Page 41 of Marriage Masquerade

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.”

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