Page 42 of Crush

Luca and I spoke about Gabriel who was having trouble with his old man. His father was still badgering him to join his legal firm but our friend wasn’t having any of it.

As Luca was telling me one of his bullshit modelling stories, I glanced back into the house. I could see into the kitchens through one of the windows. It was busy with hired caterers who were frantically preparing the birthday meal. I was surprised Jamie fucking Oliver wasn’t in there. Leaning my head closer to Luca as he started talking about Gabe and Gerard Kinlan, the dodgy fucker Gabe’s father Garrett was working for a flash of blue caught my eye.

It was then that I saw her and oh my God.

Amber.

She was well in her element, weaving her way in and out of the guests with a huge smile on her face as she conversed as she went. Amber wore her Diva persona like a badge of honour.

Lady Amber-Leigh Swiftglidedacross the patio, the crowd naturally parting to take her in. You could see the guests individually turning towards her, admiring the high-society daughter of their host. The men had their tongues hanging out and the women peered at her with envious eyes.

She lookedsensationaland it felt like someone had taken a Taser, shoved it down my dress pants and zapped my dick. The rich blue silk dress she wore clung to her body in all the right places. It was long and fitted with a high neckline and a slit up towards her thigh but that wasn’t the best part. As Amber turned to speak to some of the guests, I saw herentireback was bare. The dress was backless, revealing her shoulder blades and dipping down towards her pert little bottom. Amber’s spine flexed as she moved and I so wanted to run my fingers down that naked section. Her make-up was modest and her hair was captured on top of her head in an up-do, messy on purpose. I’d love to yank those pins out and see her hair spill around those shoulders. She wore red lipstick which would look great smeared across my cock.

“I’m guessing that’s The Antichrist,” Luca put in with wide eyes, knocking his beer back. As he said those words, Amber turned towards us, her smile dipping but only slightly. “So, what’s your plan of action?”

The oxygen almost stalled in my throat as I pondered that thought. The realisation that I wanted to get along with her was a shock to the system. “To get through the night without pissing her off would be good,” I replied quickly.

“I’d say fuck her brains out, scratch that itch so me and guys don’t have to hear you bellyaching about her all the time.”

“Keep your voice down. Shh, here she comes,” I whispered, clearing my throat, and plastering a smile on my face as she approached us. The high heels she wore gave her more height than usual but she was still miles shorter thanme. I noted how she teetered as she walked, clearly not that stable. What was it with small women and the need for height?

“Gentlemen,” Amber purred in greeting, clearly on her best behaviour, but I couldseethehintof arrogance whisper across her features. The party had started a couple of hours earlier butnothingon her face was out of place. She looked airbrushed. She was that perfect.

“Lady Swift, you look stunning,” I replied in a gravelly voice, taking her wrist, and tugging her towards me. Her lips parted in surprise but before she could speak, I leaned down and purposely kissed her on each cheek. I’d been to a few parties and so knew that was part of the etiquette and all that shit. Her cheeks were flushed when I drew back and released her. It pleased me as I had never acted like a gentleman in her company, she was probably in shock.

As she leaned back and washed a glance over my frame, I stepped away to give her a better view saying, “What do you think? Not a lumberjack shirt in sight.” I inwardly cringed at that sudden need I felt to seek validation.

“You look good, Max,” she replied with a slight smile. I felt a dart of satisfaction that soon faded as she added, “Your personality may be a lost cause, so it’s a good job you're pretty.”

“Now now, enough with the compliments or you’ll embarrass me,” I said with a sarcastic chuckle.

Amber rolled her eyes before narrowing them at me. “Satan himself couldn’t do that.” I found her words interesting considering the nickname I had given her.

We stood staring each other down for a beat. It was like a game of who blinks first before my friend shifted the focus.

Luca had barked out a laugh at the Satan comment, which he changed into a fake cough as we both turned to stare at him. “Hey, go easy on the man, he had to have his tuxcustom-made,” my unwanted wing-man piped up. I didn’t want Amber to know I’d gone to so much trouble.

“Why?” she said, her eyes scanning my body, looking for something out of place.

“Because Max is six-four with shoulders as wide as a fucking car, pardon my French.”

Amber drew her gaze away, commenting, “I can’t say I’ve noticed.”

Little liar, my face said, as her gaze came back to mine. Amber had her signature Lady of the Manor expression glued on. It didn’t piss me off, the woman was in her natural habitat and so I had to accept it.

With an eye roll and a shake of my head, I moved the hell on, motioning toward my friend. “Amber, this is Luca, my plus one. Luca, Lady Amber-Leigh Swift.”

“I must admit it’s nice to meet a friend of Max’s, I wasn’t sure he had any other than Gabriel Knight,” Amber replied smoothly, raising one dainty hand towards Luca. The gesture suggested a handshake but I watched as he stepped forward and took her tiny paw in his. He then turned it over and lifted the back of her hand towards his mouth; the smooth little creep.

Her entire expression lifted and a genuine smile replaced that tight-lipped version. So Amberwasa stickler for that romantic shite. I made a mental note.

As they exchanged pleasantries, the way she was looking at Lucapissedme off. Only slightly but it was still there. I zoned out of what they were saying for a moment, watching them through narrowed eyes. Fuck me but they’d make a good-looking couple.

“Please call me Amber.” Those softly spoken words were warm and they dragged me out of my daze. Although they weren’t directed at me, her voice had started to do dark and dangerous things to my insides.

Whilst I was still recovering from my thoughts, Amber tilted her chin my way. “I must admit, I didn’t think your plus one would be a man. I imagined you here with a date tonight,” Amber explained.

I found her words interesting considering she’d put Luca and me in separate rooms. We’d also discussed the fact that neither of us dated.

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