Behind Palace Doors(6)

Stefan still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact Victoria's mother,  the Grand Dane of Hollywood, gave up a child for adoption nearly forty  years ago and the baby turned out to be Anthony Price, the long-time  heated rival of Victoria's legitimate brother, Bronson Dane. Talk about  confusing.

"I'm sure discovering Anthony was your half brother was quite a shock. I  apologize for not being there more for you, but with my dad battling  cancer then..."

"You were needed more here, Stefan." Victoria sipped her wine then  picked up her fork. "I admit I was shocked, but my brothers took it the  hardest. Mom gave Anthony up for adoption when she was starting in her  career because she wanted him to have a good life and she wasn't ready  for motherhood."

"That's a mature decision."

Victoria's eyes darted to his, and that sweet smile widened. "I knew  you'd understand. You were always so open-minded. So many have called  her decision selfish."

He shook his head, reaching for his own wineglass. "Selfish would've  been keeping the baby, knowing she would put her career first."

She looked as if she wanted to say more, but she cut a piece of her  meat and slid the fork between her perfectly painted pale pink lips. And  like any man infatuated with a woman-or any man who had breath in his  lungs-he agonizingly watched until the fork disappeared and she groaned  with delight as her eyelids fluttered. Just when he thought his arousal  couldn't get any stronger...

"This is still so amazing," she told him. "You have no idea how grateful I am that you remembered my favorite food."

He knew every single detail about her-her favorite color, the movies  she'd seen countless times and even the old diary she kept all of her  private thoughts in. He knew more about her than any other woman, which  was why they had such a strong bond. He didn't mind listening to her  talk about her life. Most other women talked about their lives in an  attempt to impress him. Victoria impressed him simply by being there for  him, making him smile and expecting nothing from him in return.

"So tell me about this film." He wanted to know more, wanted to support her. "What's your part?"

He also wanted to keep her relaxed, keep her talking all night-since  that was his only option for now. Just like during their multiple phone  conversations over the years, that sultry voice washed over him, making  him wish for things he couldn't have right now. But at the end of this,  who knew? Maybe they'd remain married. That would put quite a spin on  the whole friends-with-benefits scenario.

He'd never had this type of arrangement before-even that would've been  more of a commitment than he'd been willing to give. But for  Victoria...hell yes, he'd be interested.                       
       
           



       

"I've never worked with my family before and never designed costumes  for a movie, but I made an exception," she said with a glowing smile.  "There's no way I could let another designer do this, not when it's so  close to my heart."

"Sounds like you're going to be a busy woman," he told her, cutting into his tender meat.

"The designs are done since filming started a few months ago. But I'm  needed on set in case of a malfunction or a last-minute wardrobe  switch." She shrugged and sipped her wine. "My team back in L.A. is  handling everything right now. My assistant may have to take on a bit  more until our wedding is over, though. God, that sounds so strange to  say."

He lay his fork down, reached across the table and took her hand.  "Thank you for what you're doing for me, for my country. I'll never be  able to express my gratitude."

"You've been my best friend since I had braces," she joked. "We may  live far apart, but other than my family, you're the closest person in  my life." She tightened her grip on his hand and tilted her head with a  soft grin. "Besides, you've handed me a dream job designing the gown,  and I get to play queen for a few months. Seriously, I'm getting the  better end of the bargain."

Stefan laughed. "I wasn't sure you'd agree so easily. I should've known you'd stand by me."

"I admit I have reservations about lying to the public, to my friends  and employees." She shifted in her seat, breaking hold of their hands.  "But I'm honored to stand by you. It's not often we find someone in our  life we can truly depend on."

He hated the loss of her hands in his and the hurt in her tone. "I was  afraid you'd be vulnerable since the breakup, afraid you'd shut this  idea down before I could explain my reasons."

"Maybe I am still vulnerable." She chewed her lip, eyes darting down  before coming back up to meet his. "But I won't let my heart get in the  way of my life again, and I know I'm safe with you."

"Absolutely, Victoria." He'd die before he let her get hurt. "You know how much I care for you."

He admired Victoria for standing tall, not cowering behind her family  when it would be so easy to do so after having her world ripped out from  under her. He knew firsthand how hard life was to live in the public  eye. The media was ruthless, and if the story wasn't there, they made  one up and damn the consequences. Reputations could be damaged and  ruined with just a small dose of ink from the written word and could  take years to restore...if restoration was even possible.

Because of accusations thrown at his family after the death of his  mother, he more than anyone knew how fast a reputation could be ruined.

The rest of the meal moved quickly through some laughter and easy  conversation, but Stefan couldn't get his mind off that scorching kiss.  He wanted his hands on her again, whether to torture himself or just  have a brief moment of instant gratification, he didn't know. But he  knew how to rectify the situation.

"Dance with me," he told her when she'd placed her napkin beside her now-empty plate.

"Right now?" She glanced around the spacious, moonlit balcony. "There's no music."

He came to his feet, moved into the master suite and within seconds had  the surround sound filtering out into the night. When he came back  through the open double doors, he extended his hand.

"Dance with me," he repeated, pleased when her hand slid into his. "We  should practice before the official royal wedding dance after the  ceremony. It's been years since we danced together."

She came to her feet, and he took no time in pulling her body against  his. Wrapping his arm around her waist, Stefan was more than eager to  have her invade his personal space.

"No wonder you're the Playboy Prince," she murmured, her breath  tickling his cheek. "You're very good at this. I can't imagine how you'd  be pouring on the charm if I weren't an old childhood friend."

He eased his head back but kept their bodies flush and swaying to the  soft, soothing beat. "I promised to keep this simple, to give you all  control in the end. I never go against my word."

She smiled. "I'm sure you wouldn't, but I also know your reputation. And I was on the receiving end of that kiss."

"You weren't just on the receiving end...you were an active participant."

Victoria's breath caught. "That's a...pretty accurate statement, but  we've been friends too long for us to let lust cloud our judgment.  Sleeping together would not be wise, Stefan."                       
       
           



       

He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Who says?"

Her hand tightened in his as she turned to look him in the eye, their  lips barely a breath apart. "I don't know if we're getting swept up into  this idea of pretending or this physical pull is stemming from seeing  each other after such a long time apart, but I can't risk losing your  friendship just because of this sudden attraction."

"I don't know how sudden this is, at least on my end." He kissed her  lips slightly and eased back. "I can't deny my desire for you, but I do  promise not to do anything you don't want."

"I'm going to hold you to that," she told him. "I know this situation will be hard for you."

He laughed at her choice of wording. "You have no idea."





     Three

Sliding a hand down the fitted satin bodice, Victoria stared at her  reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. The gown was perfect, and she  was so thankful she'd made a handful of wedding dresses in her downtime  just to keep on hand for when she decided to branch out and start a  bridal line.

No one had seen any of the finished designs, but she'd told her mother  where they were and to ship them all. Victoria had taken a couple apart  and pieced them the way she wanted. Her mother had only grumbled and  complained a little when she learned Victoria wouldn't be returning to  L.A. before the wedding.