to go.‖ He said right before he hung up.
―She doesn‘t approve of me.‖ Lily said.
Max stood up and grabbed his Jacket off a hanger out of a
nearby closet not looking at her while he put it on, ―It doesn‘t
matter what she thinks Lily.‖ He said finally turning to her.
If he was upset, it certainly didn‘t show. ―I don‘t want to
make trouble.‖
―First of all honey, it‘s not you making trouble. Cybil‘s
been out of town for a few weeks and she‘s worried I might stray.
I don‘t stray.‖ He added picking up his briefcase. What he didn‘t
say was petty jealousies were a major turn off for him. Cybil was
on the way out as far as he was concerned. After ten minutes
with Lily, the woman was very dull.
Just then his mobile rang and he pulled it out of his
pocket, ―It‘s Luke,‖ he said checking the ID before he flipped it
open.
Lily couldn‘t help but grin. She hadn‘t seen her big
brother in over a month and loved him to death.
―Yeah Luke—― he paused looking at Lily, ―She‘s with me,
we‘re on our way now. I‘ll see you in about an hour.‖ He flipped
his phone closed. ―Luke‘s home.‖
―Oh good. I miss him so much.‖ She beamed with
excitement at the prospect of seeing him. Like any little sister,
she thought the sun rose and set on her big brother. She never
took him for granted and knew the sacrifices he had to make to
raise her after the death of their parents when she was twelve. He
used the insurance money to put himself through college and
26
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire
then her, but he was a millionaire now and when Max came into
their lives they somehow shared responsibility of Lily.
―Come then,‖ he said with an incline of his head toward
the door, ―He‘s waiting.‖ It would be nice, he thought, if she
greeted me with such enthusiasm. In fact, any man would love
to be greeted with her lovely face lit up like that.
Once at their building Max told Oscar to wait for him as
he escorted Lily up to Luke‘s penthouse. He shook hands with
her brother after she let him go from a genuine hug.
―I started dinner honey,‖ he said to Lily, ―You‘re staying
right?‖ he asked Max.
―For your cooking? Hell yes.‖ Max agreed. Luke was a bit
of a self taught chef. He had no choice raising his little sister
after the death of their parents, but he went beyond that. It was
his first choice when he went to college but decided a change of
careers halfway through realizing he would never make as much
money as he does now. However, he still studied cuisine on the
side and thoroughly enjoyed it.
―How was your first day honey?‖ He asked his sister.
―Nancy was really nice.‖ She said pulling her hair out of
its chignon not noticing Max‘s eyes follow the movement with
intensity. Then she shook her head allowing it to tumble down
her back, ―I‘m going to go get washed up and change. I‘ll be back
in a bit.‖ She added rubbing her scalp with the tips of her fingers
as she walked away.
―Sure thing.‖ He said darting his eyes to Max and
narrowing his gaze at the look he was giving his sister. After Lily
was out of earshot he spoke to him, ― Jesus, you‘re as readable as
a book Max.‖
Max released a sigh and nodded, ―I definitely need a
drink.‖
―It can‘t be that bad.‖ Luke arched his brows in surprise.
―Luke, speak to me when you go through this.‖ He said
27
Lietha Wards
seriously as he eyed his friend, ―She completely bewitches me.‖
He added while pulling out his phone, ―I need to call Oscar and
tell him to come back in an hour.‖
‗Make it two. I‘m making desert.‖ He said over his
shoulder as he headed back toward the kitchen, ―Help yourself to
the bar Max, pour me whatever you‘re having.‖ He began to feel
the urge to have one too. Max made his intentions clear years
ago, but he still thought Lily was way too young to get involved
with him. Although he had to admit, he‘d never seen his friend
look at a woman the way he looked at his sister. If he didn‘t
think Max was serious before, he knew he was now. Something
like that couldn‘t be faked. He cherished her.
Max poured himself a double scotch and by the time Lily
came back he was on his second.
Lily had to admit having her two favourite men in the
world at dinner was wonderful. They laughed and joked for
several hours before she stifled a yawn and excused herself. Even
though she wanted to stay to spend more time with them, she
was thoroughly exhausted. It wasn‘t often Max stayed for dinner
anymore. It seemed the more wealthy he‘d gotten, and the more
his company expanded, he was busier.