Chapter 6
Diego and Victoria were enjoying a quiet conversation.
"Are you in much pain?" Victoria asked Diego with concern.
"I'm fine for now, and having you close helps me more than you know." Diego smiled at her with his dazzling Zorro smile.
Victoria returned his smile quickly, but her expression changed to something more serious. "Can I ask you a few questions?" She asked with caution.
"Sure, but I also have something to tell you." He replied with a worried tone.
Victoria spoke up first, "I want to tell you how much I care for you, and have for a long time." She spoke quietly, and looked at him quickly, and then back down at her twisted hands. "I saw a side of you that reminded me of someone else I know. Someone whom I love very much, but only see when there is trouble. I almost lost him two days ago, and I felt empty inside just watching him lay in bed with a high fever. My heart would be broken if I lost him." She paused to take a deep breath and continued, "I understand why you haven't told me yet, and please don't worry about explaining anything to me until you feel well enough." She stared at him wide-eyed and silent tears started to leak down her face.
Diego felt choked up and reached for her hand and kissed it. "Oh, Victoria, I love you." He sat up slowly and pulled her closer to him so he could kiss her soft lips.
Victoria melted at his touch, and allowed herself to lean in for him to kiss her. His lips brushed hers and slowly became more demanding. She soon found herself wrapped tightly in his right arm and resting her head on his chest trying to calm her wild emotions before something more happened.
Diego was first to break the silence, "I love you, and I've wanted to tell you for so long. Your safety was, and still is more important to me, but if I lost you, I also would be empty inside." He brushed her back lightly with his finger tips. He kissed her forehead, and slowly threaded his fingers into the back of her hair; slowly pulling her chin up with his left hand.
Victoria felt a shiver of excitement go down her body and rest in her lower area, making her blush when their eyes met. Their lips met for a brief moment. The soft kiss would have been longer, but the quiet knock at the door made them jump apart.
"Diego, are you awake?' Alejandro's voice traveled through the door.
"Just a minute father." Diego quickly responded before his father knocked again. He looked down at Victoria, "We can talk about this later." He smiled lovingly at her.
Victoria sat up quickly and kissed him on the cheek. "Sounds like an excellent plan to me." She whispered as she sat down on the chair next to the bed.
Alejandro called through the door again, "What's going on in there?" He asked with concern as he entered the room and stood by the door looking at his son with annoyance.
"Shhh, Victoria is asleep." Diego looked over and noticed her resting her head on the edge of the bed pretending to be asleep. A small knowing smile crossed his lips and quickly vanished when his father came closer.