The Tycoon's Rebel Bride - Maya Banks Page 0,31
I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
“Oh, no, Marcus, stay.” She glanced back up at Theron with a puzzled expression. “I’m sure Theron has no objections.”
“I have plenty of objections. He was mauling you in plain view of a roomful of people.” Then he turned again to Marcus, as he pulled Isabella even closer. He dropped his voice low enough not to be overheard. “If I find you near her again, I’ll take you apart. Are we clear?”
He ignored Isabella’s stunned gasp. Marcus merely smiled and continued to back away, his expression smug.
“I’ll see you another time, Bella.”
“Goodbye,” she said softly.
“Come on,” Theron said, half dragging her along with him. “You’re not to leave my side for the rest of the night.”
To his surprise, she didn’t offer any argument. Halfway back to where Alannis and her mother still stood, Isabella stumbled, and he turned back quickly to catch her.
“Slow down,” she said. “I can’t walk that fast in these shoes.”
“Sorry,” he said gruffly as he righted her. He held her arms until he was sure she had her footing. “Better?”
She nodded and they started back again.
“Isabella, are you all right?” Sophia asked in concern when they walked up.
Isabella offered a smile. “Yes, Mrs. Gianopolous. I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Please, do call me Sophia.” Sophia reached out and took Isabella’s hand from Theron’s. “Can I get you something to drink? Have you had anything to eat since you arrived?” She turned to Alannis. “Will you excuse us for a minute, dear? You stay here with Theron while I take Isabella over to grab a bite to eat.”
Theron held up his hand to stop the endless stream of chatter. His head was pounding, and what he really wanted was to go pound on Marcus for touching Isabella, for putting his lips on her.
“Just stay here. I’ll have a waiter bring around a tray. I’d prefer that Isabella remain with me for the remainder of the evening,” he said brusquely.
The older woman’s eyes widened in surprise. Alannis moved closer to Isabella and touched her arm. “Are you sure you’re all right, Isabella?” she asked softly.
Isabella’s smile seemed strained when she looked back at Alannis. “I’m absolutely fine. Theron overreacted.” She shot him a challenging look. “I’m not sure how he expects me to find a husband when he flips his lid the moment a man pays attention to me.”
Theron took a deep breath. “I don’t think what he was doing could be classified as paying attention to you. Theos! He was making love to you for all to see.”
She raised her eyebrows and a slow smile formed on her lips. “Is that what they call kissing these days?” she taunted.
His nostrils flared at the reminder of the kisses they’d shared. He was well and truly caught in a trap of his own making.
“His actions were inappropriate,” he gritted out. “You are under my protection. You’ll heed my instructions.”
She turned cheekily to Sophia and Alannis. “I suppose he’ll mark that one off the list of potential husbands now.” Then she sighed dramatically and dropped her hands helplessly to her side. “I didn’t even get to dance again.”
“Theron will dance with you,” Alannis urged. “He’s a marvelous dancer as I’m sure you determined earlier.”
“Yes, do go on,” Sophia said. “I’ll make sure there is food when you return.”
Theron’s mouth went dry. He wouldn’t survive another dance with her lush body molded to his. One torture session was enough for the night.
But then the alternative was letting her dance with the circling pack of men. Men he’d hand-selected.
Over his dead body.
Without another word, he snared Isabella’s hand and dragged her toward the dance floor.
“You’re hell on these shoes,” she murmured as he pulled her into his arms.
For the first time since Marcus had arrived, Theron relaxed as Isabella’s soft body molded so sweetly to his. There was an innate sense of rightness. He loved touching her. It was difficult to keep his hands from roaming up and down her soft curves.
“You feel it, too,” she said softly as she gazed up at him. “You don’t want to. You fight it, but you feel it every bit as much as I do. It’s why you’ve kissed me.” She laughed softly. “You can’t help but kiss me, just as I’m unable to resist. I don’t want to resist.”
He shook his head even as his body hummed agreement.
She smiled and put a finger over his lips as they swayed with the music. Then turning, so that his back was to Alannis,