Page 21 of The Attraction File

I know Evaleen didn’t see me in that way, but it didn’t stop me from wanting to keep men away from her. There haven’t been any men in her life that I knew of yet, but I figured one day I would encounter that. I just hoped I didn’t lose it when it happened.

Based on how I wanted to rip that waiter to shreds for just giving her the creep eye, I would say my chances weren’t good for keeping it together.

“What? Oh, ha, yeah. He must be a pervert then.”

Bringing my attention back to Evaleen, she was frowning and shrinking. Her hand grasped at her jacket, closing the gap of what little skin her chest exposed while sliding down in her chair. My heart picked up in concern.

I reacted too strongly to the waiter and must have scared her.

“You know what, Edgar? I just remembered I have to get back for a meeting I forgot about. Here is some cash for the food.”

She reached into her jacket pocket and took out a folded-up bill but I waved it away. “No, Evaleen. I’ll put some money down and walk you back. I forgot I’m supposed to eat lunch with Henrik today.”

Henrik had texted me that he was coming to my office to discuss something important right after Morgana left the restaurant. I ignored it because I wanted to be with Evaleen. But now, it looked like I said something to upset her.

I didn’t understand. I was great with women. Always knew what to say, but with Evaleen, it seemed anything that came out of my mouth made her hate me even more.

I took out my wallet and threw some money down. Evaleen was already heading toward the door.

I managed to catch up to her just as she stepped onto the sidewalk. Her head was down, which I assumed was due to the wind. We made it back into the lobby in no time.

As we walked side by side to the elevators, my hand accidentally brushed hers and I felt a shiver run up my arm. Evaleen jerked hers away, rubbing her hand.

Static was a problem in Chicago during the winter. Yeah, static.

A few people were waiting for the elevator and we joined them.

“Do you want me to go back and have the waiter wrap up your food?” I threw my thumb over my shoulder gazing at Evaleen.

She still had her head down.

My heart picked up. Something was very wrong and I had no idea how to fix it.

“Evaleen, did I say something wrong?”

Her head jerked and her eyes flickered up at me for a moment. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Edgar. I have a meeting.”

Despite her reassurance, I felt like this was all my fault.

The doors opened to the elevator and we pushed our way inside. It was crowded, and Evaleen was pressed to the back with me facing her. I thought the doors would close but more people kept getting on.

With Evaleen’s height and her in heels, we were just about eye level. I tried to look at the wall behind her but my eyes kept drifting back to her face. The blushing cheeks, the silky path from her ear to just under her jacket, and finally, those lips.

Her head had lifted a little but turned away from me. She was so beautiful I couldn’t help but stare at her. And she smelled so good. Like, I wanted to push-every-article-of-clothing-away-and-savor-her good.

“Evaleen.” It slipped out so deep but soft that I wondered if I had said anything.

Her eyes darkened when they found mine. I braced my hands on either side of her as her chest moved rapidly.

The heat from the elevator was stifling, but that didn’t stop me from easing closer to Evaleen until we touched. I felt every soft edge she hid under all that wool.

Her lips parted but that’s not what made me do it. Evaleen’s eyes moved to my mouth, and I knew in that moment they were begging for me.

Maybe that’s what I told myself because I dipped my head and brushed those sweet lips. That mouth that had filled my fantasies for so many years. I didn’t even care that I was in an elevator full of people at work.

Then the elevator doors opened and some people stepped out.

“Edgar. There you are.”

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