Page 70 of Crush

He had been so attentive during the week after I returned after my cold, almost over the top and the cynic in me was worried that he was up to something.

How could our relationship have changed so much in such a short space of time? But then again, I had shared something immensely intimate with him. Surely that would have moved things forward. We’d had mind-blowing sex and if that wasn’t one of the biggest game changers on the planet, what was?

After a tiring week, I made my way home and told myself not to read into shit. Things were good with Max and I was enjoying both his company and the work I was doing. There wasn’t time to think about anything else.

Whatever was going on between us, I was happy for it to play out and see where it went. The bitch in me would remain dormant for now.

The charity ball loomed and even though nothing had been said, I had decided I would treat it as my first date with Max, no strings attached. Just two adults having fun and who knew where that could lead?

I just hoped there was a bedroom in there somewhere.

I had now accepted that I wanted Max, the question was. Did he want me back?

That annoying niggle that something was off continued to loom on and off; like an ulterior motive had brought about the change in events.

Bottling that thought, I started to plan my outfit for the forthcoming ball. I was looking forward to it and being with Max. I needed to allow myself to trust in him.

Otherwise, what was the point?

Max

I’d had a shitter of a week. Everything kept going wrong with the build on-site, although Roger Beresford had finally signed off on my alcohol license.

The weather was the main cause of delays, withsevere winds dragging down some scaffolding overnight. Delivery of the project had been set back for the second time and the hotel owners were worried that it wouldn’t be ready for the launch.

Amber was so different at work, enthusiastic and approachable. She had revealed a side of herself which I never expected. It was like our sleeping together had broken down those barriers and things between us were better. More than better.

I had purposely paired her with an associate of mine, Joanna who usually led opening events for my projects. So far, I had never missed a target but the current project we were working on seemed to be doomed.

I had also spent most of the day on Thursday dealing with business relating to another project which had set me back another day.

The dockside warehouses I bought were confirmed asuseless. And if I were to sell the land now, I’d lose even more money due to a recent dip in the land value markets. Without planning permission, I couldn’t turn them into anything I could use.

Pushing thoughts of future projects to one side, I’d also had Rory Hopton in my office for ballsing up a section of scaffolding and so I fired him. He’d failed to strengthen a corner elevation. The part that the wind had brought down. Not only had it damaged part of the rendering, but if it had happened when people had been on site, it could have caused a series injury. The way he continued to watch Amber when she was on site was also a factor in that decision. It pissed me off.

As Jonny had requested, I’d kept Amber busy in the lead-up to Harker being released from prison. A thought that was always at the back of my mind.

It was hard to digest that thestarchier side of her demeanour was due to her having suffered an infinitely more complex and darker life experience. Sure, I was minus a twin brother, but in the scheme of things, what Amber had sufferedhad been manipulation of the worst kind. She’s been preyed upon by the lowest of the low; an adult scumbag taking advantage of a young, impressionable girl. And one who was already tortured and incomplete due to losing her mother at such a young age. I toyed with the idea of finding him when he got released from prison, but I knew that wasn’t the best of ideas.

I spoke to Jonathan daily and provided updates on Amber. Did I feel a bit of a shit for spying, yes. But it was with her safety in mind. Who knew what Harker would do when he got out? Hopefully, he’d moved the hell on and so would just get on with his sorry life.

There was also the question of what Amber would do when she found out he was free. Jonny said that as far as he knew, Amber hadn’t contacted Harker in prison but the fucker had attempted to write to her. Jonny said he withheld all the letters but hadn’t read them. He said thoughts of what the letters may contain about his little girl left him sick to his stomach.

On my way home from work one night, I went to Natalie’s house. I’d spoken to her a few times on the phone and she’d come over all needy which wasn’t good. That wasn’t what we’d agreed. I had been honest with her from the start and she’d been fine with a booty call type of arrangement but I knew it was time to end things. Amber was also a reason for that. We weren’t seeing each other but I was still incredibly attracted to her and getting her in bed again was high on my agenda. If only work didn’t keep getting in the way.

When I ended things with Natalie, she didn’t break down or cry and seemed OK. However, partway through our discussion, Gabriel called her and asked for a favour. Something about buying Leonie a cocktail dress. I’d found it interesting that Natalie said she hadn’t heard from Gabe in weeks. They too had a similar arrangement to ours which from the sounds of it, had also dried up.

Things were becoming tighter between Gabe and Leonie. After finding out she was working in the strip club, he’d put a good word in for her at Felice’s, our usual drinking establishment. She had either started working there or was dueto. I wondered if they were fucking yet, my lawyer-to-be friend kept his cards close to his chest, as I did where Amber was concerned.

One night Gabriel called to explain that Leonie had been attacked by her previous landlord. I’d offered to go and sort the twat out but it sounded like he’d had a good go himself. He’d also set Marco on the case and asked him to send a message. I hated men that forced themselves on women. I blew off the forced kiss I’d planted on Amber as that not counting.

As Gabe and I had caught up on shit, we spoke briefly about Luca and Amber’s friend Mia who had been out a few times before moving onto the touchy subject of Gabe’s father Garrett Knight. Gabriel was still being pressured to join his father’s firm and it sounded like Garrett’s number one client Gerard Kinlan was also bringing out the big guns.

As I was attaching cufflinks to the sleeves of my dress shirt, a light from my bed drew my attention and I went to retrieve my phone. Swiping the screen with my thumb I opened the text. It was the night of the charity ball and I was finishing getting ready. I so didn’t want to go; I hated dressing up and having to play a part. I would much rather have Amber in my apartment for the night, in my bed or even against the wall. I so needed to fuck her again soon. I’d already jerked off twice whilst thinking about all the things I wanted to do to her when I’d showered.

I’m downstairs.It was from Amber. The Royal Horseguards where the charity ball was being held was in the centre of London. We had agreed that Dexter would drive her and they’d pick me up on the way. At the end of the night, I intended asking her to come home with me.

I thumbed in my reply.On my way.

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