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.‖
41
Lietha Wards
―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