Chapter Six
Gemma hesitated, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She almost didn’t recognize herself. She'd slipped into the apartment earlier, seeing no one. Using the guest bathroom, she prepared for the party. Now she was ready. Or as ready as she was going to get. Could she pull this off?
It wasn’t really her. Just part of this weird dance she was doing with Nikos. Her hair was a froth of curls, framing her face, softening it. Making her eyes look huge.
Or was it the new makeup the stylist had suggested? Gemma wasn’t sure, but she looked different. Mysterious, interesting, almost sexy.
The red lipstick matched her dress. As did her fingernails and toenails. The dress hadn’t looked so blatantly sexy in the boutique, had it? Had she put on weight? Or had it been this skintight yesterday?
Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, she wondered for the millionth time what Nikos would say.
“No time like the present to find out,” she said, taking another deep breath.
Many more and she’d hyperventilate. Throwing open the door, she raised her head, threw back her shoulders and walked boldly out.
Down the hall, into the living room—her heart beating a rapid tempo.
Nikos stood near the windows. He did that a lot, she noticed. Did he feel confined in buildings?
She must have made some noise, because he turned. And stared.
Almost smiling, Gemma felt giddy with unexpected delight. After five years of working together, she’d finally surprised him.
“Gemma?”
Sashaying into the room with a bravado she didn’t feel, she nodded.
“You said you liked my hair around my face, so I got it cut to do just that.”
Darn, she hadn’t meant to let that slip. That was not the reason she got her hair cut. She liked the short style and the loose curls that now framed her face. It was a sassy look, one she would never have tried before. But somehow it seemed right for tonight’s event.
“Did I also say I liked you in red? What there almost is of that dress,” he said, his gaze roving over every inch of her. Did he linger on certain areas?
The familiar flutter began. She needn’t worry about being cold in the dress. The heat that swept through her at his look would keep her warm in a snowstorm.
“Not red particularly, but you said you were tired of black. Are you ready to go?”
He hesitated for a long moment. Then nodded curtly.
“Hal has the car down in front. Do you have a coat or something to wear with that?”
“Yes, it’s by the door.”
Impulsively she stepped closer and reached up to pat his collar, brush an imaginary speck of lint from his shoulder. What was she trying to prove?
The edge of his hand lifted her chin. Nikos lowered his head until his face was only inches from hers, his breath caressing her cheeks. The dark glitter in his eyes had her pulse racing.
“What are you doing?” he asked in a low, husky voice.
A dozen answers trembled on her lips. She went with honesty.
“I’m trying to act the part of a devoted wife of a worldly man,” she said.
Her lips seemed to tingle. Would he close those scant few inches and kiss her?
“Ah, I wondered.”
He straightened and offered his arm. “Shall we?”
Disappointed, she hid it, smiling brightly.
The reception was in full swing by the time they arrived. A uniformed maid took Gemma’s coat. It was one thing to wear the dress in the safety of their apartment, but quite something else to walk into a room of strangers.
For a long moment she hesitated at the entrance to the wide ballroom.
Gemma had never been the belle of any ball, but for an instant, she knew what it felt like. Men stopped and stared, smiles of appreciation lighting their features. Women discreetly assessed her dress and hairstyle. From some frowns, Gemma wasn’t sure if they disapproved or were envious.
Raising her chin, she hoped she was equal to the task she’d set. She'd hate herself in the morning if she made a fool of herself at Nikos’ expense.
Nikos introduced her to their host, got a glass of ginger ale for her, and gently steered her toward a group of men he wanted to speak with. Though his touch was light at the small of her back, Gemma’s skin heated. She tried to ignore the sensation and concentrated on making a good impression on his colleagues.
Greeting the men, some of whom she knew, she fell silent, content to listen to the conversation swirling around her without having to take part. It was an interesting topic, the latest international business trends. She'd pick up key points, which would assist in her job.
When Nikos spoke, she noticed how often the others deferred to his opinions and seemed to value his input. She, too, valued his opinions, though she was more likely to argue with them when the occasion arose. He didn’t want to surround himself with yes-men, and Gemma made it clear that she’d never be counted as one.
“What about you, Gemma? What is a woman’s take on all this?” one man asked.
Thinking carefully before she spoke, Gemma was gratified to find the same attention was paid to what she said. Though one or two of the men obviously disagreed, no one contradicted her.
“And who is this fascinating creature who has the men hanging on her every word?”
A tall, statuesque blonde joined the group, her eyes surveying each man as if he was her special property. Smiling at Nikos, she extended her hand.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Sally Rogers.”
Nikos shook her hand briefly. “Nikos Petropoulos. My wife, Gemma.”
For a moment, the blonde’s confidence wavered, but she recovered quickly.
“How nice.”
“It is for me,” Gemma said, stepping closer to Nikos.
She knew she couldn’t compete with the women he used to date, but for now, he was off-limits to all other women. And Gemma meant to reinforce that.
What was she doing, thinking of Nikos as hers? Theirs was a business arrangement, a marriage to suit them both. Not some grand love affair that excluded the rest of the world.
Gemma wondered what it'd be like to be caught up in blazing passion and devoted love for real instead of a masquerade they were displaying to the world.
When Nikos’ hand rested on her bare shoulder, she almost jumped. Then she smiled and turned to him, hoping the confusion of her thoughts didn’t show in her eyes.
“Would you care for something to eat?” he asked softly, turning slightly from the group.
“Yes, I’m starving.”
“I’ve noticed how you enjoy your meals,” he said as he excused them and headed for the lavish buffet on tables at the far wall.
“I need to keep up my strength.”
“Ah, eating for two, I believe the saying goes.”
“Actually, I was thinking more of keeping up with you. Do you think I came across too strongly in that group? I noticed a couple of men seemed annoyed.”
“You expressed yourself well. Morganstern didn’t like your opinion, but you wouldn’t let that stop you from voicing it, would you?”
“No.”
Nikos spoke to several people in passing, and Gemma wondered if he knew everyone present.
When another woman stopped him, Gemma felt her heart sink. She’d thought Sally Rogers beautiful, but this woman made Sally look like a gauche high-school girl.
“Stunning” was the only term to describe her.
Depressed, Gemma watched while Nikos' former wife greeted him.
“Hello, darling,” the woman said, reaching up to kiss Nikos with a familiarity that had Gemma frowning.
Nikos stepped back, his expression impassive.
“Katrina. I didn’t know you would be here.”
“Obviously, darling. Justin thought it would be a pleasant diversion for us to attend. Have you seen the paintings Sven bought from his protégé? Intriguing work. I believe he’ll be a tremendous success.”
Katrina let her gaze move to Gemma. There was a tightness around the eyes, but beyond that, her smile seemed almost genuine.
“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.
When they were out of hearing, he glanced at her, anger once again simmering.
“I do not expect to find my wife flirting with other men at parties. It was unacceptable with Katrina, and it is unacceptable with you.”
Shocked, Gemma stopped and turned to face him. Her own indignation was immediate.
“Just a minute. I wasn't flirting with anyone.”
“And what was all that laughing at Morganstern’s stupid jokes and exchanging amused glances with Peterson?”
“Which one was Peterson?”
“You don’t even know the man’s name, but you can flirt with him?”
“I hardly call being cordial at a party flirting.”
“And I hardly call it circumspect. What if the INS has an agent here? What would he think of our marriage?”
Narrowing her eyes, Gemma studied Nikos.
“Let me guess. Knowing what little I do about Katrina, I imagine she's the type to demand constant attention from the opposite sex. Are you suggesting that I’m at all like that? After having worked together, I would expect a bit more faith from you.”
“And what would you call your behavior?”
“Making a good impression so men will be envious of you for having married me,” she said swiftly.
Slowly the tension faded from Nikos' expression. He began to smile.
Gemma’s knees grew wobbly, her heart thudded in her chest, and she felt like she might melt into a puddle at Nikos' feet. How could just a smile turn her bones to jelly and her mind to mush?
“And do all those men now envy me?”
She shrugged, looking away before she did something foolish, like flinging herself into his arms and demanding he take them home so she could escape the stress of the party and the constant need to guard against making a major mistake.
“I only know what they think about the international banking situation and the recession in Japan. But I hope they think I’m more than some bit of fluff you picked up,” she said with some asperity.
“Are we talking about Katrina again?”
Hearing a hint of amusement in his voice, she dared another look in his direction. His dark eyes danced.
“If the shoe fits.”
“I apologize if I misread the situation. Let's mingle so more people here can meet you and be envious of my good fortune.”
Gemma knew Nikos was teasing her, but she didn’t mind. Despite her trepidation about the evening, she was having a wonderful time.
Nikos remained attentive throughout the rest of their evening, displaying all the pride of a newly married man. She tried not to wish it was true, instead of make-believe.
If she let herself forget for a single minute the reason for their union, Gemma knew she could become swept away by the enigmatic man. His charm was deep and dangerous. Playing a part was only one step from living a part.
And she was finding it more and more difficult to remember it was only a charade.
By the time they left, Gemma was exhausted. If this was what she could expect when they went out, she’d do her best to see they stayed home as much as possible.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” Nikos asked, one finger idly toying with a curl of her hair.
They were sitting in the back of the limousine while Hal drove swiftly through the dark streets.
“More than I thought I would. But I’m not much for big gatherings like that.”
She began to relax. The evening was behind her, and she hadn't made a single faux pas.
But how could anyone relax with Nikos so close? With his fingers in her hair? His scent surrounding her?
“You handled yourself well. We'll be obligated to attend a certain number of similar functions during the year. In the future, I'll consult you before having Elise send an acceptance.”
Gemma smiled, despite the flutters his touch brought. “Thank you.”
“I think our being married is going to be an interesting time for however long our journey lasts.”
“Journey?”
“To our final destination.”
“Which is?”
“That’s part of the interesting aspect—we don’t know the final destination yet.”
Gemma knew where an interim destination would be if Nikos didn’t stop touching her, toying with her hair.
But she wasn’t ready for something like that. Until a few weeks ago, she’d thought herself in love with James. No, she had been in love with him. His deceit had killed it instantly. But it would be safer to go through life without the complications of falling for another man. Especially one who'd never love her in return.
Even one as exciting as Nikos.
Hal delivered them to the door and drove off to park the car. Gemma followed Nikos into the elevator, her nerves stretched tighter every second as the car silently rose to their floor.
Nikos let them into their apartment. Hal had propped up a note on the small entryway table. Nikos picked it up as Gemma shed her coat.
“Important?” she asked.
“Probably not, or Hal would have mentioned it in the car. It’s a message from my father,” Nikos said.
He skimmed the words again and shrugged.
“It seems Allessandros discovered our marriage and informed my father. He wishes to speak with me.”
Gemma almost giggled. She caught her lower lip between her teeth. Nikos made it sound like he was a recalcitrant teenager about to be hauled on the carpet.
“I take it you didn’t tell your parents,” she said when the danger of the giggles had passed.
“Not as yet.” He glanced at his watch. “It's morning there. I’ll phone him now.”
“Then I guess I’ll head for bed.”
Nikos watched her hurry down the hall almost regretfully. He didn’t want the night to end. He knew she’d be in bed before he finished his phone call. Either asleep or feigning sleep.
Should he call her on it tonight? Talk to her in the dark, learn more about the woman than what he thought he knew from working with her?
After the way she attacked Morganstern’s antiquated ideas, she could obviously hold her own in various situations. Yet she still acted like a skittish filly around him.
Pretending to be a devoted couple was wearing on a man, especially when his wife kept that bright smile trained in his direction. What would Gemma do if he kissed her, ran his hands over that sexy body, felt the heat of her skin, the softness of its texture?
Her hair felt like silk. How would her skin all over feel?
A man could only withstand so much temptation before giving in. And he’d been a long time without a woman. He wondered if he’d ever made love to such a contradiction of shyness and boldness. Her dress caused quite a stir tonight, yet the shy innocence that shone from her eyes was a direct challenge. One he wanted to take on.
First, however, he needed to talk to his father. He knew the man would be disappointed he hadn’t told him about his marriage.
How Allessandros had discovered it was another question.
As Nikos had suspected, his father was upset. He tried to explain the situation, but his father insisted there would have been other ways to comply with the American rules and regulations regarding the visa situation.
He questioned his son’s motive for marrying yet another foreigner.
“Did you not learn your lesson with Katrina?” Stephanos Petropoulos roared.
“Gemma's different,” Nikos defended, keeping his voice low and calm.
His father had a tendency to exaggerate everything, and Nikos knew from years of experience that someone had to keep a cool head.
“I shall be the judge of that. Bring her here so I can meet her.”
“Not yet, Father. If I could take a trip home without jeopardizing the negotiations, I would have returned to get a visa.”
“How are the negotiations proceeding?”
Diverted, he questioned his son on the progress with the union. Only after the negotiations were settled in their favor did he once again insist on his son going home.
Nikos hung up the phone and leaned back in his desk chair. Dealing with his father never got easier. The man was absolute ruler in his household, and getting him to change his mind about anything required a certain finesse Nikos wondered if he’d ever master.
He should take lessons from his mother. She seemed to get whatever she wanted from her husband. Not that she ever asked for much.
Maybe that was the key.
Everything she asked for was important to her, and her husband was pleased to indulge her to bring her happiness.
What would bring Gemma happiness? Nikos wondered.
Separate bedrooms, he suspected, frowning.
A quick end to their mock marriage?
Three days of wedded bliss was not enough time to see how they'd deal together in the future. He thought he knew her from the years she’d worked for him. Tonight, though, she'd totally surprised him. Would there be other surprises?
Delightful ones or distressful ones?
The adventure of marriage was not something he'd considered after divorcing Katrina. He didn’t like the games and the constant need to be on guard.
Yet with Gemma, he felt it would be different. Vastly different. And that held a certain appeal.
Anticipating seeing her in the morning, he rose and headed for their room. He knew she’d be asleep, but just in case she wasn’t…
Gemma looked up from the toast she was buttering when Nikos joined her in the dining room the next morning.
“Good morning,” she said, carefully resuming her task. She’d been disappointed when she awoke to find Nikos had already risen. Not that she expected him to stay in bed until she woke.
“Did you sleep well?” he inquired.
“Yes.”
Nikos sat at the head of the table and poured himself some coffee. As if he’d been listening behind the door, Hal entered with a plate of steaming eggs and sausage.
Gemma helped herself and began to eat.
“Allessandros and his wife have invited us to visit next weekend,” Nikos said when Hal left.
“In Washington?”
“Yes. We can fly down next Saturday morning and return on Sunday evening.”
“That’s a quick visit.”
“You would prefer longer?”
“No, that’s fine. I met Allessandros. I look forward to meeting his wife.”
“They're both eager to get to know you.”
Gemma looked up at the tone in his voice. “In what way?”
“Just vetting a new wife,” Nikos said.
“Maybe I don’t want to be vetted. You told them this is temporary, right?” she asked.
He looked at her.
“Slipped my mind.”
“Your mind’s like a steel trap. Why didn’t you tell them?”
“They don’t need to know.”
“What happens when we separate?”
Nikos shrugged.
“Time enough to deal with that when it comes. Hal had the furniture you wanted moved here yesterday. The pieces are in the spare bedroom at the end of the hall. Have you seen them?” he asked, changing the subject.
“He told me this morning the pieces are all in one room.”
“So today we’ll place them where you wish.”
Mocking him gently, she inclined her head the way he did.
“As you wish.”
The glint in his eye told her he noticed and chose not to comment.
The day turned out to be fun for Gemma.
Neither Nikos nor Hal would allow her to lift anything. Once Hal got over his astonishment that Nikos planned to take part in the actual moving of the furniture, he grew more at ease in their presence, though never crossing the bounds of propriety.
Gemma carefully studied each room and had each piece placed where she thought it would enhance the existing arrangement. With various pieces of her furniture throughout the apartment, she felt more at home.
Two odd chairs remained. Studying them with a critical eye, she knew they'd have to go.
“Sorry you moved these, Hal. They are too tacky to stay.”
“Tacky?”
“Ugly, unsuitable.” She sighed and sat on one. “And uncomfortable. I don’t know why I had them moved.”
Hal glided away as the doorbell rang. Gemma looked at Nikos.
“Are you expecting company? I look a mess.”
“I’m not expecting anyone.”
He moved to the archway and listened.
“Ah, the immigration inspector, if I’m not mistaken.”
He held out his hand and drew Gemma to her feet.
“Let’s go and get inspected.”
The agent from INS stayed only an hour, looked into every aspect of the apartment and asked numerous questions—some of which had been asked at their offices the previous morning.
When he left, he mentioned he thought everything was in order. There were a few more technicalities, but it looked in all likelihood that they'd recommend the resident visa.
Gemma waited until the door closed behind him and then clapped her hands.
“We did it.”
“Perhaps. Did you notice he never quite said it was a done deal? When I have the green card in hand, then we’ll know we did it.”
“I think it’s a done deal. And you know what tipped the scales, don’t you?” she asked when Nikos merely shrugged.
“What?”
“My looking terrible today. You’d have to love me to put up with this.”
He ran a fingertip along her cheek, tracing her jaw.
“I would, would I?”
Closing the distance, he kissed her.
The unexpected embrace caught her unaware. Gemma leaned back against the wall to keep from falling. After her initial surprise, she savored the feel of Nikos' lips against hers, relished the sensations that cascaded through her. She opened her lips to respond and was swept away in a vortex of sensations and swirling excitement.
When he straightened, she gazed up into his dark eyes, glad for the support of the wall, wondering if he could hear the thundering of her heart. What was he thinking? Did the kisses mean anything? Or was it just for the moment? Was she just convenient?
“Even though he reported it looks likely he’d recommend the permanent visa, I say we continue our vigilance until it's in hand,” Nikos said slowly, lightly tracing her jaw with a finger.
He met her gaze and cocked an eyebrow.
“I believe we need to keep up the devoted-couple bit—to fool the INS, of course.”
“I think they're fooled,” she said. “And I doubt they’ll be back here again.”
“Ah, you wish to make some change?”
Restlessly, she pushed away and paced the room. “I don’t think we need to continue sharing a bed. I can leave my clothes in the closet for a while, but we’ve been questioned twice. Do you really think they will do it again?”
Not meeting his eyes, she rubbed her arms and continued to pace.
She wasn’t sure she could resist the powerful pull of attraction being around Nikos provoked. She'd slipped off to bed before him for a couple of nights, but how long could she keep it up? How long before she rolled over in the night and snuggled against his muscular body? How long could she resist temptation before throwing caution to the wind and asking him to kiss her? To make love to his wife?
And what would happen if she was still wide awake when he joined her in that bed? Even though it was large, it was not that large. Look at how big the room was, yet she was acutely aware of Nikos' every move.
Risking a quick look, she found his expression bland. What did he think of her demand?
“Your choice,” he said.
Abruptly, he turned and left the room.
“Well, you got what you wanted,” she murmured, wondering why she felt so disappointed.