The Greek Tycoon's Tarnished Bride (Men of the Zodiac) by Rachel Lyndhurst Page B

throughout his childhood as Alkestis Makris bent the entire household to her iron will. Thank God he had escaped, and may God take pity on the poor fool of a man that still lived with her because he didn ’ t have the balls to kick her out.
    “I have a lot of money in real estate, so I find it difficult not to analyze just about every building I see in a variety of ways. It ’ s geeky, I know. But lucrative.” He sensed her tensing as the car slowed to a halt on the grand driveway in front of an imposing white door. “Studying architecture for the sheer pleasure, and not with half an eye on rental value, is something I ’ ve promised myself I can indulge in when I retire. However, that won ’ t be for a couple of decades when I actually do turn fifty.”
    “Is that when your pension pays out?”
    He laughed, unsure if she was being sarcastic or making small talk. “I could jack it all in today and live a life of extreme luxury if I wanted to, but I have plans. Long-term plans that will require a lot of money and a lot of my time. I ’ m not ready to settle down in any kind of way yet.”
    “Apart from acquiring an unsuitable wife and settling down with her, of course.”
    “Of course, well noted.” Excellent, she was warming to the idea. “Until Nick is a man, and then we have an amicable divorce.”
    “Always the planner. You ’ re consistent for sure.”
    “ I don’ t like unnecessary risk or surprises, no.” He watched the driver turn off the engine and exit the vehicle to help them out. “And I hate to be mocked, so I make sure I don ’ t make stupid mistakes and lay myself open to ridicule.”
    His mother had been a great one for humiliating him in public when he was a boy and teenager, pouring scorn on him and lavishing praise on the sister who was her more favored child. Christ, even now the woman was still an evil bitch. Why he still had anything to do with her now that he was a multi-millionaire was a mystery to most people who witnessed even one of her ridiculous displays of vitriol and who didn ’ t know him that well. Not that he let people get too close to him these days anyway. He always gritted his teeth and put on his best fake smile for his father ’ s sake. It was a matter of loyalty and profound pity.
    “Don ’ t worry, I won ’ t embarrass you deliberately once we get out of this car. I know you think I ’ m lower than something dragged out of the gutter, but I ’ m used to saying what rich men want to hear. Or even loaded women sometimes when they want to distract their wealthy husbands for a few hours while they screw their fitness trainers. Or a random barman. Or their chauffeur. Anything goes.”
    Tito felt his spine stiffen as Max opened Erica ’ s door and held it open with a deferential smile. Rich women screwed their chauffeurs? Of course they must, but he was suddenly having irrational thoughts about Erica having her eye on the hired help. She did herself no favors by being so frank about her job, and he hoped there was a shrinking violet of a woman somewhere beneath that toned and glowing skin. She bristled with energy and rebellion. There wouldn ’ t be many men who would take her on as a wife, let alone manage to tame her. He could do both; he knew her weakness: Nick. She would do anything for her son. Anything. And Tito was perfectly prepared to exploit that to achieve his goals if he had to.
    “I ’ ll deal with the baby seat,” he said and flicked on a smile of reassurance as Erica hesitated to leave the car. “It ’ ll be heavy.”
    She tipped her head to one side and frowned. “I ’ m not a soppy weakling, you know, but thanks. Just try not to wake him because he will be super crabby when he comes round. We don ’ t want to scare away the staff just yet.”
    He watched as she swung her long, faded denim-clad legs out of the car like an experienced royal would. She had the most amazing legs…and images of them wrapping themselves around that thick steel