Page 45 of Crush

“I mean about Daddy’s birthday party,” she said in an amused voice.

Clearing my throat, I leaned back in my seat, “I think you’ve done well. It looks amazing. What company did you use?” I asked, not totally out of my comfort zone. I used event planners to organise the launches of my hotels and bars. But not to the level of detail as Jonathan’s party.

“To be honest, I did most of it myself,” Amber admitted, but not in a conceited way, almost like she couldn’t believe she had managed to pull it off. I watched as she threaded a loose piece of hair behind one of her cute ears. She was so beautiful and I couldn’t stop my thoughts from racing. Did she ever think about our kiss?

I dragged my thoughts away and lifted my eyes from her lips. “If that’s the case, you’ve missed your calling. I’d sack off site work and concentrate yourefforts on planning parties,” I stated, taking a sip of whisky and regarding her over the rim of the glass.

Her perfect nose lifted as she questioned, “What do you mean?”

“You should become a party planner, not a project manager,” I explained.

My words caused Amber’s nose to crinkle, lashes lowering as she placed her empty glass on the table.

“A party planner?” she said, drawing back, her tone brisk. What the hell? It had been meant as a compliment. Not even fifteen minutes in and I’d already offended her. Mission failed.

“What did I say?” I questioned in disbelief, rolling my shoulders at the look she was giving me.

“So, you see me as an empty-headed society princess who just plans parties?” Amber drawled with a head tilt.

Her backbone had stiffened even more against her seat. I glanced over at Luca and Mia who were deep in conversation before leaning slightly over the table. “I didn’t mean it offensively. Planning events to this level takes talent,realtalent and can be as stressful as fuck. You could easily be a professional and you could charge a fortune,” I said gruffly, attempting to repair the damage I hadn’t intended to cause.

To be perfectly honest I didn’t want to fight with her. I wanted to do the opposite; especially, after ballsing up in Felice’s that night. Thoughts of that forbidden kiss came flooding back.

“Well, you completely trashed my reply to your essay question on project management so maybe you’re right.”

Guilt pumped through me, “Ah, about that,” I started.

“What?”

“Well, it wasn’tthatbad. I was in a mood when I read it. I was being a dick, forgive me?”

My words appeared to soothe her as Amber settled back against the backrest of her chair. We sat in silence as she cast a look out over at the guests with a slight smile gracing her lips.

She then pushed forward and smoothed the wrinkles in her dress over that one-tonedcrossed leg.

“I suppose it’s something to think about; party planning. I do enjoy organising stuff like this.” Amber said with a nod of greeting toward someone to the side of me. I followed her gaze, thankfully it wasn’t the hobbit.

Dragging her attention back I pointed out, “You have a gift, Amber, everything looks amazing. As Mia said, you should relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jonny as cheerful.”

The quartet which had been playing instrumental versions of the theme tunes from the James Bond movies changed to an obscure ballad and it filtered across the patio. I was an angry rock music man myself, but the sound was pleasant and went with the ambience. I noticed some people were dancing and I wondered what it would feel like to have Amber in my arms, her head resting against my chest.

“So, you came with a friend,” Amber suddenly said, changing the subject.

“I did. What about you?” I questioned, hoping she didn’t mention the guy from earlier. He was now standing at the bottom of the stone steps which led to the entrance of the marquee. There were around six of them all laughing and knocking back their drinks like drunken pricks.

“Whataboutme?” she said, glancing to see where I was looking.

I dragged my gaze back. “Where’syourplus one?”

“I didn’t have time to invite anyone—” Amber’s voice turned to vapour as she didn’t finish her sentence.

So, I did it for her, “Of course, you don’t date,” I said with a head nod. I felt daring going there, considering the last time we’d walked that path I’d fused my mouth with hers. Fuck, my dick twitched at the thought.

Amber glanced at Luca and Mia who must have found whatever story he was feeding herhilarious. Their body language said it all. “Neither do you,” she pointed out. “I must say I didn’t see you bringing a guy,” she said, taking a sip of her drink.

I frowned, “Surely you knew I was coming with amalefriend.”

She shook her head which brought me back to my earlier thought. “But you put us in separate rooms.”

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