Greek's Marriage Bargain by Lilly LaRue Page B

might dull some of the emotional ache that came from loving him without reciprocation.
     
    Nikos had left by the time she awakened the next morning. Nausea had crept up her throat, making her regret the marathon lovemaking that had led them to skip dinner. A quick breakfast of a boiled egg and oatmeal had her feeling better, and her thoughts turned to Nikos.
    To her relief, he had mentioned nothing else about a marriage between Arianna and Loukas. Perhaps he had acknowledged his overreaction to the situation.
    Now that Arianna was back in New York, she expected Nikos to cut short their vacation and return to the city. In preparation, Leah returned to the master bedroom and pulled down her suitcases, intending to pack everything except a couple of outfits, in case they stayed through tomorrow. She had filled half a suitcase when a knock sounded. “Come in,” she called.
    Irina entered, clicking her tongue when she saw Arianna’s luggage. “I will do that, Kyria .”
    Leah waved a hand. “It’s fine, Irina. It keeps me occupied.”
    The older woman scowled. “You have a visitor to keep you occupied, if you want to receive her.”
    Leah arched a brow. “Who?”
    Irina appeared to be choking when she said, “Maia Papadas.”
    She grimaced. “Tell her Nikos will be back sometime later in the morning.” That might or might not be true, but it should get rid of the other woman, at least for a time.
    “She asked specifically for you, Kyria Leah.”
    Leah groaned. “I wonder what she wants.”
    “I can send her away,” suggested Irina with an unaccustomed hardness in her gaze.
    She contemplated it and shrugged. “No. I’ll see what she wants. I might as well get it over with.” After the display she and Nikos had given her at Arianna’s party, Leah had half-expected a confrontation with Maia.
    Leah took a moment to straighten her appearance and gather her wits. Her stomach clenched with nervousness as she left the bedroom and walked downstairs to the salon. With each step, Leah tried reminding herself that Maia couldn’t hurt her, no matter how catty she became. After all, Leah had the man Maia wanted, so she was the ultimate victor in any battle.
    Maia had draped herself artfully on a sofa, the white fabric highlighting her golden-brown skin and turquoise sundress that looked deceptively casual, meaning it had probably cost a fortune. She swung one foot, encased in silver sandals with dangerously high heels, as though she had no cares.
    Leah hovered in the doorway for a second, but forced herself to enter the room and take a seat across from the other woman. “Hello,” she said with as much coolness as she could muster. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” she asked with a trace of mocking.
    Maia’s eyes narrowed, but then her mouth curved into a satisfied smile. She leaned forward slightly, as though preparing to attack. “I knew there had to be a reason.”
    “That’s what I’m trying to discern. What is the reason for your visit?”
    Maia wrinkled her nose. “I meant there had to be a reason for your marriage. Specifically, for Nikos playing the doting husband.” She tapped her long nails, painted scarlet, against the glass of the coffee table. “I could think of several scenarios for why he would marry you, but not why he would pretend to be happy about it.”
    “Perhaps you should consider that it isn’t a pretense.” She was proud of herself for not betraying any reaction, though her stomach tightened. Maia was much too pleased to have news that would be good for Leah.
    Maia’s cold laugh held more scorn than amusement. “You poor, deluded fool. Have you imagined Nikos has fallen in love with you?” She raked a contemptuous glance down Leah, clad in khaki shorts and a pale pink tank top. “Did you sway him with your impeccable sense of fashion?” Her lids lowered slightly. “Or maybe it was your prowess in the bedroom?”
    Leah shifted slightly. “I’m sure there’s a point to your