Page 60 of Marriage Masquerade

“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.

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