Page 52 of Ruined Promises

I wince at his comment and fight back the vomit. I hold up my hand. “Please stop. I’m serious.”

He exhales. “Fine, what do you want to know?”

“Are you hanging out with Dominic Jennings?”

He straightens up, and his features tense. “Are you or my brother spying on me?”

“No.”Shit, this is coming out wrong.“Two of my friends were having lunch at Esta Noche, and they thought they saw you with Dominic.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Wait a minute. How would your friends know who Dominic Jennings is?”

Quick, Lex, think on your feet—don’t spill your backstory to Asher before telling your actual boyfriend.“Well, his father used to own this company. He has his face in theTimesoften, and he is a highly acclaimed attorney. Now, are you going to tell me what you were doing with him or not? He’s not good people.”

He studies me, and I pray he doesn’t ask more. Instead, he presses off his car, stepping into my space. “Well, then I guessit’s agood thing that my life ismybusiness and not yours, little girl. Now run off to my brother and do whatever it is he asks of you.”What is wrong with him? The Asher that Ben has talked about was obviously more concerned with partying, but he never mentioned how cruel he was with his words.What a dick!

A bad taste fills my mouth as I watch him pull out of the garage. I’m not sure what kind of business Asher was doing with Dom, but it leaves me feeling uneasy. The worst part is if I confront Ben about my concerns, I’m worried that he will be wondering how I know so well how horrible a person Dominic truly is.

I exit the garage once his car is out of sight and head back upstairs to the office. This time, however, I take the elevator. Once safely in my office, I rest my head in my hands.

There is a soft knock on my door, and I look up for my eyes to connect with Ben’s. The corners of his lipstipupward, and the tension in my shoulders eases as he makes his way into my office.

“Catch you at a bad time?”

I sit back in my chair. “No, not at all, I was just getting a headache. It’s been a long day.”

Ben scrunches his eyebrows together as if he’s trying to decipher if I am telling the truth, but in all honesty, it is the truth. He comes behind me to massage my shoulders. I close my eyes and savor in the feel of his touch. When a soft moan escapes my lips, I remember where we are.Shit.I slip out of his grasp, and when Ido,he realizes as well.

Ben clears his throat. “I’m sorry.” While we try to sneak touches and kisses in private, my office door is open, and someone could walk past or walk in at any time, so we need to make it look as though we are just a boss and employee discussing work, nothing more.

“I wasn’t thinking. Whenever I’m around you, I just want—no, need to touch you. But that was reckless; anyone could have come in. How about this, Lex. Why don’t you head home and relax? You’ve been kicking asslately.”

“What? Go home? Ben, it’s only 2:45. I still have a few more hours left of theworkday. Plus, I still need to—”

Ben cuts me off. “Exactly. As your boss, I am sending you home to relax and rest. I know you still have work to do, but if you overwork yourself, then not only am I without an events director, I have a burned-out girlfriend, and we just can’t have that. Then when I finish up here…” He leans over me so that it would look as if he is reading something on my computer, and his voice dips. “I plan to bring over a bottle of wine, cookyoudinner, and help you relax even more.”

The tone of his voice makes me already begin to drip into my panties. I squirm in my seat, adjusting my dress, and Ben chuckles behind me.

I spin in my chair to face him. “Ben, I can’t just leave.”

He looks toward the door before placing his hands on the arms of my chair and leaning down close enough to where I can smell themintinessof his breath.

“You can, and you will. Don’t argue with me, Lex. I’ll see you later.” With a quick kiss on my lips that ends just as quickly as it started, he makes his way out of my office. Ten minutes later, when I still haven’t left, my cell vibrates with a text.

Ben:I said to go. Now, get your sexy ass home. I’ll see you later.

I groan, knowing he won’t give up, so I might as well just go with it. An afternoon off sounds nice. I turn my computer off and grab my purse before making my way out of the office. While waiting for the elevator, I text Hadley.

Me:Hey, I happen to have a free afternoon now. Are you free for a pedicure?

Hadley:Oh,hell yes. Guess dating the boss hasitsperks, huh? *Wink face*

Me:Shut up, or I’ll text Brynn, and you can sit home and pout.

Hadley:Okay, okay. I’m just finishing up my last color of the day. My last appt canceled, so I’m done after this.Wannameet there?

Me:No, I’ll meet you at home. I want to change out of these clothes first.

Hadley:Sounds good. See you soon.

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