Page 19 of The Forbidden
By mid-week, Evan’s more of an asshole than usual.
And that’s saying something, considering his default setting is asshole.
He’s piling work on my desk, task after task, thrown my way without so much as a glance. And the way he barks orders at me, like I’m no more than a piece of shit on his ridiculously expensive loafers, it’s a miracle I haven’t thrown a stapler at him. Even Janice notices the shift, quietly pointing out how out of character it is for him.
“This new attitude of his?” she had whispered. “Not normal. He’s never usually…this tense.”
His behavior is confusing, but most of all it’s pissing me the hell off.
Still, I grin and bear it, flashing a sickly-sweet smile every time he demands something from me. I don’t flinch when he looms over me or slams files on my desk like he’s trying to break it. He wants the argument, but I don’t give him thesatisfaction. I just get on with my work, inwardly smiling when I see how my easy compliance irritates him. How his brows furrow, eyes narrow, and jaw tightens.
I haven’t seen much of Eli around since Evan called me into his office, pointing out the company’s policies. Maybe I’m delusional, but I swear he was jealous. Why else would he single me out like that, tell me to stay away? Maybe I’m just seeing what I want to see… but deep down, I know there’s more. Even Lana agreed.
My stomach flips. The thought of Evan being jealous, because Eli likes me, has a smile curving my lips. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, or be so easy, but maybe, just maybe, he’s finally starting to see me as more than Harrison’s little sister.
Hopefully that’s the case…
“Anais. My office. Now.” Evan barks, startling me from my reverie.
…Or maybe not.
I sigh, and glance over at Janice who gives me a soft smile, laced with just a hint of pity. Smiling, I roll my eyes and rise out of my chair. “Better go see what the devil wants now.”
Janice chuckles, shaking her head. “You’re handling it better than most would.”
I shrug, grinning. “Eh, I told you when I started. It’ll take more than Evan to break me.”
Janice snickers quietly and turns back to her screen, smirking.
I inhale a deep breath, straighten my spine and make my way into the lion’s den. He doesn’t look up when I enter. He’s hunched over his desk, staring at something on his computer screen like it personally offends him. Knowing Evan, it probably does. Without a word, he waves me toward the chair opposite him.
“Take a seat,” he mutters.
I close the door, crossing the space, and settle in. Fluttering my lashes, I purr. “You know, I’m starting to think you like having me all to yourself. That’s why you keep calling me in here.”
His head jerks up, those icy blue eyes narrowing to slits. “Your delusion’s showing, Anais. The fact you think I’d willingly want you anywhere near me is embarrassing.” He makes a show of moving his gaze over my face, lips tugging up into a sardonic smirk. I brace myself for whatever he says next. “Frankly, I’d rather be celibate for the rest of my life than put my dick anywhere near you, Anais.”
Ouch.
There it is, the signature Evan Maxwell cruelty. His eyes flick down, roaming my body. I feel self-conscious, but I’d die before I let it show. His words hit me harder than I want to admit. But despite the way my stomach drops, I quickly recover, plastering on a forced smile. “Huh. And here I thought I’d never hear your dick and my name in the same sentence. Now we’re getting somewhere.” I cock a brow, teasing. “Next step, marriage?” My voice is laced with sarcasm, the grin on my face wide and painfully fake.
Truthfully, the thought of Evans’s dick anywhere near me, of being with him, scares the hell out of me. It also thrills me in equal measure. I want it so bad, I can almost taste it. And I will taste it. I just need to keep chipping away at the walls he’s erected.
His jaw tightens, and I wait for his response.
My heart beats in my chest.
One beat. Two beats. Three.
Then he exhales and rolls his shoulders. His expression remains blank, indifferent, when he speaks. “You’ll beassisting my father this afternoon,” he says coldly. “Head on up to his office.”
That’s it?
No insult? No snide remark?
I blink, momentarily thrown off, before relaxing, and leaning back in my seat. “Of course,boss. Would you like me to grab you lunch first?”
Evan’s eyes narrow, as he studies me. I bite down on my lip, to hide the grin trying to break free. Fucking with Evan’s lunch has honestly been the highlight of my time here.
