After he closed her door, he walked around to the driver's side and took another opportunity to look at the man that was with Lily. Max knew an eager face when he saw one, and it was written all over that one. He didn't mind eager, but he didn't like people he cared about being used. Lily didn't know it, but Max knew all about this David. Then he actually handled her. He wanted to rip his arm off for touching Lily. His Lily. He pursed his lips and got in, started the engine and turned to her masking his ire,
―Any stops?
―No. Just take me home okay. I'm exhausted. She was trying not to look at him and instead focused her gaze on something outside, but she could still feel the heat from his scrutiny.
―Why so glum?
Finally she turned to look at him,
―Because every time you show up, I lose a date. He gave her a puzzled expression,
―I mean, I liked that guy. She tossed a thumb in the direction of David who was still gaping, ‖and when he saw you, he fell all to pieces wanting to get to know you. For once I would just like a guy to like me for me.
―Then quit picking stupid ones. He said dryly
Her mouth fell open as she stared at him in disbelief. David was in the top ten percentile of their class and far from stupid, but his next words clarified what he meant.
He gave her an amused lopsided smirk,
―Really honey, if they can't see you for what you are, then it's their loss.
Always the charmer,
―I'm not one of your women Max, quit trying to flatter me.
―One of my… he burst into laughter and shifted the car into gear, pulling away from the curb, while she started fuming.
―No you definitely aren't. he continued to laugh.
Even his laugh was downright sexy. Letting out another frustrated sigh she concentrated on the scenery preparing for the long two hour ride back home. She felt almost as if he was laughing directly at her. She always found herself being a tongue tied fumbling fool around him. Moments ago that sloppy smile near had her heart galloping out of her chest. Secretly she wished that he had some sort of attraction for her, but she knew better. He liked high society women, beautiful women, experienced women who could satisfy him in oh gosh stop it, and she scolded herself. Why did she always think of him in such a manner? How come she couldn't get him out of her mind? Thankfully his voice interrupted the silence.
―Did Luke tell you what kind of job you'd be doing for me?
She swung her head around to face him,
―No. She assumed filing, mail delivery or something along those lines.
He flicked her a glance before returning his attention to the road,
―You are working on a business administrative degree, are you not?
―I am…why?
―Knowing you Lily, you'd think I'd have you deliver coffee to my employees or do a muffin run. He glanced at her again seeing the rising color in her cheeks,
―Not appropriate for an intern in that respect. You are my best friend's sister. I have something better in mind.
―Don't do me any favors. She returned with more sarcasm than she meant causing one of his brows to rise.
―I'm not. He answered while studying her expression.
Actually he was, but it was more for his benefit.
―Oh. She added feeling foolish, and then crushed.
―I intend on giving you every opportunity to understand what it would be like to work for someone such as myself. I'm hiring you as my Personal Assistant and once you spend a week with me you won't think I was doing you a favor.
―You can't be that bad.‖ she mused.
Smiling he glanced sideways at her,
―I assure you I'm not an easy man to work for. I keep long hours, work weekends and I expect you to accompany me on my many trips abroad this summer. If you can work for me you can work for anyone. I've gone through six PAs this year alone.
―You're kidding, right? Six? What woman in their right mind would quit working for him? It must've been brutal for them to quit. One thing she had going for her is that she knew Max better than they did. Not only that, she was certain he wouldn't be so hard on her because of who she was. Hopefully she didn't let him down.
Part of her was exhilarated at being with him, close to him, and the other part was scared stiff. Truth was, she was nuts about him and had been since she discovered boys. Although she couldn't quite peg the year, it must've been when that boy asked her out in eleventh grade and she said no, because he didn't even possess one-eighth of the qualities that Max had. Max was a beautiful image of masculinity. To her he was no less than perfect, and unfortunately looking for those qualities in another man pretty much left her boyfriend's looking plain and never lasting more than a few months as with David.
―No. he said dryly casting a once over glance in her direction,
―Your wardrobe needs an upgrade.
Insulted and embarrassed she turned her head away. Just because he wears four thousand dollar suits doesn't mean she can afford the same. She looked at her worn jeans and t- shirt.
―I just got out of school. We don't wear business suits in class.
―That's not what I meant Lily. He added in a softer tone,
―Naturally you will have access to a company credit card and we have several boutiques that cater to my personal staff. I'll have Nancy set you up an appointment and get fitted. He was dying to see those legs of hers in a skirt.
―Max, she chagrined, I am not a charity case! Luke has plenty of money; he can buy me what I need.
Sighing he pulled the car over to the side of the road and cut the engine. His piercing eyes searched her face for a moment,
―Lily, where is all of this defensiveness coming from? This is nothing short of what I would do for another intern, PA, or otherwise. You are going to be my PA next week. You need to look the part. I can't possibly haul you all over the country looking like a cowgirl. There is a standard package for the position, including a company credit card, cell phone, personal data device, car service, excreta. You need to be at my beckoned call. I've already gone over the details with Luke. He seemed a lot more eager than you thinking it would be an excellent opportunity.
Lifting her chin slightly, she returned his steady gaze, although she'd never reveal how nerve racking it was.
―Max, you are only doing this because of Luke. I wanted to try and do things on my own for once without the great Maximilian King attached to my name.
A slow smile spread across his handsome face,
―Is that so? Didn't anyone tell you, it's who you know in this world that gets you places, or at least gets the door open. Then after that you can rely on your own attributes. His eyes dropped to her mouth. He had to admit that if she did use her own attributes they would take her to the top. Especially that mouth. She had a perfect pouty mouth with lips the color of pale roses.
―I don't want that kind of privilege. What a smile. Could he possibly look any more appealing?
His brows rose,
―Really? Then should I inform your brother that all the begging and pleading he did on your behalf last week was all in vain?
Her mouth fell open.
-He didn't!
Then his expression became unreadable,
―Should I tell him that his sister doesn't appreciate how well he looks out for her? He frowned,
―Your brother loves you very much, and wants the best for you. There are people out there that would die for this position and have it on their resume, yet you balk because it's handed to you.
Furious at his arrogance, she couldn't keep the anger out of her voice,
―What? Like the great Max King can make or break a career?
―You're bloody hell right I can. He said allowing his temper to finally show,
―I can break a career to the point of believing that reincarnation three times over won't help them get a job. You are being ungrateful. I don't ever recall that selfishness in you. He didn't mean to sound so harsh, but Lily had never been so defensive and it was surprising. Maybe she was more upset about David than he thought and that irritated him.
She gaped at him then felt ashamed at her behavior and snapped her mouth shut. Never, in all the years had she known him that he'd raised his voice to her. He was right, she was being ungrateful. If Luke did what Max said, it wouldn't have been easy for him. It was him that was bringing out this foul temper in her. She was crazy about the man, and he affected her to the point of craziness.
―Oh God Max, I'm sorry. I must sound horrible.
Thankfully he seemed to relax. She'd never witnessed any sort of rise in his voice before, and certainly not toward her, so she knew she angered him. He had every right to be upset with her.
―Finals always stress me out. Then David went all ga-ga when he saw you. I actually thought he liked me. It just seems that when I start getting somewhere on my own, you waft in and the world falls at your feet.
Of course it wasn't the whole truth, but it seemed to work because he finally gave her a sinfully delicious grin. The same grin she had wished for earlier, now she wished she didn't. It caused her stomach to momentarily spasm and she was thankful she was in the car not standing when he did it, because there was no way she'd be able to keep upright. His deep voice may have caused a quiver to go up her spine, but that grin ran through her whole body like a vibration. Despite her condition she was amazed that her voice sounded as steady as it did when she continued her explanation. .
-Now I know he's just like the rest of them that only want to date me because I know you. She waved a submissive hand and slumped in the leather seat feeling like a complete ass.
―Is that what you think? The world stops for Maximilian King? he said with a glitter of amusement, erasing the annoyance he felt earlier.
She shrugged,
―Always seems that way when you walk in a room.
She mumbled.
―The men suck up like there's no tomorrow, and the woman do everything shy of stripping off their clothes in a public place to get your attention.
―God Lily, what an exaggeration! He chuckled while turning on the car and pulling back out onto the road.
―If that were true, you would have made a pass at me a long time ago. I've spent more time with you than any other woman in my life. He said absently choosing not to look at her to see her expression because she would see his. If Lily made a pass at him, he certainly wouldn't turn her down. He hadn't seen her in over a month and if it was possible that she'd grown more beautiful in her absence, she did. She must be about twenty now, and she had developed into a gorgeous woman. Of course he always thought she was, but with his plans coming into focus on his real intentions for her, she was even more appealing and not in the little sister of a best friend way.
He wanted her.