Page 16 of The Forbidden
I freeze. Then blink away my anxiety, before glancing up. He stares at me. Watching. Waiting.
“What? Why?” I snap, arms crossed over my chest.
His jaw flexes. He doesn’t answer, just tilts his head toward his office, his way of telling me to get my ass in there. “Because I said so. Now hurry up, Brat. I don’t have all day.”
I roll my eyes at the nickname. Evan, my brother and all their friends have called me that forever. Though Evan has used it sporadically, it seems to be his favorite word since I started my internship.
I shoulder past him and saunter into his office, taking a seat on the comfortable Wingback chair in front of his desk. The door shuts with a click. The sound of his footsteps is the only noise. My heart rate kicks up. One beat. Two. Three. I swallow, focusing on his office.
It’s immaculate, modern with its black marble desk, sleek furniture and own bathroom. Not that I’d expect anything else. God forbid Evan shares a restroom.
He settles behind his desk, powering on his computer, flipping through some paperwork on his desk.
My eyes narrow. The asshole is deliberately making me wait.
Not happening.
“What did you want to discuss?” I ask sweetly, drawing his attention to me.
That earns me a glare I’ve grown familiar with.
He stares at me for a long beat, his expression a little unnerving. Yet, there’s a stir of something else fluttering low in my belly, settling between my thighs.
He leans back in his chair, his face indifferent. He runs a finger across his full bottom lip, and in that moment a spark of jealousy ignites in my veins. I want to be that finger, goddamn it.
“Did my father inform you of Maxwell’s internal policies?” he asks coolly, snapping me from my errant thoughts.
I blink, clearing my throat. “What policies?”
He smirks, but it’s not friendly. It’s damn right predatory. “The no fraternization policy.”
I frown. What the hell is he going on about now? “I don’t understand.”
He lets out a low laugh. “Of course you don’t. You’ve never taken anything seriously, Anais. Why start now?”
There he goes again, belittling and criticizing me.
My stomach twists.
Does he really think so little of me?
My fists ball, and I scowl at him. “You don’t know me.” I spit. “I am taking this job very seriously.Fuckyou very much.”
I mentally go over the last week. This isn’t about his lunch. It’s…fraternization. Who the hell am I fraternizing with? I don’t talk to anyone apart from Janice and Eli…
Then it hits me.
Eli.
Evan sees the realization dawn, and smirks.
“Now she’s getting it,” he says smugly. “Get too friendly with the staff; you’ll be out. And trust me, you’ll be gone before Eli is. He’s more useful.”
I shoot out of my seat, hands slamming on his desk. I should walk away. He wants a reaction. But I can’t stop myself. “Nothing is going on with Eli. We’re just…” I trail off trying to think of the right word. “Eli is a friend.”
Evan lets out a sardonic laugh. My teeth clench. “Don’t be so naïve. He wants you,” he pauses, his voice dipping colder. “And I’m just letting you know if anything happens, you’ll be out of here.”
Jesus Christ, is it possible to want to wring someone’s neck and kiss them simultaneously?
