Page 51 of Marriage Masquerade

Maybe she could stay up all night. Or maybe between now and bedtime, she would lose the fascination she had for Nikos. Stop being so aware of his every movement, become more comfortable around him.

Comfortable? She felt as if she were on tenterhooks all the time.

Twenty minutes later, Gemma sat on the patio behind the house with Megan and Norrie. Two-year-old Sam toddled around the grassy yard, chasing after a ball his older sister kept throwing. The two men had gone off somewhere.

Sipping the fruit punch Megan had prepared, Gemma tried to relax. There was nothing she could do about the sleeping arrangements but make the best of them. And try to get to bed before Nikos.

They'd agreed to a platonic marriage. Except for a few kisses, he had given her no sign he wanted to change that. And she fully remembered his scathing denunciation of his ex-wife. Gemma needed to prove to Nikos that he could trust her. Trust her to abide by the rules of their unconventional marriage.

“Sam's adorable,” she said, watching the toddler’s antics. Again, she thought about her own baby. Would she have a little boy who'd always be exploring and taking chances? Or maybe a daughter with whom she could share so much. Megan and Norrie seemed very close.

“Thanks. He’s his dad all over.”

“Like me?” Norrie asked.

“Yes, just like you. Both of you have Allessandros’ stubborn streak.”

Gemma was puzzled. Hadn’t Nikos said Megan and Allessandros were married only four years ago?

“You’re not exactly a marshmallow yourself, Mom,” Norrie teased.

“But it getswearystanding up for myself all the time.”

Norrie laughed.

“Like you don’t have Daddy wrapped around your little finger.”

“He’s a totally frustrating, domineering,infuriatingman.”

“And here I was going to ask you for advice on dealing with Nikos,” Gemma said.

“Let me guess—he’s dictatorial, demanding and expects everyone to do his bidding without complaint,” Megan said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

“You have known him for a long time.”

Megan laughed softly.

“No, but he is very like Allessandros. Unless I stand up to him.”

“That’s why we don't always share exactly how our day goes. To keep Daddy from stepping in where he’s really not needed.”

Megan made a mock expression of horror and looked around as if searching for her husband.

“Shh, don’t give away our secrets.”

Norrie giggled and explained to Gemma, “It’s really different in Greece. There’re things I like, such as our home. It’s huge and right on the water. I have a super room with a balcony. It even has stairs that lead to the garden. And we have tons of servants. I wouldn’t even have to make my bed, except Mom makes me most days. Which our maid, Alyia, thinks is totally wrong.”

“To be sure you know how. And Alyia knows how I feel,” Megan interposed.

“Yeah, like I need to learn that.”

“An old argument,” Megan told Gemma.

“And then we come here and do everything ourselves,” Norrie continued. “But living there is different.”

“Tell me about Greece,” Gemma said.

If the negotiations had not been so critical, would Nikos have agreed to his father’s request and returned home to introduce his new bride?

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