Chapter 2

Victoria walked slowly into the fragrant garden, closing the door quietly behind her. It was late and she didn't want to alert anyone else in the household that she was once again awake and prowling in the darkness. That and – she'd not long ago returned from the tavern. She knew Alejandro would want to know why she'd been gone for so long and she just wasn't ready to voice her lonley feelings.

But it had been a pleasant day, occupying her mind with tasks that needed to be done. It served as an adequate distraction to the emptiness that she felt when she walked into the bedroom she shared with her husband.

When she reached the blooming large crimson roses, she inhaled deeply of their fresh, sweet scent. A small smile played across her lips as she remembered the many nights spent in this very garden. Lost in her pleasant reverie, time passed quickly until she finally lifted her head to the stars and sighed. The moonlight illuminated her smooth features as a small breeze swirled around the garden and lifted her hair away from her face.

The pair of eyes watching the Señora narrowed. If one could have seen the voyeur's face, they would have quickly noticed the mischievous smile that played across the man's handsome features.

Small fingers brushed lightly across the rose petals, a last caress, a last thought, before she turned to walk back inside for the evening.

"A lovely lady such as yourself should receive daily such a caress as you bestowed upon that petal." A deep voice whispered from behind her.

Victoria tensed for a split second before recognizing the familiar voice. A tingle of excitement raced through her. So many times had she heard her masked lover's voice before she saw him with her eyes. If he wanted to play a little game, for the time being, she would respond in kind.

"When one's husband is away, such a touch must wait for his return." Victoria smiled coyly, trembling with excitement rather than the cold. She wrapped her arms around her waist and stepped away from the voice to trail a finger along a near adobe wall.

"Well that shall be rectified, very shortly." Came the reassuring voice.

"Oh, I don't know," Victoria returned to the rose bush and lightly traced the petal with the tip of her finger. "He isn't due for another few days."

"I think he hastened his journey because he could not bear to be parted from you any longer," Strong arms snaked around her waist and pulled her back against his broad, strong chest.

Victoria's eyes danced and she arched her neck to gaze at the shadowed form of her husband. She trembled when he trailed the back of his fingers down the bared skin, his breath hot as he bent to place a tender kiss on the lobe of her ear.

Victoria suddenly found herself unable to speak. Her body melted against her husband's and she released herself into his arms, fully trusting that he would catch her if her legs were suddenly to give out - His gentle caress tended to have that affect. And give out they nearly did when his lips slid from her ear and down her neck to kiss that one spot which always rendered her completely and totally helpless.

A quiet moan escaped her lips as he continued to relentlessly exploit that sensitive spot where her neck joined her shoulder. Unable to speak or really think clearly, his name escaped her lips in a breathless whisper.

"Hmm?" He turned her around in his arms and smiled mischievously down at his wife. "Is that all you have to say."

Victoria inhaled sharply and shot him a smoldering look that nearly caused him to toss all propriety out the window and take her right there in the garden beside the fragrant roses she so loved. They hadn't been parted for this length of time since they'd been married and the longing they held for one another was noticeably evident on both of their faces.

When she opened her mouth to speak, his mouth descended and swallowed whole whatever comment she'd carefully formulated in her passion filled mind. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer. They kissed wordlessly for a time, simply enjoying the feel of one another, the soft breeze and the fragrant garden.

"Hmm, we still have a few hours before the sun comes up." The voice was deep, husky with un-sated passion. It could be sated once they reached their room. Until then, they simply moved to a large, cushioned chair where she crawled into his lap. They cuddled closely, simply listening to the sounds surrounding them until the suns first rays could be seen rising over the large mountain range. She yawned sleepily as he cradled her in his arms and carried her into their bedroom.

Alejandro would have to wait several more hours to hear about Victoria's day.

FINISHED