Page 30 of The Forbidden
Because it meant, in my own way, I cared. And that was one thing I couldn’t afford to do.
My phone rings through the car’s Bluetooth, pulling me from my thoughts. I see Harrison’s name flashing on the infotainment screen, like a goddamn warning beacon. These fucking Lauders. I can’t get away from them.
I click the answer button on my steering wheel.
“Yes?” I drawl, tone cold.
“Why didn’t you tell me you went out to a bar with Anais last night?” he demands, getting straight to the point.
I scowl at the accusation in his voice.
“Didn’t realize I had to report every single move I make,” I say nonchalantly, knowing full well it will piss him off.
“You do when it concerns my sister,” he growls. “Now why the fuck were you on a date with Anais.”
I laugh sardonically. A date? The fuck? That escalated quickly.
If watching Anais screech her way through and butcher several songs counts as a date, then my best friend really needs to raise his standards. None of us are the dating type, really. Except Jameson, who is still chasing a ghost of a woman for the past ten years. And then there’s Hayes whose priority is his baby girl. Sure, he beds women, but even that is more clinical than romance. And as for Jameson, I’m not sure what happens when he visits the rooms of Elite, but from what he’s told me, I don’t think he’s fucked a woman in a decade. He can barely stand to be touched. And the only woman whose touch he wasn’t repulsed by, disappeared without a trace.
“I’d hardly call it a date, Harrison. Could barely consider it hanging out. Every second of it was pure torture.” I spit, getting aggravated. “Your sister can’t sing for shit.” My huff of laughter is humorless. “Because truthfully, I’d rather havemy dick chopped off without anesthesia, than willingly sit through that again.”
Harrison grows quiet for a long moment. I relax, hoping that’s the end of this pointless conversation. But then he has to open his fucking big mouth again.
“Stay away from her, Maxwell. You know as well as I do, Anais has feelings for you.”
My brows shoot up. All this time, I thought he was oblivious to his sister’s feelings toward me. And here he is, proving me wrong. Motherfucker. He exhales. “Look, I don’t think you’d cross that line with her,” he says with an easy laugh. “It’s obvious to everyone in our circle how much she annoys you. But Anais is tenacious. Persistent. And for some unknown reason, she likes you.” I hear his distaste through the phone. “But underneath that hard exterior, she’s innocent. A good girl. She doesn’t know the shit we’re into,” he mutters, and I know without him saying it, he’s talking about Elite.
Truthfully, I understand – I wouldn’t want any of my friends near my sisters – but he’s reading too much into this. Nothing’s going on with Anais. Sure, maybe I’ve started seeing her differently, and there might’ve been times when my dick’s shown interest. But, anything past that, I engage my brain. And that knows it’s never going to happen.
“Harrison,” I start, trying for patience. “Don’t you think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself? She wanted to go to a karaoke bar. I took her. Then I dropped her off at home. Surely that’s better than leaving her stranded? That’s all it was. End of. Nothing more. Nothing less.” I don’t entertain the topic of her liking me. What’s the point? “I might be an asshole, but I wouldn’t leave your little sister alone in a shit part of town, at night.” I sigh, irritation slithering through me that I’m having to explain myself. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I stillcan’t stand her, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.” Even as I say the words, I don’t believe them.
Because once more, I can’t ignore the niggling feeling that something’s changed between us.
He exhales, clearly relieved. “Good. Now that that’s settled, when are you heading to The Hamptons?”
“Already on my way,” I tell him.
A beat of silence. “Oh. I thought we were hitting Elite tonight?”
I roll my eyes. Harrison doesn’t need me to hold his hand at the sex club. “Your neediness is showing and it’s really not attractive.”
“Be serious,” Harrison snaps, his tone laced with annoyance.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Sometimes my friends really do annoy the fuck out of me. “My answer is the same, Harrison. I’m not going to Elite tonight.” I say slowly, because clearly, he needs me to spell it out for him.
“But you always want to go to Elite,” he mutters, confused. “You’re usually the one dragging us there.”
And that’s the thing. Usually, I’d be the first one walking through those doors, looking for some kinky, no strings, release.
Gritting my teeth, I try to swallow down my impatience, but then… “Jesus fucking Christ,” I explode, my patience gone. “What is this? Twenty-one questions? No, I’m not going. What are you? My friend or fucking ball and chain?” I hang up before he can answer, done with Harrison and the conversation.
“Sweetheart,” my mother coos as I step into the entryway of our large Hamptons home.
“Mom,” I greet, smiling as she tugs me into a hug.
Her head pulls back to look at me, as her hands come up to cup my face. At six foot four, I tower over her five-foot six frame.
“I’ve missed you. It’s been too long.” She scolds, but the smile playing on her lips tells me there’s no weight to it.
