Page 74 of Crush

After a couple more glasses of champagne, I took Amber out onto the dance floor and she swayed against me. I had hoped that the alcohol would loosen her up a bit; she was much more reserved since we’d arrived at the venue.

As Amber’s tight little body moved against mine, my hands were on her hips. I danced us away from where several other couples were rotating.

As Amber placed her head against my chest, my phone vibrated and keeping my dance partner close, I briefly checked it.

Natalie? WTF. I quickly shoved it back into the pocket of my dress pants and replaced my hand around Amber’s back.

After the last song finished and another started, Amber pulled back slightly and looked up at me. “So did you mean it when you said that the arrangement with your friend Natalie was in the past,”

Fuck. She must have seen my screen. Why did I suddenly feel that I was cheating?

“When did I say that?”

Her eyes widened, “When you texted me. It was past tense.”

“I see,” I replied, being cagey. “Let’s call her a skeleton in my cupboard.”

Amber pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing slightly. “One of many I imagine?”

“Why do you say that?” running one of my hands over her backside. The woman had such a sexy arse.

“I know you have a past Max,” Amber said softly.

“Doesn’t everyone?”

She didn’t reply, she just moved against my body, her hands resting on my biceps.

“What about you? I’ve shared one of my skeletons. Now it’s your turn.”

I smiled, lifting my hand, and pushing her hair back to view her tiny shell of an ear.

“Maybe I don’t have any,” Amber replied, pushing her breasts against my chest.

I smiled down at her perfect features. “I think we both know that’s a lie after our chat the night of Jonny’s party. I know a past relationship fucked you up, andmade you put up barriers but you don’t need them. Not with me, not any more.”

Her spine stiffened and I knew I’d pushed her too much. “We’ve fucked once, Max and you think that gives you access to my most private areas.”

I started to steer us further away from the main section of the dance floor as the couple closest to us shot me a dark look.

“Keep your voice down. I’m just encouraging you to be more open with me. You know you can trust me.”

“Can I?” Amber said with razor-edged cool.

I clenched my teeth together before I released an ill-considered retort. After a beat, I replied, “Yes.” I kept thesort ofto myself, suddenly feeling like a fucking fraud.

Amber’s arms slid from my arms and down my torso. She then placed one blood-red painted fingertip against my chest and said, “If I can trust you, why did you take my phone?”

Fuck!

How did she know I’d taken her phone?

A thick silence stretched between us and that last thread of patience snapped.

I’d had enough. I couldn’t dance around the subject any longer. It wasn’t fair or helpful for her safety if shewasin danger.

I had tried things Jonny’s way, now it was time to do it my way.

Amber’s brilliant green eyes flashed at me.

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