He silenced me with a finger to my lips and a shake of his head. He took a step toward me, and I swear I heard Klaxons. He was so close we were practically touching, and the air between us was hot and thick. My hands were behind me on the handrail, and I gripped it tighter, afraid that if I let go I would reach out and touch him again. That I’d close this distance and demand that he kiss me. That he finish what we’d started.
For one brief, shining, magical moment, I thought that was what he had in mind. His head dipped toward mine, his lips coming close to my ear. “Why?” he said. “Why the hell did Jahn leave it to you?”
“What?” I jerked back, embarrassed and confused. And, at the same time, I realized that he hadn’t leaned close to me to flirt, but to be heard. The Klaxons were real—he’d triggered the alarm when he’d stopped the elevator.
A tinny voice suddenly filled the car. “Sir? Ma’am? What’s the problem?”
Evan tilted his head up toward the ceiling vent where, presumably, a security camera was recording our little drama. “Turn off the damn alarm,” he said.
“I need to know if there’s a problem. Ma’am, is this man threatening you?”
I realized what it must look like from the security guard’s perspective. “No,” I said. “I’m okay.”
For a moment, there was just the sound of the alarm. Then the guard’s voice came back on, tight and authoritative. “Sir, you need to put the elevator in motion.”
“In a damn minute,” Evan said. “Turn off the fucking alarm.”
“Sir—” But Evan just reached over and flipped the switch that controlled the intercom.
A moment later, the alarm quit howling. Then the elevator started moving again, and I wasn’t sure if I should be relieved or amused.
I settled on amused. “Guess they have an override button,” I said, unable to help my grin.
“Fuck it,” Evan said, and although I couldn’t be certain, I thought he was biting back a grin, too.
The display showed that we were passing the thirty-second floor. Evan reached over and pressed the button for thirty. A moment later, the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. I didn’t have a clue what he was doing, at least not until he took my arm and tugged me out of the car with him.
The elevator bank was empty, bordered on the left by the glass doors of a law firm and on the right by solid wooden doors with tiny gold letters. Presumably a small business. Neither place looked busy today.
“We’re going to talk,” Evan said. “Without building security listening in, and without sound effects.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I figured that out on my own.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “So talk.”
“I want to know why he left it to you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Bullshit. I saw your face.”
Since I couldn’t argue with that, I shifted course. “Why do you care, anyway?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m sure Jahn had his, too.” I dragged a hand through my hair, which was a mistake, as it reminded me of how grungy I felt. Which was not a happy thought considering Evan was standing right there looking, as always, as sexy as sin.
“You know what?” I finally said. “It doesn’t matter. He’s gone. And as far as I can tell, you’re gone, too.” I cocked my head as if just remembering something. “Oh, did I say gone? Not really the best choice of words, since you shouldn’t have even been in my life in the first place. After all, it was just one big mistake. Right?”
He said nothing, but I saw the way his jaw tightened, as if he were digging in, preparing to stand his ground.
I felt tears prick my eyes and hated myself for it. “Damn you, Evan Black.” I leaned over to push the elevator call button, but he grabbed my hand, stopping me.
I looked down at where he held my wrist. “Careful, I might break.” I met his eyes. “That’s what you think I am, right? Some fragile porcelain princess? That you’d shock me with all those things you said? That you’d break me if we went too far?”
“Angie.” The regret in his voice curled through me, and I clutched tighter to my anger, holding it close to give me strength.
“No, don’t even. You saw the way I melted down, and after you went too far comforting me, you ran for your goddamn life. Well, you know what, Evan, you’re an idiot. You can’t break me. I’m already broken.” What I didn’t say was that I was afraid that he was the only one who could put me back together. He was certainly the only one who’d ever made me feel whole.