Chapter 2

Leaning against the window sill, he was waiting for her to enter the bedroom. The small candle she carried with her didn't emit much light and only when she put it on the nightstand Victoria became aware of his presence.

"Zorro," she exclaimed surprised, moving closer. But then he wrapped her already in his arms.

"Querida," he whispered, holding her tight. She felt him tremble in her arms. "What's wrong, Zorro?" she asked concerned. "I need you tonight, Victoria, please," he whispered desperately, clinging to her.

"I'm here, tell what has made you so upset, Zorro," she tried to comfort him.

"Just let me hold you, Victoria!" he pleaded almost crying.

When he started to kiss her passionately, she realized he was out of control. Something must have distraught him terribly. He was no longer holding back as he used to, no longer retreating when she wanted him to continue.

"I'd better leave now," he whispered in a final attempt to regain control before he lowered her down on the bed kissing her hungrily. "No, don't go," she returned his kisses, feeling her body answer to his touch. Soon neither thought of stopping anymore.

They woke up some time later in each others arms with all their clothes discarded on the floor including the black mask.

Z Z Z

"I'm sorry, Victoria," Diego whispered, "I didn't want it to happen like this. I don't know what came over me. I.. I...," unable to talk he held her tight.

"It's alright, Diego, I have wanted to make love to you for a long time," Victoria put his mind at rest. "I love you and I'm here for you."

"You're not disappointed it's me?" Diego asked her questioningly.

"I always had suspicions that it was you and I felt attracted to you, but I couldn't believe you were the same man. But there is no more reason for you to doubt my love by now." He relaxed in her arms and she knew she had found the right words.

Z Z Z

She remembered all too clearly the moment when she had slowly tugged at the knot of his mask while he had been kissing her. His eyes had opened wide as he realized her intention.

"Don't be afraid, I love you," she had whispered as she continued to kiss him. When she had let the mask fall to the floor, it had been her to look surprised.

"You! It was you all the time!" she had whispered, but she hadn't let him go when he wanted to retreat. Glued to his lips she had wrapped her arms around him making him stay.

Z Z Z

"Tell me what happened tonight," she whispered, caressing and kissing his cheek.

Immediately she saw the hurt return into his eyes and he was searching for words to start. "I have lost him," he said simply. "I have lost Felipe."

"Why? How?"

"My father and I had a fight tonight. He wanted me to do something which I couldn't because of Zorro."

"You had these fights before, what was different tonight?"

"I wasn't in a good mood either and it went from worse to worst," she felt his fingers cramp around her arm.

"What do you mean by worst?"

"I'm no longer his son and I have time to move out of the hacienda until he and Felipe return in two weeks from Monterey. He doesn't want me to come to the hacienda anymore, not even to see Felipe. He is taking Felipe away from me."

Victoria was shocked. "This can't be true! Didn't you tell him you were Zorro?"

"No, and I won't. The reason why I kept the secret still holds true. I can't have him know it."

"Oh Diego, I know you both have a temper, but I'd never have thought it would get this bad. No wonder you are so hurt."

He caressed her tenderly. "I need you more than ever, Querida. It would kill me if you left me now."

"I love you, Diego. I won't desert you."

Then he started to cry in her arms. "It hurts so much, Victoria, he is my father and I love him, but I can't forgive him. Why can't he love me when I'm not Zorro? And why does he take it out on Felipe?"

"Is there nothing you can do?" Victoria asked.

"I don't know, but I will need to talk to my lawyer in Santa Barbara. I should never have let my father adopt Felipe. We all thought it would be better for him to become my brother, but now I have no rights on him. It's upon my father to determine Felipe's whereabouts, at least until he is of age."

Victoria held him until he calmed down and they both fell asleep.

Z Z Z

In the morning Victoria woke up first and it took her a moment to remember last night. For the first time she realized how life changing the events were. Not only she knew the identity of her masked lover, but she became a woman too in that passionate encounter. She felt wonderful, a new life lay ahead of her.

Then she turned around to look at the sleeping man beside her. He was such a strong, passionate man and yet so vulnerable in his feelings. She'd never have thought he would need her so much, giving her so much power over him, but she would do everything for him, the love of her life.

She reached out with her hand to touch his face but was interrupted by his hand who led her hand to his mouth to place a kiss on her palm.

One kiss led to another and to some slow lovemaking that wasn't so explosive as the first time last night, but much more tender and as wonderful, making them doze off again.

Z Z Z

Waking up, Diego realized how late it had become and that Zorro mustn't be seen leaving her tavern. Quickly, he put on his clothes and shook her awake.

"Victoria, it's late, I must go now. Your patrons will knock on your doors soon and we can't have them surprise us."

Alarmed, Victoria jumped out of bed to get dressed. "Oh no. We have overslept. I must get ready."

Sensing her restlessness, Zorro kissed her quickly before he left through the window to call for Toronado. "I'll be back later and we'll talk then."