantic dinner date with a potential spouse.
    Luc met her halfway, as if he didn’t want to wait two more minutes to let her come to him.
    Emily wanted to throw up. A reaction she’d never