Chapter 16
Anais
Late Sunday morning, I arrived in the Hamptons with my family.
We didn’t drive. Instead, we took my father’s helicopter and were landing just thirty-five minutes after takeoff. It was a quick trip, thankfully, because the sun was shining and I had every intention of laying out by the pool before dinner with the Maxwells.
And now here I am. Kindle in hand, lounging in the sun, enjoying a spicy romance about a brother’s best friend.
I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever live a reality like this, or if I’ll spend the rest of my life living this fantasy vicariously through books.
God, I hope it’s the former. Like the main male character in this story, I want Evan to have a filthy mouth and an even filthier imagination.
I want him to take control. Ravish me. Show me everything.
Bend me over his organized office desk, push inside me and fuck me until I don’t know my own name…
For a long moment I imagined how big his cock is. I know for a fact he’s packing.
The man radiates big dick energy. And the outline of his length shows in whatever he wears, bold, proud and always on display. Always demanding attention.
Jealousy slithers through me at the thought of other women looking at him.
“What are you doing, sweetheart?” my mother’s voice startles me from my thoughts, and my head snaps up to find her smiling down at me.
I clear my throat, her inquisitive stare making my cheeks heat. I set my Kindle down. “Nothing. Just reading and catching some rays.”
She nods, lowering into the lounger beside mine. “Elena just called. Lunch is at three, so we need to leave by two thirty.”
“Okay,” I draw out the word, grabbing my phone to check the time. “It’s twelve fifteen. I’ve still got plenty of time to make myself presentable.”
She rolls her eyes, a smile twitching her lips. “So, how’s the internship going?”
Sighing, I sit up, giving her my full attention. “It’s good.”
Her brows raise. “Just good?”
I shrug. “There’s not much to tell you, Mom. It’s busy, but I’m enjoying it. I helped Uncle Christian and Aria this week, with a project they’re working on, which was fun.” My smile is wide as I remember how they both took me seriously when I pitched ideas for the new line.
“And what about Evan? Everything okay there?”
Just the mention of his name has my stomach fluttering. That man… the things he does to me without even trying. I smirk. “Yeah, it’s fine. You know how Evan can be, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
She studies me, a knowing glint in her eyes. Then she sighs. “That crush of yours, it isn’t going anywhere, is it?”
I freeze, my eyes widening as I choke on my own breath. “What?”
She laughs, rising from her lounger. “Oh, sweetheart. You didn’t really think you were being subtle, did you?”
Shock washes over me. What the hell is going on? First Harrison, now Mom? It’s obvious I’ve not been doing a very good job at hiding my feelings. I really need to work on my poker face.
I could deny it. Tell her she’s imagining it. But what’s the point? I don’t want to hide how I feel.
Exhaling, I shield my eyes from the sun as I meet her curious gaze. She brought it up. Now it’s time for her to learn the extent of my feelings. “It’s not just a crush. I love him, Mom.”
By the way she sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes wide, I know she’s shocked. “Love?” she gasps. “Jesus, Anais. I thought it was just a little innocent crush.”
I shake my head, pressing my lips together. Embarrassment slithers through my veins. I can’t believe I said that out loud. Nothing has ever happened between Evan and me, and though Mom would never judge me, I just admitted I’m hopelessly in love with a man who might not feel the same.
God. I really am an embarrassment to womankind. And yet, I can’t help the way I feel.
“Don’t give me the, you’re young, you don’t know what you want lecture, Mom.” I warn softly. “I know how I feel. I’ve been in love with him since before I knew what the word meant.”
She searches my face for a long minute and when she finally speaks, her words are filled with encouragement.
“Sweetheart, I’m not going to tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel.
If it’s love you feel, I’m not going to demean that or tell you differently.
You only get one life, Anais. If it’s Evan you want, you fight for him with all you have. ”
And just like that I’m reminded where I get my… grit from.
A smile curves my lips. My mother is right, but there is still one problem. My brother. Dropping my gaze, I chew my lip wondering if it’s possible to overcome that small hurdle. There are a lot of things standing in the way of my happiness, but my brother is one of the largest obstacles.
“Harrison visited me yesterday,” I start. “He knows how I feel about Evan, but he wasn’t exactly supportive,” I admit, glancing up at her. “He told me to stay away.” Her brows raise. “Said I deserve someone who’ll worship the ground I walk on, and that man isn’t Evan.”
Mom smiles, taking my hands in hers and squeezing them gently. “Don’t worry about your brother, honey. He’ll come around. Follow your heart, Anais. Don’t stop until it’s yours.”
Stepping out of my father’s SUV, I smooth down the material of the green maxi dress I settled on after several wardrobe changes.
It’s backless with a plunging neckline and might be considered too much for a family lunch, but I feel good in it.
There’s also a large part of me that wore it hoping it would get Evan’s attention.
But then, that’s nothing new. Getting Evan to notice me has been my whole personality for the last couple years.
“You could’ve at least tried to cover up,” my brother mutters as he rounds the vehicle, his voice laced with annoyance as he glares at my dress like it’s a giant pile of shit.
I blink, offended by his comment, but it soon passes. Nothing or no one will ruin today’s festivities.
Tilting my head, I smile sweetly, “Now why would I do that? It’s a warm day, Harrison.
Would you prefer I wear a wool sweater?” I jerk my chin toward his shorts and short sleeve dress shirt.
“Your legs and arms are on display, and yet, I’m not calling you out for it.
Didn’t take you for a misogynist, dear brother. ”
Slipping a hand in his shorts pocket, he glares at me but stays quiet.
I smirk, triumphant. I win. My parents exit the car next, my father with his phone pressed to his ear.
He barks orders at someone as we head up the steps to the Maxwells’ front door.
We don’t get a chance to ring the bell, their security would’ve informed them of our arrival.
Rosa, their housekeeper, pulls the door open.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lauder,” she greets warmly, a big welcoming smile on her face. She looks between me and my brother. “Ms. Lauder. Master Lauder. How lovely to see you.”
“You’ve known us for years, Rosa. You can call us by our names, Charles and Evelyn,” my mother says softly, a smile on her face.
Rosa scowls, offended. “And you know me well enough to know I’d never do that.
” Mom laughs, shaking her head. Rosa sweeps her arm, motioning for us to enter.
“Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell are in the backyard along with the children.” I swallow down my laugh.
Evan, Aria and Thalia haven’t been children in a long time.
“And Mr. Rhodes,” she adds, remembering Thalia’s boyfriend.
“Thank you, Rosa,” my mom replies, stepping inside.
Harrison follows, leaning down and pressing a kiss to Rosa’s cheek. I wait for my father, but he holds up a finger indicating for me to go ahead without him. Moving into the entryway, I wrap Rosa in a hug.
“It’s so good to see you, honey,” she whispers.
Growing up, whenever we visited the Maxwells’ Hamptons estate Rosa would take care of all of us. She has watched us grow up, and has been a big part of our childhoods.
“You too, Rosa. It’s been a while.”
She holds me at arm’s length, taking me in. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman.”
My mother and brother ignore our reunion, moving through the house, and heading to the backyard.
“Thank you,” I say, my cheeks warming at the compliment.
She releases me, motioning for me to go on through while she waits for my father.
My heels click against the marble tiles, but I barely take a couple of steps when I hear footsteps pounding down the stairs. A shiver wracks through my body.
I don’t have to look to know who it is
Frozen to the spot, I lift my head and our eyes meet. His icy blues rake over every inch of me.
Clearly, Rosa was wrong about Evan’s whereabouts.
Like the God he is, he descends the stairs full of a confidence most people could only dream of possessing, his gaze locked on me.
My breath catches.
I swallow around the lump in my throat, my mouth turning dry under his intense scrutiny. Butterflies take flight in my stomach as warmth pulses between my thighs.
The Evan Maxwell effect. One I’m very well acquainted with.
His eyes scan over every inch of me, leaving a burning trail in their wake.
And when his gaze meets mine, I jolt when I see something I recognize, though it’s never been directed at me.
Undeniable, raw, lust.
And it’s all pointed at me.
My stomach tightens, and am I…panting? Jesus, I hope not.
As if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, it vanishes. He blinks; his usual cold indifference fixed firmly on his face.
“Evan,” I breathe in greeting.
His jaw clenches as if he can’t bear the sound of my voice. Without a word, he turns, walking past me as if I’m invisible.
My balls fist in anger as I watch his muscular back shift in the white shirt, that clings to him in all the right places.
That motherfucker.
I open my mouth, ready to school him on the proper etiquette in manners when he calls over his shoulder.
“Brat.”