Page 37 of Marriage Masquerade

She smiled brightly. “I really think that is much better.”

Nikos frowned, but gave the matter serious consideration.

“Maybe you’re right. It takes the emphasis off the business.”

“I’ll want a really large raise,” she said smugly.

Three hours later, Nikos and Gemma entered a cab in front of the Immigration Building. He settled back as the driver slid into the busy traffic.

She leaned closer to whisper in his ear.

“I think we pulled it off, don’t you? It went so smoothly.”

He nodded, his eyes on the cabdriver. The man ignored them as he fought the heavy midtown traffic.

Nikos looked at Gemma. She was glowing with happiness. There was more to go through, but she was right—it looked as if the inspector believed their story. Of course, bringing in her pregnancy helped. Nikos knew the man thought the child was his.

For a moment, he wondered what it'd be like to be a father. To take turns rocking a cranky baby, or to watch his wife nurse their child at her breast. To watch Gemma shower her love on the baby.

Her scent reached him, light and fragrant. Lilacs, he thought. He was used to it, for she wore it all the time. Used to it, but attracted just the same.

Blast it, he found that happening more and more. When had Gemma changed from a perfect personal assistant to a woman who captured his attention?

She’d been giving and passionate in the kisses they’d shared. Yet last night, despite the warmth in the apartment, she had worn a virginal gown to bed that covered her from head to foot. At least, he imagined it was long.

She’d had a warm flush on her face when he finally joined her in the bedroom. He’d watched her sleep for several long moments, trying to figure out what had changed between them.

And why he was feeling a need to know more about her, to touch her, to feel the delicate texture of her skin.

Why he wanted to kiss her. Why he wanted her.

He looked out the cab's window. Things had changed, but he hadn't. Hadn’t Katrina proved women wanted what men could give them, but not the men themselves?

In this situation, Gemma was no different. She wanted an escape from embarrassment because of her unexpected pregnancy.

He'd better never forget that. No matter how much he might want her.

“I’ve changed my mind, driver,” Nikos said, giving him the office address.

To Gemma he said, “Since you’ll be busy this afternoon, I might as well go in to the office for a few hours.”

To escape the temptation that was growing when he was around her. The temptation to kiss her, to learn more about her. To make her his wife in every way.

Chapter Six

Gemma hesitated, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She almost didn’t recognize herself. She'd slipped into the apartment earlier, seeing no one. Using the guest bathroom, she prepared for the party. Now she was ready. Or as ready as she was going to get. Could she pull this off?

It wasn’t really her. Just part of this weird dance she was doing with Nikos. Her hair was a froth of curls, framing her face, softening it. Making her eyes look huge.

Or was it the new makeup the stylist had suggested? Gemma wasn’t sure, but she looked different. Mysterious, interesting, almost sexy.

The red lipstick matched her dress. As did her fingernails and toenails. The dress hadn’t looked so blatantly sexy in the boutique, had it? Had she put on weight? Or had it been this skintight yesterday?

Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, she wondered for the millionth time what Nikos would say.

“No time like the present to find out,” she said, taking another deep breath.

Many more and she’d hyperventilate. Throwing open the door, she raised her head, threw back her shoulders and walked boldly out.

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