Chapter Ten
Nikos nodded. “It is not something that can be kept a secret, you know.”
“What did they say? Are they horrified? Oh, Nikos, I wish you'd waited until after we returned home.”
“They're my parents, Gemma. I couldn't keep such an event from them. Besides, my mother guessed.”
“What did they say?”
He drew a deep breath, remembering the scene with his father. He wouldn't like to repeat such conversation, but what was done was done.
“My mother loves babies. She'll be delighted.”
“Will be? When? Obviously not now.”
“Well, they're concerned because the baby is not mine.”
“I bet your father threw a fit.”
He smiled slightly and shook his head.
“Not precisely. He's not one given to throwing fits.”
But his temper was not something Nikos liked to run up against often.
“You know what I mean,” she said impatiently. “I bet they're furious. Do they want me to leave?”
“Gemma, they are hosting a reception tonight for the express purpose of introducing you to our friends and other family members. How could they want you to leave?”
“I feel funny seeing them again. I bet they wish the baby was yours.”
“Yes, they do. I won’t hide that from you.”
“Well, I don’t blame them, I wish—”
She halted and looked horrified.
“What? Is something wrong?”
Without thinking, he reached for her, drawing her into his embrace.
“What is it, Gemma?”
“Nothing. The baby gave an odd kick, that’s all.”
“Ah. Can I feel him kick?”
“What?”
Gemma pushed against his chest, but Nikos refused to release her. He enjoyed holding Gemma. Enjoyed being with her. These last few days couldn’t have been easy for her left alone so much, but his father wanted to be brought up to speed on the various enterprises in America. And both evenings, when he’d retired, she’d already been sound asleep.
Slowly, she turned in his embrace and took one of his hands, pressing it against the slight swelling of her abdomen. Nikos was aware of the warmth beneath his palm, of her scent filling his senses, of her hair blowing against his cheek when he leaned closer.
“It could be a girl,” she said.
Then, a slight movement beneath his palm.
“There, did you feel that?” she asked.
Touched beyond belief, he nodded and held still, longing to feel that flutter of life again. Twice more he felt something.
“So he’s going to be a soccer player.”
“Or ballet dancer,” she murmured, resting against his chest.
“This is a special gift you have given me, Gemma. Thank you.”
“No Nikos, you’ve given me a special gift. One for which I will always be grateful.”
He stepped back, annoyed at her sentiments.
“I don’t want your gratitude,” he said sharply.
She looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “Very well,” she said stiffly. She hesitated a moment, then turned to retrace her steps. “I’m feeling tired and think I should rest this afternoon. We’ll be up late tonight.”
Nikos stood and watched her walk back toward the villa. Her head was high and her shoulders back, but he had the feeling she wasn't as confident as she appeared.
For a long moment, he watched her walk away. She had not asked him to accompany her, had not sought his company.
Was that to be the way of their marriage? Parallel lives, never connecting, never intersecting.
Gemma pushed through the gate and headed up the sandy path. Flouncing down on one of the benches, she glared at the shrubbery opposite. Things were not going well, and she hadn’t a clue what to do about it.
“Madam?”
Turning, she saw Stefanos' assistant. What was his name? Xander.
“Hello.”
“I saw you come in from a walk on the beach. You left Nikos there.”
“Yes.”
She wasn't about to let anyone know of her frustrations—especially an aide to Nikos' father. She already knew his father didn’t approve. No sense feeding that disapproval.
“Nikos is Stefanos’ oldest son. He is heir to his father’s holdings. His place will be here in Pylos when his fathers retires or dies. While that may not be for many years, Nikos will need to step up with the help and support of his family.”
Gemma nodded. “Do you think I wouldn't move here when that time comes?”
“You know nothing about our country, our customs, our traditions. I suspect you simply saw a wealthy man, captivated him with your wiles and beguiled him into marriage. This isn't what his father wished for him. But it is not too late to change things. Dissolve this absurd marriage and I’ll see that you have ample funds to live the life you hoped to live with Nikos—better, for you won't have to move here.”
“There’s not enough money in the world,” she said scornfully.
“You prefer the prestige of being married to him, is that it?”
“No. Money only buys things. I’m not a thing and I’m not interested in money. If his father thought to buy me off, too bad. I’m not leaving Nikos.”
“We can make things very uncomfortable for you.”
Gemma had had enough. She leaped to her feet, placed her hands on her hips, and glared at him.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s Nikos who matters, not his father. If Nikos tells me to leave, I will. But I won’t go unless he’s the one to tell me.”
“I did not say I come from his father. Did you ever consider that I might be here from Nikos directly?” Xander asked slowly.
“Ha. If Nikos didn’t like the arrangement, he’d let me know in no uncertain terms. He’s the one who proposed this crazy marriage. I expect he'll tell me if he tires of it. He doesn’t need some gofer to do that.”
But the doubts built. Hadn’t she noticed he’d pulled away in the last several days? Was he regretting their hasty alliance? Had he sought to avoid a scene by sending Xander?
“A besotted woman thinks she can wrap a man around her finger. Better take the offer while it’s still available, or you’ll be out with nothing.”
“Besotted.” She wanted to scream with frustration. “I may love the man, but I’m not besotted. He isn’t perfect. He’s arrogant and always ordering things to suit him. Like this marriage.”
“Love?” Xander sounded perplexed. “What does that have to do with marriage? Nikos needs a woman of his own country to give him the support he'll need when he returns to Greece to live.”
“I know enough about love to know he also needs someone on his side, someone who cares about him and what he’s thinking and feeling, and not for some society thing. He doesn’t need a woman just because of her place of birth. He had his chance to meet someone here, yet he chose me. So you march inside and let his father know I’m not leaving unless Nikos tells me to.”
Xander hesitated a moment, then calmly inclined his head.
“You know where to find me if you change your mind.”
Furious, Gemma watched him walk away as if he had not a care in the world. Had he come from Nikos? Had being in his own country changed Nikos' mind about staying with her?
He'd made no moves to increase their intimacy—did that prove he was losing interest?
She turned and headed back toward the beach, then saw Nikos when she reached the gate. Hoping for a moment to calm her nerves, she waited for him, her anger growing as he took his time. Anger and suspicions that maybe Xander had been telling the truth. Maybe he had come from Nikos.
“I want to speak to you,” she said when he drew close.
“About?”
Nikos paused by the gate and studied her. She knew she was flushed with the anger that threatened to overwhelm her. But that couldn’t be helped. She needed answers now.
“About an attempted bribe to end our marriage.”
“What are you talking about?”
He seemed surprised at her announcement.
“Who has mentioned a bribe? Or even hinted at ending the marriage?”
“Your father’s assistant. He suggested he came from you, but I don’t believe him. At least, I don’t think I do. He said you wanted to end our marriage and would give me lots of money to go.”
“Ah. And your response?” Nikos waited politely, his gaze never leaving hers.
“I told him I wasn’t for sale. If you wish to end this relationship, you come right out and tell me. Otherwise, it sticks.”
Without waiting for a response, she whirled around and almost ran to the stairs leading to their balcony.
She was almost shaking with nerves. Had she made another mistake, a worse one than with James? The emotion she felt for that man had faded, seemed paltry compared to the intensity of her love for Nikos. But her track record wasn’t great with men. Had she misread the signs, trying to convince herself that Nikos wanted her as much as she wanted him?
Several hours later, Gemma twisted this way and that as she looked at herself in the mirror, wondering if she should wear the dress or not. It had looked elegant and sophisticated in New York. But with the heightened modesty prevalent among the women she’d met since arriving in Greece, she wondered if it was too daring.
The gown brushed her ankles as she walked, the soft pale yellow chiffon falling from the clip at her left shoulder. The right was bare. Both arms were bare and lightly tanned from her days on the beach. The loose-fitting garment hid all signs of her pregnancy and looked feminine and alluring.
Tilting her head slightly, she narrowed her eyes.
Alluring?
Would Nikos find her alluring?
Slowly, she practiced a smile. She’d loved to be sultry and sexy, mysterious and intriguing. But then she sighed. She looked like she always did—just plain old Gemma Green, all dressed up for the ball.
Nikos knocked on the partially open door. He stepped inside, looking splendid in the white dinner jacket. His dark hair gleamed in the light. For a moment Gemma thought a matching light gleamed in his eyes. But she must have been imagining it.
Flustered by her outburst by the gate, she was unsure how to greet him. He hadn't confirmed nor denied his involvement with the bribe. And despite her fine words about wanting to know, she hesitated to push the issue.
What would she do if he walked away?
Trying to ignore the rapid beat of her heart, she raised her chin. She refused to give way to fear. What happened, happened, and she'd have to deal with it.
“Will this do?” she asked. “It’s not too daring, is it?”
Do you wish to end our marriage?
He shook his head.
“My mother buys her gowns in Paris. A direct influence of her sister-in-law, Allessandros’s mother. The party will be like any other you’ve attended. Most of the guests speak some English and will do so in your presence.”
“I guess I’m ready, then,” she muttered, touching her hair, nervous with him watching her.
How she wished Nikos had firmly denied any involvement in the bribe. She wished he’d reaffirm his commitment to their marriage. Say something to end this uncertainty.
Instead of attending the reception, she wished he’d sweep her into his arms and carry her off to a romantic retreat. She'd love to spend the evening watching the sunset over the sea, feel the clear air against her skin. Make love beneath a blanket of brilliant stars.
Instead, tonight she had to endure yet another gathering where she’d feel insecure and uncertain. And Nikos did nothing to help.
“You look lovely.”
The warmth of his compliment surprised her. Meeting his eyes in the mirror, she smiled shyly.
“Thank you.”
“Shall we?”
Nikos offered his hand and Gemma slipped hers into it. The heat from his palm warmed hers. Taking a deep breath, she grew determined to do her very best to not let Nikos down. He’d done so much for her, she wanted to make sure he never regretted it.
If she couldn't have his love, she'd make sure she kept his respect.
Nikos scanned the ballroom some time later. He didn’t see Gemma and wondered where she’d gotten to. His mother had invited half the country, he thought with wry amusement. And he felt as if he’d talked to everyone present.
Many met Katrina when they'd been together. And several expressed their surprise that he'd married another foreigner.
Not that it mattered. He'd choose his own wife.
Once again, he searched the room. Maybe she went outside. Slowly he made his way to the veranda. Couples walked in the evening coolness, and a few guests had gathered in a small group, sharing laughter and conversation.
“Looking for your bride?” his cousin Emil asked.
“Have you seen her?”
Emil nodded toward the garden. “She and Cosmo walked in that direction a few moments ago. She's very unlike Katrina, cousin.”
Nikos looked at him. “To the good or bad?”
“Much to the good. I wish you all happiness.”
Nikos nodded and headed in the direction Emil had indicated. The path looked deserted. At the intersection with another, he heard voices. Slowly he turned, drawing closer. He could hear them clearly before he could see them.
“I knew Katrina well. Are you as enchanting and generous as she?”
“What does that mean?” Gemma asked.
“She was, shall we say, generous with her favors. I wonder if Nikos' present wife is as generous.”
Nikos stopped dead, anger slowly building. How dare Cosmo make such a remark to his wife. Nikos' hands fisted, and he moved forward. He’d make the man regret he ever entertained such a thought, much less voiced it.
But Gemma’s voice stopped him.
“I’ve got news for you, buster. Katrina and I are nothing alike. So take your hands off me before I bop you one.”
“I like fire in a woman.”
“Yes, well, so does Nikos. And I suspect he isn't one to share. Not that I'd ever be tempted. I love my husband, and I find every other man on the planet a pale imitation. If you want to walk out of here, take a hike now before you end up singing soprano.”
“A misunderstanding. I apologize for the misunderstanding.”
Nikos heard the man walk away and rounded the path way to join Gemma.
“I didn't realize I had such an intimidating wife,” Nikos said when she looked at him.
Nikos let out his pent-up breath as he looked at Gemma. His heart pounded.
“Hi Nikos,” she said.
He liked the flustered look about her. Gone was the cool, serene personal assistant he was used to seeing every day. Before him stood a woman with sparkling eyes and wearing a dress designed to drive a man mad.
“I couldn’t help overhearing your altercation with Cosmo.”
“Honestly, I can’t believe the man thought I’d want to make out in the garden with him. What an ego.”
She tried to brush past Nikos.
“Time to return to the party, I guess.”
“In a moment. I heard you tell him you loved me.”
She studied one of the flowering bushes highlighted by the garden lights. “Mmm.”
He reached out and tilted her chin until she looked up and met his gaze.
“Is it true?”
She swallowed. He watched the movement of her throat and thought about how he’d like to kiss her there.
“Yes, it’s true. But I won’t let it change anything. I remember the terms of our agreement.”
“Ah.”
He was silent a long moment, staring into her eyes, watching them change from defiant to apprehensive.
“If you still want to stay married,” she said slowly.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. Xander had a point. Others probably think I’m like Katrina—like that man did.” She raised her chin. “But I’m not.”
“No, Gemma, you’re most certainly not.”
“So we carry on?”
She held her breath. Please say yes.
“Actually, an excellent negotiator knows when to change things,” he murmured, drawing her into his arms. “I believe it’s time to change the terms of our marriage agreement.”
“You do?” Her eyes grew wide. “How?”
“I want to make it real.”
“Oh,” was all she had time to say before his mouth came down on hers.
Nikos felt the blood sing in his veins. She loves me. It was more than he expected or deserved.
Long moments later the sound of voices intruded. Nikos broke the kiss, grabbed her hand, and headed away from the house.
“That’s the problem with parties—there’s no privacy.”
Gemma kept pace, her hand gripping his. When they reached the gate, Nikos urged her through to the pristine white sand.
“Are you sure, Nikos?”
He ran his finger along her cheek, beneath her jaw, savoring the silky texture of her skin. His longing to make her his grew with each passing moment.
“I think I’d like ties and promises if they kept you with me forever.”
She smiled and he smiled back, feeling the relief flow through him.
“I love you, Gemma Petropoulos. I think I realized it the day in the department store when you worried about what I was getting out of our arrangement. I think that is the first time anyone ever worried about my benefits. I know it in my heart and soul—you are all I need and want. You will be all I need for the rest of my life.”
“Oh, Nikos.”
She flung herself into his arms, encircling his neck with hers and hugging him tightly.
“I love you so much. I thought you only married me for expediency, and I vowed I'd never give you a reason to regret it. But I think I’ve loved you for ages. I knew for sure when we stayed at Allessandros’.”
He relished the sensation of her soft body against the length of his.
“I thought you felt gratitude.”
She shook her head. “I do, but that’s only part of it. Mostly I love you.”
“Overbearing and arrogant as I am?” he murmured, his lips trailing kissed along her sweet skin.
She nodded.
“You, on a bad day, are still better than any other man in the world on his best day,” she whispered. “But are you sure? I don’t want to cause a problem in your family.”
“My mother already loves you. My father shall come around. Especially when he sees how happy you make me. But I’m not here to talk about them, only about us. Shall we steal away tonight, lose ourselves in all Greece has to offer, and have that honeymoon Elise has been lecturing me about?”
She gave a gurgle of laughter.
“I can’t see Elise lecturing anyone, especially you.”
“Ah, perhaps they were more like strong hints. But you didn’t answer my question.”
Gemma’s eyes drifted shut.
“I'd love nothing better.”
Nikos was not a man to resist a blatant invitation. His mouth closed over hers again and he kissed his wife with all the love in his heart. Tomorrow he’d show her the beauty of Greece. They’d spend a week alone, truly beginning their lives together. And when it was time, they’d return to their home in New York stronger than ever in their marriage—because of the endless ties of love.