the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(18)

continued. How many languages did he speak anyway?

Just when she thought he couldn‘t get any worse, flowers

started pouring in for her from Nikos with cards loaded with

endearments.

―Damn it Lily!‖ He bellowed when another two dozen

lilies arrived interrupting her telling him his appointments for

the rest of the week. She let out a rush of air, thanked the

delivery man who cast a wary glance at Max.

He watched as she quickly set them on a side table with

another two dozen. ―This is getting ridiculous.‖

She swung around at him, ―Well, if you didn‘t use me to

procure a contract, I wouldn‘t be in this fix.‖ She accused, ―You

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knew how he would react and before you deny it, Luke

confessed.‖

He didn‘t even look surprised at her confession. ―Yes. I

didn‘t think you‘d be this potent.‖ He sliced a hand toward the

lilies, ―It‘s like a God damn flower shop in here.‖

―Well he seemed nice…‖ She said looking at all the

flowers, ―And the lilies are a nice touch.‖

Max was irritated over that statement. He didn‘t want

her liking any other man at all. ―Nice hell! The man‘s reputation

is well known. Don‘t even think about going out with him. I

mean it.‖

Her mouth fell open, ―You‘re one to talk. Your mistress

dragged me through the mud!‖

He stood erect, and shoved his hands in his pants

pockets, ―I had her under control until you called her an over the

hills debutante.‖ He said calmly remembering how damn sexy

she was when she lost control of her temper.

―Oh, I forgot about that.‖ She smiled.

Max just stared at her. ―You also mentioned that a plastic

surgeon should be able to remove those wrinkles next to her

mouth.‖

This time she laughed.

Max‘s lips twitched as he resisted his own smile betraying

his annoyance, ―Lily, you shouldn‘t worry about what my women

think, or say about you.‖

―Plural…how crude.‖ She sighed.

‗One of the reasons why I know what Nikos is like.‖ He

finished, ―Now I meant it. Stay away from him.‖

Incredulous, she just stared at him, ―Max, don‘t even

think about dictating who I can and can‘t see.‖

―You work for me. I bloody well can dictate what-the-

hell-ever I like.‖ He said bluntly. ―I‘ll have you work to the bone

to occupy every moment of your time if I even suspect you looked

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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



at another man with so much as an inkling of interest.‖ His slip

was out before he could stop it. Thankfully she didn‘t catch it

because she was too angry with him at the moment. He‘d meant

to say that man, not another man. Hmm maybe Freud was

right, he thought.

Her mouth fell open, ―You wouldn’t.‖

―Try me.‖ He said with a hard look.

She fumed, ―You sound like a jealous lover for heaven‘s

sake. Neither you nor Luke is being fair to me. I can‘t have a life

as it is! It‘s either you or him that dictates every aspect of my

existence, now you presume to tell me about my love life.‖ She

stomped her foot, ―Well for you information I‘ve never had one!

I can‘t get out from under the iron fists of the Tsar!‖ she wheeled

around stormed out of his office. ―I quit!‖ she shouted over her

shoulder.

Nancy looked up in time to see the door open to Max‘s

office and Lily make a hasty escape down the hall. She stood up

and leaned over her desk to see her retreating back, seconds later

Max set a purposeful stride after her swearing in three different

languages. The older woman smiled, shrugged her shoulders and

went back to work.

Max caught up with her while she was waiting for the

elevator. She had her arms crossed under her breasts and was

tapping her foot impatiently.

―Lily, get back in my office.‖ He spoke in a low voice so

the rest of his employees around them wouldn‘t hear. As it was

they were already drawing attention. Thankfully it was lunch

time and most of the employees were gone for something to eat.

She ignored him and pushed the elevator button harshly

several more times.

Thrusting his hands in his pockets to reduce the

temptation to fling her over his shoulder like a caveman, he

leaned down so his mouth was inches from her ear, ―I swear to

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Lietha Wards

God, if you don‘t get your ass back in there. I‘ll make a scene and

embarrass the hell out of you.‖

Green eyes defiantly met his grey ones. From that look, he

wasn‘t lying.

―I mean it. I‘m filthy rich and couldn‘t give two hoots

about my reputation, but you might. Especially if we start

arguing in the hall, people might think there‘s something going