Page 66 of Resisting my Roommate

“This is where it all started,” I say, gesturing at the tanks. “My dad used to spend hours out here, brewing beer, talking about opening his own brewery someday. That dream died when he did, but I like knowing I can keep some part of him alive, even if it’s through beer.”

“I think that’s sweet.” Abbey moves closer to the bar, running her fingers over the worn wood. Along the counter are photos — my parents on their wedding day, Finn and Beckham as kids, me holding Dylan, Hayden and my dad laughing over a bottle of beer. Memories, each one of them.

Abbey picks up a photo of me as a teenager standing next to my dad in this very room. “Is this you?”

“That was the first time I helped him brew.” I swallow hard. “He was already getting sick and having trouble doing simple tasks, so he asked me to help him. But I had no idea what I was doing, so I let the wort temperature get too low and didn’t sparge the water correctly.”

“I have no idea what any of that means,” Abbey says with a laugh.

I run a hand through my hair. “At the time, neither did I. But my dad didn’t care that I completely messed up his beer. He said it was more about spending time together.”

Abbey nods, setting the picture back down before turning her gaze toward me. “Tell me your favorite memory of him.”

The request catches me off guard. It’s not something I talk about often, not something I let myself dwell on. But with her, everything’s a little easier.

Leaning against the bar, I cross my arms and think back. “He used to take me camping. He’d always try to find an activity to do with each of us so we could have some one-on-one time with him, and for me, it was camping. I always loved being outdoors. We’d stay up late, sit by the fire, and talk about everything, especially as I got older and more mature. Life. Love. The future. I don’t even remember half of what we said, but I remember the way it felt. Like nothing else in the world mattered except that moment.”

“That sounds perfect,” she whispers.

“It was.” I pause, feeling the weight of the memory, the pull of something deeper. “I haven’t thought about it in a long time.”

A heavy silence hangs between us, the kind that’s charged with meaning. Abbey moves closer, radiating warmth.

“Thanks for sharing that with me,” she says softly, reaching up to brush her fingers against my face. It’s a subtle touch, but it sends a current through me, something I can’t ignore.

“I didn’t mean to get all heavy on you,” I say, trying to lighten the mood, but my voice comes out rougher than I intended.

Abbey shakes her head, her gaze never leaving mine. “I don’t mind. I like seeing this side of you.”

And that’s the problem. She’s seeing too much. Making me feel things I swore I wouldn’t let myself feel again.

But with her so close, her eyes soft and full of something I can’t name, I don’t care. I just want her. Here. Now. To hell with all the reasons this is a bad idea.

I hook an arm around her waist and tug her closer as my eyes drink in every line of her face. Her brilliant blue eyes. Her pink cheeks. Her full lips. I’ve never met anyone so damn beautiful. And she’s mine. For now.

Unable to go another second without feeling her, I crash my lips against hers, hungry and demanding. Relief floods through me as I relish in her taste, her tongue tangling with mine.

The past few hours were pure torture, knowing she was within reach, but I couldn’t have her. Couldn’t do what I really wanted. What I’ve been craving since she slipped out of my bed this morning.

Now I can.

And I can’t wait any longer.

Deepening the exchange, I hoist her up and set her onto the bar. As I trail my hand up the inside of her thigh, I savor in the feel of her smooth skin under my fingertips. Her skirt offers little resistance, and I inch higher, reaching the edge of her panties.

“Jude,” she exhales, pulling away from my mouth. She takes a moment to catch her breath, her lust-filled eyes locking with mine. “What are you doing?”

“I need you, Abbey.” I curve toward her, capturing her lips in another rough kiss. “Been desperate for you all damn day.”

I push aside her panties, revealing how wet she already is for me.

“Do you have any idea how hard it’s been to look but not touch, especially after spending all night touching?” I murmur against her neck, planting kisses on her skin as I tease her clit with my thumb.

“All night feeling.” I slide a finger inside of her, savoring in her tightness and warmth. “All night fucking.”

When I add another finger and start thrusting faster, she releases a cry. I cover her mouth with mine, swallowing her moans. “I need to have you,” I confess, my motions getting more hurried and desperate. “Don’t make me wait any longer.”

“Then have me,” she pants, her chest heaving through her growing labored breaths. “I’m yours.”

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