―I heard from Nancy it was your last day,‖ came Brittney‘s scornful voice, ―It‘s too bad you couldn‘t handle yourself around a man like Max.‖
―It‘s not what you think.‖
Max heard the defeat in her voice and felt his chest tighten. Was this going on for awhile? She neglected to tell him about it.Knowing Lily it was because she was trying to prove she could handle interoffice conflict.However, had he known, Brittney wouldn‘t have lasted one more day.All along he was worried about the men around her and neglected to realize that some of his female employees were going to have a problem with Lily. This was just one more thing she ended up dealing with.
―No?I think you‘re leaving because you aren‘t what a man like Max is used to.Maybe you can‘t measure up in the bed—―
―I think that‘s enough.‖ Max said stepping in at that moment cutting her off.
Lily ducked her head and rushed by them unable to keep her tears from falling this time. Nancy saw her rush through the office and got up to follow her.
―Lily?‖
―I‘ve got to go.‖ She said stepping into the elevator.
―What‘s wrong?‖ Nancy said with genuine concern seeing the woman‘s tear streaked face.
―It‘s nothing. Tell Max I‘m fine. Thanks for being so nice to me Nancy.‖ She said as the doors closed.
After the first couple of weeks of classes Lily began to feel unwell. She had trouble sleeping, she felt nauseous, but never to the point of losing her breakfast, and she lost her appetite. Is this what a broken heart felt like? She thought. Luke had noticed her fatigue and became worried. Try as she might, she couldn‘t help but look depressed. It was getting hard forcing a smile when her 104
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire brother was around and he mentioned something about her not looking as cheerful as she usually was.
One day she came out of her building after classes and a glorious white Limousine was parked on the curb, and leaning against the car was Nikos wearing a navy suit and tie like he‘d just come from a business meeting.He straightened when he saw her and gave her a devastating smile. It may have worked on her if she didn‘t know Max, but regardless, it was refreshing to see a friendly face.
―Bella!‖ he called outstretching his arms as she approached him.
She couldn‘t help but smile, as he cupped her shoulders and leaned down to kiss her cheek. ―What are you doing here?‖
―I came with Demetrius to finish off business with your fiancé.‖ He said glancing at her empty finger, ―or—am I speaking out of turn?‖
―We—well, I mean—―
―Say no more.Join me for dinner.‖He could see the subject made her uncomfortable and Nikos wasn‘t one to make a woman feel in such a way. He loved women. Lily, however, was in a completely different category and he‘d come to have affection for her like he would his little sister, and she looked sad.
Obviously the engagement was off and he felt the need to cheer her up.
―I really shouldn‘t.‖ she said looking around at the curious gazes from the other students.
―No one needs to know.‖ He said, ―We‘ll be discreet.‖
She cocked a brow suddenly feeling a little like her old self, ―Max told me to be careful around you.‖
―I‘ll behave Bella, I promise,‖ he said making a sign of the cross causing her to laugh.
Gosh that felt so good! ―I don‘t know if I should believe you.‖
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He tilted his head at her making himself look even more handsome, ―I can see you need some cheering up.I promise, that I won‘t do anything inappropriate.‖ Besides, thought Nikos, the ring may have been gone but for some reason he still knew Lily was off limits. He knew something was wrong the last day they were in Greece.Max was unusually cool to her and she looked taken back by it.He wasn‘t sure what had happened between them, but whatever it was, it was just as much as a surprise to her as it was to Nikos. He knew he didn‘t mistake the looks that Max had been bestowing on Lily.No man could mistake that kind of affection even if they tried. Finally to his relief she nodded.
―Just this one time Nikos.My brother is still very protective.‖
