Page 22 of Ruined Promises

Ikick my heels off under the conference table and move my neck side to side. A loud crack brings slight relief. As much as I am slumped over on my computer, I’m surprised I don’t resemble Quasimodo more.

A slight smile forms on my lips, picturing me like that.Real attractive, Lex.

“You doing okay over there?” The deep timbre of Ben’s voice whips my head in the direction of the conference room door, where he stands perched against the frame. I’m thankful to be already sitting, otherwise, I may have embarrassed the hell out of myself because I’m pretty sure my legs would have given right out from under me.

This man screams sexy, dominant, and confident without even opening his mouth.

He pushes off the frame, closing the distance between us.

“We can just call it a night and go over this later if you need to.”

I shake my head. “Oh no, I’m fine. I want to get these winners finalized so I can start generating the letters to notify them next week.” Ben is definitely realizing it is more than just picking winners out of a hat. I’m not sure people actually understand the number of long hours and hard work it takes to put on such a successful event. Even the smallest detailsneed to be perfect.

He claps his hands together. “Well, then let’s get started.”

Ben pulls out the black conference chair a few away from me and loosens his tie.

“I hope you don’t mind working in here. It’s just easier to spread all the paperwork out to keep it organized.” This will be the fourth Best Of party that I’ve helped plan and the second one entirely on my own. Over the years, I’ve found a particular way to do things, especially when it comes to this party, which has been dubbed “my baby.”

“That’s fine. This isyourproject. I’m just here to nod my head, sign my name, and look pretty, I suppose.” He gives me a smile that could easily be part of a Colgate commercial. “And I hope you don’t mind”—he bounces my words back at me—“but I ordered us some food, assuming that once we start, there won’t be any stopping us.”

Wow, that’s unexpected. “And what if I had said yes moments ago to calling it a night?” I tease.

“Hmm.” He twitches his lips side to side in thought. “Then I guess I would be spending my evening binging on sushi alone.”

“We can’t have that now, can we? Although maybe I don’t like sushi, and then that will become a reality anyways.” It’s a total lie, but Ben doesn’t know that. Italian is my favorite food. My motto may or may not be “give me carbs or give me death,” but sushi is a quick second. I prop my elbow on the table and rest my chin on my fist, challenging him.

I am usually not this bold, but there’s something about Ben that brings me out of my comfort zone.

He matches my stance, still holding my gaze. The longer he does, the more I feel as though someone has turned up the temperature in here. His eyes are burning a hole in my flesh as if he were marking me as his. My skin warms as a blush creeps over my neck and chest.

“Now, Lex”—I wish my body didn’t react the way it does when he says my name shortened, almost like it belongs on his lips—“I would never assume, but I have walked past your office on numerous occasions and have noticed you eating sushi at your desk.”

Does he notice things that like with all his employees? Does he walk past my office often? I hope he didn’t walk past me the day I dropped a spicy tuna roll down the front of my blouse.

“I guess I also shouldn’t have assumed you didn’t have dinner plans.” He arches a brow, confirming that I don’t.

“No, my roommate has gotten used to me not home most nights for dinner. She knows how much of a workaholic I am. I usually stop on my way home and pick something up.” He must think I sound so pathetic; I feel like I am when I hear it like that.

“I’m the same actually.” He nods in understanding. “So, you live with a roommate?”

His arms are extended in front of him as he rolls up his white dress shirt, exposing the colorful lines of the ink on his forearms. It had been dark in the club, so I wasn’t able to take in the intricate detail of his tattoos. And when we were in the bathroom, my focus had been on, well—other things.

“Lexi?”

I pop my head up, my mouth suddenly dry, and my cheeks redden in embarrassment as my eyes meet his. The smirk on his face indicates he watched me thoroughly checking him out. I want to crawl in my seat and disappear just like that funny cat couch gif Brynn uses all the time in our group chat when she wants to avoid talking about certain things.

I shift in my chair, pulling one leg under the other. I’m thankful to be wearing dress pants today instead of the usual skirt or dress; otherwise, I might be slipping and sliding. Just because I want to crawl in a hole right now, it doesn’t mean I’m not turned on.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. That’s none of my business.”

His words finally register. “No, it’s fine. I’m pretty sure everyone around here knows.” Of course, it’s because they were here to witness the demise of my last relationship that left me technically homeless, but that is too heavy of a conversation for now. “I share an apartment with my best friend Hadley. Oh,” I say with a little too much excitement, “you actually met her.” Ben looks confused. “Well, sort of. I mean, she was with me that night…” I don’t need to explain what night—he knows.His eyes darken at the mention of our first meeting. I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs and the muscles in his jaw tighten.

“Ah, I see.” Silence and tension fill the room, and I wonder if we’ll ever be able to move past that.

Ben clears his throat. “So, shall we?” He extends his hand to my neatly organized piles of papers on the table in front of us.

“Yes, we probably should.” Otherwise, we might end up being here all night.

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