Chapter 13
Evan
“What’re you still doing here?”
I come to a stop as I step out of my office, surprised to see Anais still at her desk. A quick glance at my watch tells me it’s past eight p.m. The office should be empty now.
Anais glances over her shoulder, her eyes tired. “Copying this document.”
I frown. And then it hits me. I asked her to copy a nearly six-hundred-page document and deliver it to me today. In the chaos of my day, caught up in more important business, I completely forgot. A smirk pulls at my lips, as I cross my arms over my chest. “And you still haven’t finished?”
She huffs, turning her gaze away. “Ten more pages. Then I’ll send it over to you, your lordship.” The sarcasm is thick in her voice.
I chuckle. The truth is, the document isn’t urgent. I only gave her the task to be an asshole, a petty move to push her buttons, after her antics this week. Especially after her not staying away from Eli…
Truthfully, I thought she’d give up, tell me to fuck off, that it would be too much for her, that she’d quit. But she didn’t. The stubborn little brat is still here, scanning paperwork, and proving me wrong. Again.
“Go home, Anais. It can wait till Monday,” I drawl, as I move past her desk.
She pauses, then looks up at me, those lilac grey eyes flashing with fire. Something coils in my stomach, shifting lower. My dick twitches. My eyes widen.
What the fuck is going on?
I’ve never reacted to this woman. Never looked at her in that way. But now, for the second time this week, my cock is noticing her in a way it shouldn’t.
“You better back the fuck down big guy,” I inwardly scold myself. “Otherwise, we’re going to be having words. You don’t want Anais. You’re just confused. It’s been a while since you sunk into a pussy. If you behave, I’ll reward you this weekend.”
“No.” Anais snaps, yanking me from my internal pep talk. “I started it. I’ll damn well finish it.” The look on her face tells me not to argue.
I sigh, running a hand through my messy dark hair. Before I can think it through, I pull out Janice’s chair and take a seat beside her.
Anais blinks, surprise softening her expression.
“What’re you doing?” she breathes.
“Waiting for you,” I reply simply.
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. My eyes drop to the motion.
Arousal shoots to my groin, hot and unwelcome.
I tear my gaze away. Shake my head. Pull at my tie.
What the hell is going on with me tonight?
I’ve never had inappropriate thoughts about Anais.
Never wanted to touch her. And yet, here I am. Fucking hard as a rock.
Anais Lauder made me hard.
Harrison would kill me if he knew. Hell, I have a good mind to chop my fucking traitorous dick off for putting me in this situation.
Anais sets another page on the scanner with a sigh. “Just go, Evan. I don’t need babysitting. I’m sure you’ve more exciting things to do on a Friday night.”
She’s right. I do. But I’m also not going to leave her alone, not this late.
“I do,” I confirm, “but it can wait. Now hurry up and finish, so we can both get out of here.”
She throws me a glare, one that would make most men wither, and once again I feel movement in my pants. I grind my teeth. I don’t like it. Don’t understand it. I do know one thing though. My cock is clearly not listening to the warnings, so there’ll be no rewards for him this weekend.
“You’re such an asshole,” she mumbles under her breath.
“Never claimed otherwise,” I drawl easily.
Anais shakes her head, her lip curled when she speaks. “If this is how you treat women, I’m amazed any of them stick around.”
I smirk. “Not had any complaints yet, sweetheart. They understand what they’re getting into when they climb into my bed.” It’s true. I don’t pretend to be something I’m not. And I certainly don’t lead women on.
I like them to know the score before they even think about having my cock inside them.
Her lips twist up in disgust, but there’s a flicker of jealousy in her eyes.
Jealousy she has no business feeling.
“You’re disgusting,” she spits out, the paper crinkling in her hand as her fists ball.
I grin wider, wanting her disdain. Maybe if she hates me enough, she’ll stop playing whatever game this is. She’s not ready for a man like me. Not even close. As much as she thinks otherwise, she wouldn’t survive ten minutes with me between her legs.
“Maybe,” I say with a wink. “But they love it.”
Her mouth clamps shut, and she stares at me with wide eyes. I wait for her retort, but it never comes. Instead, she turns back to the scanner. The silence that follows shouldn’t bother me, but it does.
Why?
Why am I disappointed that Anais Lauder is ignoring me?
My jaw clenches, irritation igniting in my veins.
And why does the collar of my shirt suddenly feel tight?
Fuck me, I need to get out of here.
I stand abruptly, startling her. She glances up with wide curious eyes.
Something strange happens when I stare into the unique color of them. My body feels hot all over. Maybe I’m coming down with something? The flu?
I tug at my collar, loosening what feels like a noose around my neck.
“That’s enough for today. Let’s go.” My voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.
“I’ve got one page left. I’m finishing it. But you feel free to leave at any time.”
I narrow my eyes. “Do it. Then email it Monday. But wrap it up, security’s locking up the building. So, hurry the fuck up and don’t test me, Brat.”
She rolls her lips over her teeth, trying to hide her triumphant smile. My jaw tics. The brat could do with learning a lesson or two. But it won’t be me teaching her.
Anais Lauder has always gotten everything she desires. But she needs to realize the world doesn’t work like that.
And that starts with me.
Because despite wanting me, she’ll never have me.
I don’t care if my cock’s confused, or she bats her long lashes. I don’t want her. My head doesn’t want her.
And eventually my body will get the message.
“You know what?” she says, voice casual but her eyes flashing with amusement. I already know whatever she says next will piss me off.
“Please,” I drawl dryly, “enlighten me?”
“You need to let loose once in a while, Evan. You’re so stiff all the time, you look like you’ve got a stick permanently shoved up your ass.
I mean that might be your thing – I don’t judge – But.
” My teeth grind together, which only seems to encourage her.
She’s enjoying this. “Maybe you should come have some fun for once. Blow off some steam. I know just the place.”
Oh, if only she knew about the place I went for fun. How exactly I let off steam. It would give her nightmares for months.
But still, Anais loves this game we seem to be playing and who am I to deny her fun?
And even though I’d rather chop off my balls than go anywhere with her, I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of being right.
I have fun, plenty of it actually, but I can’t deny something shifts when I’m around Anais. It’s like I’m always on edge, bracing myself and waiting for her to pounce.
And without a doubt she’d pounce if I gave her the chance.
I would bet my whole fucking bank account on it.
I motion toward the elevator, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Lead the way, Brat.”
Of all the places Anais could bring me, we end up in a shitty karaoke dive in one of the shadiest parts of the city. She’s on stage now, belting out a song I can’t name, sounding like a strangled cat, and loving every second of it.
Anais can’t sing for shit, but damn if she doesn’t light up the place. She’s in her element, not a care in the world.
I’ve never seen this side of Anais Lauder.
Imperfect. Free. And for some reason, I don’t hate it.
It intrigues me. Honestly, except for a brief time after the Valentina fiasco, I haven’t spent much time with her since childhood.
I just assumed she was another entitled, wealthy kid, like most children of the rich and famous.
Yet, here in this dingy bar, a place none of my friends or anyone I know would ever set foot in, she looks happier than I’ve ever seen her.
It’s obvious she comes here often. She knows the staff by name, and it seems as though many University students liked the place, given how many of them she greeted.
And as I scan my surroundings, taking in the dirty floors, the grimy walls and every single man in this place drooling over her, my blood boils.
For some unknown, insane reason, I don’t like them looking at her, and I definitely don’t like the thought of her in this place alone.
One boy in particular seemed unusually focused on her.
As the song ends, she bows dramatically and laughs when the crowd cheers. I sit straighter in my chair, bringing my beer to my lips and taking a sip as I watch her place the microphone down. She’s glowing. Chest heaving, face flushed. Alive in a way I’ve never seen before.
She walks back toward me, still catching her breath. My gaze drops to her breasts on their own volition, the way they sit perfectly in that pale blue blouse, the way they… I tear my gaze away when she speaks.
“So, what did you think?” she asks, eyeing me expectantly before lifting her bottle of water and chugging it down.
“I think strangled cats would have sounded better,” I deadpan.
A laugh bursts from her lips, and I can’t help the smirk tugging at mine.
“That’s the beauty in it, Evan. I don’t care how I sound. I just love the feeling it gives me when I’m up there.” She shrugs.
“You can’t sing for shit, Anais,” I tell her honestly. It wasn’t just bad, it was horrific.
She laughs, the sound so airy and light it hits me straight between the legs. I shift in my seat, adjusting my bulge discreetly.
Fucks’ sake. Don’t you start.
“How will I live, knowing Evan Maxwell doesn’t like my singing?” she pouts.
“Stop being dramatic.”
“Hey. You say I’m dramatic. But an octopus literally eats itself when stressed, so I think I’m doing okay.” I stare at her dumbfounded. She smirks. “Why don’t you have a go? You never know, you might like it.” She tilts her head, a challenge flickering in her eyes.
“Not a chance,” I drawl. “I think I’ve suffered enough for one evening. Time to leave.”
She rolls her eyes, but her face is filled with humor. “Killjoy.” She drops her empty bottle of water to the table and grabs her purse. “Come on then, sir. You can drop me home.” She winks.
My cock jerks when sir falls from her lips. And unbidden, I briefly wonder how it would sound in a different context. Her beneath me, moaning the word while I’m balls deep.
I quickly shake the thought away.
Jesus Christ Evan, get it together.
Today has seriously fucked with my head. I need to get laid. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Elite and find a willing body to take my frustrations out on.
Because goddamn it, I refuse to think about my best friend’s sister in that way.
I refuse to want Anais in that way.
And yet, something inside me screams it’s already too late.