the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(20)

Who could make such a declaration and leave it at that?

Obviously Max could, for he sat down behind his desk again and

told her to pick up her note pad as if he said nothing so personal

to her. Yet, he said it like he admitted things like that often,

making it seem less personal. She rubbed her forehead. Her

head hurt trying to figure him out. She should just give up.

48

The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



Slowly she bent down to retrieve it where she tossed it on

the floor still reeling from his confession despite the way he

made it sound. ―Isn‘t this Nancy‘s job?‖ Her voice sounded

surprisingly

vulnerable.



―Yes, but she doesn‘t pay attention to me when I yell at

her. I‘d much rather get in a row with you, it makes me feel

better, now write!‖

Well, he was full of confessions wasn‘t he? She silently

churned and began to scribble, trying to keep up with him. It

was no wonder Nancy had not even paid attention to her little

tantrum, she probably expected it sooner or later remembering

how many PAs he‘d gone through this year.

The rest of the week seemed to rush by. Lily found a

routine with Max and began to anticipate his moods and his

schedule. At least the long hours of companionship were having

an advantage. Not only that, she got to spend a lot of time with

him. It was a dream come true for her and she never complained

except that time he told her to stay away from Nikos. She also

kept to herself around the rest of his staff because of Brittney‘s

accusations the week before. Yet Max‘s mood had improved

during the week and had even taken her to lunch a few times to a

fancy restaurant. It must have something to do with the fact that

Nikos stopped sending her flowers by mid week although she did

wonder if Max or Luke had mentioned something to him.

On Friday something unexpected happened. She walked

into his office while her brother and Max were in the middle of

what seemed like an argument and hadn‘t noticed she was

present.

―I told you this has to be done on her time, her choice

Max.‖ Luke said.

―I know. It has been, but this has moved things up a bit.‖

Max countered.

―You promised me that you would take this slow. Taking

49

Lietha Wards

Lily to Athens is not slow.‖ Luke tapped the top of Max‘s desk

hard with his fingers in time with the last three words.

―Athens?‖

Both men abruptly stopped talking and turned to her. If

she didn‘t know better, both of them looked embarrassed, like

being caught with their hands simultaneously in the cookie jar.

Luke cast a quick speaking glance at Max before centering

his attention on his sister, ―I was just telling Max that you have

been working too much.‖

―I‘m fine Luke. If this is what it‘s like in the real world, I

need to become accustomed to it. Besides, I seem to have found a

routine.‖ She smiled at Max who‘s expression remained

unreadable. It made her think there was something else going on

here. However, it was between them, and none of her business,

even if they were discussing her work schedule. Besides it just

looked like Luke was being her overprotective brother. She‘d

never gone out of the country before and quite frankly, it thrilled

her to death that Max was thinking of taking her. Her brother‘s

next words confirmed it.

―Max wants to take you to Athens next week. It seems

Nikos and his father quite big on family and trusting

relationships in their business dealings. They have assured us

that the contract is in the bag, but they would like to extend their

hospitality to us.‖

Lily pulled out her PDA, automatically checking Max‘s

schedule for next week. ―I don‘t know if you can do this Max, you

have…‖

―Lily,‖ Max‘s voice interrupted her, ―That can be cleared

just as easily as it was filled. We need you to listen for a

moment.‖

She glanced up at the two men whose expressions

remained serious, ―What is really going on?‖

―It wasn‘t Max‘s idea that you go. Nikos has specifically

50

The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



asked for you to accompany Max.‖ Luke said. ―It seems you really

impressed him.‖

―So? I‘m his PA.‖

―It‘s more than that. He has plans for a party, boat tours

around the island his brother in law owns.‖

―…It seems, ― Max added sparing a wary look at Luke,

―That he has his sights set on you. The man won‘t take no for an

answer.‖

―Max wants to cancel the contract…‖ Luke added.

She was appalled, ―What? No you can‘t…you said

yourself that this took almost a year and a half to set up. Big

deal, I‘ll go to Athens with you.‖