Chapter 33
Evan
I’ve been staring blankly at my laptop screen for the past hour, yet I couldn’t tell you what’s on it.
My mind, my thoughts are all consumed by one image.
Anais. And the things she let me do to her.
Christ, it was obscene. The way her pussy opened up for me, the way she willingly indulged my curiosity… No. Not happening.
Last night after our weekly boys’ get together, I somehow found myself outside Anais’s door. Harrison had practically begged me to go to Elite, but after Anais and her calculated show of indifference before leaving the office, I knew exactly where I’d end up.
I’m not sure why I felt the need to reassure the brat – we’re not a couple and never will be – but the sad look in those lilac eyes had me driving to her apartment and knocking on her door before I could think better of it.
The relief on her expression when she opened the door should’ve been my cue to leave. But then I buried my face in her neck, inhaling her potent scent, and I was done for. Before I knew it, I was acting out some of my filthiest fantasies. And Anais, in all her innocence, let me.
I groan as the image of her playing with her clit flashes in my mind.
Her fingers playing with her clit, while I watched her cunt open up.
Truthfully, of all the women I’ve fucked, nothing compares to last night.
It was, by far, the most erotic experience of my life.
And then when I sucked our orgasm from her, and spat it in her mouth, something shifted.
The crazy thoughts entering my mind scared me enough I was out of her bed and leaving as abruptly as I’d arrived.
The sad look on her face as I got dressed nearly had me climbing back into bed with her.
But I didn’t. Couldn’t. It would only lead to more complications.
We were already on a slippery slope, heading for a destination neither of us were ready for.
I wouldn’t give her false hope. I wasn’t a complete asshole.
I kissed her temple and tucked her into bed before I left.
And though it would never be enough, it was something.
The door to my office bursts open, snapping me out of my thoughts. My gaze narrows when my father walks in uninvited, a smug smirk on his face. He knows how much I hate it when he barges inside without warning.
“Good morning, son,” he drawls, settling into one of my visitor chairs.
I lean back in my leather seat, running a finger across my bottom lip, as I eye him. “Say whatever it is you came here to say.”
He chuckles, unfazed by my attitude. “Hey now, can’t I visit my favorite son.”
“I’m your only son,” I deadpan, my lips twitching.
He grins wider, flashing his straight white teeth. “There’s a charity gala I need you to attend on Friday. I’d go myself, but I promised your mother a weekend getaway, at the Caribbean house.”
“That’s a long way to go for a weekend,” I point out.
“We leave Friday morning, and we’ll be back Monday evening.” He waves me off. “Not that it matters. I donated one of our pieces and I need someone there to represent us.”
“How come I didn’t know about this?”
He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“Because I donated it yesterday. You’d already left for the day by the time I came by your office.
” He says pointedly. I nod, unwilling to tell him I wasn’t in the mood for work after Anais’s dismissal and left shortly after she did.
“I trust you can find a date with such short notice?” he asks, curiosity shining in his eyes.
For one brief moment of insanity, I think about asking Anais. Then I remember the press will be there. It might also give Anais the wrong impression.
I shake my head. “Nah, I’ll go solo.”
Rising from his chair, he runs a hand down his tie. “Very well. You can expect the usual. Dinner. Pictures. Networking.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s not my first event. I think I can handle it,” I drawl sardonically.
He grins, a hint of pride in his expression. “Well, enjoy. I won’t see you until I get back from my trip. If anything comes up, I’ll be checking emails.”
I smirk. “Mom won’t be happy.”
“No, but she loves me and at this point in our marriage, she knows what to expect.” He turns, heading to my door and throwing over his shoulder. “Speaking of your mother, give her a call. She says she hasn’t seen you and has barely heard from you since Sunday lunch.”
And with that, he leaves, slamming the door behind him. But not before I get a small glimpse of Anais’s hair outside. I exhale a breath. One look at her and my chest tightens. Alarm bells blare in my head, warning me. When did just seeing her become a need? I push the thought aside.
I can deal with that another day.
I hate these events.
The fake smiles, the monotonous small talk, the tedious networking I have no interest in. It’s all so fucking boring, and I can think of a million better ways to spend my time. At the top of that list is being buried deep inside Anais Lauder, teaching her things she’ll never forget.
“And I recently bought one of your lovely necklaces for my wife’s birthday.
Cost me a small fortune.” New York City Mayor, Clemont Wright, drones on, as if I give a shit about birthday gifts for his wife.
“She’s wearing it somewhere around here.
” He takes his eyes off me for a moment, scanning the room for his wife.
That’s my cue to excuse myself.
“If you’ll excuse me, Mayor, there’s someone I need to talk to,” I say, dropping my empty glass to a passing server’s tray.
“Of course, Evan.,” His smile is tight.
Dinner is over and now it’s the networking part, before the auction begins. All I want to do is get out of here, but I can’t do that until I’ve presented the earrings my father donated for the charity.
I search the room, looking for anyone remotely tolerable. I spot Anderson Michaels; someone I’ve shared drinks with at Elite. He’s good company, and a hell of a lot more fun than the mayor.
I head toward him, when fingers wrap around my forearm.
As I glance down, I see pink nails against tan skin. My heart beats unevenly in my chest as my gaze works its way up a slender arm, along her neck and then suddenly, I’m looking into the eyes of my ex-girlfriend.
Valentina.
She smiles softly, looking almost timid, but I know better. It’s a pretense. I shake her off of me. Her expression falters.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss, glaring down at her.
She flinches at the sound of my voice, her throat bobbing on a harsh swallow. “I miss you, Evan.” Scoffing, I turn to leave, but then I stop. She’s grabbed my arm again. I grit my teeth. “Please. You never gave me the chance to explain.”
I turn to face her, glowering, as thick hot anger pumps through my veins.
“There’s nothing to explain. You cheat like a whore; you get treated like one.
” She gasps, her eyes darting around, checking to see if anyone heard us.
I don’t give a fuck if they did. Everyone in here – if they’re not already aware – should know Valentina is a cheating slut.
“Where’s the old man I saw you with at Elite? Did he find out what a lying whore you are and decide to cut you loose?”
Her eyes fill with tears. “No. That was nothing. A mistake. Just like I made a mistake with Liam–”
“Don’t say his name to me.” My voice is low, lethal. It’s not jealousy. I couldn’t care less about Valentina or who she fucks. But she doesn’t get to speak the name of the man she screwed behind my back. I might not care anymore, but she still betrayed me. “Just leave. I don’t want to see you.”
“But I love you,” she pleads, desperate. “I never stopped loving you. Please Evan, just…” she sobs, her breath hitching. “Just hear me out.” Her fingers wrap around my wrist, but I shake her off immediately. Her touch burns. Anais’s soothes.
I open my mouth to dispute her declaration when a familiar slimy looking creep interrupts us. He works for one of the trashy gossip rags, always trying to get the next big story on me or my friends.
“Ah, the power couple back together?” he grins salaciously.
Valentina presses her body into my side, snuggling into me. I barely register it, too focused on the asshole with a camera snapping pictures of us.
“No.” I say, just as Valentina shouts, “We’re working on things.”
I step away from her, brushing off my suit jacket like her touch left a stain. I straighten, my gaze meeting the reporter’s. He smirks as if he just found the story of his career.
“No. We are not together. In fact, I was just leaving.”
Without another word, I step away from the vipers and finally make my way over to Anderson at the bar. He grins when he sees me coming, extending his hand for me to shake.
“Evan Maxwell. It’s been a while.”
I signal the barman, ordering myself a scotch. “Anderson, didn’t think I’d find you at one of these events.”
He laughs, taking a sip of his drink. “You wouldn’t, usually. Can’t stand these things. But a lady needed escorting and being the gentleman, I am…” he trails off, smirking. His gaze flicks to a red-haired woman in a stunning green dress.
“She’s a little young for you, no?” I quip. Not that I can talk. I’m currently fucking the one woman I shouldn’t have even touched. A little too young. A lot my best friend’s sister. I quickly shake the thought aside. “I also didn’t take you for the monogamous type.”
He finally tears his possessive gaze from the woman and looks at me. A storm of emotions flickers in his brown eyes. “I wasn’t. But with the right woman…” he clears his throat, his gaze shifting to her once more. “Anything is possible.”
My thoughts go to Anais once more, but I quickly shake them away.
I’ve done the relationship thing before and look how that turned out. I’ll never make that mistake again. No matter how I wish things could be different. Anais deserves better than a man like me. She deserves more. But for the remainder of her internship she is mine.
I know it’s selfish, know how she feels about me, but I just can’t stop.
She is an addiction; one I’ll indulge until this arrangement ends.
I just hope she can walk away unscathed.