CHAPTER ONE
Lily laughed at something David said as her eyes slid past
his shoulder at the polished dark green Jaguar that slid up next
to the curb and she groaned. She was never one on attracting
attention but there would be plenty with that car. If it wasn‘t the
car that attracted the attention, as soon as the six foot four
Irishman got out, heads really began to turn.
Maximilian King had everything going for him. Besides
being disgustingly rich, he was handsome, sexy and gave off such
a seductive presence that every woman within eyesight swivelled
their heads in his direction as if some unseen force called to
them.
Just like her.
She hated herself for it because she fell so easily in that
trap. Yet watching him now, she really shouldn‘t be so hard on
herself. He was utterly gorgeous to look at and she was more
susceptible to his magnetism because she had known him
forever. You‘d think she would have built up some sort of
immunity over a period of time. Isn‘t that what happened when
exposed to something over and over again? Yet, the more she
thought about it, the more she knew there was no such cure for
what she had.
It wasn‘t just women that fell at his feet. Men were
attracted to his charisma like a magnet because he wore his
success like a neon sign. Most successful people were easily
recognized by the cut and cost of their suits, but Max didn‘t need
that, he had a certain poise and self confidence that told others
that even if he were dressed in a sack.
To prove her point David noticed him immediately after
he followed her gaze to the car.
―What is it?‖ He said
turning his head, ―Wow, nice car.‖ He paused, ―Is he looking at
you?‖
1
Lietha Wards
―Yes, he‘s my brother‘s boss and apparently my ride
home.‖ Obviously Luke couldn‘t make it and Max took it upon
himself to pick her up. David released a startled ‗wow‘ when he
spotted Max. Lily knew right then and there that David
recognized him. Who wouldn‘t? Maximilian King was no
stranger around here. The library of the college she attended was
named after his family and there was a framed picture of them
near the entrance. His father was filthy rich and Max had
followed in his footsteps setting up his own fortune five hundred
company that had created cutting edge communication devices
and he was known to have the Midas touch in everything he
invested in.
Her brother, Luke and he had gone to high school, college
and eventually university together. Max got a MBA and her
brother received a degree in finance and now ran Max‘s top
communications company as his number one man.
She frowned as a young lady stopped and said something
to him causing him to grin at her.
Wasn‘t any female resistant to his charisma?
She fumed as the she giggled and went on her way, but
not without a flirtatious wave of her fingers. Maybe she wouldn‘t
be so angry if he had flashed her that sinful grin every now and
then. Instead she only got the smiles that were reserved for the
little sister of a good friend.
―Your brother works for him? That‘s Max King, isn‘t it?
Wow he‘s much taller than I thought.‖ David saw with apparent
awe.
She shrugged and guided her eyes to David‘s face that was
now filled with wonder, ―Yes it is.‖ And sexy, gorgeous and heart
stopping, she thought to herself, nothing like the man standing
in front of me. David wasn‘t ugly by any means, but he was no
Max King.
Though she really couldn‘t fault David, not many men were
2
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire
gifted like Max was. At least in her eyes.
―Wow.‖ He said again. ―You never said anything.‖
Annoyed, Lily tilted her head at him, ―It wasn‘t
important.‖ Already she could see the interest in David‘s eyes at
the prospect of getting to know Max so he would hopefully have a
job for the summer as an intern. She felt a sinking in the pit of
her stomach knowing that he was already lost to her. If anyone
had Max‘s name on their resume they were guaranteed a job
anywhere.
Somehow she was hoping he was different. All her life it
was the same story. Just because they were friends with the
Kings, people pretended to like them in hopes of getting close to
the money.
―Of course not.‖ David brought his attention back to her
realizing his mistake and trying to recover, ―I just didn‘t realize
that you had such wealthy friends.‖
―He‘s my brother‘s boss, that‘s all.‖ She lied sparing a
glance at the arrogantly handsome tall man who was now leaning
against his car waiting patiently for her. He was in a totally
relaxed pose with the first two buttons of his black silk shirt