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Victoria didn’t even look at the meal; she merely gazed at him from across the intimate table complete with a small exotic bouquet of flowers and two tall white tapered candles.
“Are you going to pretend that kiss didn’t make an impression on you?” she asked, arching a perfectly shaped brow.
Her bold statement had him smiling. Why lie? She knew him too well.
“I wasn’t unaffected, Victoria.” He held her gaze, needing her to see how serious he was. “Any man would be a fool not to be physically attracted to you. And I’d be a liar to say I hadn’t thought of kissing you before.”
“I’m not quite sure how to respond to that.” She glanced down, then cleared her throat and met his gaze again. “I have to say, it’s no wonder you have the reputation you do when you kiss like that. If you pull that stunt in public, the media will never think to question the engagement.”
“They’ll see nothing but eros when they look at us.”
“What does that mean?” She laughed. “You always show off by throwing out Greek terms I don’t know.”
“Passionate, erotic love.” Yet again, he held her gaze. “Cameras don’t lie, and I know that’s what they’ll see. I will have no problem making the relationship look real.”
Victoria shook her head. “I’m afraid your cockiness and ego may overshadow me in any picture, but I’ve found that ego charming over the years—must be from growing up with a very alpha brother. Your pride stems from confidence, which is always a redeeming quality in a man. But I know there’s a soft side beneath that tough-guy persona. Besides, I’ve been around onlookers and cameras since I was born, so I actually don’t notice them much anymore.”
But they notice you.
“I’m glad to hear the media doesn’t bother you because we’ll have to pose for several formal pictures once we’re married,” he told her, taking the silver dome lids off the dishes. “Though something you may not be as used to is servants. As queen, you’ll have your own assistants who will do anything and everything—from dressing you, to preparing your meals and escorting you anywhere you need to go.”
Victoria’s perfectly manicured hand stilled on her wineglass. “I don’t need someone to dress me—that’s literally my job. And an escort? Is that really necessary? I can’t stay here after the marriage until the title is official, Stefan. I have a life, a job to get to. If we need to put up a united front, you’ll just have to come to the States and be with me there.”
“For how long?” he asked. “With no one reigning as king, I am technically the…stand-in, if you will.”
Victoria jerked in surprise. “You’re acting as king now? I didn’t know this.”
He nodded. “Nothing is official until the coronation, but it’s law that when the king dies, the oldest son will step in immediately. If something were to happen to me or if I did not marry, the country would go back to Greece. So this is all temporary until I fulfill my duties.”
“So do you have to stay here the entire time?” she asked. “Are we going to spend our marriage apart?”
Stefan laughed. “Not at all. We will actually need to make several appearances together both here and in L.A. once we’re married to ensure the public believes this is the real deal. What’s your schedule like? We will come up with something.”
His cell rang, interrupting their conversation. He pulled it from his pocket, glanced at the screen and hit ignore before sliding it back in his pocket…but not before Victoria saw the name of the caller. Hannah.
“Am I going to have to compete for your attention from your harem?” she asked with a laugh, even though inside she was dead serious.
“You will never have to compete for my attention, Tori.” His eyes locked on to hers. “You’re the only woman in my life right now. Let’s get back to your schedule.”
She wanted to believe him, so she did. He’d never lied to her before, and she knew if Stefan told her not to worry, then she shouldn’t. But no matter what his actions were, he couldn’t force the other women to stop calling him. Surely once they were married the calls would stop. She hoped.
God, she was so skeptical. Damn Alex for making her that way. To doubt Stefan and his loyalty was laughable. He was going to great lengths to keep his country in his family. That act itself spoke volumes of what the word loyalty meant. So, no, she didn’t think Stefan would do anything to betray her trust. He was the polar opposite of Alex.
“My workload is crazy.” She ran her upcoming schedule through her head. “I’m swamped, but to be fair I’d say we should at least split the time between my home and yours.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I love your family and I love L.A.” He moved around the table, unrolled her napkin and placed it in her lap, waiting until her eyes sought his. “But the first two weeks of our marriage, we are to remain in the palace. It’s a tradition since the first king of Galini Isle. The country refers to it as the honeymoon phase.”
Those expressive blue eyes widened. “I thought a honeymoon was when the couple went off to some undisclosed location to have privacy.”
He tried to block the image of having her all to himself for two weeks. The instant erotic thoughts had him shifting back to his seat before he did something really embarrassing.
“This country prides itself on rituals. The ethos, or practice, is not to be dismissed.”
Victoria stared at him from across the table. He could tell she was getting nervous, so he wanted to take her mind off what was to come.
“Tell me about what you’re working on now, other than your own wedding dress,” he added with a smile he knew would put her at ease.
In an instant her face softened, the corners of her mouth tilted up into a genuine smile and, yeah, he felt that straight to the gut. How would she look smiling up at him, hair spread across his pillow as he slid into her?
Damn. Now more than ever, he wanted her in his bed.
But he wouldn’t pressure her. He’d wait until she was ready to come to him. And he had a feeling from that scorching kiss she’d be more than willing sooner rather than later.
Victoria was different than most women he dated, bedded. She was genuine. Rare in this world to find a woman this sexy and beautiful who didn’t flaunt her body or use it to work her way through her goals. He’d always admired how she created a name for herself without riding on the coattails of her iconic family name.
“My brothers are working together on a film depicting our mother’s life through the years. And I have to say they’ve gotten along so well since they put their differences aside and focused on our mother and this movie.” She laughed, tossing her golden hair over one shoulder. “They’re getting along so well, they even spend off hours together with their families. The kids at least provide a buffer and something else they have in common.”
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.
And that conversation was a whole different issue.
Of all the times she’d fantasized about her wedding day, both as a child and an adult, she’d never envisioned marrying Stefan under these extremely strange circumstances.
Yes, she’d pictured a few times how it would be if they’d taken their friendship to another level. She wasn’t too proud to admit that she’d fantasized his kisses a time or two…and that was before he’d taken her into his arms and captured her mouth, showing her exactly what she’d been missing all these years. How could she delete that arousing sensation from her memory? How could she get his taste from her lips?
And why would she want to erase such pleasure?
Because he was a playboy, and even though she believed him when he said he’d be faithful, that didn’t stop his previous lovers from calling him.
So here she stood, confused, intrigued and ready to take a giant life-altering step toward marriage while two of Stefan’s royal assistants adjusted the veil around her hair. Another assistant stood in front, touching up her blush and powder for at least the third time in an hour. Couldn’t have the soon-to-be queen of Galini Isle looking peaked.
God, she sincerely hoped she didn’t have to do this for every appearance as queen. Thankfully Stefan had assured her she wasn’t required to do too much. Even though she was from an iconic Hollywood family, she didn’t crave the limelight.
“Ladies, could I have a moment alone with my daughter?”
Victoria adjusted her gaze in the mirror to her mother, who stood just inside the arched doorway to one of the many suites in the royal palace.
Obviously comfortable with taking orders, the middle-aged ladies scurried away at Olivia’s request. Once the door was closed, Olivia moved in behind Victoria and smiled.
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
Stamping down any doubts that rose deep within her, Victoria returned her mother’s questioning smile. “I’m sure, Mom. Stefan needs me, and perhaps at this point in my life, I need him. He’s my best friend.”
“But in the past few years you’ve scarcely seen each other.”
Victoria shrugged. “Distance doesn’t matter. Not with us. You know we talk nearly every day, and it’s nice to know I am the one he trusts. We have a bond, Mom. A bond stronger than most marriages, actually. This is just another chapter in our friendship. I was engaged for romantic love once. This time I’m doing it for another kind of love.”
“That’s what worries me, my darling.” Olivia pulled the veil over Victoria’s face, then placed her hands on her shoulders, giving a gentle squeeze. “As a mother I worry your heart will get mixed up in this. He’s a wonderful man to you…as a friend. I worry that in the end Stefan will come out getting everything he wants and you will have just another heartache.”
She’d hadn’t told her mother she and Stefan had shared numerous scorching kisses. Opening up about that certainly wouldn’t alleviate any worries. Best to keep some things private…especially until she could figure them out herself. Arousal and confusion combined made for a very shaky ground.
“I’m not worried at all,” she assured her mother, knowing it wasn’t completely a lie. “He’s given me an open end to this marriage. I may love being queen or I may want to return to my life in L.A. once all this is over. We’ll put in a few appearances once we’re married and this will all seem legitimate. Neither of us will be hurt. We’re both too strong to let this arrangement destroy us.”
“You’re fooling yourself if you think this will be that simple.” Olivia tilted her head, quirking a brow. “I’ve seen Stefan’s charm, Victoria. I’ve witnessed how he’s looked at you since I arrived here. I’ve also taken notice how he’s looked at you over the years. He’s got an infatuation that I believe is beyond a friendship. There’s no way the two of you can play house and not get tangled up in each other. He’s one very attractive man. Lust clouds even the best of judgments.”
Intrigued, Victoria wondered just what her mother saw over the years from Stefan. Lust? Desire? This past month had brought to light a deeper side to their relationship. Beyond the steamy kisses, Stefan had been attentive to each and every one of her needs. He’d had her favorite foods prepared, would bring her a freshly picked flower from the gardens as she was working, insisted on breaks to walk along the beach so she could relax. He’d been the prefect Prince Charming…all because he knew her better than she knew herself in some ways.
Victoria shook off the questions regarding just how deep Stefan’s emotions were and the fact he’d made it perfectly clear he’d had thoughts of her as more than a friend.
“Mother, his appeal and his charm are nothing new to me. And no matter how you think he looks at me, I assure you we are only marrying for the sake of the country and to help launch my bridal line.”
Though she knew from his promising kisses and honest words that was false. But since she was still reeling from that fact herself, that was another tidbit she’d keep inside. She had enough “what-ifs” swirling around in her mind without adding her mother’s into the mix.
“Well, he’d be a fool not to think of you as more,” Olivia retorted. “And since he’s asked you to marry him, he’s no fool. I’ve always wondered if the two of you would end up together. I can honestly say this is not how I’d envisioned it.”
