wrought big changes. To think he’d remembered her as someone who faded into the
background wherever she was. A man would have to be blind, deaf and dumb to overlook
her in a room.
“What the hell are you wearing?” he demanded before he could think better of it.
She raised one dark brow, amusement twinkling in her eyes. Then she glanced
down as she smoothed her hands over her hips.
“I believe they’re called clothes,” she said huskily.
He frowned harder at the playfulness he heard in her voice. “Is this the sort of
thing Chrysander allowed you to run around in?”
She chuckled, and the sound skittered across his nape, raising hairs in its wake. It
was warm and vibrant, and he derived so much pleasure from it that he wanted her to
laugh again.
“Chrysander has no say in what I wear.”
“He is—was your guardian,” Theron said. “As I am now.”
“Not legally,” she countered. “You’re doing a favor for my father, and you’re the
executor of his estate as it pertains to me until I marry, but you’re hardly my guardian.
I’ve managed quite well on my own with minimal interference from Chrysander.”
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THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
Theron leaned back against his desk as he studied the young woman standing so
confidently in front of him. “Marry? The terms of your father’s will is that you gain
control of your inheritance when you turn twenty-five.”
“Or I marry,” she gently corrected. “I plan to be married before then.”
Alarm took hold of Theron as he contemplated all sorts of nasty scenarios.
“Who is he?” he demanded. “I’ll want to have him fully investigated. You can’t
be too careful in your position. Your inheritance will draw a host of unwanted suitors
who only want you for your money.”
Another smile quirked at the corner of her mouth. “It’s nice to see you again, too,
Theron. My trip was fine. The suite is lovely. It’s been awhile since I last saw you, but
I’d recognize you anywhere.”
Her reproach irritated him because she was exactly right. He was being rude. He
hadn’t even properly greeted her.
“My apologies, Isabella,” he said as he moved forward. He grasped her shoulders
and leaned in to kiss her on either cheek. “I’m glad to hear your trip was satisfactory and
that the suite is to your liking. May I get you something to drink while we discuss your
travel arrangements?”
She smiled and shook her head, and then moved past him toward the window. Her
hips swayed, and her bottom, cupped by the too-tight denim bobbed enticingly. He sent
his gaze upward so that he wasn’t ogling her inappropriately.
It was then that a flash of color at her waist stopped him. He blinked and looked
again, certain he had to be mistaken. As she stopped at the window, the hem of her shirt
moved so that a tiny portion of what looked to be a tattoo peeked from between her jeans
and her shirt.
His gaze was riveted as he strained to see what the design was. Then he scowled.
A tattoo? Obviously Chrysander had failed miserably in his role as her guardian. What
the hell kind of trouble had she gotten herself into? Tattoos? Talk of marriage?
He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as he felt the beginnings of
a headache.
“You have a wonderful view,” she said as she turned from the window to look at
him.
He cleared his throat and sent his gaze to her face. Anywhere but at the breasts
hugged tight by the thin T-shirt. Theos, but the woman was a walking time bomb.
“Have you already made all the arrangements for your trip to Europe or would
you prefer for me to see to them?” he asked politely.
She shoved her fingers into her jeans pockets, a feat he wasn’t certain how she
managed, and leaned against the window.
“I’m not going to Europe.”
He blinked. “Pardon?”
She smiled again, the dimples deepening. “I’ve decided not to travel to Europe for
the summer.”
He put a hand to his forehead and massaged the tension. Damn Chrysander for
getting a life and saddling him with Isabella Caplan.
“Does this have anything to do with your sudden desire for marriage?” he asked
tiredly. “You still haven’t answered my question about the intended groom.”
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
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SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944