For Pleasure...Or Marriage?

She’d had no good reason, but she’d gone all the same.

Gone.

The word went through Markos’s brain again.

Gone.

It was a very final word.

The sound of his mobile ringing jarred him, and he seized it from where he’d dropped it on the mahogany surface of his desk.

‘Yes?’ His voice was a bark.

An amused laugh was his answer. ‘You sound stressed, little cousin.’

‘Leo?’

‘Who else? Tell me, can you make lunch?’

‘Today?’

‘Yes.’

‘I didn’t know you were in London. Listen, this is not a good time right now.’ He hung up unceremoniously.

He didn’t want Leo around. He didn’t want lunch. He wanted Vanessa, and she’d walked out on him.

He went back to staring out across his office.

Half an hour later the door to his PA’s office opened and Leo strolled in. There was a tall, dark-haired, stunning woman with him whom Markos half recognised.

He got to his feet, exasperation in his face. ‘Leo, I said this wasn’t a good time—’

His cousin ignored him.

‘We’re flying to Athens this afternoon, so this is my only opportunity.’ He paused, drawing the woman forward. Markos’s eyes flickered over her, then back to Leo. His expression was still not welcoming.

His cousin was ignoring his lack of warmth.

‘I stopped by deliberately. I wanted you to be the first of the family to congratulate me. Probably the only one.’

Markos looked at him blankly. ‘Congratulate you?’

Leo grinned, throwing a glance at the woman beside him, who returned it with a smile. For a second something went through Markos that made him feel hollow. Leo’s good humour was like sandpaper on his skin.

His cousin’s next words were a bolt from the blue.

‘I’m married,’ said Leo, and grinned.

Markos just stared, disbelievingly.

‘You’re what?’

His cousin’s grin widened.

‘You heard me, little cousin. This is Anna—remember Anna? Gave me a hard time in Austria? Well—she finally saw sense and fell for me. Couldn’t resist me!’

‘More fool me!’ the woman at his side retorted.