Page 35 of Marriage Masquerade

Trying on dress after dress, none of them seemed exactly right. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for—something to make a statement and drive the point home to her new husband.

When the salesclerk brought in a flame red dress, Gemma knew it was the one.

Trying it on, she crossed her fingers it would fit. She wasn’t showing much in her pregnancy yet.

The dress slid over her like a second skin. It was one-shouldered, so that her left arm and shoulder were bare. It scarcely reached the top of her knees. Shimmering in the light, it was a sexy siren of a dress.

“Wow,” she said.

“Wow is right,” the saleswoman agreed. “If that doesn’t get him to sit up and take notice, forget the man. He’s dead.”

Gemma glanced at her.

“You think this is for a man?”

“Why else?” the woman asked, amusement dancing in her eyes. “You want to tell me different?”

Gemma laughed. “No. I’ll take it. Shoes?”

“We have some strappy high-heeled sandals in the exact shade that would be perfect for that dress. Let me see if we have your size.”

While she waited, Gemma turned this way and that before the mirror. She looked totally different, wild and free. And as unlike a staid personal assistant as it was possible to get.

Her heart sped up when she thought of Nikos' reaction when he saw her.

Throwing caution to the wind was fun, she decided. As long as she could handle things. Their understanding was firm. No falling in love on either side.

Katrina had burnedhim, just as James had burned her.

They had a mutually beneficial agreement that suited them both.

“Try these.” The saleswoman handed Gemma the shoes.

They were perfect.

Gemma hummed happily as she changed back into her street clothes.

As the salesclerk wrapped the dress and shoes, she glanced at Gemma hesitantly.

“I’m stepping out of line with this, but I would suggest a new hairstyle. Something short and sassy that will complement the dress. Or have it done up in an elaborate cascade?”

Gemma nodded. It was worth thinking about.

Hadn’t Nikos just yesterday said he liked her hair around her face?

Not that she would change her hairstyle because of his comment. But another style would go better with the dress.

Gemma hurried back to the apartment, placing her new dress in her closet. She spent part of the afternoon moving her other clothes to Nikos’ closet. And to the drawers Hal had cleared for her.

Feeling odd about sharing the space, Gemma left as soon as everything was put away.

Where was Nikos?

She phoned the office and learned that he had gone in for a short meeting and was involved.

It was late by the time Gemma heard the door to the apartment open. She had given in to Hal’s entreaties and eaten hours earlier.

Nikos appeared in the doorway to the living room. Gemma put down her book.

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