Chapter Eight
Nikos felt Gemma’s hand on his chest and everything inside him tightened. It was dark, quiet. He was alone in bed with a woman who was his wife. They had agreed to a platonic relationship, which had suited him when they made their unlikely bargain.
Now, however, he wanted to change the rules. Holding an armful of sweet femininity and doing nothing was almost more than a red-blooded man could tolerate. He wanted to bury himself in her, taste the sweet honey of her mouth, feel her satiny skin warm to his touch. Hear her soft cries of pleasure as they explored the heights of passion together.
But would Gemma join him in that exploration?
Or run screaming from the room?
If she remained, she’d probably expect some declaration of love. Wasn’t that something all women wanted? Even if it was only said in the heat of passion?
And that he couldn’t say.
He didn’t believe in the emotion. It was simply words women used to cover up the baser instincts such as greed and self-serving manipulation.
He’d thought he’d found love with Katrina, only to discover the woman he'd believed she was, never existed. Learning from that, Nikos knew women wanted to bind men in the throes of passion in order to get what they wanted—material things, power or prestige.
What did Gemma want?
To be the strongest in a negotiation, a man needed to know what his opposition’s goals were. What was important, what was not.
The key with Gemma would be her baby.
Feeling her fingers flex against his chest almost clouded his mind enough to forget where he was. He grasped her hand, clasping it in his to keep her from distracting him.
“If we continue as we have this past week, I see no reason to end this marriage once the green card is issued. We deal well together. And with Hal to help, you could continue to work after your baby is born, if you wished. Or stay home,” he said, testing the waters.
She was silent. He wondered what thoughts milled around in her mind. She constantly surprised him. Was it because she'd been on her own so long she didn’t react as he expected women to do?
Or was she just cleverer than Katrina had been?
“I know you’re not asleep. If my suggestion is too abhorrent to consider, just say so.”
He hadn’t expected to feel impatient, frustrated that she hadn’t instantly jumped at the opportunity to remain in the marriage.
“No, no, Nikos, it’s not abhorrent at all. You caught me by surprise. I mean, why me?”
“Why you what?”
“You could marry anyone in the world. Why settle for me?”
“First, I cannot marry anyone else right now—I’m already married. And second, I’m not settling for anyone. We've worked well together professionally for years. I think we can forge a strong partnership in our personal lives as well.”
She didn’t answer immediately.
His impatience grew. His suggestion didn’t need that much consideration. She should know by now if she wanted to stay married or not. It wasn’t as if she had other alternatives. Should he remind her of that?
“If you are worried about your baby, I’ll be as good a father as I can for the child.”
“But the baby isn’t yours.”
He was silent. Did she think he couldn't grow to care for a child merely because it wasn't his? The child was hers. He liked her. Ergo, he could grow to like the child.
“I care for Norrie and Sam. They're not mine.”
“I meant, wouldn’t you like a child of your own?”
“Are you offering?”
Silence again.
He frowned into the night, wishing she’d open that sassy mouth and tell him what she thought and what she thought he should think, as she’d done several nights last week. Maybe he should make it an order, rile her up to force an honest reaction.
“Gemma, that’s not something you have to decide right now. It’s a moot point for several months. We can reevaluate the situation later. The issue at hand is whether or not to continue this marriage.”
“I enjoy being married to you,” she said so softly he almost missed the words.
But he heard them. And the depth of feeling that settled over him was unexpected.
“However, I’m not sure we suit,” she added.
“You suit me fine. You're undemanding, are not grasping and greedy, and still have one of the finest business minds I deal with.”
“Gee, how romantic.”
“Romance doesn’t play a part in this. We'd go on as we started.”
“Very well, Nikos. If you're sure.”
Despite her words, he heard the hesitation, the uncertainty. Time would prove him right. They would have a stable business marriage. And tied to him legally, she couldn’t leave. He'd keep his personal assistant and continue building ALK Shipping until it was the largest shipping line in the world.
Normally, the completing of a deal called for a handshake. But Nikos had no intention of shaking his wife’s hand. Instead, he pulled her up across his chest and kissed her, threading his fingers into her soft bouncy curls, relishing the sensations that exploded through his body.
Her mouth opened to his, enticing him with its honey-hot sweetness. Her hands delved into his hair and caressed him, while one silky leg slipped between his. He wanted more, but it was too soon.
Lust grew, passion built. But, afraid to alarm her, he eased off. He planned to do his seduction of her slowly. Until he had her bound to him in all the ways he could devise, he wanted nothing to scare her off.
Gemma differed from Katrina. Special. And someone he could envision living with until he grew old.
But with his blood thundering through his veins, he was hard-pressed to muster the control necessary to slow down tonight. One hand swept across her back, feeling her muscles move beneath her cotton gown. Unable to resist, he filled his palm with the softness of her bottom. He wanted more, wanted to delve into the heat at her core, to take all the ardor she possessed and lavish it on himself.
With monumental effort, he moved his hand. Brought their kiss to an end.
Pleased to know she was breathing as hard as if she’d run a race, Nikos had to satisfy himself with that. Progress sometimes came one step at a time.
“When we return to New York, we’ll have to shop for baby furniture,” he said.
A safe topic, one guaranteed to cool his hunger.
It wasn’t what he wanted to talk about. He wanted to talk about making love to his wife. But not until she was ready.
And he needed to make sure of her before moving to the next step.
His mouth continued to hunger for the taste of hers. His control was sorely tested as he gazed into the blackness and willed himself to keep his arm from tightening, to keep from throwing everything to the wind and making love to her all night long.
Gemma was more confused than ever when they returned home on Sunday. Standing at the large window in the living room of their apartment, she gazed out at the darkness. It was after ten, and she was alone, except for Hal, who was in his quarters.
The weekend had gone well. Allessandros seemed pleased his cousin had married. Megan welcomed her warmly. And she'd loved Norrie and Sam. It was the thought of their deception that still lay heavily on her.
That and the abandonment of her husband.
Nikos had dropped her off on their return to New York that afternoon and headed for the office. Negotiations resumed in the morning and he wanted to review some critical files.
Or at least that was what he told her.
Not that she didn’t believe him, but he could have reviewed them early in the morning. If he needed to at all. His mind never seemed to forget a single fact. What did he need to examine now?
She noticed her reflection in the glass. Her hair waved around her face, softening her features. Her figure was still slim, showing only the slightest hint of the changes to come.
He had said last night he wanted to extend their marriage. She knew she hadn’t dreamed that.
Had she?
Turning, she wandered over to the sofa and sank down beside the book she’d brought to read. As if her mind could concentrate on anything.
Nikos had treated her almost like a mere acquaintance today.
She'd expected on waking this morning to find a new closeness between them. Something to show they'd be able to forge a strong bond that would bind them together through the years. A suggestion that he looked on her as more than only a personal assistant he didn’t wish to lose.
Careful not to give any sign of the love that threatened to overwhelm her, she was content to take tiny steps forward until Nikos might grow comfortable with their change of status.
Instead, he'd been cool, polite and distant.
Except for the blazing memories of his kisses, of the sensations she experienced when his hands caressed her as she rested against his muscular chest, she might have thought she imagined last night.
Was this his way of advancing their marriage? One step forward, two back?
What did he want from her?
“Probably a barrier between him and all the women who chase him,” she muttered, frowning. Jumping to her feet, she paced to the window again.
“I could have gone to the office with him,” she said to her reflection.
“Indeed you could have,” Nikos said from the doorway.
She spun around.
“In fact, I should have had you join me. I had the devil’s own time finding some of the cargo manifests I wanted to use as examples.”
“They're in a file in Elise’s area,” she said, finding it difficult to switch into efficient assistant mode when her recent thoughts had nothing to do with business.
“I located them. I wish to leave early in the morning. If you can’t be ready, I’ll have Hal return to pick you up.”
“I can be ready as early as you like.”
If nothing else, she prided herself on her professionalism and devotion to her job. She was good at it, as he well knew.
How could she make herself equally indispensable in his personal life?
He glanced at his watch.
Stubbornly refusing to take the bait, Gemma remained silent, watching. Feasting on him with her eyes. He looked tired. The lines around his eyes suggested strain.
She shouldn’t be surprised. The negotiations were a tremendous responsibility. If they could get their terms, or close to them, it would make a monumental difference to their rate structures. Which would lead to more business. Expansion was the name of the game, and he was looking to increase revenues with the recent acquisition of the Alteras Company.
She wished she could offer assurance that everything would turn out the way he wanted.
She almost laughed. He certainly didn’t need platitudes from a personal assistant.
Or a wife.
“I’ll see you in the morning, then,” he said.
Gemma hesitated, almost ready to confront him, but then shrugged. It was as clear a dismissal as she’d ever heard.
Feeling hurt he hadn’t wanted to spend some time with her, she went straight to her room.
Eyeing the connecting door as she prepared for bed, she wished she still shared the room with him.
What if the INS required a second inspection? Should she raise that point with him? Would he suggest they share a bed to answer any questions again?
No. He’d compared her to Katrina and other women. They all wanted something from him. If she was to pique his interest, she'd better remember that.
Dressing slowly for bed, she tried to envision herself as some fascinating creature who could captivate any man. Maybe because it was so late, but she had difficulty imagining herself as interesting. And in a few months, she’d be a blimp. No one would find her attractive then. Probably not even a devoted husband—which Nikos definitely was not.
She wanted his respect, attention—love.
“Might as well wish for a million dollars,” she mused, climbing into her lonely bed. “It’s as likely to appear as it would be to have him fall wildly in love with me.”
The next week passed at a frantic pace. The meetings with Frank LeBec went on day after day, well into the evening hours. Repeatedly Gemma thought the end was in sight, only to have Nikos balk at a demand or Frank refuse a point. She was kept busy verifying data and statistics, pulling up examples and extrapolating what different compromises would entail.
Whenever they took a break, Nikos would close the two of them in his office and rehash the points they’d made or speculate on what the next counter demand would be. It was exhilarating, but hectic.
By Thursday, she was exhausted. And wondering when the contract would be finalized—if ever. The current one expired soon. While the shipping company could fall back on the same standard longshoreman's contract as negotiated with all other shipping lines, Nikos still wanted better terms.
Gemma sat at the negotiating table watching Nikos, trying to anticipate what he might need to shore up a point or add strength to their bid. But more and more, as the week went on, she slipped into daydreams.
Had she imagined their night in Washington? Had he really said he wanted their marriage to continue? Would they ever grow close enough to share thoughts and dreams?
Or would he always remain distant? A business arrangement that suited him and made her feel alone and left out?
If the pace of the week was a sign, time would pass swiftly being married to Nikos, but somehow it wasn’t the relationship she'd longed for in a marriage.
She wanted the evenings back the way they were during their first week together. Quietly sitting together on the sofa, gazing at the stunning view. Talking, exploring each other’s past. Building routines that'd see them through the years.
She even missed Hal’s cooking. A hasty bagel in the morning was the extent of breakfast. Lunches and dinners were catered in the conference room. And she was too tired when she returned to the apartment each night to do anything but fall into bed.
She was getting cranky. She was so tired. Groaning softly, she wondered when she could escape. Why did Nikos drag the meetings on? LeBec was becoming truculent.
Maybe she could suggest an early day tomorrow and let things simmer over the weekend. Returning fresh Monday morning might be a plan beneficial to both sides. Or they could realize they'd reached an impasse and do something to kick it loose.
Looking around the table, she realized the men were looking at her expectantly.
What had she missed?
“Gemma, you started to say something?” Nikos said.
Making up her mind, she decided to act. One way or another, she needed to get out of the room.
“Actually, I’d like to take a brief break and speak with you, Nikos, if you don’t mind.”
The men rose as she did and she nodded at their manners, sweeping out of the conference room and into Nikos' office. He followed moments later.
“Yes?”
His tone was cool, his manner guarded.
“I’m tired. I’m going home. But before I do, I want you to know I think you should sign the agreement as stated an hour ago. I don’t think LeBec is going to budge any further. And it incorporates almost everything you want. Twice you’ve put his back up, and sometimes pride is all-important to some men. Even at the risk of losing advantages in a business deal.”
He studied her gravely.
“I don’t think I need you to make my business decisions for me.”
“I’m not making any decisions, just offering some advice. Another piece of advice—take a break. Reconvene on Monday. That'll give everyone time to really think through the points on the table.”
She rubbed her forehead, wishing she was already in her bed.
“Are you ill?”
Immediately concerned, Nikos stepped closer and rested his hands on her shoulders.
At the warm touch, Gemma was hard-pressed not to give in and lean into his strength. She'd love nothing better than to be enveloped in his arms, to rest her head against his shoulder and let him take over.
“I’m fine,” she replied, standing straight and gently shrugging off his hands. “Just tired. I have a headache. You don’t need me at the table. I want to go home.”
“I’ll take you.”
“No. You go back and finish arguing with LeBec.”
“Sit. I’ll call Hal.”
He guided her to a chair. Crossing to the desk, he punched in a number. In only seconds, he instructed Hal to bring the car. Calling Elise, he asked her to come into the office.
“She’ll stay with you until Hal arrives,” Nikos said as he lowered the receiver.
“I’m not sick, just tired.”
But Gemma’s protest was halfhearted. She enjoyed being cosseted.
Elise was concerned when she hurried into the office.
“Are you all right? Nothing wrong with the baby, is there?” she asked, crossing immediately to Gemma.
Both Nikos and Gemma looked at her in stunned surprise.
“What? It’s not a secret, is it?” Elise asked, seeing their expressions. “Honestly,” she said in exasperation, her hands on her hips. “I had five girls and three of them have had babies. Think I don’t know the signs?”
“There’s nothing wrong with anything except I’ve got a bit of a headache and am tired,” Gemma said.
“Not surprising—you’ve been pushing too hard this week.”
Elise rounded on Nikos. “You should take better care of her.”
“Hal will be here in a short time. If I’m still tied up, will you walk her to the car?”
His even tone didn't hide his displeasure at her tone.
“Nikos. I’m fine,” Gemma protested.
Cosseting was one thing. Being treated like an invalid was another.
“Allow me to care for my wife in the manner I think best,” he said arrogantly.
She almost groaned at his tone, but only nodded and closed her eyes. It felt good to just sit for a moment and do nothing. As soon as she got home, she’d take a nap and when she awoke, she’d feel right as rain.
“Gemma?”
Nikos' voice woke her.
“What?”
He leaned over her, shaking her shoulder gently.
“You fell asleep. Hal's here with the car. Let’s get you home.”
Elise was no longer in the office.
“Okay.”
She experienced a slight feeling of disorientation. She'd planned to wait until she arrived home to fall asleep. It seemed she was more exhausted than she thought.
Nikos put his arm around her waist and walked with her to the door.
“I can manage,” she said.
The last thing she wanted was to take Nikos away from the negotiations.
“I’m sure you can. Indulge me.”
Elise’s sympathetic gaze met hers as they walked through her office.
“I hope you feel better, Gemma.”
“Thanks.”
Gemma felt as if the eyes of every employee were on them as Nikos solicitously matched her steps to the elevator.
“Shouldn’t you be in the conference room?” she asked crankily.
So much fuss embarrassed her.
“I did as you suggested and agreed to the terms. Phil and his staff are finalizing the documents. Once LeBec reviews them to make sure we don’t pull a fast one, as he said, then he’ll present it to their membership. With any luck, we’ll have our agreement signed by all parties as early as next Wednesday. Two days before the current contract expires.”
His response took aback Gemma. He’d agreed to the contract as she’d suggested?
“You surprise me. I thought you wanted to get him to accept all your terms. I thought for sure the negotiations would go on and on.”
The elevator reached the lobby, and Nikos walked her to the double glass doors. She saw Nikos' car double-parked in front.
“I’ll be fine from here,” she said.
“I’m going home with you,” Nikos said as he nodded to Hal and opened the back door.
“What?” Gemma swung around and stared at him. “I’m not sick, Nikos.”
“Neither are you up to your normal, healthy stamina. Permit a husband to indulge himself and take care of his wife.”
His statement almost made her smile.
“Thank you. But I really just want to go home and lie down for a nap. I’ll be fine once I wake up, you’ll see.”
“Then, by all means, let's be on our way.”
Gemma dozed in the car. When they arrived at the apartment, she stumbled when getting out, glad of Nikos' arm, which immediately caught her. Without another word, he swept her up into his arms and strode into the building. The doorman opened the door with alacrity.
“Is madam all right?” he asked solicitously.
“She will be soon,” Nikos said, striding to the elevators.
“Put me down,” Gemma hissed, even as her arm came around his neck.
“When we reach our floor. I can’t have you collapsing on me.”
“I can walk—I just tripped.”
The elevator whisked them to their floor in only seconds. Nikos seemed content to hold her, ignoring her requests to put her on her feet.
Gemma was secretly thrilled he even thought to carry her. No one had done that since she’d been a baby. And if only she felt better, she knew she’d have cherished the experience.
Could she get him to do it again when she felt better?
Heat stole into her cheeks at the very thought, so Gemma gave up and leaned her head against his shoulder. She could almost fall asleep in his arms.
Like she had in Washington.
Nikos walked into her room and gently set her on the bed.
“Slip out of those things and get into something more comfortable,” he suggested.
“I will.”
She closed her eyes and drifted to the left until she fell back against the mattress. It felt so good to lie down. She’d change her clothes in just a second.
“Gemma?”
“Mmm.”
If she didn’t have to open her eyes, she'd be all right. Even her face hurt, she was so tired.
“I’ll help you.”
Gemma tried to sit up when he tugged gently on her arm. Two minutes later, her eyes snapped open. He’d removed her suit jacket and was unbuttoning her blouse. She slapped at his hands.
“I can manage.”
“I doubt it.”
The material parted as he swept it off her shoulders.
“Where’s your nightgown?”
“Under the pillow,” she said, suddenly wide awake.
Conscious of how scantily attired she was, she snatched at the white gown when he pulled it out and held it against her chest.
“I can manage the rest,” she said breathlessly.
“With the two of us working together, you can be in bed in seconds,” he said, already reaching to unfasten her skirt.
Gemma tried to slap away his hand again, but he was already sliding the material over her hips.
“Step out,” he ordered, pulling her gently to her feet which allowed the skirt to puddle at her feet.
Nikos then reached up to peel off her panty hose.
“Nikos, stop,” she said.
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.”