Page 8 of The Forbidden
“Jesus Christ, watch where you’re going, Anais.” The deep familiar voice washes over me. My heart pounds in my chest as arousal tightens my stomach. Jesus Christ. I both love and hate the effect Evan has on me.
I swallow, and when I finally look up, I regret it immediately. Evan Maxwell stares down at me, his jaw clenched, those penetrating, icy blue eyes drilling holes straight through me. I blink. My breath catches. Six months was long enough to forget just how devastatingly handsomehe is. My mind or the pictures didn’t do him justice. Not even a little bit.
Evan Maxwell is so hot you feel the burn every time he’s close.
As if he can hear my thoughts, something sparks in his gaze.
“Instead of staring at me, you might want to get yourself to the thirty-eighth floor before you’re officially late.”
That snaps me into action. But I remember, I’m not the same girl, I was six months ago. I square my shoulders and meet his glare with one of my own. “Nice to see you too, Evan.”
He lets out a humorless chuckle making me stiffen. And when he leans in, his hot breath hitting my ear, I nearly forget how to breathe.
“Let’s not pretend that you being here isn’t borderline stalking. I’m only tolerating this because my father left me no choice. Now get your ass upstairs. I’ll see you in my office in ten minutes.” He straightens and walks away without another word, tossing one more scathing look over his shoulder.
A small chuckle comes from behind me, and I spin, facing Clara, and the redhead beside her shooting daggers in my direction, and watching me with far too much interest.
“What?” I snap, a bit harsher than intended.
“You might want to get up there.” Clara replies with a knowing smile. “Mr. Maxwell values punctuality.”
Fuck my life.
Face burning, I nod and turn on my heel, heading for the elevators. No way am I giving Evan any excuse to humiliate me. Not today. Not ever.
The elevator doors slide open, and I hesitate for a brief moment. My heart thrums wildly in my chest, as I watch people rush inside, and I swallow down the fear. Now is notthe time to have a meltdown. Taking a deep breath, I step into the metal cart, hitting the button for the thirty eighth floor.
As we ride up, people get off one by one, until only I and a man remain.
He smiles at me, his expression soft and welcoming as he extends a hand. “Hey, I’m Eli. Haven’t seen you around here before.”
I smile back shyly, taking his outstretched hand just as the elevator comes to a stop on my floor and the doors open. “Anais. I’m interning for Mr. Maxwell this summer.”
His eyebrows lift briefly before he schools his expression and clears his throat. “Well, welcome. I’m in the finance department. You need anything, don’t hesitate to come find me.”
We step out into a long corridor, but before I can reply, another set of doors slide open. And there he is. Evan. His gaze flicks between us, his jaw tightening as he slides his phone into his suit jacket pocket. “I do believe ten minutes have passed, Anais, which means you’re officially late.” He looks to my new friend. “And Eli, I believe you have a meeting with the rest of your team.” It’s not a question but a statement. The hostility radiating from Evan enough to choke all of us.
“Of course, Mr. Maxwell.” Eli turns to me ignoring the looks coming from his boss. “Nice meeting you, Anais. Don’t forget what I said.” He smiles wide, throwing me a wink. He nods at Evan and walks off without another word.
“My office now, Brat.” Evan growls, already sauntering down the hall.
I sigh and hesitate for a second. Was coming here a mistake?
Maybe.
I have no doubt it’s going to be a long summer, but I asked for this with one goal in mind and when my eyes drop to his ass in those navy suit pants, I am determined to achieve it.
So, with a deep breath, I straighten my spine, and follow him down the hallway, preparing myself for whatever he is going to throw my way.
Chapter 5
Evan
Anais rushes into my office just as I’m lowering into the chair behind my desk.
It hasn’t even been two minutes and already that familiar irritation she always manages to ignite, starts crawling up my spine. I never used to feel this way about Anais. Truthfully, I never felt anything at all.
It sounds cold, I know – especially considering I held her in my arms when she was just days old –but Anais has always been insignificant to me. Just my best friend’s little sister. A quiet figure at family gatherings or the occasional house party.
