Promise Me by Barbie Bohrman Read Free Book Online Page A

inches even closer to me. Putting my hands up to keep some space between us, they come in contact with his stomach, and OH MY GOD, he must be carved out of stone.
    "Alex, I thought I made it clear that I'm not interested in...," I'm cut off when he bends down and lightly presses his lips against mine. I'm too startled to move. Suddenly, his hands cup my face as he gently coaxes my lips open until I'm kissing him back on my own. My hands, that were trying to keep him at a safe distance, are now around his waist, holding him close to me. Coming to my senses, I break off the kiss. I'm sure my cheeks are flush with not only embarrassment, but desire too. He's looking at me until he breaks the uncomfortable silence between us, "Sabrina, you can't tell me that you don't feel something between us."
    "Alex, I can't."
    Pulling his hands reluctantly away from my face, he backs up a step before saying, "You're seeing someone else, aren't you? I didn't think so at first, but from the look on your face, I'm thinking I might be right."
    I can't answer him because how can I possibly begin to explain that there technically isn't someone else, as much as, the idea of someone else. Before I can attempt to talk my way out of this, Sarah calls out for me from the other side of the gallery. Stepping aside to try to move around him, he grabs my hand and says, "I hope he knows how special you are," then lets me go and stalks away.
    The rest of the night goes by rather quickly. The showcased artists speak with prospective buyers, while I spend my time between guests and the event staff. I keep my distance from Alex but I catch him staring at me at one point and quickly avert my eyes. I see Julia a couple of times, but neither of us have any time to stop and talk. Quite a few pieces sell, and from all indications, the event is a success. As the evening draws to a close all that's left are some of Julia's staff, a few co-workers, and Alex. I finally get Julia cornered long enough to tell her most of what happened with him earlier.
    "You're killing me."
    "How exactly am I killing you?" I ask her, throwing my hands up in the air in defeat.
    "Look at him over there, Sabrina."
    We both turn to look over in Alex's direction as nonchalantly as possible without attracting attention to ourselves. He's in a deep conversation with Sarah, who is busily taking notes without having to look up at him.
    "Are you sure you want to pass that up? Maybe you can just take him for a test drive," she says and licks her lips at the sight of him.
    "Test drive?"
    "Girl, you need to tap that."
    I lightly take her by the elbow and pull her away until we are in an alcove in the gallery so that she can no longer drool at the sight of him.
    "Julia, I can't 'tap' that as you so beautifully put it. He is my boss, or did you forget?"
    "Nope, didn't forget at all. That makes it even hotter, actually. Just imagine yourself being summoned to his office. He grabs you and pushes you face down on his desk, pulls up your skirt and starts to spank you with a ruler. Then he starts to stroke your..."
    Before she goes any further I hiss between clenched teeth, "Stop! Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you? Is this what you daydream about?"
    She blankets herself with her arms, rubbing them as if she's trying to keep herself warm before she looks at me with apologetic eyes. "Sorry, I don't know what came over me. I watched Secretary recently and just got a little carried away in my head."
    "I can't be with him like that. Not only because of the whole boss thing, but because of you know what too," I say warily and look over my shoulder to make sure no one is within ear shot.
    "I know, sorry. Listen, just keep it as professional as possible and most importantly, do not be alone with him."
    "Alone with whom," I hear a familiar voice say.
    Alex. Damn it all to hell! Just my luck. He walks up right at this moment. Julia looks at me like she's a deer caught in the headlights. She quickly recovers,