Page 50 of Marriage Masquerade

She couldn’t do it.

“Is something wrong?” Norrie asked.

Gemma dragged her gaze away from the bed and tried to smile at the teenager.

“Everything's fine. Your room is lovely. I just hate for you to give it up for us.”

She had to talk to Nikos. Maybe they could stay in a hotel nearby—so as not to force Norrie from her room. That would be a strong enough reason. They could still spend all the time he wanted with Allessandros and Megan.

“It’s no big deal. Besides, I’m staying with Stephie tonight. She’s my best friend.”

“We’ll leave you alone. Come out when you're ready,” Megan said, taking her daughter’s arm and pulling her into the hall. I’ll fix something cold to drink.”

“Thanks, I won’t be long,” Gemma said, still standing near the door.

She heard the men’s voices. Were they still outside?

How could she get Nikos alone? Before she could plan a way, he walked into the bedroom carrying their small suitcases.

Gemma moved swiftly, closing the door and leaning against it.

“Nikos, we can’t stay here.”

He calmly put the cases on the floor near the bed and surveyed the room.

“Is there a problem?”

“Look at that bed.”

No, that wasn’t what she wanted to say. She cleared her throat.

“I mean, this is Norrie’s room. She’s having to sleep at a friend’s while we’re here. If we stayed at a hotel, she wouldn’t be forced to give up her room.”

“Stay at a hotel?”

“Yes. We could book a room nearby. Still see all you want of Allessandros and Megan and then…”

Her voice trailed off at his expression.

“I'd never offend my cousin in such a way,” Nikos said firmly.

“Offend?”

“Throw his hospitality back in his face.”

She took a breath to counter his argument, then slowly let it out. Leaving for a hotel would smack of rejecting their hospitality. Nervously, she glanced at the bed again.

“That’s a small bed.”

“If you are worried about falling out in the night, I’ll hold you to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Visions of being wrapped in Nikos' arms did nothing to quell the trepidation she felt. They only exacerbated the tingling sense of anticipation.

“No, I won’t fall out.” Or if she did, she’d just stay on the floor, where she’d be safe from temptation.

How could she tell him she wasn’t worried about him being there, but about her reaction to him?

Obviously, she could never even hint at such a thing.

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