―—That you invited someone else to go, so naturally I had to intervene.‖ She inclined her head toward Lily without looking at her, ―Of course she found a replacement equally as quick. Not 39
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only that I thought Luke was your best friend.‖
―He is.‖ Said Max with a raised brow.
So much for her intelligence, thought Lily. She couldn‘t even figure out that Luke was her brother after all of those clues.
Then at the same time something else occurred to her.
Obviously, he never told Cybil that she was Luke‘s sister. So that’s it. He had told Cybil that he was going out with her. No wonder why the woman was angry. Because of that she was being talked about like she didn‘t exist and obviously she was so mad that she hadn‘t heard Max basically say that she was Luke‘s sister. In fact she continued ranting as if she hadn‘t heard him.
―This is just an indication of her reputation.‖ Cybil continued visibly angry,‖ that she has no problem running around with another man when you were no longer available.‖
That was it! One thing Lily wasn‘t was a tramp. Lily saw Max‘s gaze narrow finally showing a sign of anger, but she beat him to it, ―Of all the things to slander my reputation, you…you…‖
Luke fell his face in one of his hands as Lily launched into a string of insults in French.
Lily barely noticed the woman‘s mouth fall open and pale at the words she used because she was too angry and clearly on a roll as the car pulled up to the curb outside their apartment.
Luke grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door before the driver reached it, but not before she called the woman fat. He quickly slammed the door shut and continued to drag her along with him. Neither one of them noticed Max trying to suppress a smile.
―Not good sis.‖ He shot over his shoulder as he led her into his building but Lily was still trying to release his vice like grip so she could go back and continue.
Her face burned she was so mad. ―You don‘t know what she said! You don‘t speak French.‖ She defended as the car pulled away from the curb with a squeal. She dropped her 40
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire shoulders and stopped fighting her brother‘s firm grip on her arm, ―I wasn‘t finished.‖
He saw her posture and had to turn away so she couldn‘t see him trying not to laugh. His sister had fire when provoked.
He had to give her that. He led her to the elevator. ―I didn‘t need to speak French to know what she was saying Lily. Anyway, it doesn‘t matter, Max was handling it. He wouldn‘t allow the woman to insult you. You should know that. You mean more to him than a woman like that.‖ Once inside the elevator, he turned to her, ―He‘s more protective of you than himself. There was no need to tear that woman apart.‖
―Luke, he didn‘t even tell her that you were my brother, she thought I was your date and was throwing myself at Nikos.‖
She said with exasperation, ―Me! Throwing myself? How ridiculous!‖
Surprisingly he grinned, ―Lily, haven‘t you ever had to deal with jealousy before.‖
Taken back, she calmed down, ―Jealousy? That woman was stunning. She‘s a model for crying out loud!‖
―Also spoiled, selfish and quite a few years older than you.
No match for my young sweet sister. Nikos was hooked, that‘s why Max invited you. Your innocence is very refreshing for a man like that.‖
―But Cybil…‖
―Never even caught Nikos eyes…but I can guarantee we‘ll have a multi million dollar contract by tomorrow morning because of you.‖
―Me?‖ She stammered, taken back.
―Welcome to the world of business.‖ He put his hand on her shoulder and unlocked the door to their penthouse, gently guiding her inside, ―Max isn‘t successful just because he‘s a ruthless businessman, he knows people. He‘s a professional manipulator.‖
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―He used me?‖ Is that why he didn‘t let on that she was Luke‘s sister?
Luke laughed, ―In a way, but he mostly was just feeling you out, seeing how you could handle yourself. You did well until you cut loose on his girlfriend.‖
―but she…‖
He held up his hand, ―Said nothing that meant a damn thing to either Max or me. We know you. There‘s no need to get offended at some woman‘s petty snits.‖
When he put it that way she felt foolish. ―She‘s not right for him anyway.‖ She said with chagrin.
―Uh-huh.‖ He said absently as if he was thinking of other things.
Luke was loosening his tie and staring at his sister intently, ―You‘d better get some sleep. Next week won‘t be easy.‖
―Why?‖
―Max won‘t be seeing that woman anymore after her behaviour tonight, and he‘s going to get cranky. You‘re his PA and the path of least resistance.‖
―Cranky?‖
Luke turned around and stared at her, ―Lily surely you understand that a man has needs. I mean you‘re not a little girl anymore.‖ She blushed, ―Max works eighty hours a week, and women like Cybil race to his bed without hesitation. For a man, sex is a the biggest stress release. Now he‘ll have to spend time looking for another mistress, and that irritates him enough.‖
Although he didn‘t let on, that last bit made him uncomfortable.
Discussing sex with his sister was never an option with him. He knew for a fact that she was still a virgin. Unfortunately he‘d seen to it, but she could never find out. After that display of temper, he knew she wouldn‘t take it well. He was definitely overprotective of her, but she was too innocent and would easily fall for someone who turned on charm and flattered her like 42
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire Nikos did because she was kind and trustful.
―Oh God. I am an idiot.‖ She thought the previous week was hard enough. Then she felt sick in the pit of her stomach.
She just chased Max from one woman to another.
Luke chuckled, ―Just be prepared.‖ With that he went to his room to change
True to Luke‘s word Max was a bear. His coffee wasn‘t strong enough, she couldn‘t arrange his schedule fast enough, respond to his question with lightening capabilities, or even wear anything remotely acceptable.
―But these are clothes from your boutique, by your consultant.‖ She stood exasperated on the other side of his desk facing him.
He picked up the phone and started dialling, ―then maybe you should seek a second opinion,‖ he said offhandedly. ―Your skirt is too short…‖ he shot her a look, ―And that blouse is cut too low.‖
Fuming, she itched to wing the notepad at him. It was Nancy‘s job to take dictation, but he insisted that she do it. Then she had to sit there for a half an hour why he spoke on the phone in a language that sounded like German before he hung up and continued. How many languages did he speak anyway?
Just when she thought he couldn‘t get any worse, flowers started pouring in for her from Nikos with cards loaded with endearments.
―Damn it Lily!‖ He bellowed when another two dozen lilies arrived interrupting her telling him his appointments for the rest of the week. She let out a rush of air, thanked the delivery man who cast a wary glance at Max.
He watched as she quickly set them on a side table with another two dozen. ―This is getting ridiculous.‖
She swung around at him, ―Well, if you didn‘t use me to procure a contract, I wouldn‘t be in this fix.‖ She accused, ―You 43
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knew how he would react and before you deny it, Luke confessed.‖
He didn‘t even look surprised at her confession. ―Yes. I didn‘t think you‘d be this potent.‖ He sliced a hand toward the lilies, ―It‘s like a God damn flower shop in here.‖
―Well he seemed nice…‖ She said looking at all the flowers, ―And the lilies are a nice touch.‖
Max was irritated over that statement. He didn‘t want her liking any other man at all.
―Nice hell! The man‘s reputation is well known. Don‘t even think about going out with him. I mean it.‖
Her mouth fell open, ―You‘re one to talk. Your mistress dragged me through the mud!‖
He stood erect, and shoved his hands in his pants pockets, ―I had her under control until you called her an over the hills debutante.‖ He said calmly remembering how damn sexy she was when she lost control of her temper.
―Oh, I forgot about that.‖ She smiled.
Max just stared at her. ―You also mentioned that a plastic surgeon should be able to remove those wrinkles next to her mouth.‖
This time she laughed.
Max‘s lips twitched as he resisted his own smile betraying his annoyance, ―Lily, you shouldn‘t worry about what my women think, or say about you.‖
―Plural…how crude.‖ She sighed.
‗One of the reasons why I know what Nikos is like.‖ He finished, ―Now I meant it. Stay away from him.‖
Incredulous, she just stared at him, ―Max, don‘t even think about dictating who I can and can‘t see.‖
―You work for me. I bloody well can dictate what-the-hell-ever I like.‖ He said bluntly. ―I‘ll have you work to the bone to occupy every moment of your time if I even suspect you looked 44
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire at another man with so much as an inkling of interest.‖ His slip was out before he could stop it. Thankfully she didn‘t catch it because she was too angry with him at the moment. He‘d meant to say that man, not another man. Hmm maybe Freud was right, he thought.
Her mouth fell open, ―You wouldn’t.‖
―Try me.‖ He said with a hard look.
She fumed, ―You sound like a jealous lover for heaven‘s sake. Neither you nor Luke is being fair to me. I can‘t have a life as it is! It‘s either you or him that dictates every aspect of my existence, now you presume to tell me about my love life.‖ She stomped her foot, ―Well for you information I‘ve never had one!
I can‘t get out from under the iron fists of the Tsar!‖ she wheeled around stormed out of his office. ―I quit!‖ she shouted over her shoulder.
Nancy looked up in time to see the door open to Max‘s office and Lily make a hasty escape down the hall. She stood up and leaned over her desk to see her retreating back, seconds later Max set a purposeful stride after her swearing in three different languages. The older woman smiled, shrugged her shoulders and went back to work.
Max caught up with her while she was waiting for the elevator. She had her arms crossed under her breasts and was tapping her foot impatiently.
―Lily, get back in my office.‖ He spoke in a low voice so the rest of his employees around them wouldn‘t hear. As it was they were already drawing attention. Thankfully it was lunch time and most of the employees were gone for something to eat.
She ignored him and pushed the elevator button harshly several more times.
Thrusting his hands in his pockets to reduce the temptation to fling her over his shoulder like a caveman, he leaned down so his mouth was inches from her ear, ―I swear to 45
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God, if you don‘t get your ass back in there. I‘ll make a scene and embarrass the hell out of you.‖
Green eyes defiantly met his grey ones. From that look, he wasn‘t lying.
―I mean it. I‘m filthy rich and couldn‘t give two hoots about my reputation, but you might. Especially if we start arguing in the hall, people might think there‘s something going on between us.‖ He raised his brows ever so slightly in a challenge.
That brought a look of surprise to her lovely face. She never thought that this might look like a lover‘s quarrel. Then her eyes darted around them noticing the curious stares of the other people. Quickly recovering, she shook her head twice, ground her teeth and shot him a scorching look before turning on her heel and marching back down the hall and into his office. She certainly didn‘t want to lend to the rumours already going on about her.
―Hold my calls Nance.‖ He said without taking his eyes off the furious gorgeous woman in front of him. His eyes coasted down to the elegant curve of her backside. How nice it looked in such a rapid pace of anger.
―Of course Mr. King.‖ She said without looking up as if this was an everyday occurrence.
Max shut the door, and turned to face her. She had her arms crossed angrily under her breasts again and her head was tilted defiantly making look utterly adorable. Max had trouble stifling the grin he felt would let loose. She may have been little but her temper compensated. She was a firecracker and God help him, utterly irresistible when lit. ―Lily, the only reason Luke and I ride you so hard is because we know what you‘re capable of.‖
―Including my love life.‖ She shot.
―Not Nikos.‖ He said abruptly.
―Why? What‘s wrong with Nikos?‖
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―He‘s not right for you. I‘ve told you what he is like.‖ The truth was if Nikos had gotten his hands on her, he couldn‘t protect her like he and Luke normally did with her past suitors.
He was a powerful man and had resources of his own, when in the past it was easy to remove the potential admirers from Lily‘s life. If she knew the things they did, she‘d be even more furious.
―You don‘t think I can say no? Max, I‘m not some school girl!‖
―Actually you are a school girl and I don‘t approve of him.‖ He said tersely not liking her constant defence of Nikos.
Did she actually like him?
―My God! There you go again.‖ She said throwing up her arms
He held up his hand, ―I speak for Luke too. You don‘t have the experience to handle a man like Nikos. He‘ll have you completely seduced before you realize it.‖
―I‘m not a dummy!‖ Part of her wanted to call him up just to defy the two.
―No honey, you‘re far from it, but I meant it when I said he wasn‘t right for you.‖ If Nikos so much as touched her, Max was going to tear him to pieces.
She tilted her head, ―Really? Just like Cybil was right for you? The woman was shallow, spoiled and selfish. Yet you tell me…‖
―It wasn‘t her attitude I was after. Do I need to spell it out for you?‖ When she didn‘t‘ answer, he continued, ―She was great in bed, and looked good on my arm in public.‖
―Oh.‖ She blushed feeling like an idiot.
―Now you know.‖ He paused, ―like you said, you aren‘t a little girl anymore—and don‘t give me that look, Luke‘s no innocent either. We‘re both men, we have certain needs.
Women like Cybil fill them. Nikos is the same way, that is why 47
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Luke and I would prefer if you didn‘t date him. He‘ll just want to get you in bed.‖
―You don‘t know that.‖ She could feel her blush deepen by the heat in her cheeks. This conversation was getting entirely too intimate for her.
―I do.‖ He said with complete confidence while looking down at her.
―How can you be so sure?‖ she accused
―Because that‘s the first thing I thought of when you wore that dress the other night.‖ He said bluntly dropping his eyes to her mouth.
She stilled and felt her jaw drop. ―What did you just say?‖
As he continued talking, it seemed like her heart beat louder and faster in her chest.
―I‘m not supposed to think like that about my best friend‘s little sister, but I did. Cybil picked up on it, that‘s why she became so jealous. You outshone the competition in that emerald satin number and Nikos knew it, I knew it, and so did Cybil. If anything you should have felt sorry for her, she was second best. Every man in that place couldn‘t take their eyes off of you including me. I kept thinking of how well you filled out every inch of that material and how much of a woman you grew into.‖ He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to speak,
―There are women like Cybil that a man fills their urges with, and women like you
who they marry. Do not become a statistic to Nikos or any other man for that matter.‖ He waved a hand in the air abruptly and turned away from her.
Who could make such a declaration and leave it at that?
Obviously Max could, for he sat down behind his desk again and told her to pick up her note pad as if he said nothing so personal to her. Yet, he said it like he admitted things like that often, making it seem less personal. She rubbed her forehead. Her head hurt trying to figure him out. She should just give up.
48
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire Slowly she bent down to retrieve it where she tossed it on the floor still reeling from his confession despite the way he made it sound. ―Isn‘t this Nancy‘s job?‖ Her voice sounded surprisingly
vulnerable.
―Yes, but she doesn‘t pay attention to me when I yell at her. I‘d much rather get in a row with you, it makes me feel better, now write!‖
Well, he was full of confessions wasn‘t he? She silently churned and began to scribble, trying to keep up with him. It was no wonder Nancy had not even paid attention to her little tantrum, she probably expected it sooner or later remembering how many PAs he‘d gone through this year.
The rest of the week seemed to rush by. Lily found a routine with Max and began to anticipate his moods and his schedule. At least the long hours of companionship were having an advantage. Not only that, she got to spend a lot of time with him. It was a dream come true for her and she never complained except that time he told her to stay away from Nikos. She also kept to herself around the rest of his staff because of Brittney‘s accusations the week before. Yet Max‘s mood had improved during the week and had even taken her to lunch a few times to a fancy restaurant. It must have something to do with the fact that Nikos stopped sending her flowers by mid week although she did wonder if Max or Luke had mentioned something to him.
On Friday something unexpected happened. She walked into his office while her brother and Max were in the middle of what seemed like an argument and hadn‘t noticed she was present.
―I told you this has to be done on her time, her choice Max.‖ Luke said.
―I know. It has been, but this has moved things up a bit.‖
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