in and sat down next to her. As the driver pulled away, Isabella shook her head and
smiled ruefully.
“When was the last time you didn’t get your way about something?”
He gave her a puzzled look.
“And why all the security?” she asked in exasperation. “It seems a little
pretentious.”
His face immediately darkened. “Before they were married, Chrysander’s wife
was abducted and held for ransom. She was pregnant at the time. Her kidnappers have
never been apprehended. I take no chances with the safety of those under my care.”
“How are Chrysander and his wife?” she asked softly.
“They are well. Marley prefers the island so they stay there. Chrysander
occasionally leaves for business purposes but he doesn’t leave Marley or their son very
often.”
“I can’t imagine Chrysander so in love,” she said with a laugh. “He seems so
intimidating.”
“You obviously don’t feel the same around me,” Theron said dryly.
She let her gaze wander slowly up his body until she stared into his eyes. “The
way I feel about you in no way compares to how I feel around Chrysander.”
There was a surge in his expression, an awareness that he fought. Such conflicting
emotions shooting across his face. Before he could respond to her enigmatic statement,
she turned to look out the window.
“So what made you come along this morning?” she asked cheerfully.
Though she was no longer facing him, she could feel his every move. She could
feel him breathe so tuned into his body was she.
“I would have thought you’d be far too busy with work and entertaining
your…guests.”
“I’m not too busy to renege on a promise I made,” he said. “I told you I’d go
shopping with you and here I am.”
She turned then and smiled. “I’m glad. Thank you.”
They spent the morning going down the list of items she wanted for her
apartment. Theron seemed appreciative of the fact that she didn’t take forever making her
selections. But the fact was, she didn’t really labor over furniture styles because if things
went the way she wanted, then she wouldn’t be staying in the apartment long term. And if
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
35
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
they didn’t go her way, she wasn’t going to stick around New York City only to watch
Theron with another woman.
By two in the afternoon, she was tired and hungry and told Theron so. He
suggested they eat at the hotel again. She was thrilled that he didn’t seem intent on
rushing back to Alannis as soon as the shopping was done.
When they got back to the hotel, they were met by Reynolds who told Theron he
and the others would stand by in the restaurant while they ate. Already, she was growing
used to the small entourage of people who followed Theron wherever he went.
If he was this protective over someone he deemed “under his care,” then how
much more so would he be when it came to someone he loved?
She smiled dreamily as they were escorted to Theron’s table. She could handle his
overprotective tendencies if it meant he loved her.
“You look well pleased with yourself, pethi mou.”
Theron’s voice broke through her thoughts.
“Are you happy with your purchases?”
She nodded and smiled. “Thank you for going with me.”
“It was my pleasure. You shouldn’t be alone in such an unfamiliar place.”
After placing their orders, Theron sat back in his seat, glass of wine in hand and
stared over the table at her.
“So tell me, Bella. Why New York? Did you not have friends in California you
preferred to stay close to? And have you given more thought to what you will do now
that you’ve graduated from university?”
She smiled patiently. “My indecision must drive someone such as yourself insane,
but I really do have a well-thought-out plan for my future.”
“Such as myself?” he asked. “Dare I ask what that’s supposed to mean?”
“Just that I imagine your life is planned out to the nth degree and that you have no
patience for people who aren’t as organized as you. Am I right?” she asked
mischievously.
He struggled with a scowl before finally relaxing into a smile. “There’s nothing
wrong with having one’s path planned out in advance.”
“No, there isn’t,” she agreed. “I have mine quite mapped out, however, things
don’t always go according to plan. The real test is how you manage when your plans fall