Page 38 of The Forbidden
Who cares if it was a pity kiss on his behalf, his mouth was against mine. I don’t care about semantics.
“You don’t have to thank me, Anais.” A flash of irritation flickers in his eyes before it’s replaced by curiosity. “But what the hell was that?”
I shrink into myself, tucking my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around my legs. I drop my eyes to my feet, not wanting to look at him when I reveal a time I’d rather forget. I lick my lips, taking a deep breath.
“About six months ago…I was attacked.” I tell him, my voice small. “Lana and I went to a party. I wasn’t feeling well, so I left early. On my own,” I clarify, my throat tightening. “The party was at a penthouse, off campus,” I exhale, trying to gather my thoughts. “I climbed in the elevator, not thinking anything of the man who stepped in behind me. It’s only when he hit the emergency stop button, I knew I was in danger.” Evan sucks in a breath, and it’s only then do I meet his gaze. His jaw clenches, his whole body rigid. He thinks he knows where this story is going, but… “Nothing happened.” I rush to add, wanting to reassure him. He exhales, nodding for me to continue. “He tried, but I fought him off. Security got there fast. I was in there for no more than five minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.” The laugh that leaves me is humorless. “Since then, I can’t…” I trail off, trying to compose myself. “It’s silly but, if they get stuck, I panic.” I admit quietly, embarrassed.
Large fingers grip my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Anais.” He says firmly, obviously reading my mind. “What happened after that? Did they catch the guy? Did you report it?”
I shrug, as if it’s no big deal. “No. When the doors opened, he got away before security could grab him. They had cameras, but they weren’t working. I have no idea who he was, so I didn’t bother reporting it to the police.”
His expression turns angry. Not at me, but the situation. He releases my jaw and runs a hand through his hair. “Jesus Christ, Anais, you should’ve reported it,” he scolds, and I shrink back. Sensing my distress, his expression softens. “Does your family know?”
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t want to worry them. You know how overprotective they can be. They’d have made me move back home. I didn’t want to worry them.”
He sighs in exasperation. “They should know.”
Before I can open my mouth to respond, the elevator jolts, resuming its descent. Relief washes over me. I exhale a breath, before slowly climbing to my feet.
Evan watches me closely, but I don’t speak. I’m too raw, too vulnerable and I hate that he witnessed me in this state.So, when the doors finally open, I rush out of the elevator, only to be yanked to a stop by a firm grip on my elbow.
I look back at Evan; my brow raised in question.
“I’m taking you home.” His words leave no room for argument.
“Sorry about that, Mr. Maxwell,” a tall man in a black suit approaches. “I’ve called maintenance to come check it out.”
Evan nods. “Thank you, Jerry.”
Without another word, he takes my hand and leads me outside onto the dark street. With his hand clasped in mine, I can’t help but think something has changed tonight.
And when my lips tingle with the aftermath of the kiss, I know that even if Evan doesn’t want things to change.
They already have.
Chapter 19
Evan
Tapping my finger against the steering wheel, I try to focus on the lyrics of the song playing through the radio, trying to do everything I can to ignore the woman sitting beside me.
The air is thick in the small space of my car, making it harder to breathe with every second that passes. I reach up with one hand, loosening my tie, tugging at the knot like it might help ease the suffocating weight pressing down on my chest. But it doesn’t.
I kissed Anais – willingly, I might add.
I pressed my lips against hers, stole the breath right out of her lungs. Sure, it was meant to distract her, but the feel of her mouth against mine… Jesus fucking Christ.
The urge to shift in my seat is unbearable, but I lock down every muscle in my body, refusing to give in to the impulse. Refusing to admit, to her or myself, that she affects me.
Anais had a full-blown anxiety attack in the elevator. No control over her emotions, just sheer panic. I saw the embarrassment in her lilac eyes when I pulled her out of it. But there was no reason to feel shame. We all had our idiosyncrasies. And I was no different. I can’t function at work if everything on my desk isn’t perfectly in place. We all had some urge we couldn’t control
Still, seeing Anais so vulnerable was unsettling. Considering how she acted toward me, all sass and fire…. I didn’t like it.
As I pull up to Anais’s building, I exhale a small breath of relief. One more minute, I will be rid of her. She’ll be out of my car. Out of my space. And I can get back to my evening. Might even make a stop at Elite before I head home, to let off somesteam. It’s past ten, but that’s early for a high-end sex club. Most of its clientele won’t show up until around eleven and midnight.
My thoughts are cut off by Anais’s soft, unsure voice and I finally glance over at her. “Will you…” she hesitates, sucking in a breath, her teeth digging into that pouty bottom lip. My traitorous eyes drop to her mouth without permission. I remember how her lips felt pressed against me. And when my cock hardens, my pulse kicks up in alarm. Christ. I clearly need a serious talk with my dick. “Will you walk me up to my apartment?” she whispers, her cheeks turning pink.
Once again, with her eyes wide open, she is allowing me to see her vulnerability. She’s exposed. Raw. My eyes search hers, and I sigh. I can tell it took a lot for her to let her guard down and ask. I don’t want to walk her to her apartment, but tonight I’ll make an exception.
