Page 20 of Crush

“Idon’tdate. This is dinner,that’sall,” she replied tartly, leaning back when I lowered my head. I could see I was getting to her and it spurred me the fuck on.

With an arched eyebrow, I continued my third degree. “And that’s it, just dinner? You two love birds aren’t fucking?”

She tutted and slid her hands away as I helped myself to one of her fries. I was being obnoxious on purpose as getting her hackles to rise got me off.

Amber’s expression was icy. “You’re such a crude pig. I don’t understand on what planet you think you have the right to question me.” Her brow was threaded as she watched me warily. Did she think I was going to touch her? I chewed on the cold fry. I’d only grabbed one so I had something to do with my hands.

“I’m just looking out for you. You’re my protégé, remember. And that boy likes to gossip in the locker rooms.” I knew I was being a cock, but this girl brought out the worst in me and due to the booze, my usual level of reason had left the building.

Amber shook her head, that perfect updo of hers not moving and I wondered how she’d look with her hair down, maybe spread across my pillow. Down boy.

“Well, I wouldn’t know. That’s one place on site I havenointerest in going. My tetanus shot isn’t up to date.” Ha, Gabriel Knight, in your face. Shewasstuck upjustas I said so.

Smirking, I pointed out. “Well, if you shag shit for brains tonight, make sure he wraps it before he taps it. The guy is a walking STD.”

“Firstly, his name is Rory and I’m not your protégé and thirdly, I don’t believe you,” she said with a sniff, her eyes darting behind me to wherehewas standing outside the restaurant. Ah ha! Yes, Rory that was his name. It came back along with a reminder of all the shit he’d caused at work.

“He’s the type to boast about his conquests. Surely you don’t want to be the brunt of work gossip.”

“And you suddenly care about my reputation, how novel,” she sneered.

I rolled my shoulders, clearly frustrated. “I told your father I’d look out for you.”

“What makes you think I will give himanythinghe’ll be able to boast about?”

“So, youwon’tbe taking him back to your place?”

“I don’t take men back to my house Max,” Amber replied with a sigh.

“Why? So, you can be sure they want you for somethingotherthan your money?” I taunted.

She shot me a strained smile. “Nope, I can never be bothered to think of excuses to get them to leave, oncethe deedis done.”

“Cute.” I could see that she was attempting to match my crudeness but her words had little weight to them. She was pretending to be something she wasn’t. Interesting.

“Cute? Yes, I suppose he is, isn’t he,” Amber said purposely misunderstanding me with a glance towards Hopton, which pissed me off even more.

“He’s a first-class prick, Amber. Take it from me,” I stated.

“Well, I suppose you’d know what one of those looks like, being one yourself,” she sniped, crossing her arms over her tits. They looked mighty tastyencased in that black lace, her dress looked like it had been painted on. I wondered what bra she would be wearing. Maybe the red one from the other day?

I cocked an amused brow whilst explaining, “I may be a dick at times, but I don’teverkiss and tell and I’m only warning you so you don’t get hurt.”

She was now sitting up ramrod straight. “How considerate of you. So, are you saying you’ll be my shoulder to cry on when it all goes south?”

She was such a stubborn little bitch.

“I’m trying to stop it before it gets to that point.”

I stole another fry off Amber’s plate and glanced around to see Hopton was still on his phone. Who leaves a date to take a call? Bloody loser.

“What do you think you’re doing, Max?” Amber said on an exhale, motioning to where I was sitting with a smug as fuck look on my face. I was there, in his seat and quite happy to replace him. Especially if this dinner was leading to other more interesting places.

And then the fact of that truth tore through that alcohol-infused fog. Iwantedthis she-devil for myself. Irrespective of that being so very wrong and inappropriate.

“I’ll repeat myself. What are you doing?”

I motioned towards the window of the venue where the prick was, now staring down at his phone with a gormy expression. “Keeping his seat warm.”

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