The sound gurgled again. Louder.
And if she’d had her wits about her, she’d have dodged out of the way. But her brain didn’t respond fast enough. She blamed the cologne.
Because the sound grew in volume, and in one very foul swoop, the prince upchucked all down the front of her shirt. She squeezed her eyes closed and whimpered out a laugh.
Yep. The perfect twisted fairy tale.
“I’m... I’m... sorry.” He hiccupped, slowly opening one eye as his head weaved. “I... I’ve never gotten s-sick on someone before.”
Even in his stupor, she had to admit the accent sounded nice.
Blast those stinking costume dramas.
“Listen, Prince.” Yes, it was stupid to call himprince, but right now intelligence seemed to have left the vicinity on both sides of the conversation. “I need you to put your arm around my shoulders and walk with me to my house.”
He looked down at her from his perch on the tailgate, his eyes squinting. “You’re a woman?”
“Smart and handsome, I see.”
He attempted a grin, maybe, but his facial expression moved with about as much speed and accuracy as his words.
Another shock of thunder rallied him a little, and he shifted until he stood, sort of. Charlie slipped her arm beneath his, wrapping it around his back, and they trudged toward the front door. As Charlie was one of the shortest people in her family, the prince towered over her.
“I’m usually better at this,” he slurred.
“What? Walking?”
A snort erupted from him. “Nooo.” He drew out the word, his breath hitting her face with such force, she coughed. “Holding my... my drink.” He gave his head a shake. “But I... I’ve not been drinking much lately, you see? Trying to m-make better choices.”
They started up the steps.
“You’re doing a stellar job.”
He snorted a laugh again and then paused, rubbing his nose. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I think you need to change your perfume.”
“I think my current perfume has more to do with the gift you left down the front of my shirt.” She pulled him up another step.
Two more to go.
“That wasn’t very nice of me.” He groaned, staring down at her shirt. “I do want to be nice, you know.”
Oh Lord, please don’t let him be one of those emotional drunks.After her day, the last thing she needed was an intoxicated prince weeping on her vomit-covered shirt.
“One more step, Your Majesty, and we’ll be out of this rain.”
“Actually,Majestyis reserved for my parents.” He paused and turned toward her. “Highnessis for rank like mine.”
“Highness? Pretty appropriate for the moment, don’t you think?”
His grin quirked again, and he narrowed his eyes at her, slowly taking the final step. “You are a very nice person,” he murmured as his face dropped against her head. “My parents would like you.”
It was her turn to snort as they shuffled to the front door. His parents? Yeah, she proved the very model of a royal daughter-in-law. Perfume and all.
Charlie propped the prince against the wall beside the front door as she dug out her keys from her pocket. Within another few seconds, they hobbled inside, only to have her drop her keys upon entry.
Lord, help me.
Charlie loosened her hold on Prince Pukey to flip on the light, but the man tipped forward. She pivoted to catch him, only to have him straighten so quickly, his head slammed directly into her nose.
