She kissed him on the cheek and then turned toward the door. “Thank you,
Theron, and I’ll see you first thing tomorrow.”
He was left rubbing his cheek where her lips had brushed just seconds before.
Then he cursed and strode around to the back of his desk again. He’d been so ready to
condemn Chrysander for being involved with someone so young, and here he stood
lusting over the same girl. Pathetic. It had obviously been way too long since he’d been
with a woman.
He buzzed his secretary and quickly gave her instructions to find three or four
possible apartments. If all else failed, he could give her Chrysander’s penthouse to use.
After talking with Madeline, he then picked up the phone to arrange for a security
detail for Isabella.
As he hung up, he remembered that Alannis would be arriving in a week, and he
groaned. He’d counted on not having Isabella to contend with when his future fiancée
arrived. One woman was always more than enough, and splitting attentions between more
than one was a recipe for disaster.
But maybe Alannis would have ideas where Isabella was concerned. Together
they could introduce Isabella to a few eligible men—men who’d passed muster with
Theron, of course.
Deciding that this was another task suited for Madeline, he buzzed her and asked
her to compile a list of eligible bachelors complete with background checks and a
checklist of pros and cons. She sounded amused by his request but didn’t question him.
Theron sat back in his chair and folded his hands behind his head. This wouldn’t
take long at all. He’d find her an apartment, find her a husband, and then he would turn
his attentions to his own impending nuptials.
“Isabella!” Sadie cried as she threw open the door to her apartment.
Isabella found herself enveloped in her friend’s arms, and she returned the hug
just as fiercely.
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THE TYCOON’S REBEL BRIDE
10
MAYA BANKS
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
“Come in, come in. It’s so good to see you again,” Sadie exclaimed as she
ushered Isabella inside.
The girls sat down in the small living room, and then Sadie pounced. “So? Did
you see him?”
Isabella smiled. “Just came from his office.”
“And?”
Isabella shrugged. “I told him I wasn’t going to Europe and that I was going to
look for an apartment here. He’s going to help me,” she added with a small smile.
“So he took it well?”
Sadie flipped her long red hair over her shoulder, drawing attention to her pretty
features. A year older than Isabella, she had graduated the term before and moved to New
York to pursue a career on Broadway.
“I wouldn’t say well,” Isabella said in amusement. “I think it was more a matter
of him wondering what on earth he was going to do with me. The Anetakis brothers take
their responsibilities very seriously. They’re Greek, after all. And I am one huge
responsibility Theron needs to be rid of. I’m sure he was looking forward to herding me
onto a plane for Europe as soon as possible.”
“Okay, so spill,” Sadie said eagerly. “What’s your plan?”
Isabella grimaced. “I’m not altogether sure. I had planned to go to Europe and be
an all-around nuisance to him there. Now all of a sudden he’s here in New York so I’m
having to scramble with the change of plans. The good news is we’re having lunch
tomorrow when we go apartment hunting. I guess I’ll see where things go from there.”
“How did he react when he saw you?” Sadie asked. “It’s been what, four years
since he got a good look at you?”
“Ugh. Yes. Thank goodness I’ve finally blossomed.”
“So? Did he appreciate your womanly charms?” Sadie asked with a wide grin.
“I’m sure he noticed, but I think it was a cross between interest and being
appalled. You have to understand that Theron is very, uhm, traditional.” She sighed and
leaned back against the couch. “But if I had shown up dressed like a good, modest Greek
girl, he wouldn’t have given me a second glance. I would have been relegated to little
sister status, just as Chrysander has done, and there would be no changing it.”
“Ah, so better to throw out the challenge from the outset,” Sadie acknowledged.
“Exactly,” Isabella murmured. “If he never sees me as a nonthreatening entity,
then it will be damn hard for him to turn a blind eye to me.”
Sadie laughed and clasped Isabella’s hands in hers. “I’m so glad to see you again,