Chapter 12
Anais
By Friday, Evan looks five seconds away from wrapping his fingers around my neck and not in a fun way.
I keep messing with his lunch, yet, somehow, he still insists I be the one to get it every day, despite the little surprises I keep sneaking in.
It’s childish, but the need to get a reaction out of him trumps my need to stop.
Still, he hasn’t said a word about the crunchy bread cubes.
I know for a fact he picks them out of his no-carb sub.
On Wednesday, I caught a glimpse through his slightly left ajar office door, and I watched him mutter curses under his breath as he picked the croutons from his turkey wrap and threw them in the trash.
But not one complaint. Not even a glare.
So today, I finally picked up his correct order. Guess I got bored with the games.
Striding into the elevator, I hit the button for the thirty eighth floor. Just before the doors close, someone slips in. Eli.
He’s a little breathless but still, he smiles down at me. Eli’s cute in his own way. Chestnut hair, brown eyes, and a kind smile. The type of guy I’d probably go for if I weren’t completely obsessed with my boss.
“Anais. Hey,” he greets, flashing me straight white teeth.
“Hi Eli. Haven’t seen you around since Monday.” I frown, remembering Evan’s little warning earlier this week. Did he talk to Eli too?
Eli grins wider. “Missed me?”
I blink, my cheeks heating. “Oh, no. I just thought it was odd. You’re usually around.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “So honest. I like it.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair, eyes fixed on me. “I’ve been locked up in my office, knee deep in figures with my team. Barely had time to use the bathroom let alone grab lunch.”
I nod, smiling mildly. “Sounds… fun.”
Eli chuckles. “Not exactly. Look, I was thinking, maybe we could–” He’s cut off when the elevator comes to a stop and the doors slide open.
He slides his hands in his pockets, eyeing me.
I get the distinct feeling he was about to ask me on a date.
It’s not ego speaking. Just instinct. There’s something in his eyes.
Eli seems nice enough, sure. But after Evan’s speech about the no-fraternization policy, I’m not about to get caught up in anything here. Not unless it’s with Evan.
I motion down the hallway with my free hand. “I should get Mr. Maxwell’s lunch to him.”
We both step out of the elevator. My eyes immediately land on Evan’s stormy blue ones, as he stands by Janice’s desk. One hand in his pocket, head tilted slightly as he watches me, watches us with a predatory gaze. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him.
Evan Maxwell is so damn handsome; it should be illegal.
His eyes spark as if he can read every last damn thought in my head. And then his gaze flicks to Eli. His jaw tightens. There’s a shift in his expression, something I find unreadable. What is that all about?
Is he… jealous?
That can’t be right.
Can it?
But with the way he’s looking at me right now. I know I’m not being delusional.
Eli clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him, his smile tight. “See you around, Anais.”
He scurries off down the hall, disappearing through a door at the end.
I turn to Evan, straightening my spine. Confidence, that’s what this man demands and that’s what he’ll get.
I summon every ounce of poise I have and stride toward my boss.
His eyes narrow as I approach, but his gaze never wavers from me.
Warmth pulses through me, heating my veins and settling between my thighs.
What I wouldn’t give to have a single taste of this man…
I stop in front of him, a smirk curving my lips as I offer the brown paper bag. “Your lunch, sir.” I barely resist the urge to curtesy like an asshole.
His lips twitch with a flicker of smile, but it’s there. And it’s for me. My stomach somersaults and in that moment, I know I want all his smiles, every day for the rest of my life.
“Watch your mouth, Brat,” he murmurs.
I bat my lashes at him, stepping closer. Even with heels, he still towers over me. For a fleeting second, I wonder what it would feel like to be spooned by him, but I quickly shove the thought aside.
Now’s not the time for those kinds of thoughts.
“I was a good girl today,” I whisper breathily. “No croutons.”
His sharp inhale of breath is all I need to know he’s affected by me.
My inner goddess dances with joy.
Evan growls, stepping back quickly and putting space between us. But when I meet his eyes, I freeze. Because those icy blues, they shine with lust.
A thrill runs through me, and I open my mouth to speak, to draw out more of that reaction from him. But before I have the chance, it’s gone. He blinks, and it vanishes, replaced by the familiar cold, indifferent mask he wears around me.
He clears his throat. “I’ve left some files and a single page desktop scanner on your desk.” His voice is rough. “I don’t want these documents going to the printer room, for security reasons. Scan every page individually and email the files to me by the end of the day.”
I glance down at the stack before my eyes shift to the scanner. My wide eyes snap to his. “There’s got to be five hundred pages there!” I blurt.
“Five hundred sixty-four,” he corrects, unfazed by my outburst. “And if you have to stay late…” he shrugs. “Then you stay late. I need them by close of business.”
“I could help–” Janice who has been watching the back and forth between us, is cut off before she can finish.
“No. You’ve got your own work, Janice. Anais can manage. Can’t you?” His voice drips with derision. His brows raise. “Unless you’ve got somewhere better to be?” he asks, his eyes sparking with challenge.
This motherfucker…
He wants me to fail. Thinks that I’ll quit if he keeps pushing me. All of this is pointless, nothing but grunt work. I mean, who even photocopies documents anymore? But if Evan wants it done, he’ll get it. There’s nothing he could throw at me that will make me walk away from this internship.
Nothing.
I flash him a sweet smile. “Of course, Mr. Maxwell, sir.” I lay the sarcasm on thick, and his jaw tightens. I smirk. “Consider it done.”
He eyes me carefully, clearly expecting a different reaction. Unfortunately for him, I refuse to give him what he wants.
“Very well.” He grunts. “You better get to work.”
And with that, he turns on his heel, and strides into his office, slamming the door behind him.
I grin.
Evan might not know it yet, but I’m keeping score.
And that right there, is another point to me.