Pulse 2 (Pulse Series) Read Online Free PDF

something we never discussed directly while we were inside of this building.
    “ No,” I said. “Everything is fine. My schedule is clear except for work. If you need me to work for a week in Hawaii, then I’ll work there.”
    “ Good. I’m glad to hear that, Alice. Because that’s what this week will be. I need to make it clear to you that this is a business conference. It’s very important to learn more about the people you’ll be dealing with. It will also give you a chance to learn some skills. There will be a few workshops that I want you to attend. I don’t have them on me right now but I’ll point them out to you when we get there.”
    “ Of course.”
    Rafael looked at me then began nodding his head. I watched his jaw clench as he began grinding his teeth together. I stared back at him and narrowed my eyes. There was something else on his mind but he wasn’t saying it.
    “ Is there… anything else?” I asked him.
    He paused for a moment before exhaling a deep breath. He looked away from me then to the side. He looked out of the large glass window of my office and into some of the nearby rooms around me. He watched the people outside of my office go about their business like the usually did on a busy Monday morning. He shifted his eyes back to me before turning his head along with them.
    “ It’s really important that you understand that this is a business meeting, Alice. You’re here for work. You’re a representative of the company—”
    “ Sir, you don’t have to keep reminding me. I’ll be there to work. I’ll be there to learn. I will do everything I can to make sure that I do my part to make sure that Barnett Industries is well represented.”
    I reassured him to let him know that I understood. This was business. Despite any feelings I may or may n ot have for him, this job was still important to me. I wouldn’t let whatever conflicting emotions I might have affect my performance.
    “ Okay,” he said as he nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. But… this is also an opportunity for… what we talked about. A few nights ago. I don’t know if we’ll have any time alone together but if we do get a chance, we’ll have to be secluded from everybody else. These people are no different. If they know that there’s anything going on…”
    “ I understand. You don’t have to worry about me. Whatever happens… happens. I’m sure that it will be an exciting adventure for everybody involved.”
    Rafael exhaled a sharp breath then smiled at me.
    “Is there anything else?” I asked him.
    We stared silently at one another. As I looked into his eyes, I could almost see his lips twitching just beneath them as if he was fighting off a smile. I bit the corner of my bottom lip and pointlessly tried to keep my face from blushing. Without saying a single word, I knew what he was thinking. But even though we were in my office, I knew that every passer-by would be suspicious of even the slightest hint of flirtation. I wanted nothing more than for him to come around my desk and bend me over upon it. And I knew that he wanted it just as bad as I did. But we couldn’t. Not in my office or his or anywhere else in this building. Never again. Just like he promised.
    There was a knock at the door and the tension in the room dissolved. Rafael jumped out of his chair then straightened his tie before nonchalantly answering th e door. It was the delivery man with the lunch I just ordered. Rafael reached into his jacket and searched for his wad of money.
    “ Perfect timing,” he said. “Don’t worry, Alice. This one’s on me.”
    Rafael paid the delivery man, who placed my lunch down upon my desk. Rafael didn’t say anything more to me. Not a goodbye or anything else. There was no wave or wink or bowing of his head. Instead, he wrapped his arm around the delivery man’s shoulder and they left my office together. I laughed to myself at the image of the two of them then took a break from my work to enjoy my