chapter one.

Lily laughed at something David said as her eyes slid past his shoulder at the polished dark green Jaguar that slid up next to the curb and she groaned. She was never one on attracting attention but there would be plenty with that car. If it wasn't the car that attracted the attention, as soon as the six foot four Irishman got out, heads really began to turn.

Maximilian King had everything going for him. Besides being disgustingly rich, he was handsome, sexy and gave off such a seductive presence that every woman within eyesight swiveled their heads in his direction as if some unseen force called to them.

Just like her.

She hated herself for it because she fell so easily in that trap. Yet watching him now, she really shouldn't be so hard on herself. He was utterly gorgeous to look at and she was more susceptible to his magnetism because she had known him forever. You'd think she would have built up some sort of immunity over a period of time. Isn't that what happened when exposed to something over and over again? Yet, the more she thought about it, the more she knew there was no such cure for what she had.

It wasn't just women that fell at his feet. Men were attracted to his charisma like a magnet because he wore his success like a neon sign. Most successful people were easily recognized by the cut and cost of their suits, but Max didn't need that, he had a certain poise and self-confidence that told others that even if he were dressed in a sack.

To prove her point David noticed him immediately after he followed her gaze to the car.

―What is it?

He said turning his head, "Wow, nice car."

He paused,

―Is he looking at you?

―Yes, he's my brother's boss and apparently my ride home.

Obviously Luke couldn't make it and Max took it upon himself to pick her up. David released a startled wow 'when he spotted Max. Lily knew right then and there that David recognized him. Who wouldn't? Maximilian King was no stranger around here. The library of the college she attended was named after his family and there was a framed picture of them near the entrance. His father was filthy rich and Max had followed in his footsteps setting up his own fortune five hundred company that had created cutting edge communication devices and he was known to have the Midas touch in everything he invested in.

Her brother, Luke and he had gone to high school, college and eventually university together. Max got a MBA and her brother received a degree in finance and now ran Max's top communications company as his number one man.

She frowned as a young lady stopped and said something to him causing him to grin at her.

Wasn't any female resistant to his charisma?

She fumed as the she giggled and went on her way, but not without a flirtatious wave of her fingers. Maybe she wouldn't be so angry if he had flashed her that sinful grin every now and then. Instead she only got the smiles that were reserved for the little sister of a good friend.

―Your brother works for him? That's Max King, isn't it? Wow he's much taller than I thought. David saw with apparent awe.

She shrugged and guided her eyes to David's face that was now filled with wonder,

―Yes it is. And sexy, gorgeous and heart stopping, she thought to herself, nothing like the man standing in front of me. David wasn't ugly by any means, but he was no Max King.

Though she really couldn't fault David, not many men were gifted like Max was. At least in her eyes.

―Wow. He said again.

―You never said anything.

Annoyed, Lily tilted her head at him,

―It wasn't important.

Already she could see the interest in David's eyes at the prospect of getting to know Max so he would hopefully have a job for the summer as an intern. She felt a sinking in the pit of her stomach knowing that he was already lost to her. If anyone had Max's name on their resume they were guaranteed a job anywhere.

Somehow she was hoping he was different. All her life it was the same story. Just because they were friends with the Kings, people pretended to like them in hopes of getting close to the money.

―Of course not. David brought his attention back to her realizing his mistake and trying to recover,

―I just didn't realize that you had such wealthy friends.

―He's my brother's boss, that's all. She lied sparing a glance at the arrogantly handsome tall man who was now leaning against his car waiting patiently for her. He was in a totally relaxed pose with the first two buttons of his black silk shirt undone, his long legs crossed at the ankles and his hands in the pockets of his dark grey slacks. Currently, his attention was on something off to her left. Then he lifted his arm and spared a glance at the gold and platinum Rolex on his wrist, checking the time.

It wasn't that he was impatient or anything like that, because if he wanted to leave, he would have just told her.

Even after all of the years she had known him, he still affected her. It didn't help that he was devilishly striking with his dark Irish looks and grey eyes, impeccable taste in designer suits and had the sexual magnetism of an Alpha male in his prime. Always an enigma, yet charismatically appealing to her sex leaving a trail of heartbroken women in his wake. Unable to help herself she let out a frustrated sigh. The man couldn't help but be attractive, even David was falling over himself.

―Sure, that's why he came to pick you up instead of your brother. David added about her statement of being her brother's boss and nothing else. He didn't believe her because he knew all about Max King, and he didn't seem the sort to pick up relatives of employees. He was rich enough to send someone else to do it.

She eyed him for a moment unable to squash down the frustration. She'd gone out with David a few times to do her best to erase Max from her mind thinking that it was just a childhood crush that made her feel the way she did, but it didn't work. She still felt undeniably attracted to Max and if there was any uncertainty it was just wiped clean when he drove up. David was nothing compared to the man that Max was. He was a yes man, and Max was a natural leader. He was innovative and exciting and masculine to the teeth, and she knew then no one could ever compare.

―Whatever. I've got to go. She said suddenly fed up with him.

―Wait. He grabbed her arm.

Neither one of them saw Max suddenly stand straight and pull his hands out of his pockets balling them in fists with his pale eyes on the couple a distance away.

―Can you at least introduce me? He asked hopefully.

Appalled, she pulled her arm out of his grasp and glared at him,

―I should have known. Every time I get linked with Max King, I discover my friends 'true intentions.‖

He blinked twice and straightened trying to compose himself again,

―It's not like that Lily. Will I see you this weekend?

Clearly he was lying and doing a terrible job of it. While he was talking, his eyes were still locked on Max. She stared at him. Now that things were clear to her on why he wanted to see her, she was no longer interested. She would not be used.

―I don't think so. She inclined her head toward Max,

―My brother set me up with a job for Max this summer. She added with some satisfaction at the envy he couldn't hide,

―I'm going to be busy.‖

David looked back at Max still unable to hide the awe he had for him, Maybe you can put in a word…

―I don't believe this! Goodbye David. She turned and walked away frustrated and angry. Why did Max have to show up? She couldn't help herself but glare at him as she neared him,

―Where's Luke? Not only that, all of the women around them were practically falling over themselves to get a better look at him and for some reason she wanted to pull out her claws and scratch all of their eyes out.

―Hong Kong. He answered with a smile while standing erect and looking down at her,

―And hello to you to. He added seeing her expression and not seeming the least bit deterred by it.

She'd forgotten how sexy that deep voice of his was and stopped suddenly to stare at him as a shiver ran down her spine and he was so tall. She hadn't seen him in several months, but you'd think it was ten years by the emotions of longing he aroused in her. When she spoke, her voice nearly cracked,

―Hong Kong?

―Yes. He leaned down and opened the door for her,

―He'll be back tomorrow night if things go well. I told him I would make sure someone was here to get you get in button.‖ He added the last bit softly.

Button? He had called her that since she could remember and she never knew why because she was too afraid to ask. It sounded like a cutesy name, but when he said it, it sounded salacious. She closed her eyes for a moment to savor the affect it had on her. She had to admit that she loved the way her body reacted around him. It was like some sort of electrical current that only he could ignite.

Before getting in the car she turned to him, ―You could have sent someone else? He smiled again and she thought her knees just turned to butter. Oh why did he have to be so darn handsome?

―Would you have recognized one of my other employees?

I have over fifteen thousand. He smiled wryly.

She rolled her eyes,

―Fine. Point taken. She protested because she was afraid of making a fool out of herself on the ride to Luke's apartment. His closeness always turned her into a bumbling fool. Silently she prayed from strength to resist his effect on her knowing that it was pointless.

He looked back at David who was still standing where she'd left him and his expression darkened,

―who's your friend?

―Nobody now, thanks to you. She shot, getting in the car missing the expression of relief that spread across his face.