Victoria spun back around and walked up a few steps to Stefan before whispering, “Give me five minutes. He’s harmless and he won’t talk if you’re glaring at him like my bodyguard.”
“He hurt you, Victoria. He has no right being here.”
Funny how Stefan wasn’t being territorial. He was upset because Alex had broken her. God, her heart melted even more. Did he have any idea how romantic, how sexy that was?
Stefan eyed her and she was positive he was going to argue, but he leaned forward, kissed her slightly and said, “He can’t touch you now.”
Stefan turned and walked up the steps into the house, leaving Victoria even more stunned. But she couldn’t think right now about all the amazing ways Stefan was showing her love. He may not even know it yet, but he was falling for her.
It ticked her off that her ex stood behind her. She was supposed to be seducing her husband, showing him just how good they were together. Instead she was dealing with the one man who’d used her, cut her down in public and tossed her aside as if she were useless.
Shoulders back, head held high, she faced him once again and met him at the bottom of the steps. Stefan was right; Alex couldn’t hurt her again. She refused to let him have an ounce of control in her life anymore. She took pride in the fact she was stronger now, thanks to Stefan.
“You have five minutes,” she told him, resuming her stance and crossing her arms.
“I made a mistake.” He took a step toward her, reached out to touch her shoulder, and Victoria jerked back. “Please, Tori.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. First of all, I’m married.”
Alex shoved his hand back in his pocket. “You don’t love him like you did me.”
Victoria smiled. “You’re absolutely right. What I feel for Stefan is completely different. I would do anything at all for him. I’ve never felt so appreciated and treasured as I do with him.”
“Is that the money and title talking?”
Before her mind could process what she was doing she found her open palm connecting with the side of his face.
“I will not defend myself to anyone, especially you,” she told him, rubbing her thumb over her stinging hand. “Now get out of my sight before I let Stefan come back out and settle this in a very old-fashioned, clichéd way.”
She didn’t need to tell Alex what that was. Any man would know.
He rubbed the side of his cheek. “I didn’t come to argue with you. I wanted to know if your marriage was for real, and I just couldn’t imagine you fell in love with someone that fast and married. I mean, you always told me you two were only friends.”
“We were always friends. Now I realize that Stefan was the only man for me. And this marriage is more real than anything you and I ever shared.”
She didn’t wait for him to respond. Victoria pivoted on her heel and marched up the steps, running smack into a hard, familiar chest, instantly enveloped by a scent she’d come to associate with her husband.
Strong hands wrapped around her biceps and pulled her flush with his body.
“It’s okay,” Stefan whispered. “I’ve got you.”
He walked her into the house and she realized tears were streaming down her cheeks. Had he heard everything? Fear and worry took the place of the anger she’d felt only moments ago. She didn’t want him to know how she felt yet. She couldn’t chance ruining their relationship.
Any and every feeling she had for Stefan totally overshadowed anything she’d ever had for Alex.
“We need complete privacy,” Stefan murmured.
“Yes, Your Highness,” one of the guards stationed inside the door replied.
Stefan swept Victoria up into his arms and she settled her face against his neck. Alex’s presence had awakened something in her, something she thought she’d never feel again. Love. But not love for her ex. No, she was utterly and completely in love with the man who carried her, the man who knew when to let silence express his care for her, the man who showed his tender, compassionate side at the shelter only an hour ago. The man who’d taken such joy in pleasuring her, in the bedroom and out.
Her husband. She knew she’d fallen for him, but this moment solidified the fact she was completely in love. And perhaps she’d been in love with her best friend since they met. On some level she knew that to be true. But now she knew without a doubt that she loved him wholeheartedly and without any reservations.
He’d given her the control over the end of their marriage and, to be honest, she wanted to make this relationship permanent. And not just permanent because they were friends and they got along in bed, but permanent because she knew Prince Stefan Alexander was her soul mate.