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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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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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Lietha Wards

―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