She broke open the seal and pulled the card from the envelope. In a distinctly
masculine scrawl, he’d written his instructions for her to come to his office the next
morning.
An amused smile curved her lips. As arrogant as she remembered. Summoning
her like a wayward child. At least Chrysander had dropped by her suite to check in on
her. But then she’d been a mere eighteen, and he’d also provided a veritable nanny to
chaperone her for her visit to the city.
She’d be more than happy to meet Theron on his terms. It would make it that
more satisfying to rock him back on his heels. The basis for her big trip to Europe had
been solely because that was where Theron lived. Or had lived. When Chrysander
married, he and his wife moved to his Greek island on a permanent basis. Which meant
that Theron had moved a lot closer to Isabella. Finally.
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
4
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
The trip to Europe was off. Her seduction of Theron was on.
She sank onto the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table. Vibrant red
toenail polish flashed in front of her as she wiggled her toes. The delicate ankle bracelet
flashed and shimmered with the movement of her foot.
Theron had only gotten more gorgeous over the last few years. He’d lost the
youthful handsomeness and replaced it with raw masculinity. While she’d been waiting
to grow up so she could stake her claim, he’d only become more desirable. More
irresistible. And she’d only fallen more in love with him.
It wouldn’t be easy. She didn’t imagine he’d fall readily into her arms. The
Anetakis brothers were hard. They could have any woman they wanted. They were
ruthless in business, but they were also loyal, and honor was everything.
The phone rang, and she sighed in aggravation. The phone was across the room,
and she was quite comfortable on the couch. Shoving herself up, she stumbled over to
answer it.
“Hello?”
There was a brief silence.
“Ms. Caplan—Isabella.”
She recognized the accented English, and a thrill skirted down her spine. It wasn’t
Chrysander, and given that Piers was out of the country and had never so much as had a
conversation with Isabella, it could only be Theron.
“Yes,” she said huskily, hoping her nervousness wasn’t betrayed.
“This is Theron Anetakis. I was calling to make sure you made it in okay and are
settling in with no difficulty.”
“Thank you. Everything is fine.”
“Is the suite to your liking?”
“Yes, of course. It was kind of you to reserve it for me.”
“I didn’t reserve it,” he said impatiently. “It’s my private suite.”
She looked around with renewed interest. Knowing that she was staying where
Theron spent a lot of his time gave her a decadent thrill.
“Then where are you staying?” she asked curiously. “Why would you give up
your suite?”
“The hotel is undergoing renovations. The only available suite was…mine. I’m
temporarily taking a different room.”
She laughed. “I could have taken other accommodations. There was no need for
you to move out for me.”
“A few days won’t make a difference,” he said. “You should be comfortable
before your trip to Europe.”
She swallowed back the denial that she would be going to Europe. No sense in
putting him on guard as soon as she arrived. There’d be plenty of time to apprise him of
her change in plans. Mainly when he had no chance of talking her out of it.
A mischievous smile curved her lips. “I received your summons.”
He made a sound of startled exclamation that sounded suspiciously like an oath.
“Surely I didn’t sound so autocratic, Ms. Caplan.”
“Please, call me Isabella. Or Bella. Surely you remember when we weren’t so
formal? Granted it’s been a few years, but I haven’t forgotten a single thing about you.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. And then, “All right, Isabella.”
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
5
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
“Bella, please.”
“All right…Bella,” he conceded.
He made an exasperated sound in her ear and then said, “Now what was it we
were discussing again?”
He sounded distracted, and though he was unfailingly polite, she knew he wanted
rid of her as soon as possible. She grinned. If he only knew…