the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(39)

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gave them both a glorious smile, but only Nikos returned it. Max

leaned over and gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek

completely opposite of his greeting the day before. She examined

his expression and felt a knot in her stomach at the coolness

there. All sorts of things began to fill her head, but only one hit

her hard. She obviously was a disappointment in bed and now

that he knew that, he was done with her. It hurt horribly but she

did her best to not show it and remained silent through the meal.

Nausea built up in the pit of her stomach and she couldn‘t even

find it in her to eat the delicious buffet set out for them. She only

moved food around on her plate. Unfortunately Nikos seemed to

notice the change in her and she saw his eyes glance back and

forth between them a couple of times.

It didn‘t matter. Today they would head home to Chicago

and they would resume their normal routines for the next few

weeks until she returned to College. If this moment was an

indicator, he would never touch her again. Part of her died

inside over that thought.

It wasn‘t long after that they said their goodbye‘s and the

helicopter took them straight to the airport. Once aboard the

plane Lily removed the ring and handed it back to Max. ―I guess I

don‘t need this anymore.‖ Finally he centered his gaze on her

with a flicker of emotion while he took it from her.

―It was fun Lily.‖ He said searching her expression.

―I guess.‖ She murmured.

He took a deep breath knowing he was hurting her with

his cool restraint, ―Look, what happened—―

―I—don‘t want to discuss this.‖ She said waving a hand, ―I

can‘t.‖ her eyes guided to his, ―Just please don‘t tell Luke.‖

―Lily—―

―Can you at least promise me that? I just want to get on

with my life. I‘m sorry I disappointed you.‖

―Disappointed! Lily, what the hell are you talking about?‖

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Lietha Wards

he said incredulously.

―Just forget it.‖ She said feeling herself blush.

―No, I won‘t. Do you think that‘s what‘s going on? That

you disappointed me? Good lord button, that‘s the furthest thing

from the truth.‖ He never even considered that his aloofness

toward her would be interpreted in such a way. Now he felt like a

complete bastard. In truth he should have known better, she was

inexperienced and naïve, and despite what they shared, she still

was.

―Max please just stop!‖ She pleaded.

―You should let me explain.‖ He said wincing inwardly

seeing her pain.

―I don‘t want to talk about it. When we get back to

Chicago, we‘ll get on with our lives as if nothing has happened.

It‘s what I want. I‘m going back to College in a few weeks.‖ She

continued not looking him in the eyes for fear that he‘d see how

hurt she was.

But he already knew the damage he caused and her

statement, though he agreed, cut him to the core. He‘d promised

Luke that he‘d leave her be, and he didn‘t. He got involved too

early and he had to correct it. ―All right, if that‘s what you wish.‖

Although he said the words they were the hardest thing he ever

had to say.

―It is.‖



The days at work seemed to drift by in a fog. Lily tried

her best to be professional, but when Brittney cornered her again

and mocked her for a broken engagement saying that she

couldn‘t hold on to a man like Max, she near burst into tears.

The engagement was a ruse but no one knew that and although

she knew what it would be like when she returned, she didn‘t

expect to have it hurt so much. She didn‘t blame Max as much as

she blamed herself for what had happened between them.

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It probably wouldn‘t have if she didn‘t know what it was

like to hold him, or touch him the way she did. Now, she was

hopelessly in love with him and he easily treated her as one of his

employees as if nothing had happened.

Lily used to pride herself on her self-esteem, but only

Max could make it crumble down around her. If this were any

other man, she would have no problem walking away and

continuing on with her life. But this wasn‘t any other man, this

was Max, and her world always revolved around him. How was

she supposed to get on with her life when it felt so empty?

He wasn‘t intentionally being mean, he was just being

himself, but Lily had no experience with men, and Max could

easily go through life because he‘d been with so many women

and didn‘t take their weekend in Athens as personally as she did.

Just then he strode into the office with a gaggle of men in

tow hanging on his every word. He had such a presence about