Page 61 of Marriage Masquerade

If he didn’t stop soon, she’d make a huge mistake and throw herself into his arms.

He slowly rose, his gaze roaming over her until he met her eyes. Slowly, he smiled, and Gemma almost sank back on the bed. Her knees definitely didn’t work well under that look.

“I never expected my business-focused personal assistant to indulge herself in such provocative underwear.”

Reaching out a hand, he ran a fingertip along the top of the lacy edge of her bra, outlining the swell of her breasts.

She was acutely conscious of how scantily attired she was. The brief bikini panties and lacy bra were an indulgence, just as he said. One she had felt safe in luxuriating in because no one else would ever know. Or so she’d thought.

He leaned over and kissed her.

Forgetting everything, she dropped the nightgown and reached up to encircle his neck. His hands were warm and firm against her back as he pressed her against him. She could feel the rough material of his suit, the heat of his body igniting heat in her own. He brought her to life, exhaustion forgotten, as his touch built a craving that had yet to be assuaged.

He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. She almost forgot her own name at the latent desire that shone clearly in his face. They were alone in the apartment, had the rest of the day to themselves. Would he stay? Would he—

Nikos muttered something under his breath and broke the embrace, reaching down to pick up her nightgown. He slipped it over her head, reached around and unfastened her bra and drew it away.

Gemma slipped her arms through the sleeves and felt the soft cotton drift down.

“Into bed,” he said, sweeping back the covers. “Now, Gemma, before I forget how tired you are and join you.”

Her heart pounding in her chest, she looked into his eyes. She longed to invite him to do just that, but dared she?

Before she could say anything, he’d crossed the room to the door. Gemma pulled back the covers and slipped beneath them. Closing her eyes, she turned on her side, away from Nikos, away from the embarrassment of practically throwing herself at him. Such desire had to result from raging hormones from the pregnancy.

If he said anything about it, she'd excuse it with that.

“Gemma,” he called softly.

“Mmm?” The brief flash of energy had dissipated. She was almost asleep.

“Another time I won’t leave.”

Chapter Nine

It was dark when Gemma awoke. She lay in bed for a long moment thinking. Had Nikos said what she thought he’d said just before she fell asleep?

Impossible.

She rose and went to wash her face. Donning a light robe, she wandered out to the living room. Soft lighting illuminated the room. Nikos lay on the sofa. She paused in the shadows of the hallway for a long moment, watching him. He was reading a book, and the scene looked infinitely dear to her.

She must have made some movement or noise, because he suddenly looked right at her.

Rising swiftly, he crossed the room.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked, raising her chin with his finger to look into her eyes.

“Yes, thank you. I’m sorry to flake out on you like that.”

“We’ve had a hectic week. Come on, I’ll have Hal prepare you something to eat.”

“How late is it?” she asked as they walked to the dining room.

“A bit after ten.”

“He’ll have retired. Don’t bother him. I can scrounge something to eat in the kitchen.”

“He's still up and has been waiting for you to awaken. I believe he's prepared something especially for you.”

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