Amber really shouldn't be able to make him feel this good about himself with only a few half-hearted compliments. She'd crushed his self-confidence only to build it back up again, and Foreman had no idea when her opinion of him had started to matter so much. He was supposed to be aloof, independent, anything but reliant on what his girlfriends thought of him; he was supposed to be the one offering compliments and reassurance, instead of searching them out. All his confidence, his suave attitude with women, was built on a foundation of unshakeable confidence in his own worth, as a partner, in bed, and as a person. Maybe it was Amber's own independence that had left him wondering about himself. Knowing she could take him or leave him. If it came down to work, then leaving might be her best option, and she knew it. Hearing that she believed in him made Foreman feel that he still was the guy he'd always thought, capable and proud. He hadn't forgotten his promises to listen, to try harder as a boss, but knowing that Amber hadn't entirely written him off would make that easy as well. If he wasn't the best, he'd work until he'd improved, simple as that. It helped him sit up straighter, a tingle in his chest rising from Amber's answering smile, and reach with renewed hunger for his toast. It was cold, but he was still hungry. The eggs would be inedible, but he could eat the rest.
Chewing, Foreman granted Amber a skeptical look when she confirmed that she hadn't been with a woman as a one-time thing. The emphasis on first time didn't pass him by, either, and Amber's goading smile was probably another trap. If he started asking too many questions, he'd lose just as quickly as if he'd shown no interest at all. The possibilities were making themselves known to his imagination, but he'd only get details if and when Amber wanted to share. Finishing his bite, he ran his thumb across the back of Amber's hand, lightly, trying to make her shiver. Their legs were already pressed together under the table; the solid, warm presence at once comforting and promising more. "I guess you're not the sort to kiss and tell," Foreman said, pretending half-disappointed, half-resigned acceptance. He nodded seriously, coming to a firm decision. "Wouldn't want to invade your privacy."
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Chewing, Foreman granted Amber a skeptical look when she confirmed that she hadn't been with a woman as a one-time thing. The emphasis on first time didn't pass him by, either, and Amber's goading smile was probably another trap. If he started asking too many questions, he'd lose just as quickly as if he'd shown no interest at all. The possibilities were making themselves known to his imagination, but he'd only get details if and when Amber wanted to share. Finishing his bite, he ran his thumb across the back of Amber's hand, lightly, trying to make her shiver. Their legs were already pressed together under the table; the solid, warm presence at once comforting and promising more. "I guess you're not the sort to kiss and tell," Foreman said, pretending half-disappointed, half-resigned acceptance. He nodded seriously, coming to a firm decision. "Wouldn't want to invade your privacy."