Page 36 of The Forbidden
Anais can keep her smirk.
And I will keep my dick firmly in my pants.
Far away from her, where it belongs.
Chapter 18
Anais
By Wednesday I am officially done with work and my boss.
Evan has always been demanding, but it’s as if he is going out of his way to make my days here more difficult. The workload he’s pushing on me is punishing. He’s penalizing me, but for what, I’m not sure. I haven’t left the office before six thirty the last couple of nights, determined to finish all the photocopying he keeps throwing my way. And when I left Tuesday evening, I’d finally cleared the pile.
Or so I thought.
When I arrived this morning, I found a new, larger, stack on my desk.
Janice eyed the documents, like it was a bomb about to explode. And me? I stared at the stacks of paper, eyes stinging with tears, wondering how I hadn’t broken yet. With every new file, it was obvious that Evan’s doing this on purpose. And for that reason alone, I would grin and bear it. If the asshole wanted to bury me in paperwork for the duration of my internship, I’d take it. I’m not giving up. No matter how much he pushes me.
It’s nearly nine p.m. by the time I finish copying the latest six-hundred-page monstrosity. The sun has set, and it’s dark outside. The floor is silent, and everyone else has gone home except for Evan.
Sighing, I rise from my chair, grabbing my purse. I’m finally ready to get the hell out of here, only to pause when I hear footsteps. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as Evan emerges from his office, his eyes on his phone. I turn, clearing my throat. He looks up and freezes, clearly surprised to see me still here.
He pockets his phone, giving me his full attention. For once, the usual cold indifference I’ve come to expect from him is replaced by something else. He looks exhausted. Exhaling, he runs a hand across his jaw. “What’re you still doing here, Anais?”
I raise a sardonic brow, my voice derisive when I speak. “Finishing up the mountain of photocopying you’ve assigned me.”
He nods, the corner of his mouth tipping up into a lazy smirk. “Well, go home. It’s late.”
“You’re still here,” I point out.
“Because it’s my company,” he says slowly, as if I’ve somehow forgotten. “I was on a call with a client in Tokyo.”
I frown. “But aren’t they like thirteen hours ahead?”
He starts walking. “Yes. It’s Thursday morning there.”
I follow after him, my eyes dropping to his tight ass of their own volition. Jesus Christ this man can wear the hell out of a suit. The expensive fabric clings to his firm thighs, his ass… I crashed into his back, so lost in my thoughts I didn’t realize he’d stopped.
“Shit, sorry,” I blurted, heat blooming in my chest and travelling up to my face.
He turns to face me, irritation flashing in his eyes. Ah, there’s the Evan I know.
I was wondering when he’d make an appearance.
“For fucks’ sake, Anais, watch where you’re going.”
My eyes narrow. “It was an accident, asshole.” That might be a little white lie, but I’d never admit I was ogling him. “Sorry we can’t all be perfect like you.”
His nostrils flare, his glare intensifying as he watches me. He doesn’t respond, just turns to the elevator and hits the call button.
This guy is such a bastard. And yet, I’m still hopelessly obsessed and in love with him. Maybe I was dropped on my head as a child. It would explain a lot. Clearly, there’s something missing in my brain to be pining over Evan.
Before I can analyze it further, the elevator dings and the doors slide open. He steps inside first. “Such a gentleman,” I mutter, my voice filled with sarcasm.
He smirks. “Nothing gentlemanly about me, Anais. Thought you’d have learned that by now.”
Huffing, I shake my head and step in beside him. He presses the button for the lobby, and as the doors slide shut, the air thins. It’s too enclosed, too confined, in this small space with just him. My breathing shallows, lungs seizing. I try to breathe. In. Out. In. Out…
