Page 51 of Resisting my Roommate

“You royally fucked me when you ran out on our wedding. I’m losing clients, since some of them prefer to work with advisors with certain…values.”

“Such as not having an affair with a subordinate co-worker?” I ask, attempting to pull my arm free.

But he only grips me tighter.

“Youneedme, Abbey.” His words are low and threatening. “I’m all you have. I’m the only one who’s ever cared, and you’re acting like a spoiled brat. So if I were you?—”

“You’re wrong.”

At the sound of the deep, gravelly voice, Carson drops his hold on me and spins around.

I snap my head to my right as Jude moves in beside me, Finn standing just off to the side, not letting Carson out of his sight.

“She’s not alone.” Jude’s intense gaze bores into Carson with pure hatred and disgust, his presence oddly comforting, despite the past several days. “And she sure as hell doesn’t need you.”

Carson straightens, his smug expression faltering for a moment. “Who the hell are you?”

Jude doesn’t flinch, his voice calm but laced with danger. “I’m the guy who’s telling you to leave her alone. Now.”

“We’re having a civil conversation.”

“From where I was standing, it didn’t look all that civil to me. No one comes into my place of business and assaults my employees.”

“I didn’t?—”

“Don’t fucking lie to me. I know what I saw.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest and widens his stance, showcasing his rather impressive muscles. Finn does the same, the two Lawrence brothers a force to be reckoned with. “I’ll give you one more chance to walk out of those doors. Otherwise, you’ll be escorted out of them in handcuffs for trespassing.”

“I’m not trespassing. This is a public establishment. I’m still drinking my beer.”

A surge of defiance rises within me, and I grab his glass off the table. Tilting it, I dump the contents over his head, watching with delight as it soaks his perfect suit.

“Beer’s gone,” I taunt.

He stares at me, mouth agape, his face turning red with fury. “You fucking bitch. You?—”

Jude positions himself in front of me once more, his posture stiff, expression unwavering. “Last chance. Leave.Now. Otherwise, a little beer on your suit will be the least of your worries.”

For a moment, it feels like time freezes. The air between the men crackles with tension, and I can sense the impending fight. It wouldn’t even be a contest. Jude could easily overpower Carson if he wanted to. Throw Finn into the mix and it’s a no-brainer. Carson doesn’t stand a chance.

Probably sensing this, he huffs, deliberately bumping into Jude as he storms out of the taproom, his wet clothes sloshing around him.

As soon as he disappears, Jude turns to me, his eyes awash with concern. It’s so different from the harsh, unforgiving stares I’ve grown used to lately. Now, he looks like the Jude he was before it all went to shit.

“Are you okay?” He rakes his gaze over my frame, searching for any bruising or marks.

“I…” I shake my head, struggling to find the right words. “That felt really fucking good.” A laugh escapes my lips, releasing the tension that’s been building inside of me.

“Good,” he exhales in relief.

Without hesitation, he wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his chest. Surprised by his affectionate gesture, I stiffen, reeling from his embrace. But as I inhale his familiar scent, I melt into him, savoring in his warmth, regardless of how fleeting it most likely is.

Too soon, he drops his hold on me and steps away, as if I have some contagious disease.

As if remembering he’s supposed to hate me.

“Come get me when your shift is over. I’ll walk you home.”

“You don’t?—”

---