Resisting my Roommate (Sycamore Falls #3)

Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

ABBEY

“Is it obvious I was just railed by my boss?” I ask as I peer at my reflection in the mirror, attempting to tame my hair.

My curls have a mind of their own on a good day.

After Jude’s gotten a hold of me, it’s usually a lost cause.

In my defense, I didn’t expect for him to lock the door to his office and slam me against the wall when I stopped by to store my purse before starting my shift.

Although, I shouldn’t be all that surprised. It’s not the first time he’s done this.

At first, we kept all overt displays of affection confined to his house. That only lasted so long before temptation got the better of us. It doesn’t matter that we spend our nights tangled up with each other, going at it until neither one of us has anything left. I still need more of him.

I fear I’ll always need more of him.

“I don’t care if it is,” Jude whispers against my neck as he approaches from behind. He presses a hand to my stomach, pulling me closer as his lips trail along my skin, leaving fire in their wake. “That way, any of those guys out there who check out your ass will know it belongs to me.”

He slides his hand along the curve of my frame, cupping my ass possessively. Then he lifts my denim skirt, shifting my panties to the side and sliding a finger along my clit.

“So does this delicious pussy.”

My eyes flutter closed, and I moan, leaning my head against his chest as he turns me into putty with his talented fingers.

“You’re going to make me late for my shift,” I murmur, trying to keep my head on straight when I feel like I’m losing more and more control every day.

“And you don’t want to be late.” His voice is low and seductive, causing a maddening need to seep into my veins. “I hear your boss can be quite the hard ass.”

“You have no idea,” I playfully groan. “The man is insufferable.”

He pulls his hand away and lands a hard smack on my ass.

I yelp, then whimper as he rubs the flesh. “I’ll show you how insufferable I can be.” He nips at my neck.

“Is that a threat? Or a promise?”

He spins me around, his lips hovering over mine. “You’ll find out later. I have plans for you.”

I drape my arm over his shoulder, toying with a few tendrils of his hair. “What kind of plans?”

“I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise, but they involve me…” He touches a kiss to one corner of my mouth before moving to the other side. “And you.” He pulls back slightly, mischief glinting in his eyes. “And absolutely no clothes.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too.” He covers my mouth, his tongue swiping against mine in a way that makes me want to stay with him forever.

But I can’t.

Reluctantly pushing away, I give him one last heated look before turning from him.

I’m about to disappear into the taproom when the tiny hairs all over my body stand on end, a shiver trickling down my spine.

Glancing behind me, I’m not surprised to find Jude leaning against the doorjamb of his office, his arms crossed over his chest, causing his t-shirt to stretch around his muscular frame. His eyes are trained on me like he’s gone hungry for days and I’m the first source of sustenance he’s encountered. It makes my core clench, desire pooling low in my belly.

If I weren’t already late, I would haul him back into his office. Then again, if there’s one thing Jude’s taught me over the past several weeks, it’s that delayed gratification can make it all worth it.

“Did you get lost?” Lindsey teases when I pass her on my way to the bar. “You were back there for quite a while.”

Slipping behind the counter, I turn on the sink and wash my hands, glancing at my watch. “I’m not that late. My shift only started a few minutes ago.”

“Mmm hmm.” She gives me a knowing grin as she joins me behind the bar, grabbing a glass and placing it beneath a tap. “No wonder boss man’s been less of a hard ass lately. He’s getting laid.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I keep my eyes trained forward, hoping she can’t see the blush creeping up my face.

Or the scratches on my neck from where Jude’s unshaven jawline scraped against my sensitive skin as he thrust inside me.

“I’m not blind,” Lindsey responds. “I see the way he looks at you. We all do. He’s got it bad.”

I fully face her. “It’s not like?—”

“It’s okay. Your secret’s safe with me.”

I part my lips, about to argue it’s not what she thinks. Instead, I blow out a breath. “Are we that obvious?”

“Only a little.” With a wink, she heads back out to the patio to drop off the beer she just poured.

After checking to see that all the prep work has already been done, I grab the clean spray and a towel, wiping down the tables in preparation for the evening rush. I need to do something to distract myself from Jude’s looming presence in my life.

And Lindsey’s statement that he’s got it bad for me.

He wasn’t supposed to have it bad. Either was I. But I’m in deep and I’m not sure how to dig myself out now.

I’m not sure I want to.

“Abbey. Is that you?”

I snap my head up, my expression widening when I see one of my closest friends from my Peace Corps days approaching.

“Becca?” I all but shriek, dropping my dishtowel and throwing my arms around her, giving her a tight hug. “What are you doing here?” I pull back.

“A family friend is getting married in Tahoe this weekend, and everyone says this place has the best beer this side of the Mississippi. I had to come check it out for myself. Never in a million years did I think I’d run into you!” She beams as she clutches my hands. “How are you? You look…happy.”

“I am happy,” I say without a single ounce of hesitation.

This is the happiest I’ve been in a while. Maybe ever.

I’ve lived most of my life anticipating what’s next. I’ve never been content to just enjoy the moment. To just be.

Lately, that’s all I’ve been doing… Enjoying the moment. It’s been amazing for my soul. Exactly what I needed after Carson.

“I’ve actually been meaning to reach out, but life’s been crazy lately. When I got your email about job leads a month or so ago, I didn’t respond because I wasn’t in a position to help, but I am now.”

I furrow my brow. “What do you mean?”

“I recently started working for Ever Clear Industries as their social responsibility manager.”

“Ever Clear?” I respond, searching my mind to place the name. Then it clicks. They’re a huge food conglomerate. Even so, I’ve been around long enough to know that many of these huge corporations have an entire department dedicated to improving their image through social responsibility projects.

“I know. I know. I went to the dark side.” She laughs. “But let’s be real. At some point, we all need to make a living. And working for Ever Clear allows me to do that while still making a positive impact.”

I can’t argue with that, especially knowing how highly sought after someone with Becca’s skills and experience would be. During our time together in Zambia, she was a natural leader and mentor to many of us newer volunteers, guiding us through the challenges of acclimating to a different culture and way of life.

“I have a pretty good team, but most of them came up in the corporate world. No one with the kind of background you have. Their experience with social responsibility is what they’ve read in a book or learned during college classes. There’s not a single Peace Corps alumni amongst them.”

“Okay…,” I draw out, somewhat uneasy about where this is going.

“I was planning on reaching out to you after the weekend to see if you were interested in coming to work with me. But here you are. It’s like kismet.”

I blink repeatedly. “You want me to come work at Ever Clear?”

“I get it. They’re supposedly the big bad wolf, but they are doing good work. Part of my role is making sure all of their projects align with sustainable practices, environmental responsibility, and community impact. My team is in charge of several initiatives to bring clean water to rural communities all over the globe, as well as educating women on the importance of clean water. As you know, clean water disproportionately affects women in many lesser developed countries.”

I nod, all too familiar with the issue facing many of these countries. During my time in the Peace Corps, my focus was on working with women, teaching them ways to enact change in the hopes of decreasing infant mortality rates.

“The pay would easily be four times what you made at AquaPath.”

I all but choke on my saliva. Four times what I made at my last nonprofit job? That’s more than I thought I’d ever make. Hell, it’s more than Carson made at the finance firm.

“I know you said in your email that you were looking for something in the nonprofit sector, but you can still make a difference, even when working for a larger corporation.”

I let her words sink in, my mind racing with possibilities. I’ve been searching for a job, a way to finally stand on my own without relying on anyone else. As grateful as I am to Jude for everything he’s done for me, the truth remains… I still need his help to stay above water.

But the job Becca’s offering would give me the one thing I’ve craved all my life — true independence.

“Where would I work from?” I ask, wanting to get all the information before I agree.

“As I’m sure you’re aware, there will be a great deal of international travel involved. But when you’re stateside, you’ll be based out of New York.”

“Wow. That’s…far.”

“Don’t worry. The company offers relocation reimbursement and can even put you up in one of their corporate apartments while you find something more permanent.”

I nod slowly, taking it all in. “I see.”

“I understand I’ve thrown a lot at you, and while you’re working.” She waves her hand around at the taproom. “Take some time to think about it. But promise you will consider it, Abbey. I said it when we met all those years ago. And I’ll say it again. You’re meant to do big things.”

“Yeah,” I say noncommittally. “Maybe so. When do you need an answer?”

“As soon as possible. We’re slated to start a new program in Zambia in the beginning of September.”

“Zambia?”

She nods. “Near the village where you lived and worked during your Peace Corps assignment. Told you. This job is perfect for you.”

She briefly looks away, holding up two fingers to a few other women waiting near the door, presumably some of the friends she’s visiting.

“You’ll let me know?” she asks, returning her eyes to mine.

“Of course.” I force a smile despite the uncertainty swirling in my mind. “It was good seeing you.”

“You, too.” She gives me a tight squeeze. “Hope to see much more of you soon.”

She releases me and I watch her leave, staring into space as I consider whether I can take her up on her offer.

If she approached me a month ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated. I would have jumped at this opportunity.

That was before I spent time in Sycamore Falls.

Before I got to know Jude.

Before I felt the one thing I’ve been searching for as long as I can remember…

A place to belong.

Can I give that up for a high-paying job?

Can I walk away from Jude?