the Billionaire’s Secret Desire(49)

was like being at the zoo and watching a caged lion pace back and

forth inside his cell while eyeing up some tasty morsel out of his

reach.‖

Luke grinned, ―Nice analogy.‖

She shrugged, ―Who can blame him, your sister is

gorgeous. She practically knocked the socks off of every male

who caught sight of her. That‘s why he kept her so close for the

past few weeks, not to give any one of them the chance of asking

her out.‖ She sighed, ―It‘s such a relief really because he‘d been

giving her all of my errands, now I‘ll get my job back.‖

Luke stared at the older woman with admiration, ―You

are a rare gem Nancy.‖

Finally smiling, she nodded in agreement, ―Don‘t I know

it. However, one of my boys is getting married, that only leaves

you.‖

―Whoa.‖ Luke practically jumped off her desk, ―Not

interested. Not for awhile at least. I like women too much.‖

―Uh-huh, that will last until the one show up that‘ll spin

your world around. Beware Luke, not everyone is immune.‖

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―Thanks for spoiling my day mom.‖ He added in an

endearment and tossed the magazine on her desk.

She actually laughed, ―Anytime.‖ Watching him turn and

head back to Max‘s office.

At that time Nancy thought it was a time for celebration,

but when the couple returned from Greece something had

changed, and Nancy didn‘t ask. Although Max still looked at Lily

like she was still the last woman on earth, Lily looked sad.

Something had happened between them to call off the

engagement.

Now Max looked genuinely worried as he gathered his

things to leave the office. In turn it made her concerned because

his expression never faltered—ever, so this had to be serious.

Max didn‘t seem to hear her question a moment ago. ―Mr.

King?‖

He stopped and looked at her trying to recall what she

said. Then he spoke obviously distracted, ―I don‘t know yet. Just

call me when Oscar is here.‖ He said picking up his briefcase and

tossing things in it absently.

Nancy quickly left the office and did as he asked.



The ride to the clinic must‘ve been the longest in his life.

His angst built the closer he came. If Luke called him, it had to

be serious. He didn‘t wait for Oscar to open the door of the car

for him as he practically bolted out of it and headed through the

front doors of the clinic with a long determined stride.

Max was led into an examination room by a nurse and

saw Luke sitting in a chair next to the bed. Lily was sitting on the

side of it with a hospital gown on and her legs bare from the knee

down. She looked so vulnerable to him it was all he could do not

to gather her into his arms and ask for her forgiveness for the

past month. It was hard enough for him to keep the pained

expression off his face.

Lily was stunned at the sight of Max walking in the room.

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Lietha Wards

What was he doing here? She darted her eyes back and forth

between the two as he Max strode in. That caused more anxiety

to creep in knowing that it was Luke‘s doing, so something more

was going on than she realized.

―Max—Luke did you call him?‖ she accused her brother

while gesturing her hand toward the Max, who couldn‘t look

more devastating in a dove grey suit striped tie and white shirt.

It seemed like she hadn‘t seen him forever even though it was

just last week, but the memory was not pleasant. She wanted to

weep at the sight of him and apologize for yelling at him then,

but somehow she couldn‘t find the words. She missed him

terribly and seeing him made a flood of emotions resurface. She

clenched her jaw and pressed her lips together to prevent them

from reaching her expression.

―I did.‖ Luke admitted.

―What for, it‘s just the flu!‖ She argued, ―You two are so

overprotective!‖ Her eyes searched her brother‘s expression

looking for any indication that Max told him what had happened

between them in Greece, but he didn‘t give anything away even if

he knew. At times his demeanour could rival Max‘s on how he

presented himself. Hopefully Max kept his promise. The only

reason she thinks he did, is Luke wouldn‘t be able to hide his

animosity towards Max knowing how protective he was of her,

but there was nothing and Luke looked at him as he always did

with the affection of a friend.

―Yes we are Lily, because you are very special to us. Now,

I asked the Doctor that I‘m to be the one to tell you what she

suspects it is. I wanted Max here because he‘s part of your life.‖

Luke explained calmly.

She still couldn‘t bring herself to look at the other man,

―not anymore.‖

―Stop it Lily.‖ Said Max finally, ―I am as much as you