Chapter 233: What's Wrong With Amber?

Holly's POV

As soon as I left his office, I sat down for a solid five minutes, staring at my computer screen like the quarterly reports were the most fascinating thing in the world.

My hands were still shaking a little, so I kept them clamped around my mouse just to hide it. The office buzzed around me…phones ringing, keyboards clacking…but everything felt muffled, like I was underwater.

My skin was still buzzing where he’d touched me. Neck. Waist. That spot just under my ear where his breath had hit. I could still feel the ghost of his fingers, the heat of his body pinning me to the wall.

And God, those words he’d growled… I shifted in my chair, crossing my legs tight because the ache between them wasn’t going away anytime soon.

I needed to get a grip. Fast.

I grabbed my purse, stood up way too quickly, and made a beeline for the restroom. Nobody looked up…thank God…because if anyone had seen my face right then, they’d know something major just went down.

The ladies’ room was empty. I pushed through the door, locked myself in the big stall at the end, and just leaned against the wall for a second, breathing hard.

Holy crap. Holy crap. That was so sexy!

After a minute, I came out, splashed cold water on my wrists, and finally looked at myself in the mirror.

My cheeks were flushed pink, eyes bright and a little wild, hair still perfect but lips…yeah, my lipstick was smudged from where I’d bitten them trying not to moan out loud in his office. I looked like someone who’d just been thoroughly rattled.

And I loved it.

A slow grin spread across my face. I lifted my hand and gave mirror-me a solid high-five.

“That’s right, girl,” I whispered to my reflection. “You got him. He’s losing it. Jealous, possessive, ready to snap…whatever you want to call it, he’s feeling something. And it’s all because of you.”

I laughed quietly, the sound echoing a little in the empty room. For the longest time, I’d been the one twisted up over him, while he acted like I was just the kid sister type.

Now? He couldn’t even stand the idea of me dating someone else.

Soon…real soon…I wouldn’t need Tyler anymore. No more fake texts, no more staged flower deliveries. David was already halfway to breaking.

A little more push, a little more fire, and he’d be right where I wanted him…admitting he wanted me, chasing me, begging if he had to.

I pulled out my lipstick and reapplied it slowly, pressing my lips together, smacking them once for good measure. Perfect.

I fluffed my hair, straightened my blouse, and gave myself one last wink. Showtime.

I catwalked out of there like I owned the whole damn floor…hips swaying just enough, heels clicking with confidence. Down the hallway, past the break room, almost to the corner that led back to the open area…

And then I heard her voice again.

Amber.

Sharp, low, angry. Coming from the supply closet hallway…the same dead-end spot she’d disappeared into earlier.

“Why won't you leave me alone?” she snapped. A pause. Then quieter, almost pleading, “You can’t keep calling me here. If someone hears—”

She kept talking, voice getting tighter. “You promised me you wouldn’t… God, why do you always do this? Why can't you leave me alone?!”

Her hand was shaking. Actually shaking.

Something cold twisted in my stomach.

Is someone threatening her?

I glanced toward the corridor, there was no one in sight. Everyone was probably buried in work right now.

I walked up quietly, smoothing my skirt. “Amber?” I called softly, taking a few steps toward her. “Hey, you okay?”

She didn’t hear me at first. Or maybe she did and pretended not to. She was almost in the hallway now, shoulders hunched like she was carrying something heavy.

“Amber!” I said a little louder, walking faster.

That’s when it happened.

Her heel caught on the edge of the rug…those stupid decorative ones facilities insisted on putting down to “warm up” the office. She stumbled forward, phone flying from her hand as she tried to catch herself. It clattered across the floor, screen still lit, call still connected.

She went down hard.

Knees first, then palms slapping the ground as she tried to break her fall. A sharp gasp escaped her…half pain, half shock…and then she just…stayed there for a second, on the floor, head bowed, breathing ragged.

The entire floor went quiet.

A few heads popped up over cubicles. Someone dropped a stapler.

I rushed over, heart slamming against my ribs. “Amber! Oh my God, are you okay?”

I dropped to my knees beside her, reaching out. She flinched when my hand touched her shoulder…like she hadn’t expected anyone to come close.

“I’m fine,” she muttered quickly, too quickly, pushing herself up. Her palms were red, one knee scraped through a small tear in her stocking. Her eyes were glassy, but she blinked hard, forcing a tight smile. “Just clumsy. Stupid rug.”

Her phone was a few feet away, screen facing up. I could hear a man’s voice coming through…tinny, angry, demanding.

“Amber? Amber, what the hell was that? Answer me! You think you can just ignore me? Say something!”

What the hell…

I reached out to help her pick it up but she lunged for it like it was on fire, snatching it up and ending the call with a violent swipe.

Then she looked at me, really looked at me, and for the first time since I’d known her…she looked scared.

“Amber, what's going on? Talk to me,” I said softly, trying not to scare her, or come off as being pushy.

“I’m fine, Holly,” she said again, voice barely above a whisper. “Really. Just…don’t worry about it.”

But her hands were still shaking.

And I’d never been more worried in my life.

I helped her up gently, my arm around her waist as she winced from the scrape on her knee.

The office was already pretending nothing happened…heads dipping back down to screens, whispers fading…but I wasn’t letting this go.

I'm not that type of girl.