Page 73 of The Forbidden
Dropping the piece of paper in my hand, I rise from my chair, wrapping my arms around his waist in a hug. “I’ve missed you, big brother. It’s been weeks since I last saw you.”
Untangling my arms from his body, he grins down at me. “I’ve been busy. But I thought I’d steal you away for lunch?” He glances around, his gaze landing on my boss’s door. Evan has been holed up inside, and I haven’t laid eyes on him since he arrived this morning. “You’re allowed a lunch, right?” he murmurs, his brow raised.
I roll my eyes. “Of course, I’m allowed lunch.”
As I grab my purse, Janice watches us with interest. I open my mouth to introduce them, but she beats me to it. “Mr. Lauder. How lovely to see you again.” She blushes and I roll my eyes. Naturally they know each other. Harrison has been to the Maxwell building many times.
“It’s been a while, Janice,” my brother smiles, sliding his hands into his pants pockets. “The boss in?”
She nods. “Yes. Would you like me to see if he’s available–”
“No need,” a deep masculine voice rumbles behind us, cutting her off.
My head whips around to find Evan leaning against the doorway. My eyes rake over his body on their own volition, taking him in. My heart stutters in my chest, the familiar tightening of my stomach taking hold at the sight of him.
It’s almost unfair, how attractive he is.
“Maxwell,” my brother greets, stepping forward and clapping a hand down on his shoulder.
Evan’s eyes flick to me briefly before shifting back to his friend’s. “What are you doing here, Lauder? Disrupting my staff.”
Harrison laughs, “You’re as friendly as ever.” He tsks. “I do hope you’ll have a better attitude for boys’ night?”
The flash of annoyance in Evan’s eyes tells me that my brother shouldn’t count on it. What’s wrong with Evan anyway? He’s been a lot more relaxed lately, more amenable, more approachable… more friendly.
Yesterday, he even greeted Eli using his preferred name.
“I’ll ask again,” he grumbles. “What are you doing here?”
Harrison rolls his eyes, pointing at me. “Taking my sister to lunch. Care to join us? Or is eating lunch too much of a menial task for the great Evan Maxwell?”
Evan bristles, glaring at his friend. If you didn’t know them, you’d think they hated each other. But I know differently. They’re best friends, probably the closest in the group. This is just their usual banter… with an edge.
“I’ll come.” Evan finally answers.
My brother laughs, mumbling so low, it’s barely audible. “Yeah, you need to fucking come. Some pussy might cheer you the hell up.”
Evan’s gaze narrows. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what Harrison just implied. If only he knew how often Evan has been coming and inwho. I choke on air. Both men look at me. Evan’s jaw flexes, his eyes flashing with amusement. Hebites down his bottom lip, trying to suppress a smile. Heat coils low in my stomach and I feel my body respond to him like it always does. The pulsing of my clit, the arousal seeping into my panties… it should alarm me.
But the panic never comes.
Instead, my smile widens.
Lunch is, without question, the most awkward meal of my life. Harrison mostly ignored me in favor of conversation with Evan, who he would see again tonight for their stupidboys’night. By the time, I went back to work, my mood was low. Anger floods my veins as I scan another sheet of paper, my mind focused on what was said between my brother and Evan at lunch.
I was in the middle of taking a bite out of a delicious lobster handroll when my brother casually dropped visiting a sex club they’re all apparently members of.
“You heading to Elite tonight?” Harrison had said casually.
I choked on my food, thinking I’d misheard. That was until Harrison looked at me with an amused smirk as he patted me on the back. After taking a sip of my Japanese tea, and gathering myself, I’d looked him straight in the eye.
“You’re a member of a sex club?” I asked incredulously, my voice rising.
Harrison grinned wider, all smug and unbothered. “Yeah. We all are.” My mouth gaped as he looked at Evan, for confirmation
My heart beat wildly in my chest, as I looked at the man I was sleeping with. The man I’d given my virginity. The cold,indifferent mask was in place. My stomach sank. He wasn’t denying it. It was true.
Swallowing down my tea, I pushed my food away, suddenly nauseous. My mind spiraled, wild with thoughts. Had he visited this club since we’d been together? What things did he like? Would he take me there?
