“I’ll go get her.” Ten minutes later he was back and was soon escorting Gemma down the staircase, her arm tucked under his as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “You made quite an entrance earlier.”
She wouldn’t let him know she’d been scared to death. “It’s what you expected, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s definitely something I would expect from you.”
She hated the way he said that. “Actually, your mother suggested it.”
“Did she now?” He remained quiet, but she wasn’t sure what he thought about what she’d said.
Gemma was suddenly aware of Clive standing at the large front door, all set to open it to the reporters. When they reached the bottom step, she stopped. “Er…it’s only going to be a couple of pictures, right?”
Tate looked at her oddly, then squeezed her arm. “A couple of photographs by the fountain, that’s all. I’ll answer the questions, but if they ask you anything, just do your best.”
“Okay.” Would her best be good enough?
He pulled her closer to his side. “Ready?”
She was surprised by his gesture, warmed that he wasn’t quite prepared to feed her to the wolves. She cleared her throat. “Yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Gemma wasn’t sure how they pulled it off, but she and Tate managed to look like a loving couple as they stood in front of a spectacular fountain on the front lawn while a group of people took photographs. Hopefully any nervousness on her part was understandable.
And then…
“A kiss for the camera,” one man suggested.#p#分页标题#e#
Almost imperceptibly, Tate’s arm tensed beneath hers. For a moment she thought he would refuse. If only he would. She didn’t want to relive the sensation of their last kiss.
Then his head rushed toward her, and he didn’t miss another beat as he swept her into his arms like some romantic hero in a movie.
Lights.
Camera.
Action.
Even knowing this was all for show, her breath caught high in her throat. She fought not to let him take anything from her this time, but the kiss went on…and on…and on… Then, just as she started to yield, he released her.
His eyes gave nothing away, but she could see a slight flush to his cheeks. That, at least, made her feel less exposed.
With the practiced ease of someone who’d grown up in the spotlight, he turned to look at the photographers, a confident smile coating his lips. “Is that good enough, people?”
“Terrific!”
“Great!”
“Hey, what does the new Mrs. Chandler have to say about it?” a woman asked.
Gemma struggled to pick up her scattered senses. She had to play the game. If she showed how scared she was of the limelight, they’d chew her up and spit her out.
She gave what she thought was a convincing smile. “Practice definitely makes perfect.”
Laughter erupted as the cameras clicked.
“Great quote! Now about—”
Tate put up his hand. “No more. My wife and I have a wedding to get back to.” His mouth curved and he winked. “And a honeymoon.” He started to lead her back inside.
“But what about the humanitarian award? What do you think about that?”
Tate stopped briefly. “I’m very proud of my family. It’s an honor to receive such an award.”
“And what about—”
Gemma saw a helicopter coming toward them in the distance.
Tate must have seen it, too, because he moved her toward the front door. “That’s all, guys.” They stepped inside and Clive closed the door behind them just as the chopper reached the estate.
“You’d better get on that, Clive, or they’ll all be swarming overhead soon. They’ve got enough pictures now.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Chandler.” The other man hurried off.
Gemma’s legs were shaky. “Thank God that’s over,” she managed to say.
As well as everything had gone, there was nothing quite as daunting as a helicopter overhead and a flock of reporters intent on finding a story. Any story.
Unless it was a comment from her new husband about a honeymoon…
He didn’t mean it, she knew that. But still, it had shaken her, reminding her that Tate was a virile man and wouldn’t remain celibate for long.
Would he take a lover?
The thought made her feel ill until she hurriedly decided he wouldn’t. At least not yet. He wouldn’t risk raining more bad press upon his family.
But would he want her eventually?
She believed that any sex between them would be full of hostility. Yet his kisses today hadn’t been angry. She swallowed hard. That’s because they’d had an audience, she told herself. It had all been for show. Nothing more.