Behind Palace Doors (10 page)

Eleven

H
e was the only man
for her?

Dear God, what a bombshell. When the hell had she decided that? If she were having any notions of love...he couldn’t even fathom where that would put them.

Stefan kicked the bedroom door closed, crossed the spacious room and gently laid Victoria on the chaise chair in front of the balcony doors. Sunshine streamed in through the windows, bathing their bedroom in bright rays.

“I’ll get you some water,” he told her, his voice rough.

“No.” Victoria wiped her damp cheeks and sat up straighter. “I’m fine. Sorry for the tears. I was caught off guard.”

Stefan stared down at Victoria, surprised that he was jealous over the ex, who was obviously out of her life for good, she was shedding tears over.

“I’m sorry it upset you to see him,” he told her, easing down on the edge of the chaise beside her hip. “I’ll advise my staff to keep him away if he returns.”

Victoria smiled. “I appreciate that, but I doubt he’ll come back. He hates having his pride hurt, and my refusal to accept his lame apology and rush back into his arms really damaged his ego.”

Her silky, golden blond hair lay over one shoulder, and his fingers itched to mess it up, to see it fanned out on her white, satin sheets as he made love to her again. She was always a stunning woman, but since they’d become intimate, her beauty had taken on a whole new level of sensuality.

But he couldn’t pick up where they’d left off in the car, not when she was so upset and certainly not with the revelation he’d just heard.

“I wish you wouldn’t cry,” he told her, trying not to think about what he’d overheard. “That’s one thing I cannot stand.”

“My emotions are harder to hide than yours,” she explained. “I can’t just close them off, Stefan. I have feelings and sometimes they come out when I don’t want them to.”

He rubbed his hands over his thighs in an attempt to keep from reaching out to her. Treading lightly during these next few minutes was a must.

“I’m okay,” she assured him, wiping her cheeks and pasting on a smile. “Really. Don’t let Alex ruin our day.”

Alex hadn’t ruined the day, but her verbal epiphany had sure as hell put an unexpected spin on where they stood with this marriage—and its open ending once the six months were over.

He hated to bring up what was such a humiliating time in her life, but since Alex showed up, that had to be playing through her mind. What type of bastard would purposely have pictures taken with his new girlfriend, a pregnant one at that, while still engaged to another woman?

He was quite convinced Victoria’s ex wasn’t a man, but the lowest form of life for treating her the way he had. Stefan felt he deserved a shiny gold medal to add to the collection on his royal coat because he hadn’t busted the guy in the face.

She turned her head, looking out the double glass doors that led to her balcony. As he watched her profile, he saw her eyes fill up again.

Well, hell. Now what had happened? This was precisely why he never got too involved with women. He just plain didn’t understand the emotional roller coasters they seemed to always be on.

“I just had a bit of an epiphany, and it hit me harder than I expected.”

A tight band formed around his chest and squeezed. Did that mean she truly felt what she’d told Alex about their marriage? Was she going to discuss it now? He sure as hell wasn’t going to bring it up. Yeah, he was being a coward, but there was a first time for everything.

“Since you’re so quiet, I’m assuming the mood is gone.”

He nodded and sighed. No way could they become intimate right now, not with her emotions so high.

“I think we need to take a breather for today.”

Hurt flashed in her eyes before her defiant chin lifted. “You’ve never been known for running away.”

“I’m not running.” He was sprinting. “You need some time to think.” Some time to come to grips with her emotions that scared the living hell out of him.

Before she could guilt him more with her expressive blue eyes, he came to his feet, walked out into the hall, closed the door and leaned back against it. His chest ached, like someone was squeezing the breath from his lungs.

They’d only been married over a month. How in the world would they make it to the six-month mark with their feelings so at odds? Something about seeing her ex made Victoria realize her emotions were deeper than he’d thought. He only hoped she was just shocked by seeing Alex and once she truly thought about what she’d said, how she was feeling and where they needed to go from here, she’d see that maybe what she thought was romantic love was just a deeper level of friendship.

He rested his head against the solid wood door and closed his eyes. Sleeping together had changed things, but he’d had no idea Victoria would fall for him.

Stefan didn’t have a clue about how to proceed from here, but he did know that if Victoria cared for him the way she thought she did, he was going to have one hell of a problem on his hands. And it had nothing to do with the crown or the documentary.

Love wasn’t something he had ever experienced outside his family or his country. He certainly wouldn’t try it out on the one person who meant the most to him. He couldn’t risk losing Victoria’s friendship by mucking it up with an emotion so questionable.

Love had no room in this marriage.

* * *

“So based on the information you sent us, we completely agree that this story shouldn’t be kept silent.”

Relief speared through Stefan at Bronson’s statement. He’d called Victoria’s brothers to see if they had time to meet last minute, but Bronson was the only one available. Anthony had to stay home with the kids because the baby was napping and Charlotte was out.

He’d had to leave the house. He couldn’t face Victoria right now, not with her emotions so raw, so...gut wrenching. They needed a break and he needed to focus because sex and tears could cloud his vision.

He’d cut off his arm before he intentionally hurt her, but if she had feelings that deep for him, he wasn’t sure how he could avoid damaging her already battered heart.

“Stefan?”

He focused back on Bronson, who had switched television shows for his sweet little girl, Bella. She was now enthralled in another program with crazy characters singing and dancing across the screen, making silly faces to get the toddler audience to laugh.

“Sorry,” Stefan said. “Does Anthony feel the same way?”

“Absolutely.” Bronson sat down on the leather sofa and stretched an arm across the back of the cushions. “We both believe that this story, if told the right way, would have the impact you want to make. Your father was simply the victim of bad timing, from the affair, to the public argument, to the death of your mother.”

“So you’ll take on this project?” Stefan asked, hopeful.

“If you trust Anthony and me to do the documentary justice, we’d be happy to. But, keep in mind we’ve never done this type of film before.”

Stefan knew the two perfectionists wouldn’t let him, or his country, down. Stefan wanted his people to see his family in the way he did, to see that his father was not a murderer, but a man who was grieving, a man who’d lost his wife after such a public scandal and had instantly gotten a less-than-stellar reputation.

With the beginning of his reign, Stefan wanted to wipe the slate clean and remove the dark stain from his family’s name.

“You have no idea what this means to me,” Stefan said. “I owe you.”

Bronson eased forward in his seat across from Stefan and nodded. “You can pay me back by telling me why my sister called here in tears and my wife is currently on the phone with her.”

Na pari i eychi.
He should’ve known that this meeting wouldn’t be simple.

“Victoria had a very emotional day.” And wasn’t that a vast understatement. “Whatever she wants to share with Mia, or you, is up to her.”

Bronson sighed. “I probably don’t need to tell you that Victoria is in this marriage deeper than you think.”

Stefan swallowed the lump of guilt and fear that crept up. “No.”

“And I’m the last person to give advice on how to go about keeping a woman happy, but try not to hurt her.”

Could be too late for that.

“Can you at least tell me what happened today that got her upset?”

“Alex came by.”

Which wasn’t a lie, but it was a combination of Alex’s appearance and her revelation that had her so distressed. Was she upset because she didn’t want to love him? Or was she upset because she knew in her heart that he couldn’t love her that way in return?

“What the hell did that bastard want?” Bronson all but roared.

Stefan shook his head. “I let Victoria talk to him alone, but she claimed he wanted to apologize. He didn’t believe our marriage was real and thought she would take him back. I didn’t hear what all was said, but I did see her give him an impressive slap.”

Bronson chuckled. “She’s only been that angry twice: once when we were kids and I tried to put her Barbie dolls’ heads in the garbage disposal and once when I was being an ass to Mia. Victoria loves with her whole heart, and once it gets bruised, she’s like a bear. You don’t want to cross her.”

Well, damn. Victoria hadn’t come right out and said she loved him, but the implication was there. God, he couldn’t do love, had never wanted to. So how the hell had he allowed this to happen? He’d told Tori going in that this wasn’t about love, that the marriage was only about his country.

Why had she done this to herself and how had he not seen this coming?

Twelve

“G
uess I had my first emotional breakdown.”

Victoria sat on the simple white bench across from the guest bath where Stefan had showered after his early morning run. They hadn’t spoken since her crying jag last night. He’d never come to bed and she assumed he’d slept in the spare room, but she couldn’t go on with all this tension inside her body or her home.

“I guess so,” he replied.

Stefan leaned against the door frame, all tanned and gloriously misty from the shower. One crisp white towel sat low on his hips, and he’d draped another around his neck. Muscles covered with beautiful tattooed artwork stared back at her, mocking her. No matter her heart’s emotions, her body wanted him and instantly responded.

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” she told him, bringing her eyes back up to his face. “Seeing Alex threw me off.”

Stefan’s dark brows drew together. “Why be sorry?”

Victoria resisted the urge to look down at the floor. Instead she tilted her chin, held his gaze and shook her head. “Because I made you uncomfortable.”

The muscle in his jaw clenched, and she knew he was still uncomfortable. Was it just Alex’s presence and her emotional breakdown that had made him ill at ease, or was it more? Had he heard what she’d said about their relationship?

The implications of her outburst to Alex were something Stefan was not ready for. She wasn’t even sure she was ready herself, but she could no longer control her feelings toward her husband. Her heart clenched as if trying to protect itself from the inevitable hurt that would surely consume her once they discussed what her emotions meant to their marriage.

Stefan walked toward her, squatted down between her legs and took her hands in his. “I just have a lot more to deal with than I first thought. I can’t take on more than protecting my country and gaining my title.”

“I know, and I didn’t mean to add to your worry.”

His gaze traveled down and settled into the V of her silk nightgown before coming back up to meet hers. Shivers raced through her. So she hadn’t completely scared him off.

But he let go of her hands, and that giant step back from intimacy spoke volumes. He was pulling away. Maybe the hurt would slither its evil way in sooner than she’d thought.

A chill crept over her.

Seduction had been on her mind when she’d dressed for bed last night, but he’d never come in, and now, catching him fresh from his shower, it seemed her efforts were moot. He was obviously having no part of her plan.

Was this how the rest of their marriage would play out? They’d dance around each other all because Stefan was afraid to confront her emotions—or his, for that matter? She didn’t believe for one second that he wasn’t feeling more for her. She did believe, however, that he was going to fight that feeling for as long as she’d allow it.

“Come back to bed with me,” she told him.

His eyes remained locked on hers. “I have some work to go over with Hector.”

The steel wall had been erected in a matter of seconds, and he was making no attempt to let her in. But in his defense, he’d told her up front this could be nothing more and like a damn fool she’d been on board with the preposterous plan.

Stefan came to his feet, the subtle movement sending his fresh masculine scent wafting around her, enveloping her, and she knew that’s as close as she’d come to being surrounded by her husband right now...and maybe for a while.

“Maybe I’ll see you for lunch. I have a lot to do so don’t wait on me.”

And with that, he headed down the hall.

* * *

Victoria wasn’t naive. She knew if Stefan could’ve gotten that title and crown any other way besides marriage, he would’ve jumped at that opportunity without question. But he couldn’t get around it and he
did
need her. No, he was not the marrying type, but he was the type who thrived on loyalty, honesty and integrity...all a good base for marriage and love.

Since she couldn’t actually say the words without him pulling back even more—if that were possible—all she could do was show him her love, show him they were meant to be.

With his upcoming coronation and responsibilities on his mind, he’d never complained, never even spoken of worries. He’d been right here with her, trying to help her get her line started, trying to get her to open her mind and really create some spectacular pieces.

Of course when he wasn’t being loyal and helpful, he was being sexy and impossible to resist. How could she not love a man like that? And how could he not see that he loved her?

Stefan had been gone all day, but he was due to return home soon. Victoria had requested Hector remain in the front of the house and only to come around back in a dire emergency.

With a deep breath, she set her plan in motion by dipping her bare foot into the pool and gliding it along. Yeah, that would be refreshing once she submerged her entire body...nude.

Okay, so maybe there was a little bit of a reckless side to her, but Stefan brought it out. No way would she ever have thought to get into her infinity pool overlooking the L.A. skyline while wearing nothing but a suntan and a hair clip.

And no way in hell would she ever have done something like this for Alex.

Looking back she could admit that she’d been in love with Stefan for years, but it took the intimacy, the devotion, to finally open her eyes to her true Prince Charming. But she’d never really thought of him as a prince. To her he was her best friend, her confidant, now her lover and husband.

This afternoon they’d ended up sharing a strained lunch and he’d informed her he’d be busy the rest of the day—but at least he’d come for lunch. He had gone into her spare office to check emails and talk with Hector about the coronation. She let him do his thing because that whole royalty territory wasn’t her forte. But she was going to have to get more comfortable with it because she intended to stick out this marriage, title and all. And while she was afraid of what being a queen truly meant, she wasn’t afraid to sacrifice herself for the man she loved.

While she’d never played the meek and mild woman before, doing so with the title of queen wasn’t even an option. She loved being able to assist with charities and use her name and title to help others. And when Stefan had taken charge with the Veterans’ Homeless Shelter, her heart had melted. That’s the type of work she wanted to get behind. That’s the part of being royalty she could completely embrace.

Victoria slid out of her short silk robe and let it puddle next to the steps. The thick candles she’d lit all around the pool added just that extra bit of romance. When Stefan stepped out onto her patio, she wanted him to take in the scene: discarded red silk robe, flickering candlelight and his wife naked in the water.

She may be uncomfortable with this, but she was a Dane and everything was about setting the stage to pack a punch with the audience. And there was only one audience member she cared about.

Now all she had to do was float lazily on her back, wait and fantasize about how spectacular this night would be. Hopefully Stefan would see the way she stepped outside her comfort zone for him, and if he did, surely he’d realize that her love knew no limits.

And perhaps he could step out of his comfort zone, too.

* * *

Stefan raked his hands through his hair. His coronation was scheduled to take place in a few months and he was trying to get a start for this documentary so he could at least assure his people that a new era was going to begin, starting with the truth, to remove the black mark hovering over his father’s name.

His investigators had found several people who were willing to speak on camera if a film was produced. Hector had been working behind the scenes, as well, jotting down key things he remembered from that time...after all, the man had also been the assistant to Stefan’s father and knew more than most.

But right now his mind was still plagued by the awkwardness with Victoria. He knew she’d picked up on the distance he’d put between them, but he needed the time to process everything. And he still hadn’t come to a damn conclusion.

He made his way up to their room, where he fully expected her to be, so he was surprised to see a note resting on her pillow.

Meet me at the pool.

Intrigued, he tossed the note aside and headed back downstairs. When he stepped through the double glass doors, he stopped, taking in the ambiance all at once.

“I’m dreaming. No way is the prim and proper Victoria Dane skinny-dipping out in the open.”

She moved through the darkened water like she had all the confidence in the world. “You’ve been trying since we met to get me here. I thought I’d put you out of your misery.”

Arousal shot through him even harder as she flipped, floating on her back with those breasts poking out of the water. His palms itched to touch them. He’d been without her for two days. Way too damn long.

He pulled his T-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. After toeing off his shoes, he unfastened his pants and slid his boxer briefs down, then kicked them aside, as well. There was only so much willpower a man could have.

For a moment he simply stared. Finding a naked woman in a pool was every man’s fantasy, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew how her mind worked. She was trying to draw him back into her web and she was spinning it beautifully.

“Are you going to stand there all night?” she asked. “I’m pretty lonely in here.”

Like he needed another invitation.

Stefan didn’t even bother with the steps. He dove right in, making sure he reached his hands out toward her body. As he came up, he glided his palms over every wet, luscious curve.

“You feel amazing,” he muttered when his face was next to hers. “It takes a lot to surprise me, Tori. I honestly never dreamed you would’ve given into this skinny-dipping thing.”

A naughty smile spread across her lips. “Well, when you first asked me, you just wanted to see me naked. Then it just became a game to see if I’d cave. But you’ve been working so hard, I thought you deserved a reward.”

He nipped her chin, her jaw, all the while keeping his arms wrapped around her waist. “Reward, huh? I think I’ll reward you for making a part of my fantasy come true.”

Her gaze locked on his as her brows drew together. “A part? What am I missing?”

“I wanted you in the palace pool. On my turf.”

Victoria rolled her eyes. “No way. Do you know how many staff members you have? There’s never a moment of privacy there. At least here I only had to tell Hector to stay out front since the other guard is off for the night.”

Stefan smiled. “I’m not complaining.”

Resting a delicate hand on his bare chest, Victoria smiled. “I just want to enjoy our time together. However long it may be.”

Something flipped in Stefan’s heart—something he didn’t want to explore or identify.

His arms tightened around her waist. Her vibrant blue eyes, sparkling from the candlelight and full moon, studied his face. She bit her bottom lip as her gaze darted down.

“What is it?” he asked, tipping her chin up so she would look at him again.

“What will happen after the coronation?”

A sliver of fear slid through him. Was she thinking of staying at the end of the six months? Surprisingly, he wanted her to, but he didn’t want her love...not in the way he feared she was heading.

Damn it. He was a selfish bastard. He couldn’t have it both ways. He either had to let her go after the coronation or step up and face her feelings. He wasn’t crazy about either of his options.

How could he love someone forever? He’d never thought that far ahead when it came to a relationship. Living in the moment was more his speed. What if he tried loving her and a year into the “real” marriage he decided he wasn’t cut out for it? She’d be even more hurt. And Victoria deserved better than that.

Why did he have to choose? Hadn’t he laid out a fool-proof, simple plan before they married?

“I don’t want to put a damper on this party,” she told him. “Forget I asked. Just tell me what you want right now.”

Everything she was willing to give.

She deserves better than what you’re willing to give. She’s sacrificed everything for you. Her heart is yours if you’ll take it. If not, she’ll get tired and leave, you selfish jerk.

Her wet body molded against his and her hips rocked against him as her arms encircled his neck. He wasn’t going to explore further than right now. He didn’t want to keep seeing that hurt seep into her eyes.

For now he would be a self-centered bastard and take what she offered. In the end, when she realized she couldn’t change him and needed more, she would walk away. And he would get what he deserved. But until that day, he’d enjoy every moment of being married to his best friend.

Victoria was just too damn sexy and tempting to turn away. And he knew by taking what she was offering, he was damning their friendship because he had a feeling she’d be leaving soon.