Page 32 (1/1)

CHAPTER ONE

‘OH, YES, I should mention that last week I ran into your future father-in-law, Rodas,’ Anatole Zikos said towards the end of the congratulatory phone call he had made to his son ‘He seehtfinallybe setting a date for the wedding It has been three years, Leo When are you planning to marry Marina?’

‘She’s ed with some amusement, unperturbed by the hint of censure in his father’s deep voice ‘Neither of us has any desire to sprint to the altar’

‘After three years, believe ,’ Anatole said drily ‘Are you sure you want to irl?’

Leo Zikos frowned, level black brows lifting in surprise ‘Of course I do—’

‘I mean, it’s not as if you need Kouros Electronics these days’

Leo stiffened ‘It’s not a matter of need It’s a matter of common sense Marina will make me the perfect wife’

‘There is no such thing as a perfect wife, Leo’

Thinking of his late and much-lamented mother, Leo clamped his wide sensual ret, so that would shatter the closer relationship he had since attained with the older otten past, he rerimly, and Leo’s childhood in a deeply troubled and unhappy faory

At the other end of the silent line, Anatole made a soft sound of frustration ‘I want you to be happy in your e,’ he admitted heavily

‘I will be,’ Leo told his father with supre

Life was good, in fact life was very good, Leo acknowledged with the slow-burning smile on his lean, darkly handsome face thatclosed a deal that had enriched him by millions, hence his father’s phone call His father was quite correct in assu that Leo did not need to marry Marina simply to inherit her father’s electronics company as a dowry But then Leo had never wanted to marry Marina for her money

At eighteen, a veteran of the wretched warfare between his ill-matched parents, Leo had drawn up a checklist of the attributes his future wife should have Marina Kouros ticked literally every box She ealthy, beautiful and intelligent as well as being a product of the sareat deal in common but they were neither in love nor possessive of each other Objectives like harmony and practicality would illuerous passion and horrendous e the ith Marina, a young woman Leo had first met in nursery school

It was forgivable for him to feel just a little self-satisfied, Leo reasoned as his limo dropped him off at the marina in the French Riviera where his yacht awaited hi quiet contentest yachts in the world He had e of twenty-five and five years on he was enjoying life as never before while at the sah the cutthroat ambiance of the business world here he thrived, he still took tihteen-hour days for weeks on end

‘Good to have you on board again, sir,’ his English captain assured hi for you in the saloon’

Marina was scrutinising a painting he had recently bought A tall slender brunette with an innate elegance he had always adreet him with a smile

‘I was surprised to get your text,’ Leo confided, giving her a light kiss on the cheek in greeting ‘What are you doing in this neck of the woods?’

‘I’m on the way to a country house weekend with friends,’ Marina clarified ‘I thought it was ti out wedding hints—’

‘News travels fast,’ Leo co a little impatient’

Marina wrinkled her nose and strolled restively across the spacious room ‘He has his reasons I suppose I should admit that I’ve been a little indiscreet of late,’ she re of a silk-clad shoulder