Free The Cinderella Princess by Melissa McClone Page B

difference.”
    He gave her a look. “You don’t know what Princess Brigitte is thinking or what kind of date she expects.”
    “She suggested tea because she has another obligation tonight and is busy this weekend.”
    His brows furrowed. “She told you this?”
    “Her secretary did. While you have tea, I’ll be meeting with her to get a crash course in European royalty.”
    “Follow me.” He led her down a path in the opposite direction from the kitchen garden. “Why are you leaving on Tuesday?”
    “I have a meeting to attend on Wednesday.”
    “Reschedule the meeting.”
    His regal tone made her feel like one of his minions. “I can’t. The client set the date.” If she signed them, nothing would stand in the way of her promotion. Succeeding with the show would be the icing, rather a bonus in her paycheck. “It’s…important.”
    “I need you here.”
    His words touched something deep within her. She liked feeling needed, but she’d rather feel like a minion with him.
    “Don’t worry.” She climbed down a short staircase. “I’ll have your calendar filled before I leave. Addie is staying. She’s more than capable to handle this. Everything will be fine.”
    Up ahead, she saw an old clock tower that looked like something from the Renaissance time period.
    Luc walked a little farther, then stopped on a secluded brick patio that was in the clock tower’s shadows and surrounded by bushes and trees. “This is the spot.”
    “Lovely.” Roses scented the air and provided splashes of color to all the green. “Perfect, actually. Wes and Conrad can hide with their cameras. That might put Princess Brigitte more at ease. Too bad there’s nothing we can do about the microphone packs. Can’t risk bad audio.”
    “You never stop working.”
    “Just doing my job.” If she didn’t, she might find herself working on more of these stupid shows in the future. Being a partner meant her boss couldn’t give her these “extra” assignments. “You’d make it easier if you’d talk about the foundation, but I know that’s not a possibility. Yet.”
    “We’re not close to that being possible.”
    True, but she wasn’t giving up on figuring out how to bring the foundation into the show.
    Emily looked around, then closed her eyes.
    “What are you doing?” Luc asked.
    “Imagining what would make this spot more perfect.” She opened her eyes. “This is a romantic setting, and I want to up that. If we arrange a small round table with two chairs, you can sit close, knee to knee, during tea.”
    He stepped closer to her. Heat emanated from his body. “Forced proximity.”
    His scent circled her head, making her feel like she’d drunk a mimosa for breakfast, not orange juice. Her mouth went dry. “Close seating sounds less calculating.”
    “The entire show is calculated.”
    “The reality in Reality TV is a misnomer.”
    She expected Luc to move away. Instead he came closer until he stood right next to her. “Calling it Pretend TV would turn off viewers.”
    “You’re catching on to how this works,” she said.
    “Unfortunately.”
    The depths of his blue eyes mesmerized her. Her stomach tingled, as if a butterfly had gotten loose inside and was trying to get out. Being with Luc didn’t feel quite real.
    “But I’m game,” he continued. “Let’s go all the way with the romance. I’ll give the princess a bouquet of roses.”
    Another idea popped into Emily’s head. “No bouquet. One flower. A perfect red rose from a bud vase on the table.”
    “That won’t look calculated?”
    “A single rose is still a romantic gesture.”
    “You’d like that?”
    “Very much so.” Emily imagined Luc handing her a flower. His gaze would be intent upon hers like now. His fingers would brush across her skin. Warmth balled at the center of her chest.
    “We should dance.”
    Luc’s words brought her back from the daydream. Anticipation spurted through her. “Dance?”
    “After tea, I’ll ask the