Page 46 of Marriage Masquerade

Gemma gazed out the airplane window as the tall spire of the Washington Monument came into view. She glanced at Nikos. He was still engrossed in the report he’d brought along to study. Turning back to the small window, she wondered what this visit would bring.

Would Allessandros grill her on why she’d married his cousin? Find her lacking in the attributes the family would wish for Nikos' wife? She knew it was a temporary arrangement, but Nikos' family did not.

Or had Nikos told Allessandros the reason for their hasty wedding? Would they be disappointed in his choice of a wife?

She hoped not. She wanted his family to like her.

This past week had been odd. During the day, she felt no different from how she’d felt for the past five years. Except for a strong sense of awareness of Nikos that hadn't been present before.

She hoped she had hidden that from him, but with his uncanny ability to cut to the key aspect in business dealings, she worried she’d given herself away.

The evenings had been a different story. Those they spent together. Awkwardly at first, like strangers trying to grope their way through the stages of learning about one another. As the week progressed, Gemma knew she’d learned more about her enigmatic husband than she’d gleaned over all the years they’d worked together.

And what little she had learned confused her.

Nikos was a curious blend of his Greek heritage and American ways. While he paid lip service to women’s rights, Gemma suspected if he could have things entirely his way, his word would be law.

She challenged him over inconsequential things just for the impish joy of watching him as he drew on his strength of resolve and marshaled his arguments.

By Thursday, he’d caught her out.

Gemma smiled dreamily as she gazed at the approaching airport.

He’d been furious. Or had that been just for her benefit? She still thought she’d seen a twinkle of amusement in his dark eyes for all his arguments.

The kisses he’d showered on her hadn't been amusing. Exciting, tumultuous, wildly exotic, but definitely not amusing. She grew warm remembering.

If Hal had not interrupted, would those kisses have led to something more?

Sometimes she regretted making an issue of moving into her own room after Immigration’s home inspection. Not that she expected anything from her husband. He’d not touched her the two nights she’d shared that enormous bed. Would her remaining there have changed anything?

Did she really want to change things? It wasn’t as if their marriage was real or they planned to continue it. A physical intimacy would complicate matters, she knew. But that knowledge didn’t stop her yearning. Just for a kind word, a gentle caress. A passionate kiss.

Be grateful for what you have, she scolded herself.

But sometimes she wished she hadn't told him about James. Even fantasized once or twice that they had married because of mutual desire.

Though their marriage was unconventional, she liked it.

What would it be like if Nikos had wooed her and won her? Courted her with flowers, dinners out, dancing? Pledged himself to her for all time?

She shook her head and sighed. He'd made his position clear enough. He didn’t trust women. And she was realistic enough to know that if his visa hadn't lapsed, he'd never have thought of marrying her—or anyone else.

After seeing Katrina's reaction at the party, she wondered how much the woman regretted losing Nikos. Had she wanted to rekindle his affections?

Or had theirs been a mercenary arrangement from the beginning?

How could she not be attracted to the man? And regret the ending of their relationship?

Gemma couldn’t imagine being more interested in Nikos' fortune than the man himself.

“Well, she can’t have him,” Gemma murmured, startled by the strength of her feelings.

“What?”

Nikos looked at her.

“Nothing. I was just thinking aloud. We’re almost there.”

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