The Billionaire�s Secret Desire
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―I‘m staying the night to.‖ Luke stilled, set down the kettle and turned to face his friend.
―With Lily.‖ Max said.
―Max, she‘s my baby sister.‖
―Yeah, and she‘s my future wife.‖ He countered. ―You already know how I feel about her.‖ He paused swallowing hard,
―If this is serious, I don‘t want to miss out for a moment. You have to admit, she‘s more mature than her age, and she‘s a big girl. She can make her own decisions.‖
―I‘ve seen the way she looks at you; she wouldn‘t deny you anything Max. This is my concern and she has enough to worry about.‖
―Something the three of us will take on together, but I‘m not leaving.‖ He said just as his phone rang. It was Doctor 129
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Chang.
Luke finished making tea while Max was on the phone.
Lily was sitting on the couch in a satin baby blue robe just staring at the far wall, ―How are you holding up?‖ He said setting the tea down on the table in front of her before sitting beside her.
―I‘m still trying to absorb it all. It seems like a really bad dream.‖
Luke put his arm around her and pulled her into his embrace, ―its okay sis, we‘ll beat this.‖
She looked up at him, ―I think that‘s one of the stages of grief—denial.‖
He chuckled and flicked a finger over the tip of her nose,
―Maybe, but we do have an advantage that a lot of people don‘t have.‖
―What‘s that?‖
―Max.‖ That made her smile.
―You love him don‘t you sis?‖ he said seriously.
It took her a moment to respond, ―I think from the moment I hit puberty.‖ She said releasing a small laugh. ―I‘m just another woman in a long line of women to fall for him.‖ She sighed taking a sip of her tea.
―Do you think that‘s how he sees you?‖
She shrugged a shoulder, ―I don‘t know—there are times I think—maybe, then something happens and he withdraws.‖
Luke knew that was his fault. He made Max promise him that he would give her time to grow up. Despite Max‘s love for his little sister, he had shown an incredible amount of restraint.
He doubted he could do the same if it were him in that position.
―Did Max go home?‖
―No he‘s on the phone with the Doctor from the clinic.‖
―About the specialist?‖
―Yes.‖
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―Do you think he meant that—about funding a research project on my prognosis?‖
―Definitely."
―Why?‖
He studied Lily‘s expression of puzzlement for a moment to see if she even had a clue on how much Max cared for her, but there was nothing. He felt guilty over that, because it was his wishes that kept Max at a distance, and if this was a serious illness that she had, she would never know how much Max really cared. ―Do you even have the slightest idea on how much he cares about you?‖
―Yes, he loves me like a little sister of his best friend. He watched me grow up, he helped me with my homework, he was there for me today—― she stopped because her eyes began to water up remembering what he told the doctor.
―I suppose I should blame myself for you not knowing the truth Lily. I‘ve asked Max to take it slow—―
―Slow?‖ she said blinking, ―Take what slow?‖
He turned to her with his expression serious, ―Max wasn‘t saying he was your fiancé so he‘d have rights over your care, which is what you‘re assuming. He really does want to marry you.‖
Lily‘s mouth hung open, ―What—but he—I mean—―
―The only reason you aren‘t married to him now is because I told him to stay back and allow you to grow up for a few more years. As my friend he‘s respecting my wishes.‖
―You told him?‖
―He wanted to tell you when you were sixteen. Way too young.‖
Lily just stared at him with a mixture of shock and anger on her expression. Everything started making sense to her. He didn‘t want to betray Luke and that‘s what kept him from making love to her completely in Greece. Then there was his coolness, 131
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the guilt she thought she saw and his ever looming possessiveness.
―Listen. Don‘t blame Max, I told him to wait at least until you were twenty-four, but when Nikos showed interest, he near went through the roof—―
She just gaped at him.
―He wanted to propose to you that day, I told him no, you were too young. You walked in after the argument was over. He finally conceded to a mock engagement. That ring he gave you was one he bought when you were seventeen.‖
It was too much, she started weeping, ―You mean that really was my ring?‖
―Yes, and you‘ll get it back, probably soon. I‘m leaving you two alone. I think I messed up this relationship as much as I possibly could. I realize now that I should have let Max tell you how he felt all those years ago. It‘s funny how something like this makes you really think.‖
―Oh Luke!‖ she threw her arms around him hugging him tightly. ―You have no idea how you just made me feel! I needed that! ― she pulled back and tried frowning but it was unsuccessful, ―I‘m still mad at you though.‖
He grinned and kissed her cheek, ―I can handle that.‖
Just then Max came down the hall from the kitchen,
―Luke I—― he stopped when Lily got up from the sofa and launched herself at him. He was startled but easily embraced her, ―Wow, what‘s this for?‖ he said looking over her head at Luke.
―I‘m going to the office for a bit,‖ Luke said standing up,
―I‘ll get a head start for Tuesday.‖ He glanced at his watch, ―I‘ll be home late, so don‘t wait up.‖ He turned and walked out of the room leaving Max staring at him completely baffled. Then he felt Lily‘s hands on either side of his face causing him to look down at her.
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―I want my ring back.‖
He stared down at her still confused about the sudden affection not missing her tearstained eyes. Then he smiled slowly and reached into his pocket withdrawing the ring, ‖All right.‖
―You had it with you?‖ she said in awe as he slipped it back on her finger.
―I‘ve had it with me for three years.‖ He confessed deeply.
―All the time?‖
―Every day.‖
―Is it really mine?‖ she looked up at him after admiring it.
―Luke‘s got a big mouth.‖ He said pursing his lips.
―I would have said yes at sixteen.‖
He reached up and brushed her long hair back over her shoulders to cup her face in his hands and search her eyes for some sort of apprehension, there was none. ―I would have married you then button, but Luke was right in a lot of ways.‖
―I‘m not sixteen Max, I‘m twenty now.‖
―Yes you are.‖ He said huskily before he lowered his head and kissed her.
Luke came home a little after midnight and saw his sister and Max sleeping on the sofa covered by a quilt. He released a sigh of relief. Max still had his shirt on but it was unbuttoned and his sister was curled against him and he could see that she still wore her nightgown. Then his eyes guided to the hand on Max‘s bare chest noticing the engagement ring back where it belonged and he smiled. Quietly he made his way by the sleeping couple to his room. He had to give it to his friend because under the circumstances, he showed a great deal of restraint. If it was someone Luke loved the way Max loved Lily, he would want to be with her in every way after hearing such news.
Lily had never slept so well in her life. When she awoke 133
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the next morning she was ecstatic to see that Max didn‘t get up and leave this time. He was still with her and asleep. He looked peaceful and incredibly han
dsome. She lifted her head and moved her gaze over his face. His jaw had a day‘s worth of stubble and it made him look worn but sinfully appealing.
Having her body pressed against his hard form was doing amazing things to her insides too. She didn‘t forget what he looked and felt like naked and those feelings of desire rose within her like a volcano.
―Quit staring.‖ He murmured.
―Oh for gosh sakes! ― she flushed.
He opened his eyes and grinned, ―Well, I can get used to this.‖ He lifted his arm and looked at his watch, ―I‘ve got to get going. Go get dressed Lily, you‘re coming with me. I have some things to finish up at the office, and then we have a ten o‘clock appointment with Doctor Jenson.‖
―Oh.‖ She couldn‘t stop the tremor.
―Hey,‖ he said softly nudging her chin so she‘d look at him, ―I‘m with you every step of the way.‖
―I know. I‘m terrified.‖
―I‘m scared to honey, but we‘ll beat this together.‖
―Are you?‖ she said raising her brows. She was sure Max hadn‘t been scared of anything in his life. He faced adversary head on with horns out.
―Of course I am.‖ He said softly, ―Luke has finally let me near you and now that I‘ve got you I certainly don‘t want anything to happen to you. You‘re my life.‖
She could feel her eyes moisten, ―Do you really mean that?‖
―Come here honey.‖ He said shifting his body and easily lifting her over him so he could kiss her. It was a kiss of complete tenderness and it was loaded with affection.
Finally he lifted her off him and sat up. ―Let‘s get going 134
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire before I drag you to your room.‖ He said in a strained voice.
Lily couldn‘t see anything wrong with that, but intimacy was still new to her and she didn‘t know how to tell him so she did as he said and made her way to her room to get dressed.
At the office Max made her sit in the waiting room across from Nancy, ―Keep an eye on her Nance, I‘ll try not to be too long.‖
―No problem.‖ She said looking past him to Lily. The girl looked pale and exhausted. ―Lily, would you like some tea?‖
―I‘d love that.‖ She said.
When Nancy got up to go and get it, he turned back to her, ―I‘ll try not to be too long, but stay here and wait for me, there‘s going to be a hundred people in and out of my office for the next hour as I try and clear my schedule. Luke can manage just fine, but he needs to be around you to.‖
―I‘ll wait.‖ She said.
―That‘s my girl.‖ He gave her a genuine smile before he left her alone.
Shortly after Nancy returned with a cup of tea and squeezed her shoulder in reassurance telling her if she needed anything just to ask, before she returned back to her desk.
As Max promised, he was less than an hour and soon they were on their way to Doctor Jensen‘s clinic. The whole time he kept her close to him in the car, with his arm wrapped around her shoulders.
Doctor Jensen was an older doctor in his mid sixties and he was very polite and empathetic. He also had no problem agreeing to Max‘s request to take the whole lump.
―I‘ve cleared my schedule tomorrow for the surgery,‖ he told Max and Lily, ―It‘ll take me a few hours to have the results back to you about the tissue after that.‖
―We‘ll wait for them.‖ Max said without hesitation.
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―Certainly.‖ He said with a reassuring smile, ―Then we‘ll go from there if there‘s any further treatment.‖
―Afraid button?‖
―Scared stiff.‖ She said honestly.
―Well, we‘ll be with you every step of the way.‖ He reassured.
―Miss Shayne,‖ the doctor continued, ―You can‘t have anything to drink or eat after midnight and I want you back here by six thirty in the morning.‖
―I‘ll bring her.‖ Max said, ―And what about recovery. Can I take her home tomorrow?‖
―I don‘t see a problem. We‘ll like to keep her until around dinner time just to see how she does then I‘ll release her.‖
After the Doctor left Lily turned to Max, ―Take me home.‖
She said gripping his arm. This was very terrifying. She had never had surgery before and never thought about the prospect of being put to sleep. What if she didn‘t wake up? What if something went terribly wrong?
Max wrapped his arms around her, ―Don‘t worry honey, he‘s the best they have.‖
―Take me home.‖ She repeated no longer wanting to discuss this. Thankfully he seemed to know.
―Okay.‖
―No, Max, I mean your home.‖
He stilled, ―Lily—―
She looked up at him, ―Please—I just really need to be with you right now.‖ She saw a pained expression cross his face.
―I know I didn‘t measure up in Greece but—―
―Stop saying that Lily, you have no idea how I felt because you wouldn‘t let me tell you.‖ She started to protest and he cut her off, ―But you will listen now. I‘ve never had a woman feel as good as you do. It‘s like you were made specifically for me and I‘ve missed you so much my heart hurts.‖
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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire She couldn‘t stop the tears from falling this time, but he continued.
―I always prided myself on my self-control, but I swear to God button, the day I laid eyes on you, I had none.‖
―—but Cybil—―
―I never slept with Cybil,‖ He said softly, ―I hadn‘t had a woman in over a year. I won‘t lie to you and tell you that I hadn‘t had anyone since I fell for you because there are just some things a man can‘t ignore. However, that night with you considerably blew my mind. I never knew that it would be like that when you actually love the woman that you make love to. If I had known I would have never touched another woman, but I also wasn‘t sure if you‘d actually have me either.‖
―—Max—― she managed to choke out, ―You love me?‖
He bent his head and brushed his mouth across hers,
―More than my own life honey. I‘m so sorry I‘ve hurt you.‖
―Luke told me what he asked of you.‖
―What a jerk.‖ He managed with a smirk causing her to laugh despite her tears.
―I didn‘t know—I mean, I thought that I was invisible.‖
―No, you weren‘t. Far from it. I couldn‘t take my damn eyes off of you for a moment when you were around. I just wish I could have let you know sooner so you wouldn‘t have gotten hurt.
It tore me apart knowing that you were hurting inside and there was nothing I could do about it.‖
―I‘m tough.‖
―No you‘re not. Not where I‘m concerned.‖ He said,
―You‘re a marshmallow.‖
―You are so conceited.‖ She laughed despite her tears.
―Only because you make me feel on top of the world when you flash those gorgeous green eyes at me.‖ He answered, ―Now back to our moment in Greece. I wanted to make you mine in 137
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every way, but something held me back. I couldn‘t betray Luke or you.‖ He cupped her face in his hands and searched her eyes with his, ―I want to be married to you first.‖
―It doesn‘t matter in this day and age Max.‖ she surprised herself by saying that because she had pretty high morals, but she wanted him. She wanted to sleep next to him and waiting through a wedding was too long for her. Not only that she wasn‘t sure how long she had if the lump was cancerous. In view of it all, she didn‘t care anymore and wanted to live for the moment.
―It does to me and how I feel about you.‖ He paused studying her expression seriously. ―I could call my pilot and have the jet warmed up for a quick trip to Vegas if you don‘t want a big wedding with all the bells and whistles.‖
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest. ―You‘re serious.‖
She whispered
.
―Deadly.‖ He answered as his hands went to her hips and pulled her against him, ―If you want to make yourself mine as much as I want you next to me for the rest of my life, I‘ll do it in a heartbeat.‖
Lily felt more tears fall, but she managed a nod, and in an instant Max released her and pulled out his phone. If she thought he was just saying that to make her feel better she was wrong. He was giving commands over the phone like a Roman general and there was no mistaking the urgency in his voice.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It was the plane ride back to Chicago that things started to sink in. Lily was sitting on Max‘s lap and they were sharing a glass of wine as she admired her wedding band. He took her to one of the most expensive jewellery shops in Vegas that cater to the very wealthy and allowed her to pick out their wedding bands. It had meant a lot to her. She instantly knew what she 138
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire wanted, but when the price was revealed she tried to stop him from handing over his credit card, but when he gave her a wry look she stopped. Obviously he could afford them, but she still felt guilty. However, as her eyes guided to his ring finger and the wide platinum decorative ring he wore, the guilt evaporated. It all seemed so surreal that she was married to a man that she was and had been hopelessly in love with forever.
Max had hauled her into the first wedding chapel he could find and when they stood before the minister, he phoned Luke long distance so he could hear the exchange of nuptials.
She wasn‘t sure what Max had said to him before hand but she was sure he wasn‘t happy. For once she didn‘t care how Luke reacted. She wanted Max as her husband more than she feared Luke‘s anger.
Lily always wanted a big fairy tale wedding, but for some reason it didn‘t matter anymore, because she was Mrs Maximilian King. It was her dream come true. Nothing could spoil her happiness not even surgery. Even if things didn‘t go well, she at least had Max even if it was for a short time. When the minister told Max to kiss the bride, did he ever! If she had any doubts before they were gone with the force and passion in that kiss. It was the minister clearing his throat that broke the two apart. She was a little embarrassed, but looking up at her new husband she could see the promise in his eyes of more to come.