Page 53 of The Forbidden
When he says Mr. Maxwell, which one does he mean?
Christian?
Or…Evan?
In my hopeless, delusional mind, it’s the latter. Maybe Evan’s jealousy got the better of him. Maybe he couldn’t standthe thought of Freddy owning the necklace? A girl can dream. I roll my eyes. Enough of this nonsense. Stop thinking abouthim.
Shoving all thoughts of Evan aside, I focus on the man in front of me. The real-life prince.
He might not be the man I want, but he’s the one that asked me to dinner.
And for that alone, I owe him my attention.
So, with every ounce of self-control I possess, I push Evan to the back of my mind and allow myself to enjoy the company of a man who actually wants mine.
Chapter 25
Evan
Tonight, I found myself in an exclusive member-only bar, having drinks with Harrison, Nathanial and Parker.
Since last night, the only thoughts playing on a loop in my mind were Anais and that damn kiss. I needed a distraction. Stupidly, I thought drinks with my friends would help me forget the best kiss of my life. It hasn’t. My mind was a mess of all things the brat, and worse, I’d willingly thrown myself into the hole I had found myself in. Worryingly, I was starting to believe I wouldn’t be able to crawl out of it unscathed. Not now that I knew how it felt to have those perfect lips on me.
I never should’ve kissed her. Hell, I never should’ve dragged her into that room to begin with. But the possessive side of me had taken over, and I lost all control of myself. It wasn’t the first time. And I was quite sure it wouldn’t be the last. Realization of the unsettling kind washes over me, and a groan bursts from my lips.
Jesus Christ. Deep… deep,deepdown, I know I’m royally fucking screwed.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Maxwell?” Harrison’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I blink, my eyes snapping to his. The curious look on his expression makes me scowl.
Clearing my throat, I mutter out. “Nothing.”
Harrison cocks a brow. “Nothing?” he repeats slowly. “You just groaned like you’re in pain or have constipation. And you’ve been spaced out since we have been here.” He points an accusing finger at me. “What gives? Hmm? Is our company,” he gestures to our friends, “not good enough for his royalassholeness.”
Bristling, I run a frustrated hand through my hair, ignoring the knowing look on Nathanial’s face. “Fucking hell, Lauder. I’ve got a lot going on at work. Didn’t realize I was required to shower you with attention at these get-togethers. Needy much?”
His eyes narrow. “Not needy,” he shoots back, not missing a beat. “But if you’re going to be here, at least be fucking present.” The bite in his tone makes my jaw clench.
Tamping down the response I really want to give him; I settle back in the leather chair. My gaze shifts between my friends, narrowing at the smirk on Nathanial’s face. “So, what were we talking about?”
The smirk on Nathanial’s face sets me on edge. And when he speaks, there’s no words for the burning sensation that slithers through my veins. “Nothing important. Harrison was just telling us; Anais has a date with a prince tonight. He’s taking her to Rodrigo Central Park. Fancy, huh?” he muses.
Red.
My vision turns red.
A prince?
She is on a fucking date with that prick prince after our kiss.
No fucking way.
I abruptly shoot up out of my seat, my body trembling with barely contained rage. Right now, I don’t care that my reaction might look strange. I only care about one thing.
Getting to Anais.
“What are you doing?” Harrison barks, hands clamping the table to steady it.
“I just remembered, I have an… important conference call.” I mumble the first thing that comes to mind.
