the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(25)

Nikos took a deep breath, ―Obviously.‖ He motioned him

forward to the side doors of his father‘s private study. Shutting

the door he offered Max a drink which he accepted.

―She‘s mine Nikos.‖ He said with severity. ―I would do

anything for her.‖

―I see that.‖ He answered without contest handing him a

glass of amber liquid.

―I waited for years for her to grow up. Do not try to take

her from me. She‘s been in love with me for four years.‖

―She confessed this to you?‖

―She did.‖ He lied while staring at the younger handsome

man, ―I considered dropping the deal with you over her. She‘s

worth that much to me.‘

Nikos brows rose, ―A hundred and fifty million?‖



―More if need be.‖ He waved a hand, ―I am a wealthy

man already, but this contract could make me more than that

with your and the Vassiliadas connections. I won‘t lie to you.

Lily is very important to me and I‘m willing to give it up for her.‖

After a length of silence, Nikos finally nodded. Any man

that would risk such a deal must love the woman very much.

He‘d only seen it once before in Demetrius‘ eyes when he first

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Lietha Wards

laid them on Sophie, his younger sister. He instantly gave up

women and married her. Something Nikos would have never

thought possible for he usually had two or more mistresses at a

time.

―I wanted you to know the connection we have. It‘s

unbreakable.‖ Max added, ―she means more to me than

anything.‖

He studied the older man for a minute, ―I envy you Max.

She is rare. I can see where her affections lie. However, I have

one thing to ask of you.‘ He downed his drink, ―Set aside the

hundred and fifty million, the fact that I‘m lusting after your

future wife, or that we are both filthy rich.‖

―Fire away.‖ He said with some apprehension.

―Does she have a sister?‖

Max burst into laughter.



Upstairs in her room, Lily noticed that both sets of

luggage were set on the large King sized bed but it really didn‘t

hit home until the servants left and she was standing there

staring at Max‘s suitcase. Shortly after, Max came in and started

to undo his tie.

―Max?‖ she said pointing to the luggage.

―I told you we had to keep up the pretence.‖ He managed

a slow sensual grin, ―Afraid of sharing a bed with me button?‖

She flushed instantly, ―Share a bed?‖

He walked up to her until their bodies were inches apart

peering down at her with a heated gaze, ―Yes, I‘m afraid you‘re at

my mercy this weekend.‖

She felt vulnerable and knew it was clear as day in her

expression, ―Max—what you‘re suggesting—―

His laughter cut her off, and he leaned down and brushed

his mouth across her forehead, ―Don‘t panic honey, I‘ll be good.

I promise. We just need to keep up the charade. You‘re a big

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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



girl, I‘m sure you can handle sharing a bed with me in the most

plutonic sense. I swear I don‘t even snore.‖ He lifted his head

and studied her expression, ―You can‘t believe that I could put

my hands on you without Luke tearing into me. I even brought

pyjamas—and honey, I never wear pyjamas.‖ He added with a

sinful grin.



Hands on you…pyjamas…oh lord, ―I don‘t know what to

think.‖ She exclaimed trying to ignore the tingling on her skin

where he kissed her and his deeply voiced words, ―You‘re such a

mystery and after all, Luke said I chased your mistress away—―

He barked with laughter realizing what she was saying,

―So you‘d think any gal would do. Lily, for God‘s sake I‘m not a

sex maniac. I assure you I can do without if I need to.‖

―I can‘t talk about this.‖ She mumbled and turned to

leave, but he caught her shoulders.

―You‘re a grown woman Lily, are you telling me you can‘t

discuss intimacy with a man?‖

―It‘s a private matter.‖ She said unable to look him in the

eyes, but kept her gaze averted to the open buttons of his shirt.

No she couldn‘t discuss it and especially not with him. He

created that warm floppy feeling in the pit of her stomach

whenever he broached the subject. Then she got distracted by his

unbuttoned shirt. His tie hung loosely just below there because

he hadn‘t finished removing it. She could see the swirls of black

hair there too and it was almost impossible to drag her eyes away

from that appealing sight. She knew when she saw him by the

pool as a teenager that he had a healthy mat of hair there and

wondered what it would be like to move her fingers through it.

Max saw where her eyes were and the longing in them.