However, he was going to talk to Luke about moving his proposal up.
After he dismissed his team he turned to her and told her to shut the door. He could see her hesitate but did as he asked.
101
L. R. Wards
―We need to talk button.‖
―Max, I already told you—―
―Listen.‖ He said holding up his hand and walking toward her. She took several steps back and he stopped, ―I‘m not going to hurt you.‖
Too late for that she thought.She still couldn‘t get that image of Cybil kissing him out of her mind.Every time she thought of it she was sure her heart tore a little more.
He didn‘t take another step toward her after seeing her expression, ―Lily, I want to take you to dinner tonight. Then we can talk.‖
―I can‘t.‖ she said tilting her head up and looking at him.
It was hard.Those grey intelligent eyes of his could have whittled away her courage instantly, but lately she seemed number. At least she thought she was until the seconds passed and she felt that familiar twinge in her chest.Obviously it was visible on her expression for what he said next.
―I‘ve hurt you Lily, I can see that.Unfortunately that wasn‘t my intent.‖ He said softly.
―I understand that Max. I really do.‖ She said honestly.
Seeing that she seemed a little less apprehensive, he took a couple of steps toward her and took her hand, ―Dinner honey, that‘s all.‖ He was glad she didn‘t step back this time.
―I really can‘t Max.I know you feel guilty, but we can‘t change anything. I know I‘m not what you expected—―
―I tried telling you that you were wrong.‖ He said narrowing his gaze. It stunned him that she could say that after he reassured her, but again, he knew she had nothing to compare him with and it was going to stay that way as far as he was concerned.
She knew he was trying not to make her feel any worse, but she still didn‘t want to discuss it and pulled her hand out of his, ―I‘ll be all right.‖
102
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire
―You don‘t look all right Lily.‖He suddenly noticed the dark circles under her eyes and she looked a little pale. A twinge of guilt hit him again.
―I am.‖ Her eyes gave him a pleading look, ―Just please don‘t tell Luke.‖
―I haven‘t.‖he answered looking down at her while shoving his hands in the pockets of his slacks to resist the urge to hold her. ―I won‘t.‖ He continued. His gut hurt over that. Luke should know.He‘d never kept secrets from his best friend, especially where Lily was concerned even though it was very personal. He felt as if he betrayed him.
She nodded believing him before she opened the door and left.
It still didn‘t heal his conscience, Lily looked terrible.
This was getting ridiculous. Why the hell shouldn‘t he have her like he wanted? Luke knew his intentions from the start. Now, Lily was suffering and it was eating him up with guilt that he couldn‘t‘ tell her anything.He ran his hand through his hair roughly and swore out loud feeling like he wanted to throw something. For the first time in his life he didn‘t feel in control over a woman.His biggest fear was her not returning the affection he felt for her if he let this go on any longer. What if he did carry it too far and hurt her more than she let on? He never even considered that she didn‘t want him, but would he in her position?First the brush off in Greece, then Cybil.Lily was precious and he knew when she hurt, it ran deep.
The next day, her last day, he walked into the coffee room fully intending on having it out with her after another sleepless night when another woman‘s voice caught his attention.He recognized it as Brittney‘s, one of his secretaries, but her tone was completely condescending.
He paused right outside the door at her tone listening, and got angrier with each passing second.
103
L. R.
