THE TYCOON'S REBEL BRIDE(11)
future this fall.”
He didn’t say anything, but she could tell such an approach bothered him. She
smiled to herself. It probably gave him hives. He and his brothers all were intensely
driven with a take no prisoners approach when it came to business. They weren’t the
world’s wealthiest hotel family for nothing.
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
15
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
When they arrived at the hotel, Theron ushered her inside as his security team
flanked them on all sides. It was odd and a bit surreal, almost like they were royalty.
A few minutes later, they were escorted to Theron’s table at the restaurant. It was
situated in a quiet corner, almost completely cutoff from the rest of the diners.
He settled her into her chair and then circled around to sit across from her. He
dropped his long, lean body into his seat and stared lazily at her.
“What would you like to eat, pethi mou?”
Isabella cringed at the endearment. He’d called her the same thing when she was
thirteen. Little one. It set her teeth on edge. Hardly something that evoked images of the
two of them in bed, limbs entwined.
“What do you suggest?” she asked.
She studied his lips, the hard, sensual curve to his mouth and the dark shadow
already forming on his jaw. She was tempted, so very tempted to reach across and run the
tip of her finger along the roughness and then to the softness of his lips.
What would it be like to kiss him? She’d kissed several boys in college. She said
boys because next to Theron, that’s all they were. Some were very good, others awkward
and “pleasant.”
But Theron. Kissing him would be like chasing a storm. Hot, exciting and
breathless. Her pulse jumped wildly as she imagined the warm brush of his tongue.
“Bella?”
She blinked and shook her head as she realized Theron had been calling her name
for a few seconds.
“Sorry,” she murmured. “Lost in my thoughts.”
“I was suggesting you try the salmon,” he said dryly.
She nodded jerkily and tilted her head toward the waiter who was standing beside
the table waiting for their order.
“I’ll have what he suggests,” she said huskily.
Theron placed their order in succinct tones, and the waiter hurried away shortly
afterward.
“Now, Bella,” Theron said, as he sat back in his chair. He looked comfortable, at
ease as he raked his gaze over her features, setting fire to every nerve receptor. “Perhaps
we should talk about your future.”
A nervous scuttle began in her stomach. “My future?” She laughed lightly to allay
the pounding of her heart. If she had any say, her future would be inexorably linked to
his.
“Indeed. Your future. Surely you’ve given it some thought?”
He sounded slightly scornful, impatient with someone who didn’t have an airtight
plan. If he only knew. She’d done nothing else for the past years but plan for her future.
With him.
“I’ve given it a lot of thought,” she said evenly.
“You mentioned marriage. Are you truly considering being married before you
turn twenty-five.”
“I count on it.”
He nodded as if he approved. She almost laughed. Would he be so approving if he
knew he was her intended groom? A sigh escaped her. She felt so evil, like she was
plotting an assassination rather than a seduction.
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
16
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
“This is good,” he said almost to himself. “I’ve taken the liberty of forming a list
of possible candidates.”
Her brow crinkled as she stared at him in puzzlement. “Candidates? For what?”
“Marriage, Bella. I intend to help you find a husband.”
Four
I sabella eyed Theron suspiciously, wondering if he’d suddenly developed a sense
of humor.
“You intend to do what?” she asked.
“You want a husband. After my initial misgivings, I’ve decided it’s a sound idea.
A woman in your position can’t be too careful,” he continued, obviously warming to his
subject. “So I’ve taken the liberty of drawing up a list of suitable candidates.”
She burst out laughing. She couldn’t help herself. As absurdities went, this might
well take the cake.
He blinked in surprise then frowned as she continued to chuckle. “What do you
find so amusing?”
She shook her head, the smile not dropping from her lips. “I’m in the city all of