Billionaires Galore!: Bedded by the Billionaire. Leanne Banks

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СКАЧАТЬ me to provide a significant college fund.”

      “For five children?” she said. “Isn’t that a bit much?”

      “I’ve got it,” he said. “But I’ve started dodging the opportunity to add any more godchildren.”

      “I can’t blame you for that. My goodness, no wonder you’re so cynical.”

      “No need for flattery,” he said, chuckling at her assessment.

      Her gaze softened. “But it is very generous of you to accept the responsibility.”

      “Financial responsibility,” he corrected.

      She gave a slow nod. “Whatever would you do if, for some unforeseen reason, you became the guardian of five children?”

      “Boarding school,” he said.

      Her face fell. “Oh. That’s why I’ll never sign your agreement for butter bean.”

      “You don’t really have anyone in mind to be the guardian for your child, do you?” he asked.

      She looked away. “I really am working on it.”

      He touched her arm. “Lilli, tell me the truth.”

      She bit her lip. “The closest I have is my good friend Dee. She’s loving and affectionate and adores children. But she’s also a free spirit and loves to travel.” She sighed and lifted her lips in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Maybe I should place a want ad.”

      “Never,” he said.

      “That’s what I have to say about boarding school,” she replied. The silence hung between them, thick with pent-up desire and emotion. It was so strong he could taste it.

      “I should go to bed. Thank you again for an amazing evening. Good night,” she said and turned to go upstairs.

      He felt the same twitchy sensation he’d felt the first time he’d met her. It was the same feeling of intuition he had just before he made a successful business move. He’d never felt it about a woman, he thought, shaking his head. Loosening his tie, he picked up the weekend edition of one of his newspapers and sat down for a few minutes.

      Restless, he decided to pour a glass of red wine. Taking it outside on the patio, he inhaled the scent of the flowers his gardener kept in meticulous condition year-round and listened to the soothing sound of the waterfall in the pool.

      Max wondered what would have happened between him and Lilli if they’d met under different circumstances. If she’d never been involved with his brother and gotten pregnant. For just a moment, he indulged himself. He would have seduced her immediately. He would have talked her into quitting her job so she could travel with him at a moment’s notice.

      The image of her pale naked body available to him at all times made him hard. She was a passionate woman and he would want to learn all of her secrets. He would find out what made her moan, what made her sweat and what would make her come alive in his arms.

      He would want to mark her as his with jewelry, but not marriage. Although he’d never invited a woman to live in his home, Lilli may very well have been the first.

      Of course, he would have asked her to sign a financial agreement that would protect both her and him for the time when their relationship ended. Every good thing came to an end, Max knew that. He suspected she would have refused to sign the agreement, he thought with a twinge of humor, and he would have had the affair with her anyway.

      He swallowed a drink of wine and ruthlessly cut off his little mental fantasy. With the impending birth of his brother’s child, there was far more at stake than Max’s libido. Even though he was encouraged by how seriously Lilli was taking her maternal duties, he knew that attitude could change for a variety of reasons.

      His own brother’s guardian had started out well, but when Tony had hit his teens, the guardian had seemed to give up. She’d allowed Tony way too much freedom and Max was convinced the lack of parental influence had sent Tony down the road into trouble and eventually to his death.

      Max refused to allow that to happen to another De Luca. If Lilli continued to refuse to sign an agreement with him, there were other ways. More drastic, more costly, but perhaps ultimately necessary.

      Two days later, Lilli left work a little early because Max had invited her to join him for dinner at The Trillion Resort’s rooftop restaurant. His assistant had made the arrangements with her, and she had no idea why he’d invited her. Since the auction, Max had worked such late hours she hadn’t seen him at all.

      She fussed over what to wear and finally chose a pair of maternity slacks and a silk top with varying colors of sea-blue that featured an Empire waist and fell nearly to her knees.

      She wore the sterling jewelry Max had purchased for her at the auction and had gone a little more daring with her makeup by giving her eyes a smoky look.

      Although she cursed herself for it, she wanted to look nice for Max. She rolled her eyes at the way she minimized her feelings. The truth was she wanted to make his head spin. It was only fair since the man could turn her upside down with just a glance.

      Max’s chauffeur drove her in one of the luxury sedans. As he pulled in front of the palatial resort, a valet rushed to her door to open it. “Good evening. Mr. De Luca’s guest?”

      She nodded in surprise as she accepted his assistance out of the car. “Yes, how did you—”

      The young man smiled. “We know all of Mr. De Luca’s vehicles.”

      “Oh,” she said, nodding. “Thank you.” She turned back to Max’s chauffeur, Ricardo. “Thank you for the ride.”

      Ricardo smiled at her and waved. “My pleasure, Miss McCall. Enjoy your evening.”

      Lilli made her way to the glass elevators that whisked her up to the top level of the resort. Walking into the restaurant, she looked for Max. A man beside her said, “May I help…”

      Her gaze collided with Max’s across the room and she didn’t hear anything else. He rose from the table where he sat, his gaze fixed on her.

      The intensity with which he watched her made her feel as if she couldn’t breathe. Her heart felt as if it were tripping over itself. Why did this man affect her on so many levels?

      She walked to his table and he extended his hand, taking hers. “You look beautiful.”

      “Thank you,” she whispered and took a shallow breath. “This is lovely.”

      “I thought you might enjoy a night out,” he said and glanced down at the necklace she wore. He touched the pendant and his warm fingers brushed her bare skin. “I like the way my gift looks on you.”

      The hint of sensual possessiveness in his tone gave her a surprising, forbidden thrill. She was a liberated woman. For Pete’s sake, what was wrong with her?

      “Have a seat,” he said before she could reply. “I already ordered orange juice and seltzer for you.”

      “Thank you.” She sat down and felt the hum of anticipation СКАЧАТЬ