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away from you if he thinks you‘re single. Although I‘m
apprehensive about this, it does make sense. You need to hear
him out. That boy that practically had you in his back pocket
when Max went to pick you up and he is a long line in a string of
men who will use you.‖
Lily swung her accusing eyes to Max, ―You told him about
David?‖
―I did. He‘s your brother. He should know what kinds of
men are interested in you. Before you argue. I checked the man
out. He‘d been inquiring about your relationship with me weeks
before you dated him.‖
―How could you!‖ she glared at him and snatched her
hands back.
―Lily,‖ cut in Luke, ―I‘m not always here. In the past year,
I‘ve been away eight months. Max can take good care of you.‖
―I‘m not a puppy!‖ She made her way around the front of
the chair she was holding on to earlier and sat down, ―I can‘t
believe you two discussed me like a piece of meat.‖ She placed
her face in her hands. ―It makes me feel so incapable.‖
Max winced, ―Lily.‖ He came around the front of her and
crouched down to level his gaze with hers, ―I apologize. You
certainly aren‘t. We think you are very precious. Neither one of
us mean to demoralize you in the least.‖
She looked up at him, ―Too late.‖
Max took her hands again and held them in his,
―Listen, have you even looked in the mirror lately.‖ Her puzzled
expression made him smile, ―I don‘t think you realize how
appealing you are to men. I‘ve mentioned it before when we
went out for dinner and Nikos couldn‘t take his eyes off of you.‖
He also mentioned that his thoughts turned toward the
bedroom too, but she‘d since brushed it off, because he said it as
if it was nothing special. Although deep down she really wished
it was. She wanted him to think of her as desirable like Cybil and
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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire
all of those other women he was attracted to in that way.
―If we are engaged then Nikos may think twice about
coming on to you—I mean he may, not that he will. He‘s been
raised with privilege and is used to getting what he wishes.‖ Max
continued.
Lily didn‘t hear anything beyond ‗we are engaged‘ because
it sounded so wonderful, so thrilling, that she wished it was true
from the bottom of her heart. Even though she knew better, it
was still a nice fantasy. Max would never get married, he was a
confirmed bachelor. Plus he had his pick of rich, beautiful and
famous women. Lily could never compete with that. Her eyes
guided to her brother who stood silent for the last few minutes,
―Aren‘t you coming?‖
He shook his head and pursed his lips, ―I‘ve got to fly to
Tokyo on Friday.‖ He nodded toward Max, ―Do as he says Lily if
you don‘t want him to dump the contract.‖
―I really don‘t.‖ she said returning her attention to Max
who was still crouched in front of her.
He smiled, ―So—― he said reaching into his pocket and
pulled out a little velvet box. Her gasp was audible as he opened
it.
―My Gosh! Max that‘s beautiful.‖ She said running her
fingers along the diamond and emerald engagement ring.
He removed it from the box and placed it on her ring
finger, ―There, now we‘re engaged.‖ He said with a smile that
didn‘t reach the seriousness of his pale eyes.
She couldn‘t help the look of amazement that crossed her
expression and held it up to admire it. ―Did you actually buy
this? It must‘ve cost a fortune and it fits perfectly.‖
Luke watched the display and scrunched his hands into
fists in the pockets of his slacks while casting Max a look of
disapproval. Max gave him a look of understanding and stood
up.
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―Now my employees are going to notice this on your
finger Lily, so we‘ll need to keep up the pretence. Nikos is very
resourceful.‖
‗Of course.‖ She said still looking at the ring with all sorts
of thoughts roaming through her head hardly hearing what he
said. For once she wished her fantasy was a reality.
CHAPTER THREE
Nikos himself met the couple at the airport. He stood
outside the white limousine in anticipation and disbelief. Yet not
one of his inner thoughts or emotions reached his six foot two
rigid stature. Max had told him earlier that week that he‘d
recently become engaged to Lily. That woman with the
supermodel looks without the spoiled demeanour. He was
surprised because that night he‘d met her for the first time, Max
was dating Cybil Dawn and he was undeniably enchanted by the
other woman. Cybil didn‘t even appeal to him for he had his
share of women like that and she dulled next to Lily. However, if