the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(29)

her alone. unfortunately Lily was ignored because of Helene‘s

actions and Max knew was hurt over it.

Several hours later Lily was still awake staring at the

ceiling. Was he with that other woman now? She really had no

right to feel the way she did. It was a mock engagement, but did

that mean he could have another liaison in Nikos‘ house? After

going over everything in her mind for several hours she should

know better than suspect that Max was with another woman.

He‘d gone through great lengths to protect her and he wouldn‘t

drop it all for a night in another woman‘s bed, even one as

beautiful as Helene. Wouldn‘t he? He was a smart man. She

took a deep breath and hoped to God her faith wasn‘t misplaced.

After all, it was her he kissed, not Helene. Oh, and what a kiss!

Just then the door opened and she shut her eyes rolling

on her side pretending to sleep. She heard him moving around

in the room then in the bathroom. A few moments later he

emerged and she felt the bed shift with his weight.

―I know you‘re not sleeping button. People who are

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Lietha Wards

asleep don‘t breathe like that.‖ He said settling under the

blankets.

She never said anything. She couldn‘t help being angry

about what happened even though she shouldn‘t blame Max.

Women couldn‘t help themselves around him. He was just too

darn sexy for his own good.

She felt the bed shift and he got close enough so she felt

warmth of his body at her back without coming in contact, then a

hand on her shoulder.

―She‘s not my type.‖

―She seems to think so.‖ She finally said quietly.

―We‘re engaged honey.‖ He said with humour in his voice,

but he didn‘t feel it at all. He was already hard with wanting her

just knowing that her body was inches away from his. ―I

remember telling you before that I don‘t stray.‖

She could hear the smile in his voice and was sure he was

smiling himself. ―Someone should tell her that.‖ He chuckled

and it sounded surprisingly sexy in the dark.

―I did as soon as I got her alone.‖

She rolled toward him, putting her face inches from his,

―You did?‖ she felt like weeping.

Hell, this is completely unfair, thought Max as he caught

the scent of her skin. He was sure it smelled like lavender. Also,

knowing that beautiful lush body was inches from his near had

him undone. Surprisingly he was able to keep his voice from

cracking when he spoke. ―Yes.‖ What he didn‘t tell her was

Helene ignored him and started fidgeting with the buttons on his

shirt. It was easy to stop her from undressing him, but the hand

on his thigh at dinner was a little more difficult because of the

company at the table. No matter how angry he was getting over

it, he didn‘t want to embarrass her family.

First of all, he didn‘t like women who were not

constricted with their blatant flirting and thought they were more

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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



desirable than they really were. It presented as desperation. Not

only that, it wasn‘t that long ago that he‘d been on top of the

gorgeous woman lying next to him now. Nothing could compare

to the desire he felt when he touched her and felt her move under

him. Go slow, Max, Go slow, he reminded himself silently. He‘d

promised Luke.

―Thank you.‖ She replied thinking it was a stupid thing to

say but she was a little tongue tied at his closeness. She could

feel the heat from his body and they were about six inches apart.

It would be so easy to reach out and touch him.

―you‘re welcome,‖ he grinned, ―Now go to sleep Lily, it

sounds like we have a full day tomorrow and you‘re going to need

your rest to play the part of a blissfully happy fiancé because I‘m

going to be all over you like white on rice.‖ As it was, it was

taking everything he had not to flatten her onto her back and

seduce her.

―Oh.‖ She said trying to stop the thrill that shot through

her. She was distracted enough being in the same bed as him let

alone knowing that he didn‘t sleep with Nikos‘ sister. Suddenly

she felt his hand on her cheek with his thumb caressing her

temple. Then it disappeared just as quick as he rolled away from

her.

―Sleep button.‖

That was easy for him to say. Who could sleep with their

heart going a hundred miles a minute? Then something occurred

to her. It was odd that it hadn‘t sooner, but he had her all in

knots. ―Max?‖

―Um-hmm.‖

―Does Luke know about our little sleeping arrangement?‖

―What do you think?‖

―I think as much as he cares about you, if he knew, he‘d

flip.‖

―probably.‖ He answered letting himself smile. Luke may