Page 2 of Marriage Masquerade

Nikos reached out and lifted the first of the letters, tilting it as he quickly read. When he finished, he scrawled his signature and tossed it aside, picking up the next. In only a couple of moments, he’d signed the lot.

He pushed the folders aside and spotted her letter. With a quick glance in her direction, he picked up the envelope and withdrew the single sheet.

Gemma studied him quietly as he read, vowing she wouldn’t cry, even though she felt the threat of tears. It was her decision, the only one she felt she could make. But it hadn’t come easily.

She owed Nikos a great deal. She’d learned so much from him. He’d talked her into taking night courses until she got her degree, made sure she understood all the regulations governing the shipping industry and freely shared his own thoughts about the business. He’d made her job interesting and exciting and rewarding.

She enjoyed working with him despite the long hours and the hectic pace he set. She’d miss being his personal assistant. Miss living in New York.

Too late now for regrets. Months too late.

“What the hell is this?”

He looked up right into her eyes, his own narrowed.

She cleared her throat. “My resignation.”

He stared at her for a long moment with the full force of his dark eyes, then he slapped the paper down and rose. Gemma watched as he strode to the window and gazed out over the busy street below. Leaning one shoulder against the glass, he slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers.

As the silence stretched out, Gemma’s mind wandered. She studied him, taking in the tall, lean frame. Memorizing as much as she could. A London tailor made his clothes. The dark somber colors and continental style did nothing to distract from his innate masculinity, his dark good looks.

Should she say something? Try to explain?

That would be dumb. The entire reason for leaving was to avoid explanations and excuses she knew would result once people knew she was pregnant.

And deserted by the baby’s father.

She couldn’t endure the pity or the gossip. She had to leave, and soon. Because at four months pregnant, the extent of her folly was about to be known.

Gemma knew Nikos would demand some kind of explanation. She shifted in her seat to gather up the signed letters, quickly folding them and inserting in the accompanying envelopes. Elise had made copies earlier. These were ready to be posted. She’d drop them in the mail room before she left.

Glancing at her watch, she saw it was after seven. Still, someone was on duty in the mail room until eight. The letters would go out late, but at least they’d go out today.

“Is there anything else you need?” she asked, longing to escape.

Wishing she was already home. Wishing even more that she hadn’t been put in this position at all. She didn’t want to leave, yet felt she had no alternative.

“You could start by explaining that letter.”

“I’m leaving New York,” she said to his back.

“Going where?”

“I thought California.”

It was as far from New York as she could go.

He turned at that and stared at her in surprise.

“Why? Joining some man?”

Heat stole into her cheeks and Gemma looked away.

“No. There is no man.”

Not now. And in reality, never. She’d been such a fool.

“Then why? I know your parents are dead. You have no other relatives, right? What is the allure of California?”