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.
Thirteen
The shrill ringing of the phone jarred Victoria from an amazing dream. The second ring had her slapping a hand over the cell that sat next to her bed only to realize the ring wasn't coming from her cell, but from Stefan's.
If this was another woman...
Surely not. Those calls seemed to have either died down, or Stefan was doing a good job of intervening before she knew.
She glanced over, noting the man was completely out-if his heavy breathing meant anything. And he claimed she snored? Reaching across him, she grabbed his cell and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Victoria?"
"Yes." Not recognizing the woman's voice, she moved away from the bed and toward the balcony doors. "Who is this?"
The lady on the other end sniffed. Was she crying?
"This...this is Karina. Mikos's wife. He's been in a rock-climbing accident." Karina wept, and static came through the phone before she continued. "I need Stefan to come home."
Panic gripping her, Victoria looked back to her husband, knowing when she woke him she'd have to tell him news that could possibly change his life forever. This could not be happening.
"Of course," Victoria agreed. "We'll be there as soon as we can."
"Please hurry. The doctors aren't hopeful," Karina cried. "His injuries are substantial. He's in surgery now."
A sickening pit in her stomach threatened to rise in her throat. What would Stefan do if he lost his brother? He'd just lost his father. Fate couldn't be this cruel. Besides, Stefan and his brother were expert rock climbers. What could've gone wrong?
"As soon as my pilot is ready we'll be on the plane," she assured Karina. "Please keep us updated and try to be strong."
Her sister-in-law said a watery thank-you and hung up. Victoria stepped onto the balcony to call her pilot. Even at five o'clock in the morning, he wouldn't mind. He'd been a loyal employee to her family for years, and last-minute things occasionally arose.
Once she had the pilot readying the plane, she took a deep breath and bolstered up her courage to wake Stefan and tell him the news. She needed to stay strong and positive and be there for him no matter what.
When she sank down on the edge of his side of the bed, he roused and his lids fluttered. He flashed that sweet smile she'd grown to love waking up to, and she tried to return the gesture, but her eyes filled with tears.
So much for being strong.
"What happened? I thought I heard the phone ring." He glanced at the clock on the nightstand then back to her as if realizing early morning calls were almost never good news. "Victoria?"
"Your brother was in an accident. We need to get back home."
Stefan jerked up in bed. "What kind of accident? Who called?"
"Karina called and Mikos is in surgery. He was in a rock-climbing accident. That's all I know."
Stefan closed his eyes, shaking his head. "I need to call your pilot."
She laid a hand on his arm, waiting for him to open his eyes and look at her. "Already done. Now get dressed and let's go."
"Wait." He grabbed her hand as she started to rise from the bed. "You don't need to go."
Hurt threatened to seep in. "You don't want me to?"
"Yes, I want you to, but you're so busy here designing your bridal collection, and your brothers may need you on the set."
She'd drop everything without even thinking for the man she loved. Didn't he realize that?
"Do you think I'd choose any of that over family?" she asked.
He studied her face, then nodded. "No, I know what's most important to you." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Thank you for making my family yours."
"We're a team, Stefan." She came to her feet. "Now let's get changed and I'll throw some things into a suitcase."
They worked in a rushed silence to get out the door and to the airport. By the time they boarded the plane, along with the guards, she could tell Stefan was a ball of nerves. He hadn't spoken, hadn't even really glanced her way. He was lost in thought and she had no doubt he was not only feeling helpless, he was reminded of the fact that his mother was gone and his father had just passed away eight months ago.