the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(36)

protested.

He held up his hand cutting her off, ―If you knew Sophie,

you wouldn‘t hesitate, please,‖ he said sweeping his hand toward

the interior of the closet, ―I insist. You have the same figure so

I‘m positive they‘ll fit.‖

―Go on Lily, I‘ll come back in a half an hour and get you.‖

Max encouraged her but gently pushing her into the closet.

―But—Max?‖ she said exasperated.

―See you in a bit honey.‖ He said placing his hand on

Nikos shoulder and leading him out of the room, ―If you think

you‘re staying, you‘re out of your mind.‖

Nikos laughed.

Lily was left alone after the men‘s muffled laughter faded

through the closed door. She turned to examine the outrageously

beautiful gowns in the closet. She nervously chewed her bottom

lip as her fingers ran over the material as she walked down the

aisle. These were exquisite! She never thought she‘d ever own

one in her lifetime let alone wear one for a night. She stopped

when she saw the one she wanted. Taking it off the rack she held

it up and smiled. If Max wasn‘t serious about her before,

hopefully this would help him make up his mind.

Max finished smoothing the lapels of his tuxedo before he

reached for his platinum cufflinks and checked his appearance in

the mirror. Then he cast a glance over at the bed. It was queen

sized and he knew that would be a problem. He had issues with

the King sized bed they were in the night before not being big

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Lietha Wards

enough. He definitely would play the charming fiancé, but he

had to keep his distance or there was no way he was going to

keep his hands off of her tonight.

Reaching up he smoothed a lock of hair above his temple

while saying a silent prayer before he opened the door to get Lily.

Lily still wanted to do something with her hair and her

makeup after she donned the dress. Nikos was right about one

thing, the dress fit her perfectly. She‘d thought that Sophie

would be taller like Helene, but she was definitely around her

height.

A knock on the door followed by Max‘s voice drew her

attention. She went to it but didn‘t open it.

―I want to finish in our room.‖ She smiled leaning against

her shoulder against the door.

‗you‘re beautiful enough button.‖ Came the muffled

response.

―No I‘m not.‖ She grinned, ―I‘ll meet you in about twenty

minutes.‘

―What are you up to?‖

―Nothing.‖ She said in a way that meant the opposite. ―I‘ll

meet you upstairs, I promise.‖ A deep chuckle was her answer.

―Fine honey, but don‘t take too long.‖

Lily waited a few more minutes to make sure he left

before she made her way to their stateroom.

Upstairs Nikos was taking Max around and introducing

them to his relatives. Hektor, Nikos father arrived and Nikos

excused himself to speak to him for a moment.

―Max King, isn‘t it?‖

Max turned to the soft feminine voice and recognized her

immediately. She was a close friend of Cybil‘s and also a fashion

model. She was also about Lily‘s age and striking. She was tall

dark haired, brown eyed and slender. He noticed immediately

that her eyes had already given him an invitation. However,

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The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire



there was one thing she didn‘t have.

She wasn‘t Lily.

―I am.‖

―I‘m Melissa Lake.‖

―Yes.‖ He said politely, ―I remember.‖ She gave him a

sultry smile obviously impressed that he remembered her.

―I‘m glad.‖ She looked past him to Nikos, ―You are a

friend of Nikos.‖

―He‘s a business acquaintance.‖

―I see. So you‘re here on business.‖ She raised a delicate

brow, ―Alone?‖

The tone of her voice and the sensual posturing she

displayed was an invitation. In the past he may have taken her

up on it, but Lily would be up soon and knowing that Melissa

paled next to her, made him easily turn her down. Not only that,

he was done filling his bed with unemotional sex. It was no

longer appealing to him. It wasn‘t the act itself; it was the

emotional attachment he wanted to go along with it. Something

he always had a problem with until Lily came along. Over the

past twenty four hours the little bit of intimacy he shared with

her was more sensual and passionate than anything he could

remember to have experienced in a long time. He was ready to

get married and have children when Lily was ready to do so.

He focused his attention back on Melissa ready to turn

her down politely, ―Actually—― he stopped as his eyes took in a

stunning sight past her. An exquisite feminine body wearing a

satin cream colored gown that clung superbly to every sensual

curve she possessed. Her back was to him, but he knew it