―you look good enough to eat.‖ He said straightening up and running his gaze over her.
―You are taking this engagement acting too far.‖ She said wishing that their engagement was real.Ifthat moment they shared moments ago was any indicator of what it would be like between them, she could live with that for the rest of her life. She knew she could.
―Am I?‖ he mused holding out his hand.
She just stared at him unable to figure this new mood of 68
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire his out.He was usually good to her, but now there was some deeper warmth there that made her uncomfortable.It wasn‘t because she didn‘t want it. She did more than anything else in her life, but she worried it was temporary.
―Come on button, I don‘t bite—― he grinned, ―—unless you ask really nice.‖
―Max, you need to behave.‖ She said finally taking his hand and shooting him a helpless look.
He chuckled, ‗Would you believe that I am.‖He was.
Every cell in his body was screaming to drag her back to bed, have her naked and completely misbehave, but he needed to take this slow.Revealing his desire for her was already making her apprehensive.
―No, not in a minute.‖ She said as he led her out the door causing him to grin mischievously.
Dinner wasn‘t as pleasant as Lily had hoped. Nikos‘ sister Helene joined them and flirted outrageously with Max. She was shameless about it too. Even Nikos shot her a disapproving look at one point during dinner.Also their father didn‘t seem too impressed, but no one said anything.
It didn‘t help that she was gorgeous.So much that she could give Cybil a run for her money.The woman was tall, slender, with dark hair and eyes befitting of her race. She made sure she sat on the other side of Max with her chair quite close, and at one point she was sure that Helene had moved her hand to his thigh by the angle of her arm next to him.
However, his expression didn‘t give it away and she started fuming.Maybe he enjoyed her advances and why not, she was beautiful and as far as Lily was concerned she couldn‘t compete. If she had any hope about what they had shared prior it was gone.
As the evening wore on she became less involved in the conversation.Max seemed thoroughly involved in Helene.He 69
L. R. Wards
had barely looked her way since dinner started. It hurt her, more than she liked to admit. It made her realized that all she was to him was a fill in for a woman. He kissed her because he could, because any woman would let him and he knew that.Just like she did.
―For tomorrow,‖ Nikos said bringing his eyes to Lily.
―We‘re going to Demetrius‘ island. I thought you would enjoy a cruise on the yacht. It‘s spectacular. We are throwing a party for our father whose birthday is on Sunday. They‘ll be a lot of people there.‖
―That sounds wonderful.‖ Lily said brightening up. She‘d never been on a boat before let alone a yacht. Suddenly she felt Max‘s hand squeeze hers.She was tempted to look at him but she was jealous and angry that he paid attention to Nikos sister.
Also, her emotions were clearly registering on her face, and she didn‘t want him to see how deeply rejected she felt. So instead she paid complete attention to Nikos who went on to explain what they had planned for their guests.
After dinner Nikos asked Max to join him for a drink.
Lily feigned a headache and said she needed to lie down.She didn‘t miss the smirk that Helene gave her when she stood up to leave. Obviously the woman knew she was no competition either and that just added to her hurt.
―I‘ll walk you up.‖ Max said starting to rise.
―No, I‘ll be fine.‖ She flicked a look to Helene,
