Page 69 of The Forbidden
Evan.
“What’re you doing here?” I breathe, trying to sound stronger than I feel.
He slides his hands in his pockets, his icy blues raking over me, leaving trails of heat on every part he touches. Then his gaze meets mine. My heart hammers in my chest and I shift, suddenly aware of how I look. Hair in a messy bun on top of my head, bags under my eyes. Beige sweats. I’m a fucking mess, and less than prepared to face Evan Maxwell.
“You look… different,” he finally speaks. His deep rumble washes over me, making me shiver, and I resist the urge to close my eyes and soak in the sound of his voice.
I roll my eyes. “Sorry,boss,” my voice is filled with sarcasm. “If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve dressed for the occasion.”
His eyes spark, a hint of a smirk tugging at one corner of his lips. He’s so sexy my brain nearly short circuits. “You better watch that sassy mouth, Brat, or I’ll bend you over my knee and spank the attitude out of you.”
My heart stalls in my chest. Arousal tightens my stomach. One sentence out of this man’s mouth and I’m a panting mess. I’m still pissed at him. I need to be strong. Show him he can’t just walk all over me. My gaze narrows. “What do you want, Evan?” Instead of answering, he brushes past me, grabs my wrist and pulls me inside, slamming the door shut behind him. “Come in, why don’t you?” I mutter sardonically.
“Oh, I will,” he drawls, pausing and eyeing my little pity party like it’s all that’s wrong in the world.
I suddenly feel defensive of my little set up, and move to stand in front of him, trying to block his view. I cross my arms over my chest, glowering at him. “I’m not going to ask again. What’re you doing here, Evan?”
The smile that crosses his face takes my breath away, and I will my thumping heart and hormones to calm the fuck down. We. Are. Mad. At. Him. He. Took. My. Virginity. And. Left. Me. To. Deal. With. The. Aftermath.
I remind myself, but it’s no use.
The heart wants what the heart wants.
“You’re cute when you’re mad.” He smirks, running a finger down my cheek. I pull away. He sighs. “Okay. I wanted to see you.” I raise a disbelieving brow. “I don’t apologize, to anyone,” he continues. “Not ever–”
“Is this supposed to make me feel better?” I snap, cutting him off.
His jaw tightens. For a second, I think he’s going to reprimand me for my attitude. But then he runs a hand through his hair and exhales. “Listen, regardless of what you said, I know yesterday meant something to you. I shouldn’t have just left you like that.”
“Wow, Evan Maxwell taking accountability for hisassholeness. Alert the media.”
“Assholeness?”he repeats, scowling. “That’s not even a word.”
I laugh, but it fades into a serious look. “I appreciate the…” I trail off trying to think of the right word. It wasn’t exactly an apology, but it’s as much as I’m going to get from Evan, so that’s got to mean something. Right? “I appreciate you coming here. I don’t want things to be awkward at work, and that...” I wave my hands toward him. “Sort of apology, helps.” He nods, his expression indifferent. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, or if he’s going to say more. His blank mask is firmly in place. “So if that’s all…” I widen my eyes, shifting on my feet.
Evan freezes, then he blurts four words I never expected. “I want you again.”
I freeze. Blink. Then I gaslight myself into thinking I misheard him. Did I hear him right? I definitely heard that right. My smirk is unstoppable. “Well, well, well, the great Evan Maxwell, who doesn’t do girlfriends, wants more.” I tease, nudging him. “Even when you consider me dressed less than acceptably?”
His jaw clenches, his glare intense. “I don’t do girlfriends,” he grates, throwing out that reminder once again, as if I could ever forget. “This would just be sex. I could …” he smirks smugly. “Teach you.”
I feel a rush of heat leak into my panties, and I clench my thighs together, hoping he’ll miss it, but this is Evan and of course he notices. Perceptive bastard.
“How very noble of you,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “Teach me all things sex. Fuck me when it’s convenient for you. How could a lady resist such an offer?” No way would I ever refuse the chance to have Evan between my thighs again, but I at least want to mess with him a little. And maybe thiswould work out in my favor. If we’re sleeping together, surely there’s a higher chance of him falling in love with me?
In my head, I mentally calculate the chances of that.
“Don’t pretend it’s not something you want, it’s unbecoming.” His voice drags me from my thoughts. “I can see the arousal in your eyes, smell it dripping between your thighs.” I jerk as if I’ve been shocked by an electric current. Who knew Evan Maxwell had such a dirty mouth. His eyes narrow. “But that means no Eli and noFreddy.”
I roll my eyes. I messaged Fredrik days ago to tell him I wasn’t interested in anything more. Like the gentleman he is, he wished me well and that was that. As for Eli, I have no interest in him in any capacity other than a friend. What will it take for Evan to see I only have eyes for him?
“That’s a non-issue.” I shoot back. “But what happens when you decide you’re done?” I ask. “You’ll go back to just being my brother’s asshole friend and I’ll move on, experienced and knowing how to please a man.”
I don’t miss the flash of jealousy sparking in his eyes. He steps closer, wrapping an arm around my waist, and pulling me into him. His head drops to my neck, inhaling me – something I’ve noticed he likes doing – and his hot breath hits my ear. “Trust me. You won’t want another man. Not after me.” I shiver. He laughs. “My cock will be imprinted on your pretty little pussy, a constant reminder of the fuck of your life.” He nips my ear, and a moan falls from my lips. “When I’m done, you’ll never want anyone else. You’ll spend the rest of your days celibate, wishing and praying for one more chance with my dick.”
I snap out of my trance, growling. “You’re such an asshole.”
He steps back, his expression serious, dark. “So you keep telling me,” he drawls. “But you still want me. So, what do you say? Do we have a deal?”
