Chapter 32
Anais
I’ve been summoned to Evan’s office a total of six times by mid-week.
Each visit ends the same way. His hands on my body, working me with the skills of a man put on this earth solely for my pleasure.
I try not to think about all the women that came before me, because right now, this American God belongs to me.
And he bought me flowers. Sent them to my apartment with a little note with his name on it. That’s got to mean something… right?
Sashaying down the corridor, a grin pulls at my lips, impossible to suppress, as I make my way to my desk. Janice greets me with a warm, curious smile. “Morning. Someone’s in a good mood.”
I chuckle, placing my purse in the bottom draw and taking a seat. “What’s not to be happy about, Janice? The sun is shining. We’re halfway through the working week…life is good.”
Janice’s mouth twitches with amused chuckles. “Well, I hate to burst your bubble, Anais, but there’s a pile of documents that need scanning.” Her eyes shift to something on my desk, softening with pity. “And Mr. Maxwell would like them done by the end of the day.”
I pause, glancing over at the ominous pile of paperwork I must’ve somehow missed in my happy bubble.
My eyes narrow. I inhale a calming breath.
I will not allow Evan to ruin my good mood, unless…
My brows raise in suspicion. Is this a test?
Is Evan baiting me? He’d swear differently, but he loves it when I disobey. Loves to punish me.
I consider it for a moment. As much as I want to go in there, give him a piece of my mind, I won’t play into his games today.
As intoxicating as his discipline might be, as much as I’ve enjoyed the things he does to me; I have work to do.
The stack isn’t as bad as usual, but it’s still a substantial pile and will consume most of the day.
But with a smile on my face, I do as I’m bid and start scanning.
I don’t know how many hours have passed, but when a shadow falls over me I finally look up, expecting to see the devil himself. Instead, I’m stunned to find my brother grinning down at me.
“Harrison?” I blink, unsure if I’m hallucinating.
Harrison chuckles. “It’s me.” He frowns. “Has Evan worked you so hard, you’ve forgotten I exist?”
Dropping the piece of paper in my hand, I rise from my chair, wrapping my arms around his waist in a hug. “I’ve missed you, big brother. It’s been weeks since I last saw you.”
Untangling my arms from his body, he grins down at me.
“I’ve been busy. But I thought I’d steal you away for lunch?
” He glances around, his gaze landing on my boss’s door.
Evan has been holed up inside, and I haven’t laid eyes on him since he arrived this morning.
“You’re allowed a lunch, right?” he murmurs, his brow raised.
I roll my eyes. “Of course, I’m allowed lunch.”
As I grab my purse, Janice watches us with interest. I open my mouth to introduce them, but she beats me to it. “Mr. Lauder. How lovely to see you again.” She blushes and I roll my eyes. Naturally they know each other. Harrison has been to the Maxwell building many times.
“It’s been a while, Janice,” my brother smiles, sliding his hands into his pants pockets. “The boss in?”
She nods. “Yes. Would you like me to see if he’s available–”
“No need,” a deep masculine voice rumbles behind us, cutting her off.
My head whips around to find Evan leaning against the doorway. My eyes rake over his body on their own volition, taking him in. My heart stutters in my chest, the familiar tightening of my stomach taking hold at the sight of him.
It’s almost unfair, how attractive he is.
“Maxwell,” my brother greets, stepping forward and clapping a hand down on his shoulder.
Evan’s eyes flick to me briefly before shifting back to his friend’s. “What are you doing here, Lauder? Disrupting my staff.”
Harrison laughs, “You’re as friendly as ever.” He tsks. “I do hope you’ll have a better attitude for boys’ night?”
The flash of annoyance in Evan’s eyes tells me that my brother shouldn’t count on it. What’s wrong with Evan anyway? He’s been a lot more relaxed lately, more amenable, more approachable… more friendly.
Yesterday, he even greeted Eli using his preferred name.
“I’ll ask again,” he grumbles. “What are you doing here?”
Harrison rolls his eyes, pointing at me. “Taking my sister to lunch. Care to join us? Or is eating lunch too much of a menial task for the great Evan Maxwell?”
Evan bristles, glaring at his friend. If you didn’t know them, you’d think they hated each other. But I know differently. They’re best friends, probably the closest in the group. This is just their usual banter… with an edge.
“I’ll come.” Evan finally answers.
My brother laughs, mumbling so low, it’s barely audible. “Yeah, you need to fucking come. Some pussy might cheer you the hell up.”
Evan’s gaze narrows. It doesn’t take a genius to work out what Harrison just implied.
If only he knew how often Evan has been coming and in who.
I choke on air. Both men look at me. Evan’s jaw flexes, his eyes flashing with amusement.
He bites down his bottom lip, trying to suppress a smile.
Heat coils low in my stomach and I feel my body respond to him like it always does.
The pulsing of my clit, the arousal seeping into my panties… it should alarm me.
But the panic never comes.
Instead, my smile widens.
Lunch is, without question, the most awkward meal of my life.
Harrison mostly ignored me in favor of conversation with Evan, who he would see again tonight for their stupid boys’ night.
By the time, I went back to work, my mood was low.
Anger floods my veins as I scan another sheet of paper, my mind focused on what was said between my brother and Evan at lunch.
I was in the middle of taking a bite out of a delicious lobster handroll when my brother casually dropped visiting a sex club they’re all apparently members of.
“You heading to Elite tonight?” Harrison had said casually.
I choked on my food, thinking I’d misheard. That was until Harrison looked at me with an amused smirk as he patted me on the back. After taking a sip of my Japanese tea, and gathering myself, I’d looked him straight in the eye.
“You’re a member of a sex club?” I asked incredulously, my voice rising.
Harrison grinned wider, all smug and unbothered. “Yeah. We all are.” My mouth gaped as he looked at Evan, for confirmation
My heart beat wildly in my chest, as I looked at the man I was sleeping with. The man I’d given my virginity. The cold, indifferent mask was in place. My stomach sank. He wasn’t denying it. It was true.
Swallowing down my tea, I pushed my food away, suddenly nauseous. My mind spiraled, wild with thoughts. Had he visited this club since we’d been together? What things did he like? Would he take me there?
Sullenly, I sulked for the rest of lunch, and the entire walk back to the Maxwell building.
The anger inside me grew with every passing second.
I didn’t know why I felt such rage. Technically, Evan and I weren’t together.
He didn’t owe me an explanation. It just hurt to think that maybe he’d visited since being with me.
I had so many questions, and yet, I couldn’t ask them…
“You were quiet at lunch?” An amused voice snaps me from my thoughts.
I glare up at him, hissing out. “I didn’t fancy talking about my brother, and your sexcapades over sushi. Or what you all get up to at your little sex club.”
The words break free, now that Janice has left for the day.
His lips twitch. “You’re sulking about a sex club?”
“No,” I grumble, rising from my chair and grabbing my purse, desperate to get the hell away from him.
Evan steps in front of me, his hands in his pockets, giving off a casual, relaxed stance. “I’ve been to Elite once since you started interning here,” he tells me. “For a drink. Nothing else.”
“I didn’t ask,”
“I haven’t slept with a woman since before you started working here.”
“Don’t care.” I snap, putting my purse on my shoulder and stepping around him.
Evan’s hand darts out, his fingers wrapping around my wrist, stopping my escape. My heart hammers in my chest, my stomach tightens. I simultaneously love and hate the effect he has on me. I lift my chin, meeting his gaze.
“I’ll come over tonight. After I’ve seen my friends,” he murmurs, his eyes bouncing between mine.
My breath catches. Nine simple words. It would be so easy to give in… But I refuse to bend to his will. Can’t. I’m fully aware I’m being petulant, irrational even, but the thought of Evan in a sex club… I hate it.
“Don’t bother.” I bite out, yanking my wrist fee. “I wouldn’t want to interfere with your plans.” My eyes narrow. “And don’t bother sending me anymore flowers. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.”
The sound of knocking wakes me from my sleep. Groggy, I take a quick glance at my phone, seeing it’s past midnight. My annoyance grows with every impatient thump on my door.
Sliding out of bed, I stomp out of my bedroom, flinging the door open without checking who it is. “Whoever you are, you better fu–” my words die on my tongue.
Evan stands on the other side. Unbothered. And so damn sexy…
I shake my head. Focus Anais.
He quirks a smile. “Did you forget I was coming over, Brat?” He steps closer. The smell of whiskey and cigar smoke fills my nostrils when his chest meets mine. His mouth drops to my neck, and he presses kisses to the sensitive skin. I shiver, my body heating with every press of his lips.
“Wh-what’re you doing here?” I stammer.
Evan pulls back to look at me, raising a brow. “I told you I was coming over after Jameson’s.”
My eyes narrow and I can’t help but snark. “Weren’t you going to the sex club with my brother?”