Max slanted his head to capture her mouth completely and moved with a controlled rhythm meant to drive her wild. When she pressed against him and moaned, he knew he was successful. His arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the floor as their kisses grew more feverish. A small clunk was heard as one of her shoes fell of her foot as he began walking toward the bed. Slowly and carefully as not to break his hold on her he bent over and lowered her onto the mattress bringing his body down on top of her while edging one of his long legs between hers. Then he reached down and pushed the skirt of her dress up so he could grip her soft thigh and pull it up to his hip settling himself more intimately against her. If she noticed, she didn't let on and from the noises that were escaping her throat just to be captured by his mouth, he knew she was lost. Everything about her was captivating and passionate. She responded to him with a newness of discovery and it was unexpectedly arousing. He shifted himself and pressed his obvious need into her pelvis and she gasped. Finally with the last shred of resistance he had he lifted his head and looked down at her. Her eyes were wide with wonder like two bright emeralds, her mouth was slightly swollen and her cheeks were flushed with passion. She was stunning and he could only imagine how much more beautiful she was with that flush all over her naked body. As it was, her soft clothed body was torturing him. He wanted to tear her clothes off and touch every soft warm inch of her with his tongue just to see if she tasted that good all over.
-Max, she could barely say his name. He had momentarily stunned her.
-Hush up. He smiled while lifting himself up on his forearms to stare down at her,
-There's nothing wrong with this.
-Oh there is. She argued. This was so wrong in so many ways! She thought she was in love with him before. This just pushed her past the point of no return. He bent his head and took her mouth again for a long heated moment before lifting it. Again she showed no resistance. In fact, she responded to him like she was made for him. His eyes roved over her face,
-Nothing that feels that good, is wrong. He repeated and to get his meaning through pushed his hips into hers again causing her eyes to widen.
-See? There was a loud knock on the door interrupting them followed by a voice in Greek. Max turned his head and answered whoever it was without getting off her.
-Who was that? she whispered, unable to find her voice. He smiled searching her flushed face with his pale eyes,
-dinner time. He said it as if it had nothing to do with food,
-Oh, she said starting to become aware of the position they were in and started getting more embarrassed,
-Max, could you
-He chuckled and rolled off her with a sigh. She took the opportunity to escape and jumped out of the bed. He just lay there flat on his back staring at the ceiling with a smile on his face and looking absolutely heavenly bare to the waist. His eyes suddenly flicked to her causing her to blush for being caught staring.
-Sorry. She managed.
-What for? He said sitting up and grabbing his suitcase like what had just occurred was a normal every day event,
-I don't mind if you look at me Lily. Look all you want. Without a word she turned and went into the bathroom completely ashamed at her behavior. Well that went well, he thought staring at the closed door. He opened his luggage and removed a cool white silk shirt and tan chinos. He purposely tried not to make a big deal about what had just happened between them because he knew she was knocked off balance and he didn't want to lend more to her discomfort. Truth was, he was in deep, deep trouble. The alphabet wouldn't help him this time. Nothing would. She surpassed his expectations in what he'd expected when he first touched and kissed her. So much for trying to keep his mind on business. There was no way in hell he was going to be able to concentrate on anything but her. In the bathroom, Lily was staring at her reflection in the mirror appalled at her behavior and even more appalled at Max's. He kissed her. All sorts of things were flooding into her brain with that. Did he mean it when he said that he wasn't that desperate for sex? If he did, that meant he kissed her because he wanted to. It was too difficult for her to fathom. How could someone like Max King be interested in her when he could have his pick of any woman he wanted? Cybil Dawn was incredibly beautiful despite her venom. Any man would be willing to overlook her vices just to date her. She blew a strand of hair out of her eyes and looked at the mess it was in.
-Guard your heart Lily. She whispered to herself. She brushed out her hair and smoothed the lines of her dress before she went back out just to stop suddenly. Max was waiting for her and he looked so devastatingly handsome in his casual clothes with his hair mussed up while leaning against one of the bed posts with his arms across his chest. He gave her a boyish grin with a glint of new knowledge in his eyes when she emerged and the blush she just got rid of, came back with a vengeance.
-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. If that 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 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 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,
-Don't leave our hosts on my account. She said with a bit of an edge before she turned and walked away.
-It must be jet lag. Said Nikos knowing it wasn't.
-She doesn't travel much?
-No, Max said staring at the doorway she walked through.
She was upset and he was sure it had something to do with their host's promiscuous sister. Lily wasn't used to competing for a man, not that there was competition but she didn't know that. He put up with Helene's advances but he didn't encourage them and he certainly didn't welcome them. He had spent the entire time through dinner fending off her advances although it looked entirely different to Lily because she wasn't used to Helene's experience and she obviously thought he was ignoring her. However he wasn't one to toss a woman on her ass either and there was also the consideration of her family. Truth of it was he couldn't take his attention off of her for a moment or she'd have been on his lap and had his cock in her hand if he'd let her despite her family being at the same table. She had attempted to grab his crotch several times under the table but he'd stopped her with his own hand. Frankly, he was disgusted with the woman's outrageous behavior, but he wouldn't cause a scene. He would definitely set her straight but later, when he got her alone. unfortunately Lily was ignored because of Helene's actions and Max knew was hurt over it. Several hours later Lily was still awake staring at the ceiling. Was he with that other woman now? She really had no right to feel the way she did. It was a mock engagement, but did that mean he could have another liaison in Nikos' house? After going over everything in her mind for several hours she should know better than suspect that Max was with another woman. He'd gone through great lengths to protect her and he wouldn't drop it all for a night in another woman's bed, even one as beautiful as Helene. Wouldn't he? He was a smart man. She took a deep breath and hoped to God her faith wasn't misplaced. After all, it was her he kissed, not Helene. Oh, and what a kiss! Just then the door opened and she shut her eyes rolling on her side pretending to sleep. She heard him moving around in the room then in the bathroom. A few moments later he emerged and she felt the bed shift with his weight.
-I know you're not sleeping button. People who are asleep don't breathe like that.
He said settling under the blankets. She never said anything. She couldn't help being angry about what happened even though she shouldn't blame Max. Women couldn't help themselves around him. He was just too darn sexy for his own good. She felt the bed shift and he got close enough so she felt warmth of his body at her back without coming in contact, then a hand on her shoulder.
-She's not my type.
-She seems to think so. She finally said quietly.
-We're engaged honey. He said with humor in his voice, but he didn't feel it at all. He was already hard with wanting her just knowing that her body was inches away from his.
-I remember telling you before that I don't stray. She could hear the smile in his voice and was sure he was smiling himself.
-Someone should tell her that. He chuckled and it sounded surprisingly sexy in the dark.
-I did as soon as I got her alone. She rolled toward him, putting her face inches from his,
-You did? she felt like weeping. Hell, this is completely unfair, thought Max as he caught the scent of her skin. He was sure it smelled like lavender. Also, knowing that beautiful lush body was inches from his near had him undone. Surprisingly he was able to keep his voice from cracking when he spoke.
-Yes.
What he didn't tell her was Helene ignored him and started fidgeting with the buttons on his shirt. It was easy to stop her from undressing him, but the hand on his thigh at dinner was a little more difficult because of the company at the table. No matter how angry he was getting over it, he didn't want to embarrass her family. First of all, he didn't like women who were not constricted with their blatant flirting and thought they were more desirable than they really were. It presented as desperation. Not only that, it wasn't that long ago that he'd been on top of the gorgeous woman lying next to him now. Nothing could compare to the desire he felt when he touched her and felt her move under him. Go slow, Max, Go slow, he reminded himself silently. He'd promised Luke.
-Thank you. She replied thinking it was a stupid thing to say but she was a little tongue tied at his closeness. She could feel the heat from his body and they were about six inches apart. It would be so easy to reach out and touch him.
-you're welcome, he grinned,
-Now go to sleep Lily, it sounds like we have a full day tomorrow and you're going to need your rest to play the part of a blissfully happy fiancé because I'm going to be all over you like white on rice. As it was, it was taking everything he had not to flatten her onto her back and seduce her.
-Oh. She said trying to stop the thrill that shot through her. She was distracted enough being in the same bed as him let alone knowing that he didn't sleep with Nikos' sister. Suddenly she felt his hand on her cheek with his thumb caressing her temple. Then it disappeared just as quickly as he rolled away from her.
-Sleep button. That was easy for him to say. Who could sleep with their heart going a hundred miles a minute? Then something occurred to her. It was odd that it hadn't sooner, but he had her all in knots.
-Max?
-Um-hmm.
-Does Luke know about our little sleeping arrangement?
-What do you think?
-I think as much as he cares about you, if he knew, he'd flip.
-probably. He answered letting himself smile. Luke may seem like the distinguished gentlemen but they had come to blows more than once as rangy young adults. Usually in some stupid drunken brawl over something he couldn't remember, but they were as close as brothers and if Luke knew that he was sharing a bed with his baby sister, he wouldn't hesitate to put his fist through his jaw.
-then why
-Go to sleep honey. He interrupted. Lily noticed that his voice was oddly quiet, not in volume, but tone almost as if it was hard for him to talk.