Kathie DeNosky - The Tycoon's Rebel Bride / The Billionaire's Unexpected Heir - The Tycoon's Rebel Bride

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 apart.”

“Very wise words coming from someone so young.”

She wrinkled her nose and rolled her eyes. “Do you keep reminding yourself of my age so that you aren’t tempted to do something outrageous like kiss me again?”

He blinked at her, his mouth falling open. Then he snapped it closed and his jaw tightened. “I thought we agreed to forget that ever happened.”

“I agreed to do no such thing,” she said lightly. “You can do as you like, however.”

He was saved from making his response when the waiter returned bearing their food. Isabella watched Theron all through the meal. His agitation was evident in his short, jerky motions as he dug into his food and ate. Several times he looked up and their gazes connected. There was such fire in his eyes. He wasn’t immune to her. Not by a long shot. If she had to guess, he was very affected.

She’d already shoved her plate aside when she heard Theron’s name called from a few tables away. She glanced over to see a handsome man approach their table. He was well dressed, he screamed wealth and refinement, and he looked at her with undisguised interest even though it was Theron’s name he spoke.

Theron looked less than pleased by the interruption, but it didn’t seem to bother the man who now stood at their table.

“Theron, it’s good to see you. I was happy to receive your invitation for Thursday night.”

He glanced over at Isabella as he spoke and she stared back, wondering if this was one of the men on Theron’s infamous potential husband list. She cocked her eyebrow in question but Theron ignored her.

“Are you coming?” Isabella spoke up, offering the man a bright smile. “I have it on good authority that Theron is using Thursday’s little soiree to find me a husband.”

She grinned at the man’s look of surprise. Then he laughed while Theron scowled even harder.

“You must be Isabella Caplan. I’m Marcus Atwater, and yes, I’ll be attending. Now that I know my attendance puts me in the running, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Isabella smiled and extended her hand. “Please, call me Bella.”

Marcus took her hand but instead of shaking it, he raised it to his lips and kissed it.

“All right, Bella. A beautiful name for an equally beautiful woman.”

“Is there something you wanted, Marcus?” Theron asked pointedly.

His glare could melt steel, but Marcus didn’t seem to be too bothered—or intimidated.

Isabella sat back. Maybe Theron seeing another man openly flirt with her would bring out those protective instincts. Maybe, just maybe if he suddenly had a little competition…

“Nothing at all,” Marcus said congenially. “I saw you with a beautiful woman, and I merely wanted to make her acquaintance and see for myself if this was the mysterious Isabella Caplan, the same woman you were throwing the party for. I’m glad now that I came over.” He glanced back at Isabella again. “Save me a dance Thursday night?”

She smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

She watched him walk away before turning back to Theron. “So tell me, how did he rate among the other men you considered for my husband?”

Theron gave her a disgruntled look. “He’s toward the top,” he mumbled.

“Oh good, then you won’t mind if we spend time together at your cocktail party.”

“No,” he said through gritted teeth. “He would be a good choice. He’s successful, doesn’t have any debt, he’s never been married before, and he’s healthy.”

“Good God, tell me you didn’t hack into his medical records,” she said in disbelief.

“Of course I did. I wouldn’t suggest you marry a man who was in ill health or had defects that could be passed on to your children.”

He seemed affronted that she’d ask such a question.

She stifled her laughter and tried to look serious and appreciative. “So can I assume that any man at your party has been carefully screened and has your stamp of approval then?”

He nodded slowly but he didn’t look happy about the fact.

“Well then, this should be fun,” she said brightly. “A room full of wealthy, good-looking men to choose from.” She leaned forward and pretended to whisper conspiratorially. “Did you also find out if they were good in bed?”

Theron choked on his drink. He set it down and growled in a low voice, “Of course I didn’t question their sexual prowess.”

“Pity. I suppose I’ll have to find out myself before settling on one man in particular.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Theron snarled.

Her eyes widened innocently as she viewed his obvious irritation. He looked near to bursting a blood vessel.

His phone rang, and he looked relieved as he fumbled for it. After a few clipped sentences, he rang off and looked over at her.

“You’ll have to excuse me, but I have to go. I have an important meeting I can’t miss.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t mind me. I was going up to my suite anyway.”

Theron motioned for Reynolds and then rose from his chair.

“Your security detail will see you up to your suite. And Bella, don’t try to go anywhere without them.”

Theron’s admonishment still rang in Isabella’s ears the next morning as she plotted her path past her security team. It wasn’t that she minded them going shopping with her. They might even be able to offer a male perspective on which dress looked best on her. She wanted to look good for the cocktail party, and not because of the men Theron had invited with her in mind.

As soon as she stepped out of her room, Reynolds fell into step behind her.