Page 56 of Crave Me

CHAPTER 13

Wren

Evan wasn’t kidding when he said he was overwhelmed. It was almost one in the morning when he insisted I go home last night. He walked me to my truck and returned back to the office, but not before bending to kiss my cheek.

“Thank you,” he’d said.

My fingertips circle the spot where his lips brushed over mine last night, and every night for the past two weeks since I started working here. I can tell he wanted to do more. And he’s not alone.

Hotness and brilliance aside, Evan is a total sweetheart. But not everyone sees that side. His staff of engineers, techies, financial advisors, marketing and legal teams, bustle in and out of his office all day long. He takes meeting after meeting, directing them so they can give him what he wants, or brainstorming with them when they can’t. They see a professional man driven to succeed, but while he’s polite, he keeps a professional distance. Except when it comes to me.

As much as I’m flattered, I want others to see the real Evan, the man who wants his company to succeed not just for him, but for them, and everyone who can benefit from his vision.

“Hi, Wren.” The little intern grins when he sees me. “Here’s the coffee for Mr. Jonah.” He waits, appearing nervous. “Do you want me to bring it into him?”

“No, he’s in a meeting. I’ll do it.”

The kid’s puny frame sags with relief. Like too many people who work here, he’s worried about getting sacked.

The door to his office opens and everyone piles out. No one looks happy, which of course sends the intern bolting. I email the proposal I’m working on, making sure I smile at everyone leaving and reach for Evan’s coffee.

“Come in,” he calls when I knock.

I find him slumped forward with his head on his forearms and his sleeves rolled up. His glasses lay in front of him while the multiple screens in front of him create a strobe effect along his dark blue shirt.

This is another side of Evan most don’t see either. But he knows I always ring his office when someone else is with me.

My hips swing a little too seductively in these heels. Not that he notices with his head laying on his arms the way it is. In a way, I wish he did and that I could spend the night tangled in the sheets with him. But I want to do right by Evan.

The more I know him, the more I realize how human he is.

When he first caught the business world’s eye back in London, he graced the covers of all the money mags. Now, any references made about him are buried between larger columns applauding the next big business mogul. And instead of praising Evan, they only mention the “tremendous loss in revenue under his leadership” and the “empire on a bridge of collapse”.

The latest column bashed him for all the people fired “amidst rumors of his inability to afford talent”. The rumors (of course) were confirmed by Ashleigh Mitchum, former assistant and chief administrative lead, who was more than happy to rip Evan to shreds. Oh, but she was careful not to say anything that could be construed as libel.

That didn’t mean I didn’t want to punch her in the nose, especially when I saw her smug face featured in the middle of the article.

Christ. It’s like no one cares about the millions of dollars and tech he’s donated to hospitals and schools that serve the underprivileged worldwide.

But I do.

His kindness adds to his allure, and gives me hope that a healthy relationship is something I can have. But it’s like I did too much, too soon, and maybe sent us accelerating full-speed ahead instead of taking our time to enjoy the ride.

Don’t get me wrong the sex was mind-blowing. But damn it, I want more.

I want, I don’t know, love.

I place the coffee in front of him and go around to massage his shoulders. “So, how did the finance meeting go?”

My sarcasm isn’t lost on him and he chuckles. “About as well as you can imagine. What time is my next sales meeting?”

“Quarter to eleven.”

“Quarter to eleven?” he asks, shifting his weight. “That’s an odd time.”

“I have a hairstylist coming in at ten-thirty to cut your hair. She’s fast, good and promised to hook you up.” My hands glide in wide smooth strokes. “I’ll be in to supervise.”

“I thought you said she’s good.”