to find.”
Alarm bells rang at the idea of Isabella traipsing around a city she wasn’t intimately familiar with, alone and vulnerable. Hell, she could wind up in an entirely unsuitable neighborhood. And then there was the matter of her security. Now that she was going to be here and not in Europe, he’d have to scramble to get a team in place. The last thing he needed was for her to be abducted as Marley had been.
“I don’t think this is something you should do alone,” he said firmly.
Her expression brightened. “That’s so sweet of you to offer to go apartment hunting with me. I admit, I wasn’t looking forward to it on my own, and your knowledge of the city is so much better than mine.”
He opened his mouth to refute the idea that he’d volunteered anything, but the genuine appreciation on her face made him snap his lips shut. He let out a sigh, knowing he was well and truly screwed.
“Of course I’ll accompany you. I won’t have you staying just anywhere. I’ll have my secretary come up with a few suitable places for you to view and then we’ll go. Perhaps tomorrow morning? You’re welcome to stay in the suite for as long as you need it.”
She frowned. “But I hate to put you out.”
He shook his head. “It’s no bother. Chrysander still has a penthouse here that I can use. I need to be looking for a place as well now that I’ve permanently relocated here.”
Her eyes sparked briefly, but then her expression faded to one of neutrality.
“In that case, I appreciate the offer, and I’d love to go apartment hunting with you tomorrow. Shall we do lunch as well?” she asked innocently.
“Of course I’ll feed you,” he said with a grunt. Why did he feel as though he’d been run over by a steamroller? The idea that this mere slip of a girl had run so roughshod over him left him irritated and feeling like he’d been manipulated, but there was nothing but genuine appreciation and relief in her expression.
She hurried over and threw her arms around him. She landed against his chest, and he had to brace himself to keep from stumbling back.
“Thank you,” she said against his ear as she squeezed him for all she was worth.
He allowed his arms to fold around her as he returned her hug. Her body melted against his, and he felt every one of those generous curves he’d noticed earlier. His hand skimmed over the small portion of flesh on her back that was bared by her shirt, and he wondered again over the tattoo he’d seen there. It was driving him crazy not to know what it was.
He shook his head and gently extricated himself from her grasp. “Let me call for the driver so he can return you to the hotel.”
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.
“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
