leaned over and gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek
completely opposite of his greeting the day before. She examined
his expression and felt a knot in her stomach at the coolness
there. All sorts of things began to fill her head, but only one hit
her hard. She obviously was a disappointment in bed and now
that he knew that, he was done with her. It hurt horribly but she
did her best to not show it and remained silent through the meal.
Nausea built up in the pit of her stomach and she couldn‘t even
find it in her to eat the delicious buffet set out for them. She only
moved food around on her plate. Unfortunately Nikos seemed to
notice the change in her and she saw his eyes glance back and
forth between them a couple of times.
It didn‘t matter. Today they would head home to Chicago
and they would resume their normal routines for the next few
weeks until she returned to College. If this moment was an
indicator, he would never touch her again. Part of her died
inside over that thought.
It wasn‘t long after that they said their goodbye‘s and the
helicopter took them straight to the airport. Once aboard the
plane Lily removed the ring and handed it back to Max. ―I guess I
don‘t need this anymore.‖ Finally he centered his gaze on her
with a flicker of emotion while he took it from her.
―It was fun Lily.‖ He said searching her expression.
―I guess.‖ She murmured.
He took a deep breath knowing he was hurting her with
his cool restraint, ―Look, what happened—―
―I—don‘t want to discuss this.‖ She said waving a hand, ―I
can‘t.‖ her eyes guided to his, ―Just please don‘t tell Luke.‖
―Lily—―
―Can you at least promise me that? I just want to get on
with my life. I‘m sorry I disappointed you.‖
―Disappointed! Lily, what the hell are you talking about?‖
97
Lietha Wards
he said incredulously.
―Just forget it.‖ She said feeling herself blush.
―No, I won‘t. Do you think that‘s what‘s going on? That
you disappointed me? Good lord button, that‘s the furthest thing
from the truth.‖ He never even considered that his aloofness
toward her would be interpreted in such a way. Now he felt like a
complete bastard. In truth he should have known better, she was
inexperienced and naïve, and despite what they shared, she still
was.
―Max please just stop!‖ She pleaded.
―You should let me explain.‖ He said wincing inwardly
seeing her pain.
―I don‘t want to talk about it. When we get back to
Chicago, we‘ll get on with our lives as if nothing has happened.
It‘s what I want. I‘m going back to College in a few weeks.‖ She
continued not looking him in the eyes for fear that he‘d see how
hurt she was.
But he already knew the damage he caused and her
statement, though he agreed, cut him to the core. He‘d promised
Luke that he‘d leave her be, and he didn‘t. He got involved too
early and he had to correct it. ―All right, if that‘s what you wish.‖
Although he said the words they were the hardest thing he ever
had to say.
―It is.‖
The days at work seemed to drift by in a fog. Lily tried
her best to be professional, but when Brittney cornered her again
and mocked her for a broken engagement saying that she
couldn‘t hold on to a man like Max, she near burst into tears.
The engagement was a ruse but no one knew that and although
she knew what it would be like when she returned, she didn‘t
expect to have it hurt so much. She didn‘t blame Max as much as
she blamed herself for what had happened between them.
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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire
It probably wouldn‘t have if she didn‘t know what it was
like to hold him, or touch him the way she did. Now, she was
hopelessly in love with him and he easily treated her as one of his
employees as if nothing had happened.
Lily used to pride herself on her self-esteem, but only
Max could make it crumble down around her. If this were any
other man, she would have no problem walking away and
continuing on with her life. But this wasn‘t any other man, this
was Max, and her world always revolved around him. How was
she supposed to get on with her life when it felt so empty?
He wasn‘t intentionally being mean, he was just being
himself, but Lily had no experience with men, and Max could
easily go through life because he‘d been with so many women
and didn‘t take their weekend in Athens as personally as she did.
Just then he strode into the office with a gaggle of men in
tow hanging on his every word. He had such a presence about
him that commanded respect and she couldn‘t help but let it