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.”
Nerves swirled around Victoria’s stomach. As if having the title of princess weren’t crazy and nerve wracking enough, she’d be sharing a bedroom with Stefan for months. There was no way to deny they had chemistry and no way she could lie to herself and say she hadn’t replayed those kisses over and over.
Victoria turned away from the mirror, taking her mother’s hands. “I’m going into this with my eyes wide open, Mom. With Alex I was blindsided, but Stefan isn’t using me. He asked for my help at a time when there was no one else he could trust. And there’s nothing that can damage my heart here because my heart isn’t getting involved. Stefan won’t hurt me.”
Olivia looked as if she wanted to say something more, but Victoria squeezed her hands, unable to discuss this delicate topic any further with her mother. “Trust me.”
With misty eyes full of worry, Olivia’s gaze roamed over Victoria before she stepped back and sighed. “The last time I was at this castle I was playing a queen myself.” She laughed. “I didn’t even compare to how beautiful you look. Must be the difference between acting and real life. I can’t believe how long ago that was.”
Tears clogged her throat as Victoria hugged her mother, not caring about the crinkling of the silk fabrics.
“You were stunning in that film, Mom. Besides, I’m acting, too, aren’t I? Playing queen for Stefan so his country will remain under his family’s control. Ironic, isn’t it? I always swore I’d never go into acting.”
Olivia eased back, placing her hands over Victoria’s bare shoulders. “You’ll be queen for real, my darling. What happens inside the bedroom may not be real, but your title will be. Have you thought of that?”
As if she could think of little else.
Okay, well that was a lie. She’d thought immensely about the fact her fiancé/best friend had her stomach in knots. On one hand she was thrilled to be helping him obtain his goal as he helped with hers. She found herself admiring him for his determination to take what was rightfully his. Most other times she didn’t think of him as a prince or king at all...and now, well, she thought of him as a man. A very sexy, very powerful man. Not powerful in the sense that he’d rule a country, but powerful in the sense that he’d dominate a room the moment he entered. He’d control any conversation, and he’d most certainly take charge in the bedroom.