The Playful Prince by Michelle M. Pillow

breathlessly for him to say something romantic. His eyes moved back up her, as potent as a caress. His mouth opened to speak. A slow smile tried to creep onto her features.
    “That dress looks hot on you,” Quinn stated, grinning. “But it’d look better off of you and crumpled on the bedroom floor.”
    Her smile fell. Quinn boldly laughed as he stepped in. Waving his hand behind him, he motioned a group of guards forward. Their arms were laden with gifts, which they promptly set around the suite. Tori stood before him speechless.
    “I looked up your earth dating customs, since you’re insistent you want me to bring you on a date before you let me into your bed.” When her mouth opened to deny him, he rushed on. She wasn’t sure what she’d say with the guards there anyway. “No, don’t worry. I have no problem playing it your way. There was quite a bit of information, but I managed to secure all the necessary items.”
    Tori made a weak, baffled sound as she tried to shake her head. The guards left just as quickly as they entered. Quinn shut the door behind them. When he turned back to her, he winked.
    Tori watched, speechless, as the prince crossed over to a giant block of chocolate sitting on a large silver platter. The hunk was twice the size of his head and had taken two guards to carry. “Lithorian chocolate, the best in the galaxy.”
    “Quinn--”
    “Wait, I’m not done.” He motioned to a strange bird that looked like a stuffed earth turkey, only with razor sharp teeth and claws. The hideous thing was mounted on a wooden plank. “We didn’t have a stuffed bear. And, since I’m not even sure what sort of beast a teddy bear is or where one would find it, I brought you a stuffed baldric instead. It will have to suffice.”
    “Quinn, I--”
    “Wait, there’s more.” He gave her an exasperated sigh at her interruption and motioned at about five vases overflowing with a pale white flower with blue centers and brown stems. “These are solarflowers, native but rare to this planet. Again, didn’t have roses, so these will have to be sufficient.”
    Tori didn’t even bother to speak this time when he paused. She kept her mouth closed, watching him, completely baffled.
    “According to your royal king and queen tradition of...” Quinn stopped, thought a minute, and said,
    “...high school prom. You’re supposed to wear a gown and I’m supposed to give you a shower.”
    “A shower?” Tori asked, confused. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
    “Yes, a corsage, which when I looked it up, meant spray. When I looked up spray it meant shower.
    You already have the gown. So, if you come with me, I will happily put a shower on you.” Quinn stepped toward her. An excited gleam entered his eyes as he tried to reach for her.
    Tori shook her head and backed up. “Uh, I already had a bath, thank you. And I believe the word corsage is also just a flower you pin onto your chest or wrist.”
    “Earth men pin flowers into their women? Doesn’t it hurt?” He looked horrified. “Do you find there is a problem with blood loss due to artery--?”
    “No, to the clothes,” Tori quickly amended. Weakly, she said, “They pin the flowers to the clothes.”
    “Ah,” Quinn sighed. “That makes more sense. You earth women have a thing for flowers then. I always thought they were more like weeds, but the harem women seem fond enough of them too. Very well, I will have more vases delivered before we get back tonight and I will pin them all over your dress.”
    “What’s the pitcher for?” Tori asked, almost afraid of the answer as she changed the subject. Stuffed turkeys, a mountain of chocolate, showers--she didn’t know how many more earth customs she could take.
    “It is wine. We don’t bottle our liquor and I thought this was better than a barrel. Though, if you wish for the barrel, I can have one brought to you--”
    “No, no, the pitcher is perfect.” Tori forced a polite smile, though what she really