Page 40 of Marriage Masquerade

“Gemma, are you Nikos' date for the evening?”

“No, Katrina, Gemma's my wife.”

Her shocked look proved she hadn't heard about Nikos' marriage.

Gemma felt a hint of smug satisfaction at the woman’s startled expression.

Katrina’s gaze swung back to his. “You married again?”

“I was free to do so.”

“To her?” she asked, as if Gemma was totally beyond the realm of possibility.

Nikos smiled at Gemma, winking with his left eye.

“Yes, to Gemma. Wish us well, Katrina. We’re having a baby.”

Shocked, Katrina looked back and forth, as if trying to fathom the words she’d heard.

“And my wife's hungry. If you’ll excuse us.”

He took Gemma’s arm gently and urged her on their way toward the buffet table.

Gemma felt the tension shimmering in the air.

“She's still lovely,” she murmured, feeling she ought to say something.

The spurt of jealousy that gripped her hadn’t abated. But there was nothing for her to be concerned about. It wasn’t as if Nikos had any interest in Katrina.

“I didn’t know she would be here. Sven knows I don’t like to even be in the same room with her.”

“Who is Justin?”

“I don’t know. Her latest, I guess. I don’t really care.”

Nikos' anger simmered just below the surface. Nikos’ fury was clear to Gemma, even though he had a firm hold on his emotions.

“What would you like to eat?”

They had reached the buffet tables, and from the tone of his voice, Gemma knew further conversation about his beautiful ex-wife was closed.

When they finished nibbling at some hors d’oeuvres, Nikos introduced Gemma to another couple and they chatted for a few minutes. Then one of the men Gemma had met earlier joined them.

“Can I borrow Gemma for a moment? Morganstern has finally come up with what he thinks are sound reasons to repute her views on that global trend. I want to see if Gemma can defend herself.”

At Nikos' nod, she put down her glass and crossed the room. In only moments, she was embroiled in a debate with the older man who didn’t agree with her. Stretching her mental abilities, she countered all his arguments, stating hers calmly and with conviction.

Soon the others in the group were laughing and rooting for her. The debate cooled, and the topic changed.

Nikos joined her.

“Pretty wife you’ve got there, Nikos,” one man said genially.

“Smart, too,” Morganstern growled, not looking at all displeased.

“I agree. If you gentlemen will excuse us?”

He took Gemma’s hand, threading his fingers through hers.

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