Page 71 of Crush

Sliding my arms into the jacket of my tux, I then pocketed my phone and keys and searched for my wallet. Grabbing it from the kitchen counter, I walked to the door. My phone vibrated in my pocket as I was locking my apartment.

The message was from Jonny.

Maxim, there has been a report of Harker’s release on the local news.

OK? What do you want me to do?

Jonny’s message flew back.Could you take Amber’s phone?I would prefer she doesn’t hear anything from the media. I’m away tonight but will speak to her tomorrow at dinner.

Maybe we should tell her now?

He didn’t reply which pissed me off. The man was taking the piss now. I added a reply as he’d expect me to.I will try.

After locking up and heading down in the lift to a waiting Amber, I felt annoyed at the position her father had put me in.

I was lying to her now and was tying myself up in knots. Sheneededto know. Amber was a grown woman and would be safer if she knew. Jonny was still treating her like a little girl and I couldn’t allow that. If she knew the real reason I was taking her out tonight she’d be pissed. Although unofficial, I knew she’d see tonight as a date. That’s what women did, romanticised the heck out of stuff.

You’re doing it to keep her safe;I qualified inwardly.

After thanking Dexter for opening the door, I climbed inside the limo. Amber’s scent hit me immediately. She looked stunning in a black lace cocktail dress.

“You look beautiful,” I said, sliding over the leather, my thigh touching hers.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” she replied with a smile. Dexter closed the door, leaving us alone for a few beats and I couldn’t help myself.

“We could just sack this shit off and go upstairs?” I said with a suggestive look.

Amber laughed, it was sweet and melodic. “And waste this dress?” she replied.

“Believe me, you wouldn’t be wasting it. Not with what I’ve got in mind. Come here.”

Amber bit back her smile and shook her head, denying me as Dexter climbed into the car. I knew she wouldn’t want Dexter to see anything he could report back to her father and so I kept my voice quiet.

“You owe me one now,” I said, my eyes on the back of Dexter’s head as he started the engine.

The partition was closed and so I knew he wouldn’t be able to hear everything.

“Are you always on your best behaviour in front of Dexter?” I asked as the car pulled out into traffic.

“Of course. He tells Daddy everything.”

“So, I take it you’ve never had sex in your limo?” Once the question was out, I wanted to unsay it. If she said yes, I’d be as jealous as fuck. Amber made me territorial.

“Fucking in cars isn’t my bag I’m afraid,” she replied with a chuckle. “How about you?”

“Any type of fucking is my bag, sweetheart.” I added a wiggle of my eyebrows and she rolled her eyes with a smile. She probably thought I was teasing.

“You’re such a pig, Maxim Hunter.”

“And you love it,” I chuckled with a wolfish grin, running my fingertips lightly over one lace-encased thigh.

I could feel Dexter’s eyes burning into me through the rearview mirror and Amber and I exchanged a secret look as he lowered the glass partition to ask about parking at the venue.

Once I’d explained that there was parking in the garage which sat under the building, the glass partition remained down on purpose. Amber gave me a knowing, told-you-so look.

Our conversation was then maddeningly polite and I couldn’t wait to get out of the limo. Partway through the journey, Amber seemed subdued and I wondered if I’d said anything to upset her.

“Are you OK?” I questioned softly.

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