Page 13 of Resisting Temptation

Her grin matches mine. I like this chick already. “That’s the attitude. Mayor Michaels is one-hundred percent behind you already. With his endorsement, your campaign will receive a significant boost, leveraging his stellar reputation for success. You’re a shoe in. Now tell me what really happened to end your career.”

I sigh heavily. “A drunken celebration gone wrong,” I admit. That’s the story my PR people gave anyway, and I’m sticking with it.

“My lips are sealed. My job isn’t just to support you, it’s to make sure your secrets stay that way. You have no idea the stuff I know about the men who walked through this place before you. But you need to be upfront with me so I can. Is there anything else I should know? Illegitimate children that might come forward? Drug use? Anything illegal at all?”

I’ve done things I’ve never told a soul about, and I’m not about to start spilling my guts now to a practical stranger. She knows all she needs to. “Not that anyone knows of.”

She raises a brow. “You are one interesting character, Noah Harrington. I look forward to working for you. And just so you know, I’m extremely dedicated to my job. I will do anything you need me to.”

This time the look she gives me is flirtier, and I wonder exactly what her past mayor expected her to do for him. When I first met her, she came across so sweet, but there is something in her eyes now that tells me I got her all wrong on first impression. There is more to Margo. And I know I need to keep my wits about me. From what was on that USB file, I know not to trust anyone within these walls. She looks sweet and innocent, but that doesn’t mean she is.

Chapter 8

Paisley

Tonight, McAllister’s is occupied by a handful of regulars, which is typical for a Thursday night, and surprisingly, it creates an overwhelmingly cramped atmosphere. This whole town feels impossibly small since Noah arrived. The guy with the faded blue jeans cut out at the knee and the cap flipped round the wrong way. His eyes meet mine, his lips turning up at the sides, and I quickly glance away, distracting myself with watching Gisele and Emerson talking to Jake at the bar. That’s another problem I need to fix.

They laugh, then Jake drops his head and glances my way. His expression is more serious than he normally is with me. He’s still pissed about last weekend. I know I need to apologize for my shitty behavior. He’s been such a good friend to me over the years, but somehow, it would feel like admitting he’s right. I offer a half smile instead, and he returns his attention to Emerson. I let out a sigh. He’s really annoyed with me. I wishthings could be different. Jake’s such a good guy, one of the best, and I know if we were a couple, he would take such good care of me. But he’s just not my guy.

My attention returns to the cocky asshole who’s about to take a shot. His ass in those jeans. Fuck me now. I know how good that ass is, I want to dig my long nails into it as he tips me over the edge, the way only he knows how. A tingle of excitement runs through me at the thought. He was the last guy to give me what I need. No other man has even come close. I know how good it can be. That’s what this infatuation is. A deep desire for another proper orgasm, not one I’ve had to give myself. That’s all it is.

“You’re obsessed, girl.” Mae giggles as she polishes off the remainder of her Long Island iced tea.

I know I’m practically drooling over Noah, but I snap my eyes back to Mae as quickly as I can. “I’m not at all. Can you see this shit? He’s just in my way all the time.” I groan in frustration.

She looks me over, her face telling me all I need to know. She thinks I’m full of shit. “The boys are in the next room playing pool,” she mutters dryly.

“Yeah, but whenever he bends over to take a shot, he’s like right there.” I use my hands to show her just how close he is in my line of sight, and she cracks up laughing at me.

“What are you two arguing about?” Emerson smirks, handing me my peach iced tea.

“Nothing.” I roll my eyes, over it. Sipping my drink through a straw, I look anywhere but in the boys’ direction. I knew this town wasn’t big enough. But I can’t dwell on it. The girls came out tonight for dinner and a drink just for me. I have to make the most of it, even if the boys decided to crash our quiet night out by showing up to McAllister’s as well. “Parker tells me he’s helping you with some of the fix-up of your townhouse.”

They sit opposite us, obstructing my view, and I’m grateful. “Thank the Lord. Your brother is a lifesaver. When I took on this job, I had no idea it was going to be so dilapidated.”

“You could always just move back in with us now that Gisele’s ditched us for Brody,” Mae suggests, giving Gisele a look.

“I didn’t ditch you guys,” she says guiltily, but she so did, and I get it, she’s in love. Good for her. But now our threesome is down to two, and the house is feeling empty.

“That’s a brilliant idea, that way you don’t have to live in the rubble,” I agree with Mae.

She thinks it over while sipping on her cocktail. “It’s a nice idea. But I’m kind of getting used to my own space. And Parker thinks he should have the kitchen cabinetry done by the end of this week, then we start on the bathrooms next. It’s just a little inconvenience, I’m okay.”

I slurp up the last of my drink way too quickly, feeling like it’s not doing anything to take the edge off. It’s like Jake’s not even putting vodka in it tonight. “I’ll get the next round,” I offer, hopping up from our booth. I know I need to make things right with Jake. I can’t avoid the awkwardness all night.

“Not for me. Got a massive day tomorrow,” Gisele says. And Emerson and Mae both agree with her. I throw them a look. Party poopers. Next thing you know it, they will all be giving me theI’m worried about youspeech again.

Not giving a shit, I make my way over to the bar and wait while another couple of girls order their drinks. I slide onto the closest stool while I wait. I can’t count the number of nights I have sat right here in this very spot chatting away with Jake to pass the time. But tonight feels different. Things are weird now, and I hate it.

His eyes run over me as he approaches, but he doesn’t give me his normal cheeky smile.

I sigh, wondering how to make this right. “About last weekend. I’m sorry I’m such a shitty friend.”

He lets out a labored exhalation then leans on the bar. “You’re not a shitty friend. I just don’t know how to help you, Pais.”

“If it’s any consolation, I don’t know how to help me either,” I say sadly, my fake-ass smile not even meeting my eyes. I’m too bogged down by the ache of emptiness lodged in my chest.

His warm hazel eyes meet mine. “It’s not,” he says sadly, and I feel even worse. He cares about me way more than he should.

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