Note: This chapter contains adult content. Please do not read if you have an aversion to such.

Chapter 2

His sharp intake of breath drew her out of her fantasy and she wrenched herself away, aghast at her behavior. "Diego!" A blush instantly crept along her neck and cheeks. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-" But the look in his eyes stopped her instantly and she trembled again - and not from the cold.

The fire crackled before them, casting shadows along the walls and before Diego could stop himself, he reached up to trail the back of his fingers along the young woman's cheek. Their eyes locked and neither had the strength or courage to wrench their gaze away from the other. When a strong hand cupped her chin and brought her lips to his, a small groan escaped the back of her throat.

Their lips instantly melded and he quickly deepened the kiss, nearly drawing the living breath right out of her lungs. Her hands came up to rest against his bare chest and she dimly felt the frantic thumping of his heart.

Lightening flashed outside setting the damp sky ablaze with its electricity. But no lightening was needed inside the tavern as the attraction between Diego and Victoria shot like lightening through to their very core.

Lack of air caused them to part far before they were ready and Diego sighed softly, realizing that his secret was out - or would be as soon as Victoria's intelligent mind snapped all of the pieces into place. He reached for her again and to his surprise she offered no resistance. As his lips closed over hers, he heard her whisper. "Madre de Dios."

Fearful that she would push him away, He cupped her cheeks in both hands and slid long fingers into her hair. "I love you." He whispered against her lips, his voice deepening with each word into that which she recognized as belonging to her masked love.

Victoria's mind raced even as the electric rush of his kiss stormed through her body. Zorro! Diego? The similarities in the men's kiss were unmistakable. The way he held her, The tumultuous storm in his eyes as he'd looked at her just a few moments ago, his declaration of love. How had she never seen it before! She gasped for breath and he released her lips with a reluctant sigh. When he looked away, seemingly embarrassed, She blinked at him, scrutinizing the emotions playing across his handsome features. Diego? Her Diego? Her best friend in all the world was…. The man she loved? Was Zorro? No sooner had those thoughts entered her mind, did he recover his courage to level a steady, smoldering gaze at her that caused her breath to catch and her heart beat to echo in her ears.

"Dios," She repeated for what had to have been the tenth time in as many minutes.

"Please forgive me," He whispered, trailing a long finger down her jaw and over her trembling lips.

She fought the rising ire over his deception as his soft voice echoed in her ears. But then she looked into his eyes and saw the raw emotion reflected in the steady crystal gaze, and the apologetic stare pinned her lips shut - for now.

"I'm sorry," She let him continue, afraid of what she may say if she opened her mouth. She wanted to hit him and kiss him at the same time. "Please Victoria. Understand-" He faltered and she watched him take a deep breath and continue. "I never wanted to hurt you by this deception. I never meant for this to go on so long. I didn't want you to find out this way."

"Then how did you want me to find out?" She snapped, a bit too harshly than she intended. Her mind tumbled back to the day he'd asked her to marry him. The love and adoration in his voice, the beautiful clear eyes as he revealed to her his deepest fear. It was the happiest day of her life. And now…

Never having her direct such a tone toward him, he recoiled as if he'd been slapped. She could tell he was frantically trying to come up with a suitable answer, but when one wasn't quickly forthcoming, she continued, color rising hotly into her cheeks. "When you were lying dead in the middle of the plaza thanks to the shot of a lucky lancer?"

He opened his mouth to speak but she wrenched herself from his arms and stood, towering over him, in her anger looking like an unstoppable fiery tornado. She might well have been for as small as he felt. "I can see it now." She seethed, anger rising quickly to replace the passion of moments before. "The entire plaza filled with people as the alcalde rips off the dead Zorro's mask!" She was sobbing now at the thought, pacing back and forth in front of him. She absently swept a glass off the counter and hurled it into the wall. He cringed, knowing she'd never been so angry in her life. "Then what would I do!" She leveled such a pained gaze at him that his heart broke. "I'd have lost my best friend and the man that I love all in one fell swoop!"

"It won't-"

"It will! Someday! And then you'll leave me all alone in this world!" She cried at him, finally showing him her true fear.

He reached for her and to his great shock she didn't stop him. He pulled her into his arms and settled her against his chest. "Querrida, please. Please don't cry. Not for me. I can't bear it." He pressed a gentle kiss into her hair and followed it with another to her forehead.

Emotionally drained, she relaxed in his strong embrace. When his hands once again cupped her cheeks and brought her lips to his, she didn't resist. She lost herself in the taste of him, in the familiar scent and emotion that raced through her body when he kissed her. A small groan escaped the back of her throat and she felt him smile against her mouth.

Breathless, he released her just enough to whisper hotly against her cheek. "Forgive me?"

When she caught his smoldering gaze, she nodded wordlessly and shifted against him so that she could reach his head. When her hands slid into his hair and tugged his mouth back into its previous position, she grinned coyly at the soft groan that came from his own lips. "Yes, Diego, I forgive you." Came the low whisper as she returned his kiss with growing passion. "But you have a lot of explaining to do before this night is out."

When they parted, he chuckled at the comment that had meant to sound like a harsh demand but simply ended up a breathless whisper. An involuntary shiver rushed through his frame and Victoria glanced at him with concern. When she pulled herself from his embrace and stood, he shivered again at the warmth of her body being pulled away. "You need to get out of those clothes."

Diego raised an amused eyebrow and regarded her with a mischievous smile. "I'm not sure that would be - wise, at this time."

She'd reached the fireplace and had gathered a warm blanket before the implications of his response struck her and she whirled to stare at his bedraggled, half naked body. "Oh." She laughed softly and regarded him with a curious stare. Now that he was standing, and she was paying far closer attention, she could see the hard muscular lines of his body outlining what clothing he still wore. How she'd never noticed this before, she'd never guess. Perhaps her friend had just played his role to perfection and -

He noticed her appreciative gaze and was secretly thrilled but he was careful not to show it. He knew how she looked at Zorro, had seen the devotion and love in her eyes every time she gazed at him. Never in his wildest dreams would he believe that she could level the same passionate gaze at his alter ego. "I didn't want you to see the real Diego. You are not blind. You are just a little too - close, to the situation." He finished the thought for her and her eyes flashed as a small smile played across her lips.

He walked gingerly over to the fireplace, still nursing what he deduced were only bruised muscles and not broken bones, and smiled warmly when she dropped a thick blanket around his damp shoulders.

She urged him to sit in front of the fire and when he did, she trailed her finger along the line where the blanket ended and his bare skin began. "I'm not close enough at the moment." She bent behind him and whispered hotly into his ear.

His sharp intake of breath and slight tremble caused a satisfied smirk to play across her lips.

"Victoria….."

She sauntered in front of him and glanced down at his soaking pants. "Out of those, please."

Diego blinked at her bold stare and he tilted his head as if to ask a question.

"What?" She asked innocently, "I'd rather have you naked in my dining room, than burning up with fever in my bed."

A curious eyebrow rose at the bold statement and he stood, glancing down at her while he pushed himself to his feet. She turned away as his fingers went to the fastenings of his pants. Hearing the swish of material as it slid down his legs caused a strange heat to spread throughout her body. When she noticed his shadow move against the fireplace, she turned around and stared as he draped the wet clothes near the warm fire. Clad only in one of her blankets, she found the sight of his body intoxicating.

"You're wet, yourself, Bella," Victoria started at the endearment and the soft mouth which had voiced it. "At least you have clothing to change into. I don't want you to catch a cold." She smiled up at him as he rubbed her shoulders with strong, gentle hands. "I'll be fine down here, go." He urged, dropping a gentle kiss to the corner of her mouth as he turned her toward the stairs.

She changed quickly, making sure she'd picked out an appropriate, loose fitting and beltless outfit. She watched him from the top of the stairs for a few moments, watched him stretch out in front of the fire, carefully covering the parts of skin that appeared beneath the blanket from each movement. She trembled, and not from the chill in the air.

"I've brought some pillows," Victoria said softly, sending a smoldering look of desire his way. "Until we get you warm, you should stay down here by the fire. These will make things more comfortable."

"Thank you," He glanced away from her and pushed on the pillows, fluffed them, anything to distract him from the radiant woman standing mere feet from him. He wanted to kiss her again. Wanted to feel her lush lips flowering beneath his, wanted to feel…No…he needed to force himself to think of something else. Improper thoughts would do him no good tonight. He needed to control himself. Even if he'd had his clothes, he wouldn't be able to make his usual hasty exit when things got to heated between them…..not when Victoria needed him. Restraint…..he'd practiced it for years….he would just have to double his efforts now.

She smiled smugly at his obvious discomfort. Well!. Serves him right! I'm going to make him pay for the years of deception. Suddenly a thought began to form in her deceptive little mind. "I'm going to heat some soup, it will warm us both, I think." She bent down and kissed his cheek before bounding into the kitchen.

"Victoria.." He called after her, concerned that the kitchen would be too dangerous for her to traverse alone.

He pushed himself to his feet and followed her into the kitchen, determined to not let her wait on him - and determined to keep any harm from coming to her.

Candlelight flickered in the dark room as she stirred the leftover soup in the waiting pot. She tried unsuccessfully to light a fire beneath it but couldn't manage.

Diego re-arranged the blanket around his waist and stepped up behind her, "Let me try." He took the flint from her and bent over, a bit slowly due to his bruised muscles, and lit the fire. He could hear her snort behind him and he turned around, a satisfied Zorro-like grin spreading across his face.

"That is highly annoying. Please be sure not to do that too often." She folded her arms and glared at him, irritated that he'd been able to start the fire and she, who lit it three times a day for more years than she could remember, couldn't manage to do it tonight.

"Some things are best left to men." He joked and was rewarded with a hearty slap to his bare arm.

"Yes, indeed." She smiled mischievously up at him. "Falling from high distances seems to be something you are rather good at. "

He nodded his approval and flashed her a sly grin, "Touche."

"But…as always," She slid her fingers beneath the edge of the blanket around his waist and stepped into the circle of his arms. "I am here to repair the damage you inflict on yourself."

"Such a delicate, unforgettable touch." He trembled as she flattened her hands against his stomach and slid them up his broad chest. His breath hitched and his arms tightened around her shoulders. When she leaned forward to press a tentative kiss to the base of his neck, he groaned. "Victoria-" He couldn't let this go any further. He could only restrain himself in her presence for so long. And with her making these incredibly intimate gestures, his resolve was quickly disintegrating. "The soup-"

She quickly placed a slim finger on his lips and nodded slowly. "You can warm me better than the hottest soup."

"That would be - unwise, considering my state of - undress."

Victoria's eyes raked appreciatively over his body, causing his blood to boil. He closed his eyes and swallowed a groan. His mind warred with his heart, with his body. His sense of propriety was holding on by a thread and he couldn't take much more of her attentions or that thin thread was going to snap. "Please don't." he pleaded, breath hitching in his chest. The plea didn't even sound convincing to his ears.

"What?" She feigned innocence and continued to trace circles over the muscles of his chest with the tips of her fingers.

"I only have so much control, Querrida," His voice was a hoarse, husky whisper now and she delighted in the rapid change. "And you appear to be quite adept at stripping it from me one layer at a time."

A bubble of laughter escaped her lips and she grinned wickedly, sending a bolt of white hot heat straight to his groin. He groaned and closed his eyes, embarrassed that she would soon feel the physical manifestation of his desire. And she did, instantly, but kept her eyes locked with his, determined to break down his oh so very proper control. It became something of a challenge for her…to see how quickly she could break the man who she had very rarely seen show any kind of emotion, much less passion. "I believe we've already taken care of the stripping, my love."

Diego coughed and glanced down at the simple blanket wrapped around his waist. The endearment warmed his heart and nearly ripped away another layer of his weakening control. Too much more of this and he would find himself taking her in his arms and not letting her go until he made her unmistakably his.

"Much to your apparent amusement, it appears." A dark eyebrow raised but it was clear he didn't expect an answer.

She smiled wickedly and placed another kiss to his chest.

His response yet again was a strangled whisper. " Victoria. Please….we can't…"

"We can." She whispered moments before her lips closed over a very sensitive nipple. His back arched sharply and whatever response he had formulated was instantly lost. All he could feel was her tongue, swirling around his skin, sucking and licking in a way he had only ever dreamed. With a heavy sigh, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, ensuring that she would not pull away too quickly. When she glanced up at him through heavily lidded eyes, his skin began to burn. The fiery passion swirling in the sweet gaze sent another bolt of electric heat straight to his groin. He shifted uncomfortably, but she didn't move, didn't remove her lips from the delectable morsel she'd finally captured.

The taste of him, the feel of his trembling body beneath her uncertain fingers sent a rush of heat through her slim frame. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she could exact this type of reaction in a man. As unsure as she was, as unfamiliar with the workings of a man's body, she was thrilled with his response.

He frantically grasped at the last threads of his control. But for the first time in his life, he didn't really want to restrain his desire. As Zorro, he knew he could and would only go so far with his beautiful señorita, but now that she knew his true identity, the rules had changed. Before his mind could intervene, his hands slid up the back of her peasant top and pulled her lips from his skin.

The small whimper that slipped from her lips at the loss was quickly silenced when his mouth came down on hers. His hands rubbed at her shoulders, lower and lower beneath the loose-fitting top. He kneaded her shoulders as he soundly kissed her, sucking away her life's breath. When his hands trailed over her bare shoulders, down her sides and gently along the outline of her breasts, she trembled.

The soup forgotten, he pressed her firmly against the wall and lifted her into his arms. Small fingers slid into his dark hair and tugged while she pressed herself tightly against him. She could feel his body respond to her and a sliver of fear rushed through her mind. The blanket, once wrapped firmly around his waist, loosened until all that was holding it up was her body pressed tightly against his.

They kissed forever, burning the feel of one another into their minds. His lips nibbled along the long, smooth column of her neck, down to her shoulders and back again. Large, gentle hands cupped her breasts through the thin cotton, rubbing the tiny nipples until they stood erect beneath his touch. She trembled , breath catching at this new sensation he was pulling from her body. Every nerve ending in her body was alive, throbbing and sensitive to the lightest touch.

"Victoria," He murmured against her neck. "Once we start down this path, we cannot go back. Are you sure?" He breathed, his voice steadying suddenly as a moment of clarity rolled through his passion-filled mind.

"The only 'back' I will ever wish to travel is to the day you returned from Spain," Victoria pressed tiny kisses along the broad expanse of his chest. "All of these lost years. We could have been together so long ago." When she pressed a kiss to the base of his neck, his sharp intake of breath was the only encouragement she needed.