Chapter 18
Anais
By Wednesday I am officially done with work and my boss.
Evan has always been demanding, but it’s as if he is going out of his way to make my days here more difficult.
The workload he’s pushing on me is punishing.
He’s penalizing me, but for what, I’m not sure.
I haven’t left the office before six thirty the last couple of nights, determined to finish all the photocopying he keeps throwing my way.
And when I left Tuesday evening, I’d finally cleared the pile.
Or so I thought.
When I arrived this morning, I found a new, larger, stack on my desk.
Janice eyed the documents, like it was a bomb about to explode.
And me? I stared at the stacks of paper, eyes stinging with tears, wondering how I hadn’t broken yet.
With every new file, it was obvious that Evan’s doing this on purpose.
And for that reason alone, I would grin and bear it.
If the asshole wanted to bury me in paperwork for the duration of my internship, I’d take it.
I’m not giving up. No matter how much he pushes me.
It’s nearly nine p.m. by the time I finish copying the latest six-hundred-page monstrosity. The sun has set, and it’s dark outside. The floor is silent, and everyone else has gone home except for Evan.
Sighing, I rise from my chair, grabbing my purse.
I’m finally ready to get the hell out of here, only to pause when I hear footsteps.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as Evan emerges from his office, his eyes on his phone.
I turn, clearing my throat. He looks up and freezes, clearly surprised to see me still here.
He pockets his phone, giving me his full attention. For once, the usual cold indifference I’ve come to expect from him is replaced by something else. He looks exhausted. Exhaling, he runs a hand across his jaw. “What’re you still doing here, Anais?”
I raise a sardonic brow, my voice derisive when I speak. “Finishing up the mountain of photocopying you’ve assigned me.”
He nods, the corner of his mouth tipping up into a lazy smirk. “Well, go home. It’s late.”
“You’re still here,” I point out.
“Because it’s my company,” he says slowly, as if I’ve somehow forgotten. “I was on a call with a client in Tokyo.”
I frown. “But aren’t they like thirteen hours ahead?”
He starts walking. “Yes. It’s Thursday morning there.”
I follow after him, my eyes dropping to his tight ass of their own volition. Jesus Christ this man can wear the hell out of a suit. The expensive fabric clings to his firm thighs, his ass… I crashed into his back, so lost in my thoughts I didn’t realize he’d stopped.
“Shit, sorry,” I blurted, heat blooming in my chest and travelling up to my face.
He turns to face me, irritation flashing in his eyes. Ah, there’s the Evan I know.
I was wondering when he’d make an appearance.
“For fucks’ sake, Anais, watch where you’re going.”
My eyes narrow. “It was an accident, asshole.” That might be a little white lie, but I’d never admit I was ogling him. “Sorry we can’t all be perfect like you.”
His nostrils flare, his glare intensifying as he watches me. He doesn’t respond, just turns to the elevator and hits the call button.
This guy is such a bastard. And yet, I’m still hopelessly obsessed and in love with him. Maybe I was dropped on my head as a child. It would explain a lot. Clearly, there’s something missing in my brain to be pining over Evan.
Before I can analyze it further, the elevator dings and the doors slide open. He steps inside first. “Such a gentleman,” I mutter, my voice filled with sarcasm.
He smirks. “Nothing gentlemanly about me, Anais. Thought you’d have learned that by now.”
Huffing, I shake my head and step in beside him. He presses the button for the lobby, and as the doors slide shut, the air thins. It’s too enclosed, too confined, in this small space with just him. My breathing shallows, lungs seizing. I try to breathe. In. Out. In. Out…
I glance at him out of the corner of my eye. He looks completely unaffected. Cool. Composed. Nothing or no one affects the great Evan Maxwell. It’s maddening. For once, I’d like to see him break.
And then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, the elevator jerks to a stop, the lights flickering. My breath catches. If what I think is happening, is happening, Evan is about to see something I never wanted him to witness.
“Evan?” I say, my voice tight. “Someone’s just getting on at the twelfth floor, right? That’s why the elevator stopped?” I can hear my own panic, through the buzzing in my ears.
Evan glances at me. He frowns, as his gaze roams my face.
“Not exactly,” he says quietly. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head, panic tightening my throat.
“No. No, this can’t be happening. Get us out of here, Evan.
” My voice is bordering on hysterical. I back into the polished metal wall, nausea swimming in my stomach, limbs tingling, heart pounding.
I’m losing my composure in front of the one person I never wanted to see me like this. Pathetic. Anxious. Weak. Fearful.
My body fills with dread. I crouch down, hands covering my face as I rock backward and forward, trying to calm my frayed nerves. The walls are caving in. The past squeezing all the air from lungs. I’m going to–
“Anais,” Evan calls, but he sounds far away. I try to grab hold of his voice like a lifeline, but in my panic, it’s just out of my grasp. He pries my hands away, and I blink. He’s kneeling in front of me, his expression full of concern. “Anais, talk to me. What’s going on?”
“I-I-I,” I stammer, unable to get the words out as my anxiety builds.
“I need to get out of here. Evan, please get me out of here.” I cry, the terror building.
My vision blurs and I’m falling into a void.
Someone cups my face, and I jolt at the contact.
My panic spirals as I claw at hands. “Don’t touch me,” I whimper, but the grip only tightens.
“It’s me, Anais. Evan.” Someone shouts, startling me.
I blink, tethering myself to the familiar voice.
“It’s you,” I whisper. “Evan.”
One side of his mouth tugs up. “Yeah. It’s me.
” Releasing one side of my face, he brushes his thumb over the pulse point in my neck.
“That’s it. Breathe.” He gently rubs the spot.
I inhale, then slowly exhale, trying to focus on his handsome face.
“Good girl,” he murmurs and I feel the anxiety slowly drift away.
Then I freeze.
Because Evan is touching me.
He never touches me. Not ever. And I know he is only trying to calm me, but I like it far more than I should. My heart rate spikes again, but this time for a totally different reason.
“Relax,” he rasps, stroking that damn pulse point and misreading the reason for my erratic heartbeat.
Because it’s no longer being trapped in a confined space, it’s him.
And in this moment, I don’t care, because he does something that shocks me to my core.
Something I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for.
His eyes drop to my lips, and before I can process what’s happening, he presses his mouth to mine.
It’s not passionate by any means, but it’s grounding.
It’s real. My mind goes blank, I forget.
The fear. The panic. Everything except him and the feel of his kiss.
My tongue darts out, running along the seam of his lips, and I prod gently, hoping he’ll allow me access.
He doesn’t disappoint. Slowly, his lips part, allowing me to explore, and letting me take what I need.
Somehow, I end up clinging to him like he’s the only thing keeping me afloat. I forget we are stuck in an elevator, forget everything but the man in front of me, stealing my breath. Because kissing Evan Maxwell is everything I imagined and more.
His tongue tangles with mine, drawing it out, before he sucks on it.
The groan that emanates from his chest sends heat shooting straight between my thighs.
That is until he slowly pulls away and starts untangling me from his body.
I don’t know how I ended up wrapped around him like an octopus, but I know I want to stay this way forever.
Realistic. No.
Delusional. Definitely.
Evan watches me, a mix of lust and confusion in his icy blues. He licks his swollen lips. I stare at him, my gaze never leaving his face, not wanting to miss any emotion he might be feeling. My breathing is heavy, but for a totally different reason now.
Then he cups my cheeks again, his attention rapt on me.
“Breathe, Anais. In and out,” he says, softer than I thought he was capable of. I do so slowly, mimicking him. “Good girl,” he murmurs softly, and now that I’m cognizant, a thrill runs through my body. “That’s it, you’ve got it. You’re okay. I’m here.”
The fact Evan is here should set me on edge, and it would if he was being his usual self. But this version of Evan, the one in front of me, is different. It’s exactly who I need.
It takes a couple of minutes, but finally I relax, slumping back against the wall, my ass hitting the marble floor. My cheeks heat in embarrassment. I’m mortified that he’s witnessed my meltdown, but as I look at him, there’s no judgment in his eyes, only concern.
“Thank you,” I whisper, swallowing down the lump in my throat.
He exhales, and I can’t help that my gaze drops to his lips, the same ones that were just on me. My eyes widen as reality hits me right in the chest.
Holy fuck. I kissed Evan Maxwell.
Who cares if it was a pity kiss on his behalf, his mouth was against mine. I don’t care about semantics.
“You don’t have to thank me, Anais.” A flash of irritation flickers in his eyes before it’s replaced by curiosity. “But what the hell was that?”
I shrink into myself, tucking my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around my legs. I drop my eyes to my feet, not wanting to look at him when I reveal a time I’d rather forget. I lick my lips, taking a deep breath.
“About six months ago…I was attacked.” I tell him, my voice small.
“Lana and I went to a party. I wasn’t feeling well, so I left early.
On my own,” I clarify, my throat tightening.
“The party was at a penthouse, off campus,” I exhale, trying to gather my thoughts.
“I climbed in the elevator, not thinking anything of the man who stepped in behind me. It’s only when he hit the emergency stop button, I knew I was in danger.
” Evan sucks in a breath, and it’s only then do I meet his gaze.
His jaw clenches, his whole body rigid. He thinks he knows where this story is going, but…
“Nothing happened.” I rush to add, wanting to reassure him.
He exhales, nodding for me to continue. “He tried, but I fought him off. Security got there fast. I was in there for no more than five minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.” The laugh that leaves me is humorless.
“Since then, I can’t…” I trail off, trying to compose myself.
“It’s silly but, if they get stuck, I panic. ” I admit quietly, embarrassed.
Large fingers grip my chin, forcing my gaze to meet his. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Anais.” He says firmly, obviously reading my mind. “What happened after that? Did they catch the guy? Did you report it?”
I shrug, as if it’s no big deal. “No. When the doors opened, he got away before security could grab him. They had cameras, but they weren’t working. I have no idea who he was, so I didn’t bother reporting it to the police.”
His expression turns angry. Not at me, but the situation. He releases my jaw and runs a hand through his hair. “Jesus Christ, Anais, you should’ve reported it,” he scolds, and I shrink back. Sensing my distress, his expression softens. “Does your family know?”
I shake my head. “No, I didn’t want to worry them. You know how overprotective they can be. They’d have made me move back home. I didn’t want to worry them.”
He sighs in exasperation. “They should know.”
Before I can open my mouth to respond, the elevator jolts, resuming its descent. Relief washes over me. I exhale a breath, before slowly climbing to my feet.
Evan watches me closely, but I don’t speak. I’m too raw, too vulnerable and I hate that he witnessed me in this state. So, when the doors finally open, I rush out of the elevator, only to be yanked to a stop by a firm grip on my elbow.
I look back at Evan; my brow raised in question.
“I’m taking you home.” His words leave no room for argument.
“Sorry about that, Mr. Maxwell,” a tall man in a black suit approaches. “I’ve called maintenance to come check it out.”
Evan nods. “Thank you, Jerry.”
Without another word, he takes my hand and leads me outside onto the dark street. With his hand clasped in mine, I can’t help but think something has changed tonight.
And when my lips tingle with the aftermath of the kiss, I know that even if Evan doesn’t want things to change.
They already have.