The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire Nikos did because she was kind and trustful.
―Oh God. I am an idiot.‖ She thought the previous week was hard enough.Then she felt sick in the pit of her stomach.
She just chased Max from one woman to another.
Luke chuckled, ―Just be prepared.‖ With that he went to his room to change
True to Luke‘s word Max was a bear.His coffee wasn‘t strong enough, she couldn‘t arrange his schedule fast enough, respond to his question with lightening capabilities, or even wear anything remotely acceptable.
―But these are clothes from your boutique, by your consultant.‖ She stood exasperated on the other side of his desk facing him.
He picked up the phone and started dialling, ―then maybe you should seek a second opinion,‖ he said offhandedly. ―Your skirt is too short…‖ he shot her a look, ―And that blouse is cut too low.‖
Fuming, she itched to wing the notepad at him.It was Nancy‘s job to take dictation, but he insisted that she do it. Then she had to sit there for a half an hour why he spoke on the phone in a language that sounded like German before he hung up and continued. How many languages did he speak anyway?
Just when she thought he couldn‘t get any worse, flowers started pouring in for her from Nikos with cards loaded with endearments.
―Damn it Lily!‖ He bellowed when another two dozen lilies arrived interrupting her telling him his appointments for the rest of the week.She let out a rush of air, thanked the delivery man who cast a wary glance at Max.
He watched as she quickly set them on a side table with another two dozen. ―This is getting ridiculous.‖
She swung around at him, ―Well, if you didn‘t use me to procure a contract, I wouldn‘t be in this fix.‖ She accused, ―You 43
L. R. Wards
knew how he would react and before you deny it, Luke confessed.‖
He didn‘t even look surprised at her confession. ―Yes. I didn‘t think you‘d be this potent.‖ He sliced a hand toward the lilies, ―It‘s like a God damn flower shop in here.‖
―Well he seemed nice…‖ She said looking at all the flowers, ―And the lilies are a nice touch.‖
Max was irritated over that statement.He didn‘t want her liking any other man at all. ―Nice hell! The man‘s reputation is well known.Don‘t even think about going out with him.I mean it.‖
Her mouth fell open, ―You‘re one to talk.Your mistress dragged me through the mud!‖
He stood erect, and shoved his hands in his pants pockets, ―I had her under control until you called her an over the hills debutante.‖ He said calmly remembering how damn sexy she was when she lost control of her temper.
―Oh, I forgot about that.‖ She smiled.
Max just stared at her. ―You also mentioned that a plastic surgeon should be able to remove those wrinkles next to her mouth.‖
This time she laughed.
Max‘s lips twitched as he resisted his own smile betraying his annoyance, ―Lily, you shouldn‘t worry about what my women think, or say about you.‖
―Plural…how crude.‖ She sighed.
‗One of the reasons why I know what Nikos is like.‖ He finished, ―Now I meant it. Stay away from him.‖
Incredulous, she just stared at him, ―Max, don‘t even think about dictating who I can and can‘t see.‖
―You work for me.I bloody well can dictate what-the-hell-ever I like.‖ He said bluntly. ―I‘ll have you work to the bone to occupy every moment of your time if I even suspect you looked 44
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire at another man with so much as an inkling of interest.‖ His slip was out before he could stop it.Thankfully she didn‘t catch it because she was too angry with him at the moment. He‘d meant to say that man, not another man. Hmm maybe Freud was right, he thought.
Her mouth fell open, ―You wouldn’t.‖
―Try me.‖ He said with a hard look.
She fumed, ―You sound like a jealous lover for heaven‘s sake. Neither you nor Luke is being fair to me. I can‘t have a life as it is!It‘s either you or him that dictates every aspect of my existence, now you presume to tell me about my love life.‖
