the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(32)

for Aquinas.‖

Max agreed and took her hand to lead her back toward

the table. After he pulled out a chair for her and sat next to her,

several servants were at her side with platters of food.

She wasn‘t used to such attention and started to get

uncomfortable. It didn‘t help that Max had moved his arm to the

back of her chair and his hand absently rubbed her shoulder

while he spoke to Nikos. The constant caressing was unnerving

her. Not that she didn‘t want it, she wanted more. She wanted to

feel his body on hers again and to have him kiss her that way.

She lay awake last night for awhile after he‘d fallen asleep hoping

that he‘d do just that. However he didn‘t and she was

devastatingly disappointed. She was wondering if it was because

he didn‘t desire her like she did him. In all her inexperience she

didn‘t know if he was serious about all of this or maybe he was

just playing the part and getting her into the role of it. What he

didn‘t know is that she fell really hard for him and he was very

convincing. Yet something deep down told her that Max wasn‘t

that cruel, but he did tell her that this engagement was a cloak.

The problem was, she stopped playing the moment he kissed her.

Then if things couldn‘t get any worse, out came Helene

wearing a low cut blouse and a tight short skirt walking with an

exaggerated sway of her hips as she approached the table. She

immediately put herself next to Max despite his arm around her

and proceeded to flirt outrageously with him. She didn‘t doubt

for a moment that Max had spoken to her like he said, but

obviously Helen wasn‘t one to be put off. Did the woman have no

79

Lietha Wards

scruples? Twice she reached across the table for something and

brushed her breasts against Max‘s other arm and the second time

Lily stiffened, tossed her napkin on her plate, and started to get

out of her chair.

She‘d had had it and she was going to say something to

the woman or do what she wanted to in the first place, and

scratch her eyes out! Max suddenly grabbed her and crushed his

hard mouth down on hers. Somewhere in the back of her mind

she heard and indignant gasp and the scraping of chairs. Then it

was gone and the only awareness was his mouth on hers and the

way his tongue---oh dear!

What neither one of them saw was Nikos take Helene‘s

arm and remove her from the table to a distance away while he

chastised her for her behaviour.

―Do not embarrass your family.‖ Nikos ground out

angrily. ―He is engaged to that woman and your are throwing

yourself at him shamelessly.‖

She placed her hands on her hips, ―She is a timid little

thing.‖ She tossed her long black hair over her shoulder, ―He is

all man and needs a decent woman.‖

―Do not make yourself out to be something you‘re not

Helene.‖ He added harshly, ―She is one of a kind and Max knows

that.‖

She darted a look over her shoulder at the couple who

were in a heated embrace, made a rough sound under her breath,

and stomped out of there.

Nikos made sure his sister was out of sight before he

turned back to the couple. Max had stopped kissing her but he

had her face tilted up to his while his thumb ran across her

bottom lip as he spoke softly to her while she seemed to hang on

every word. Then he bent his head and placed a light kiss on his

forehead in an adoring fashion. He definitely was in love with

this woman.

80

The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



The helicopter ride was exhilarating. Lily had never been

on a helicopter before. Even the presence of Nikos‘ sister

couldn‘t deter her from her excitement. Although she was still

insisting on trying to draw attention from Max at least she didn‘t

touch him again. Then her eyes widened as she saw the size of

the yacht that was docked off the island and her mouth fell open,

―My goodness. Mr. Vassiliadas doesn‘t do anything small!‖

Nikos leaned over and started pointing out areas on the

island that became visible as the helicopter circled it. Lily was

amazed. There was a thriving village, sandy beaches and a large

estate that bordered a private beach that Nikos explained was his

brother in law‘s place. Tourism was very active on the Island

because of the beautiful beaches and brought a lot of income for

the locals.

Max only kept his eyes on her and smiled. He loved to

see her so excited. After they married he made a note to keep his

promise and take her to their villa in Spain. At that moment she

turned and their eyes met. Nothing was said between them, but

he didn‘t take his eyes off of hers. She glanced away for a

moment then slowly returned her gaze almost as if she was

gathering courage to stare back at him. She mouthed the word