Page 38 of Marriage Masquerade

Down the hall, into the living room—her heart beating a rapid tempo.

Nikos stood near the windows. He did that a lot, she noticed. Did he feel confined in buildings?

She must have made some noise, because he turned. And stared.

Almost smiling, Gemma felt giddy with unexpected delight. After five years of working together, she’d finally surprised him.

“Gemma?”

Sashaying into the room with a bravado she didn’t feel, she nodded.

“You said you liked my hair around my face, so I got it cut to do just that.”

Darn, she hadn’t meant to let that slip. That was not the reason she got her hair cut. She liked the short style and the loose curls that now framed her face. It was a sassy look, one she would never have tried before. But somehow it seemed right for tonight’s event.

“Did I also say I liked you in red? What there almost is of that dress,” he said, his gaze roving over every inch of her. Did he linger on certain areas?

The familiar flutter began. She needn’t worry about being cold in the dress. The heat that swept through her at his look would keep her warm in a snowstorm.

“Not red particularly, but you said you were tired of black. Are you ready to go?”

He hesitated for a long moment. Then nodded curtly.

“Hal has the car down in front. Do you have a coat or something to wear with that?”

“Yes, it’s by the door.”

Impulsively she stepped closer and reached up to pat his collar, brush an imaginary speck of lint from his shoulder. What was she trying to prove?

The edge of his hand lifted her chin. Nikos lowered his head until his face was only inches from hers, his breath caressing her cheeks. The dark glitter in his eyes had her pulse racing.

“What are you doing?” he asked in a low, husky voice.

A dozen answers trembled on her lips. She went with honesty.

“I’m trying to act the part of a devoted wife of a worldly man,” she said.

Her lips seemed to tingle. Would he close those scant few inches and kiss her?

“Ah, I wondered.”

He straightened and offered his arm. “Shall we?”

Disappointed, she hid it, smiling brightly.

The reception was in full swing by the time they arrived. A uniformed maid took Gemma’s coat. It was one thing to wear the dress in the safety of their apartment, but quite something else to walk into a room of strangers.

For a long moment she hesitated at the entrance to the wide ballroom.

Gemma had never been the belle of any ball, but for an instant, she knew what it felt like. Men stopped and stared, smiles of appreciation lighting their features. Women discreetly assessed her dress and hairstyle. From some frowns, Gemma wasn’t sure if they disapproved or were envious.

Raising her chin, she hoped she was equal to the task she’d set. She'd hate herself in the morning if she made a fool of herself at Nikos’ expense.

Nikos introduced her to their host, got a glass of ginger ale for her, and gently steered her toward a group of men he wanted to speak with. Though his touch was light at the small of her back, Gemma’s skin heated. She tried to ignore the sensation and concentrated on making a good impression on his colleagues.

Greeting the men, some of whom she knew, she fell silent, content to listen to the conversation swirling around her without having to take part. It was an interesting topic, the latest international business trends. She'd pick up key points, which would assist in her job.

When Nikos spoke, she noticed how often the others deferred to his opinions and seemed to value his input. She, too, valued his opinions, though she was more likely to argue with them when the occasion arose. He didn’t want to surround himself with yes-men, and Gemma made it clear that she’d never be counted as one.

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