Chapter 28
Anais
But that’s okay. Sooner or later, he’ll have to confront it head on. Face me.
As I step onto the gangway, a familiar voice calls my name. I pause, glancing over my shoulder, to find Eli striding toward me, a wide smile on his face, his eyes raking over me in a clear sign of appreciation. I turn to greet him.
“Anais,” he murmurs, closing the distance between us. He leans in, pressing a kiss to each cheek. “You look beautiful.” He pulls back to look at me. His eyes are soft, and so different from the ones I dream about.
My cheeks heat. I glance down at my emerald green, Grecian style maxi dress. It’s nothing special, but it fits the occasion perfectly. “Thank you. You look quite dapper yourself,” I say, motioning to his crisp white button down, navy pants and matching boat shoes.
He slides a hand into his pocket, his eyes intent on me. A moment passes, then his lips curl into a smile. “Thank you,” he sweeps his free hand toward the yacht. “Shall we embark?”
Laughing, I roll my eyes and turn to walk up the gangway.
When Eli’s hand settles on the small of my back, I can’t stop the way my body stiffens.
The touch, though small, feels too intimate, especially after last night.
I can’t stop thinking about Evan. About how he touched me.
Eli’s hand on my back feels wrong. But still, I smile and play along.
“Are you looking forward to this evening?” I ask, feeling the need to fill the silence.
Eli chuckles, “These things can always be a little tedious, especially when you’re flying solo.” He pauses, smiling down at me. “But something tells me, tonight will be a lot more enjoyable with you being here, Anais.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I’m not sure how you’re still single. You’re such a charmer, Eli.”
His eyes spark. “Charming enough to convince you to have a drink with me?” he murmurs, brow raised.
“Of course,” I reply, grinning. “I–”
I’m cut off by a deep masculine voice that sends a shiver up my spine. “Anais. Eli. How lovely to see you… together.” The sardonic amusement in his tone is laced with something darker. I have no doubt when I face him, he’ll be wearing his usual scowl.
I freeze. One heartbeat. Two. Three. Duh Dum.
Duh Dum. It hammers in my chest. Fuck. I swallow, hard.
Then finally, I glance over my shoulder.
He is standing just a few feet behind us, his gaze locked on Eli’s hand, still resting on my back.
How I didn’t sense him approaching, I don’t know.
My body usually feels him before I see him.
“Mr. Maxwell,” Eli greets politely. His voice sounds steady, but I notice the way he swallows and removes his hand from my back. Not so confident at all.
His cold eyes flick to Eli. “Elijah,” Evan replies coolly, deliberately using his full name.
It’s an asshole move. He knows full well Eli hates it.
“Why don’t you head inside and grab a drink.
” It’s not a suggestion but a command, one Eli obeys.
Evan watches him go, then his gaze shifts to me.
My skin heats. The memories from last night rush in.
His mouth, his fingers, his touch. My breath catches.
My breathing shallows. Being around this man, might just be bad for my health.
“Anais,” he drawls, his lips tugging up into a smirk, as if he can read every last thought in my head.
He leans in, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
My knees almost buckle. After I came all over his fingers, I’d expected him to ignore me for the rest of my internship.
But instead, he’s touching me like it’s his right.
His stubble grazes my skin as he nuzzles into me, and when he drops his head to my neck and inhales deeply, I almost faint.
His hot breath fans my ear, when he whispers seductively.
“You look beautiful. But tell me. Why was Eli touching you, when I clearly remember telling you to stay away from him?”
Snapping out of my Evan trance, I take a step back, my eyes narrowing on him. “Not that it’s any of your business, especially since you ran off like a pussy last night,” I hiss for only him to hear. “But Eli is my friend. I can talk to him whenever I damn well want.”
Without waiting for a response, I spin on my heel and head up the gangway.
I snatch a glass of champagne from a passing server, murmuring my thanks, and scan the deck for Eli, but there’s no sign of him.
I sigh. With a yacht large enough to cater to twelve hundred people, with both inside and outside spaces set up, he could be anywhere.
I step deeper into the crowd, smiling when I spot Aria, Bishop and their son Baron huddled together. Baron giggles and squeals, as Bishop tosses him in the air, catching him with ease. Aria watches them with a soft, contented smile.
“Hey,” I greet Aria.
She glances over at me, her smile wide. Happiness radiates from her, so tangible, it’s contagious. “Anais! How are you?”
“I’m good. You?”
She nods, “I couldn’t be better.” Her eyes trace over my dress. “You look stunning. I love that color on you.”
“Thank you.” I motion to her cerise dress, my eyes landing on her small bump. “But you’re the real showstopper tonight. That dress was made for you.”
She laughs. “Literally. It is custom made. One of a kind. My friend’s the designer.”
“Wow. Well, tell her I’d love to model the next one.” We both laugh, and I turn to her husband, greeting him. I turn my attention to Baron, gently pinching his chubby cheeks. “Look at you, little man. You’re getting so big. And you look just like your daddy.”
“Yeah, you’d think after carrying him for nine months, he’d at least have some of my features, but no. He is all his daddy.” Aria grumbles, good naturedly.
Bishop wraps an arm around her, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her temple. “Don’t be jealous, princess. Maybe the next one will look like their mamma.”
Aria rolls her eyes, but smiles. Her expression turns dreamy as she brushes a hand over her bump. “Maybe.” She muses, her eyes going to something or someone over my shoulder. “Oh, there’s my brother. Evan!” She waves, and that’s my cue to leave.
I clear my throat. “I’m going to go find a friend. See you later.” I smile, backing away, but not before strong fingers wrap around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.
My eyes flick from Evan to where he holds me and back again, my brows raising in silent question.
“We need to talk,” he growls, low enough that only I can hear.
I yank my wrist free. “Funny. I distinctly remember you saying ‘No’” I use air quotes just to be bratty.
“Things have changed since last night. Or did you forget you rode my fingers until you came all over them.” Heat rises in my cheeks, and the asshole has the audacity to smirk. “Oh, so you do remember. You remember how you moaned my name, Brat, as you leaked all over my hand.”
“Stop,” I grate out, through clenched teeth. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find my friend.”
His gaze narrows, his voice filled with warning when he speaks. “If I catch Eli’s hands on you again, Anais, you won’t like the consequences.”
Not dignifying him with a response, I throw one last glare his way and make my way through the crowd, trying to find Eli. I know full well, I’m probably playing with fire, but I’m past caring. Evan has no claim over me – he made that perfectly clear with his behavior.
I might be in love with the guy, but Jesus, I have some self-respect.
And he doesn’t get to dictate who I can and can’t talk to.
Two hours in, the yacht cruises smoothly around the harbor. Drinks flow, food gets passed around by servers, people laugh, having fun.
For the most part, I manage to stay out of Evan’s way, sticking close to Eli, who regales me with stories from his days at Harvard. He’s highly intelligent and personally, I think his talents are wasted at Maxwell’s.
“So why Maxwell’s? You’re a smart man, Eli. Surely, a CFO position would be much better suited to you.” I ask, taking a sip of my champagne.
Eli laughs, his straight white teeth on full display.
“You’re great for my ego, Anais. I might just keep you around.
” He winks, sliding a hand into his pocket.
He sighs. “I chose Maxwell’s because honestly, the graduate program here was the best. Great salary.
Great experience. I’ll never take the CFO position from Monica, but it’s good experience for me, working under her.
And to have a company like Maxwell’s on my resume and my role as head of finance, it will look good to any future employers, should I ever decide to move on.
” He eyes me, “What about you? What’s next after college? ”
With a smile on my face, I tell him. “Honestly, I have no idea. I’m majoring in communications and eventually thought I’d join my mom’s PR firm.
But working at Maxwell’s… helping Aria with some of the new collection.
The design process, learning about cuts, clarity, color and carats, I’ve actually really loved it. ”
Eli nods, about to respond when I feel the heat of someone’s gaze burning a hole into the side of my head.
I glance sideways, spotting Evan, standing with a beautiful blonde woman in a tight red slip dress.
She runs a finger down his chest, smiling up at him coyly, like he hung the damn moon and stars.
Jealousy burns through me, as I watch her touch my man. I feel hot. Angry. Unhinged.
He smirks, as if he can read every last thought in my head, dipping down as she whispers something in his ear. His hands lower to her hips, but his gaze stays locked on me. My gaze narrows, while his smile grows wider. This asshole knows exactly what he is doing – playing games with me.
Well, two can play that game. He wants a reaction? I’ll give him one. Just not the one he expected.
Tearing my gaze away, I turn to Eli and smile.
He’s saying something but I don’t hear him.
All I hear is the devil on my shoulder cheering me on.
I push up on my tiptoes, puckering my lips, silently asking him to kiss me.
His eyes widen, then flash with lust. He dips down, one hand wrapping around my lower back as he pulls me closer.
His hard cock presses into me, and I know this is a bad idea, but I’m in too deep now. Evan started this. I’ll finish it.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Evan staring, a challenge sparking in his gaze. It’s a dare. Kiss Eli, be prepared to suffer the consequences. Seconds feel like hours, as I move closer to Eli’s lips. Evan’s expression shifts from smug amusement to pure anger. I smirk.
I turn my focus back to Eli, ready to press my lips to his…
But I’m ripped away just before I make contact.