Page 5 of Crush

“You said something earlier about planning? Do you think we missed something?” Sanderson, aka Michael, questioned lowering his arm. He was watching her like she hadallthe answers with a massive toothy grin.

I was now so close to Amber, that my arm brushed her shoulder forcing her to take a nervous sidestep. And ‘interesting’ jumped up to the next level.

“Yes, we should have factored in floodproofing ofallsections,” Amber stated, shooting me an accusatory look. What the hell didthatmean? My temper started to simmer.

“We did, during the procurement cycle. I drafted that section myself,” I cut in, turning to look down at the titchy virago before me. Amber met my gaze, her eyes tangling with mine and I felt my throat tighten. At that point, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to shake the little piece of trouble or ram my mouth over hers to shut her up. How dare she stand in front of my staff and attempt to state that something had been missed; that I was in the wrong. Of all the nerve.

With a head tilt, she challenged me outright. “I checked the plans last night and there was no mention of preparing for flooding in phase two, even if we aren’t building on a floodplain, it should have been factored in.”

“Itwasfactored in,” I stated bluntly, casting a glance around the room. The boys were wide-eyed as a strange atmosphere filtered into the space. Tension flared between us and a nervous cough was released. I slammed my attention back onto Amber, waiting, no,prayingfor her to call me a liar to my face.

Amber arched a perfect brow in a challenge, “Well, it isn’t on the version I have,” she exclaimed in a huffy voice, that slender neck of hers craning to meet my gaze. I inhaled and my chest expanded. I was ready for a fight. She had no idea what she was starting.

I took my sweet time to question her. “Which version do you have?” I asked, lifting one hand, and rubbing my thumb thoughtfully over my bottom lip.

Amber’s eyes fell to my mouth before she cleared her throat and glanced away briefly. “I can’t remember the file name off the top of my head,” she mumbled, her voice much lower. She didn’t like the fact that her comeback was piss-poor.

I chuckled, for her ears only and she shot me a scowl. You could hear a pin drop.

We remained in that squared-up stance for several seconds before another nervous cough pushed me into action. I turned towards the room, everyone was either standing to the sides or sitting on tables, all in high-vis work gear, awaiting instruction or the outcome of the private war unfolding before them.

It would be so easy to pull her apart in front of these people but I wasn’t that much of a dick.

“I suggest we recheck the plan together,” I stated, my eyes taking in the slight pink in her cheeks before turning towards the workforce. Her expression changed like she’d just sucked a lemon. I pushed the image of her sucking my cock from my mind.

“Wes, take your team and start to pump the water out. If you go to my office, you need Procurement Plan Horizon V3.56. There is a contingency in there which covers us for this situation. There are details of how best to clear the water, and mitigate the area. We need to ensure the floorings are dry to stop any future mould encroachment. Those not working on the footings in that section can crack on.”

“Sure thing boss,” he said respectfully.

“Once you have studied the plan, please drop it back off at my office,” I instructed. Then I could savour proving little Miss Know It All wrong.

“Will do. Let’s do it, lads,” Wes replied, addressing his team.

“Thank you, everyone, that will be all,” I informed the rest of the staff from my lofty position on the slightly raised stage. It was humble pie time.

Amber’s shoulders slumped and she went to walk away from me but I snagged her arm, holding her back none too gently by her slim bicep.

A flicker of something shot through her at my touch and I growled against the cuff of her tiny ear, “Not you.”

I felt her muscle flex beneath my fingers, my own skin was tingling even though I only touched the sleeve of her suit jacket; a jet-black number with a tight pencil skirt and those killer heels. She looked both business-like and slutty, a dangerous concoction.

Pulling her back around to face me, her eyes were wide and I twisted my head, waiting for the last of my employees to leave the cabin. What I had to say was for her ears alone.

The only sign of meekness was when Amber swallowed, her eyes watching me warily beneath her chestnut lashes. They were covered in a layer of black mascara but I could see their natural colour. Her scent teased my nostrils, the woman smelt divine.

IallowedAmber to tug herself free, but onlyafterbriefly tightening my grip. I needed to make the point that she got free because Ilether. She then folded both arms across her chest and glared up at me. Yes, I was being a dick but she brought out my worst.

“Well,sir?” she sassed. Her attitude inflamed my already fraying temper. She was such a gutsy little cow.

I narrowed my eyes, “Sir? I think that’s the first time you’ve called me that and I must say, I like it. I may insist that you call me that in the future.” I was behaving like an arrogant tool but the girl was asking for it.

Amber’s lip curled. “I doubt that’severgoing to happen, Max.”

My name on her lips sounded good, too good. I pushed away the unwelcome thought as I felt myself harden. Shit, it certainly wasn’t the time to be getting a stiffy.

Raising my eyebrows, I stepped further into Amber’s space and her eyes flickered towards the exit. Good, sheshouldbe nervous, attempting to make me look at fault in front of my staff.

“My father is the only man worthy of the title, sir,” she added, raising her chin.

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