Page 11 of Marriage Masquerade

“You hide your body in the business suits you normally wear. Now its shape’s revealed. And a very nice sexy body it is, too. Very appealing.”

She froze. The last thing she wished was to appear appealing. She wanted no attraction between them. This proposed marriage was for expediency only—nothing more. Color flushed her cheeks, and Gemma dropped her gaze to the polished surface of his desk. Tingling sensations skipped along her nerves. He’d never given a hint he’d noticed her as a woman. She was his personal assistant—being married wouldn’t change that.

“You’re a lovely woman, Gemma. I believe that we’ll suit each other well or I would not have made the offer. Pregnant women usually seem quite beautiful. And we can afford to get the latest in haute couture for any stage of pregnancy. Have I answered your concerns? Is there anything else?”

“Sex,” she blurted out before she could think.

“Ah. For or against?”

He didn’t seem the least bit perturbed.

She glared at him. How dare he be so casual? Was he teasing?

Blood thundered through her veins again, heating her body. Making love with Nikos? Casual sex was never her thing. She’d thought herself in love with James—only to discover how false that proved. She could never sleep with a man who viewed her as part of a business deal. Did Nikos wish to make this temporary marriage normal in every respect?

She needed to know before making a final decision.

Definite amusement lurked in his eyes, which surprised her. She hadn’t expected that. Gemma wished she could come up with a scathing putdown that would erase that mocking glint and restore her to an equal footing. But she could only feel the tumultuous emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

“Perhaps that is a topic we could discuss at some length later,” he said smoothly when she didn’t answer.

“I would keep my job?” she asked, glad to change the subject.

“Of course. You’re the best personal assistant I’ve ever had. As I told you, one reason I proposed this plan was to keep from losing you.”

“Okay, then, I guess I’ll marry you.”

Nikos actually laughed.

“You’re good for keeping a man’s ego in line. I bet condemned prisoners sound more enthusiastic. But thank you. I’ll endeavor to make sure you never regret your kindness.”

“Um, I’ll guess we’ll see as time goes on, won’t we?”

She rose. “Bye.”

“Where are you going?”

“Today’s Saturday. Unlike you, I don’t plan to spend it at work. I have places to go and things to do.”

“Such as?”

He rose and moved around the desk in that lithe grace she suddenly found fascinating.

Don’t come any closer, she thought, panicking,or I’ll lose my train of thought. But he obviously couldn’t read minds, because he stepped right up beside her.

Gemma breathed in the scent of his aftershave. Spicy and masculine, it called forth a small fire deep within. What was wrong with her? She’d been closer to him many times and never had this reaction before.

“Um…”

She looked away and tried to think of some activity that would satisfy his curiosity.

When Nikos reached out to brush an errant strand of hair from her cheek, she jumped. Her gaze flying to his, Gemma held her breath. In all the years she’d worked for him, he’d never touched her.

And a good thing, too. Shimmering excitement danced along her cheek as the feel of his warm fingertips lingered. She searched his eyes for any sign he’d felt something when he touched her.

His oblique gaze revealed nothing. Impassivity was fine when dealing with longshoremen, but Gemma would have liked some sign of what Nikos was feeling. Was she the only one to notice that spark?

“If you have prior obligations, then do not let me detain you,” he said. “Thank you for agreeing to become my wife. We will see to the arrangements on Monday.”

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