Page 57 of The Forbidden
“Because…” I trail off, trying to gather my thoughts. “It’s…” Fuck me, I can’t find the words. For the first time in my life, I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I just know I needed to get her out of there and away from that prick. “Fuck,” I run a frustrated hand through my hair.
“Because. It’s. Fuck? That doesn’t answer my question. Why–”
All I can focus on are her pouty lips, the way they move with every word… My hand darts up, wrapping gently around the back of her neck, and I pull her in slowly, slamming my lips onto hers, cutting her off. Her breath hitches but it doesn’t take long for the shock to wear off. In seconds her tongue tangles with mine and she’s scrambling into my lap, pulling me closer. I groan, the feel of her on top of me more than I can bear. My cock hardens in my pants, begging me to remove my clothing and bury myself inside her. She grinds in my lap, and I thrust up into her. Her kisses falter and I swallow the moan that falls from her lips.Fuck me. I should put a stop to this. Remove her from my lap. But I just can’t seem to stop.
I don’t know how long we kiss and dry hump on the backseat like horny teenagers, but when her soft voice gasps my name it’s like a bucket of ice-cold water being thrown over me. “Evan,”
I freeze and, sensing my retreat, Anais grinds into me harder, fusing her lips to mine as she kisses me fiercely. With a strength I didn’t know I possessed, I pull away, very aware of the fact that, once again, I am kissing Harrison’s little sister.
Anais stares at me in a trance, her eyes glazed with pure lust. Fuck me. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. Snapping out of her haze, she searches my eyes. Her face falls, and I hate the look staring back at me. Lifting her from my lap, I place her in the seat next to mine.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” I mumble.
She scoffs like a brat. “And yet, it has. Twice.” She reminds me as if I could ever forget.
I run a hand down my face, groaning, just as the car pulls to a stop. Glancing out the window, I see we’ve arrived at Anais’s building. “You should go inside,” I mutter.
She laughs, but its humorless. “Yeah, I should. Thanks for ruining my night, asshole.” Snatching up her purse, she climbs out of the vehicle as soon as my driver opens the door. I think that’s the end of it, but then she pops her head back in. “You really need to decide what you want and stop fucking with my feelings. It’s a dick move, and not fair.” And with that, she slams the door closed, leaving me on my own.
Frustration builds inside of me.
I know I should leave her to get on with her life, but for some unknown, very disturbing reason, I lose all sense when it comes to Anais Lauder.
I know I can’t have her.
But I’ll be damned if I allow the prince prick, or any other man for that matter, to have her.
I’m aware of how fucked up that is.
But while she works for me…
Anais will stay single.
Chapter 26
Anais
It’s been a week since the Maxwell showcase event, the night that changed everything. The night I experienced what can only be described as the kiss of my life. It’s also been six days since he stormed my date with the prince, and kissed me like his life depended on it in the back of his town car, before shoving me out when we arrived at my building as if nothing happened. And who said chivalry was dead?
I texted Evan on Sunday, hoping to initiate a conversation. His response? One word.
Me: Are we going to talk about what happened Friday and Saturday? The kisses? You ruining my date?
Evan: No.
And that was the end of that. While I fully intended to confront him on Monday, things didn’t exactly go to plan. Evan, in true cowardly fashion, avoided me all week. He even went so far as sending me to work alongside Uncle Christian’s assistant, claiming I’d be more useful upstairs. Of course this was all done via an impersonal email, not an actual face to face conversation. The audacity only fueled my anger.
What made everything even more confusing about Evan’s behavior was the renovations being carried out in the lobby. Specifically, the elevator – the one where Evan and I were trapped – is being replaced with a panoramic model. According to Renee, Christian’s assistant, the Maxwells are modernizing the already contemporary space.
Call me suspicious, but the timing is dubious at best. I had a full-blown panic attack in that elevator, and suddenly it’sbeing replaced? A panoramic elevator won’t cure my anxiety, but a view might help. Still, none of it makes sense. Not him ruining my date. Not the kisses. Not him ignoring me. Ironically, Fredrik has been calling and messaging nonstop, yet I’ve ignored him because my mind is focused on Evan. In my heart I know seeing Fredrik isn’t going to go anywhere, so I need to be honest with him and put a stop to whatever he thinks is going to happen.
Now it’s Friday, and I’ve officially had enough of Evan acting like I don’t exist.
I storm down the corridor, grinning when I find Janice gone for the day. I don’t want an audience when I confront the asshole. I don’t bother knocking. I push Evan’s door open and walk in, my steps faltering when his icy eyes find mine. With his phone pressed to his ear, his deep timbre sends a shiver down my spine.
“I know what the god damn piece costs. I don’t care.” He says, his voice low. His gaze never leaves mine. “Now if that’s all, I have…something that needs my attention.” He ends the call, and places his phone down on his desk. The silence stretches between us, the air turning thick, suffocating. I shift on my feet, suddenly uncertain. Maybe this was a bad idea. “If you barge in here without permission again, I’ll show you exactly what happens to insolent brats.”
My cheeks burn, as anger flares inside me. I count to five. I came here with a purpose and intend to see it through. I won’t be intimidated.
