Behind Palace Doors

“I’d expect you to be faithful, even if this is pretend,” she told him.

“I assure you, you will have my undivided attention.”

Swallowing the doubts and throwing caution to the wind, Victoria smiled. “Stefan, I’d be honored to marry you.”

Two

Stefan had invited Victoria to stay in the palace so they could get some alone time to reconnect in ways that phone calls and emails couldn’t provide. They had to attempt to make this seem like the real thing because the media would definitely pick up on any uncomfortableness between them if every touch, every lingering gaze didn’t look authentic—like they were secret lovers.

Pretending to be infatuated by Victoria’s beauty would be no hardship. Her flawless elegance had only flourished since the last time he’d seen her, and he was damned grateful she’d agreed to his insane proposal.

Parading her around the grounds with the royal photographer, snapping some pictures as they rode on horseback, cuddled beneath the trellis of flowing flowers and walked along the private, pristine beach, would help fuel this fire of his romance with the next queen of Galini Isle. Though he’d asked the photographer to keep Victoria’s face out of the snapshots to add an aura of mystery. He’d always been proud and ready to show off the women on his arm. Victoria was the first one he’d protected from the camera. So once the photos started going out, they would hopefully create more talk of his upcoming wedding in four weeks.

Their brief time alone had already caused so many memories to resurface. She was still a tender heart where her family was concerned but lethal when it came to business. The beauty Victoria brought back into his life by being there in person was immeasurable. Holding her, laughing with her, staying up late last night talking again was amazing, and he vowed to never let so much time go between their visits again…if she ended up leaving at the end of the six months.

All thoughts of reconnecting were swept aside as Victoria entered the intimate dining area he’d had his assistants set up on the balcony off his master suite’s second story. Stefan’s breath caught, and he knew that spark of desire he’d always had for her would only spread and burn hotter now that they were spending so much intimate time alone.

Yes, he needed her to keep his country, but he wasn’t a fool. No way would he let this prime opportunity pass him by to show her just how much he believed becoming friends with benefits was a great idea. He may not be ready for a “real” marriage, but he was past ready to have Victoria see him in a different way.

But he had to keep his thoughts and emotions to himself for now. The last thing she needed was him pushing anything more on her. Besides the fact she was saving him, she was coming out of a humiliating engagement to some prick who didn’t know what a treasure he’d had.

When Stefan had initially learned of the breakup, he’d immediately called, but in typical Victoria fashion, she’d assured him she was fine…hurt and angry, but she’d be okay.

And looking at her now, she was definitely more than okay.

Her long, strapless ice-blue chiffon gown was simple, yet so elegant and so beautifully molded to her slender curves, Stefan’s palms itched to touch her. Years of friendship prevented him. Added to that, they’d never ventured into anything intimate. Either she’d been in a relationship or he’d been…preoccupied himself.

“You look beautiful, Victoria.” He extended his hand toward her, pleased when she took it. “You’ll be the perfect queen.”

Her smile was genuine, but her eyes instantly darted to the waiting servant in the corner wearing a black tux. “I was hoping to have some time alone with you.”

While he loved those words coming from her mouth, he knew she just wanted to talk. He squeezed her hand and gave a nod to his employee. Once they were alone, Victoria laughed.

“That’s the second time you’ve nodded and someone has done what you wanted. You sure this prince-soon-to-be-king title isn’t going to your head?”

Stefan shrugged, leading her to the table for two on the balcony. “They know what my needs are, so words are usually unnecessary. Besides, I’d much rather spend my evening with my stunning friend than boring staff. I have too many responsibilities with my title. I want to have the down time with you.”

“Wow, I’m one rank above boring and responsibilities. You’re such a charmer, it’s no wonder you couldn’t get another woman to marry you.” She patted his arm and sighed. “I just hope my family understands my actions.”

“We can’t tell anyone that this is a paper marriage, Victoria.” He turned her to face him, making her look him in the eye to know just how serious this situation was. “I cannot risk my title on the slip of a tongue.”

He knew the strong bond she had with her family, knew she’d want to tell them, but he had to at least caution her as to the importance of this arrangement. Other than his personal assistant, Hector, and his brother, no one knew of this secret.

“I have to tell my mother,” she insisted. “Trust me. She will know something is up and she will badger us both until she uncovers it if we don’t confess now. Besides, she’s always loved you.”

“As a friend, yes,” he agreed, then laughed. “I’m not sure she’ll love me to play the son-in-law role.”

She looked into his eyes, and a tilt of her perfect lips proved she knew he had a point. “Well, she does consider you a playboy, and she’s not too keen on all your tats. But she does love you, Stefan. And she knows how much you mean to me.”

He raised a brow. “What about your brothers?”

“I can’t lie to them, either,” she told him. “But you should know, of all families, mine understands the potential for scandal when secrets slip.”

Because he could see the battle she waged with herself and because he knew she wouldn’t back down on this, Stefan nodded. “If you promise this goes no further than your immediate family, I will agree to your terms. I trust them as much as I trust you.”

“All right, Stefan,” she told him, seeing his shoulders relax on his exhale. “My mother will be the silent observer until she sees if I’m just making a rash decision. But, I should warn you, my brothers will have some serious doubts. They will be all over you, especially after what happened with Alex.”

Stefan intended to speak with both of her brothers privately. He had a business proposition for them that they may not want to pass up regarding a documentary to clear his parents’ names in his mother’s untimely death. Some thought his mother had committed suicide, while others were convinced his father had hired someone to have her killed. Both were pure nonsense, and he wanted to go into his reign with no blemishes on his family’s name. But he would also reassure Tori’s brothers that he would keep her from any more heartbreak or scandal.

“If I had a sister, I’d be very protective,” he said with a smile. “I assure you, I can handle them. But we still have to make sure they know our relationship will have to look real, which means they’ll have to rein in their behavior when we’re out in the spotlight.”

Stefan stepped closer, calling himself all kinds of a fool for torturing himself with her familiar floral aroma, her tall, lithe body close to his. But he couldn’t help himself. He needed that intimacy, that closeness only Tori could provide. He told himself it was to get used to making this “relationship” seem real. In truth, he wanted to touch her, kiss her…undress her. Possibilities and images swirled around in his mind. Years he’d waited to have a chance with her, and here he was nervous as a virgin on a wedding night.

Na pari i eychi. Dammit. The last time he’d seen her in person two years ago he’d flown to L.A. to attend a benefit art show to raise money for a children’s charity. His father was supposed to have gone but had fallen ill at the last minute, so Stefan had stepped in, all too eager to get to L.A. and try his hand at seducing Victoria.

But when he’d arrived at her home, she’d introduced him to some up-and-coming actor whom she’d just begun dating. Stefan had been totally blindsided with the sudden serious nature of the relationship. They talked on the phone, emailed or texted several times a week and no mention had been made of this other man.

Because she’d been beaming with happiness, Stefan had kept his lustful feelings to himself and tried to maintain a physical distance. But now she was here because that jerk, Alex, had humiliated her and crushed her heart.

Stefan had every intention of helping her heal. And now he knew there was no way he could hold his desire back. Eventually, he’d have to confess that he wanted her intimately, paper marriage be damned.

As if just realizing how close they’d gotten, Victoria looked up at him and licked her lips, making them moist and inviting. “I still think we have our work cut out for us. We’ve never been anything more than best friends.”

It was just the opening he’d been waiting for. “Then we better start now making this believable.”

In one move, Stefan had his arms snaked around her waist and his lips crushing hers, swallowing her gasp. He hadn’t meant to push, really he hadn’t, and the second their tastes and bodies collided, he knew this was a bad idea. Now he’d only want her more. But if his life depended on it, he couldn’t pull away.

After the briefest of hesitations, she exploded in his arms, kissing him back with a passion he hadn’t expected, but he would definitely embrace. For years he’d wondered, dreamed, and here she was kissing him as if she thought of him as a man and not just a friend. Obviously he wasn’t the only one who’d imagined this moment.

And that aroused him even more and left him with the knowledge this was something that would have to be discussed sooner rather than later.

Needing more and taking it, he parted her lips with his tongue. Her fingers gripped his biceps as she leaned against him a bit more. And just like he’d imagined for years, she fit against him perfectly.

But before he could take more and allow his hands to roam freely over that killer body, Victoria stepped back, her hand immediately going to cover her lips.

“We can’t…that was…”

Stefan closed the gap she’d just created, but not to pick up where she broke off. He intended to reassure her that what just happened was not a mistake. Hell no, it wasn’t. An epiphany, yes, but no mistake.

“Interesting how flustered you are after one kiss,” he told her with a smile, still tasting her on his lips. “We’ve kissed before, Tori.”

With fingertips still on her lips, Victoria placed her other hand on his chest. “Our kisses were never anything like that.”

Because he was a gentleman, at least where the ladies were concerned, he didn’t mention the groaning she’d done when his lips had touched hers.

He wanted her to think about what happened…God knows he’d never forget. Her taste and the feel of her body were all burned into his long-term memory. But he needed to move slowly and stay on track.

“My top chef has prepared moussaka for us.” He ushered her toward a chair and assisted her into it. “I remember how much you enjoyed Greek cuisine the last time you visited.”