Chapter 212
**Sara**
I watched him leave, admiring how his muscles moved under his skin. The man really did have an unfairly perfect ass.
"He just left, didn't he?" Jessica's voice snapped me back to reality. "Damn, I wanted to ask about that thing he does with his tongue that makes you-"
"For fuck's sake, Jess!"
"What? I think about other things! Like yesterday, I spent three hours researching why cats always land on their feet. Did you know they have this crazy flexible spine that-" She cut herself off. "Oh wait, that research started because Brad and I were trying this new position where-"
"If you finish that sentence, I'm hanging up."
"Fine, fine! I won't tell you about Brad's amazing-" Jessica caught herself. "Actually, check your messages from last night. I sent you some important stuff."
I pulled the phone away from my ear and opened our message thread. "Oh god."
Twenty-three unread messages. The first few were normal enough:
Jessica: Sara, you there?
Jessica: Helloooooo
Jessica: Did Tom kidnap you for sexy time?
Then things got interesting. Jessica had sent a mirror selfie of herself in a barely-there red lace number that left little to the imagination.
Jessica: What do you think? Too slutty for Brad?
I stifled a laugh. Trust Jessica to go from zero to explicit in a heartbeat.
Jessica: Helloooo, Sara! Did you die in the professor's bed?
The next message was a photo of her pouting, with the caption: Still waiting.
Jessica: Seriously, girl. I need your opinion on this outfit. Is it "seduce him into oblivion" sexy or "hey, let's have a casual coffee" sexy?
Jessica: Okay, so if you're not dead and you're just ignoring me, here's something to make up for it.
Attached was a picture of Jessica and Brad in a compromising position.
Jessica: That was last night. Hot, right?
Jessica was nothing if not unabashedly herself.
Jessica: How's Tom? Did he finally cave and beg for mercy?
Jessica: Or is he still trying to convince you to work at his daddy's company? Honestly, what is it with rich guys and control issues?
The next message was another photo, this one more tasteful but no less provocative. It showed Jessica lounging on her bed in nothing but a lacy black thong and matching bra, with Brad's hand clearly visible on her thigh.
Jessica: Do you think this set looks better on me, or should I stick with red?
"I really don't need to see your lingerie pics." I scrolled past another revealing photo. "Or whatever that thing with Brad was supposed to be. Is that even anatomically possible?"
"Did you at least read my messages?"
"Yes, unfortunately. My eyes may never recover." I heard Tom moving around in the kitchen, the smell of coffee drifting into the bedroom. "And for the record, both colors look fine. But I'd prefer not seeing either."
"You've literally seen me naked in person multiple times," Jessica said. "Remember when you helped me pick out that backless dress in the mall changing room?"
"That was different." I pulled Tom's shirt over my head, inhaling his scent. "I didn't need a full photoshoot of you and Brad doing whatever that was."
"Oh, that? That's called the-"
"Don't!" I cut her off. "I really don't need the details. And please, for the love of god, stop sending me your sex pics. I'm begging you."
"You're so boring." Jessica's dramatic sigh crackled through the speaker. "Fine, let's talk about something else. How did your interview go yesterday? Did you finally land a job, or do I need to keep sending you LinkedIn postings?"
"Actually," I couldn't help the grin spreading across my face. "I got it."
"Shut up! At Westbridge? The fancy-pants investment firm?"
"Yep. Starting Monday."
"Holy shit, Sara! That's amazing!" Her squeal made me pull the phone away from my ear. "What's the position? How much are they paying you? Do they have hot executives?"
"I don't know all the details yet." I stretched, catching the scent of coffee and getting stronger. "Lucas - Mr. Anderson - said HR would send over the formal offer with all the specifics."
"Lucas, huh?" I could hear the smirk in her voice. "First-name basis already? Is he hot?"
"Jessica..."
"What? It's a valid question!" She paused dramatically. "Any chance you could put in a good word for me? We could be corporate besties! Going to lunch together, checking out the eye candy, maybe having some fun in the supply closet-"
"I haven't even started yet!" I laughed. "And somehow, I doubt Westbridge has many wild supply closet encounters."
"That's what they want you to think. Trust me, those uptight corporate types are always the kinkiest."
"I'm hanging up now."
"Wait!" Jessica's voice rose a pitch. "I've been trying so hard to land interviews, but no luck. You gotta help me get a job at Westbridge! Imagine us working together!"
"Jess, I'll try, but..." I sighed, watching Tom enter with two steaming mugs. "You know how competitive these firms are. They had like five hundred applications for my position alone."
"But you're my best friend! And I'm amazing! Just tell them about my stellar qualities."
"Like sending inappropriate photos at midnight?" I accepted the coffee from Tom, mouthing 'thank you' as he settled beside me on the bed.
"Hey, those were artistic nudes!"
"Pretty sure that position with Brad wasn't in any art gallery I've been to." I took a sip of coffee, perfect as always.
"Whatever. I'll find something on my own then. My resume is fire, and my interview skills are..." She paused. "Okay, maybe I need to work on not flirting with the interviewers."
"That might help."
"Just keep an ear out for any openings? Anywhere decent. I'm desperate to consider wearing pants to work now."
Tom's hand slipped under his shirt that I was wearing, fingers tracing patterns on my skin. I squirmed, trying to focus on Jessica's voice.
"Sure, I'll let you know if I hear anything."
"Perfect!" Jessica's voice brightened. "Hey, since you're not dead and answering your phone now - drinks tonight? We need to celebrate your fancy new job!"
Tom's fingers traced higher up my ribcage, making it hard to concentrate. I swatted his hand away, trying to keep my voice steady. "Yeah, sounds good."
"Great! I'll text you the details later. Don't let Professor Hottie wear you out too much before tonight!" Jessica's laugh echoed through the phone. "And maybe wear that black dress that makes your ass look amazing. You never know who might be at the bar."
"Goodbye, Jessica." I ended the call before she could make any more suggestions about my wardrobe or sex life.
Tom's hand slid higher under the shirt I was wearing. "Jessica being Jessica?"
"When is she not?" I set my phone down, turning to face him. "Did you know she sent me twenty-three messages last night? Including some very artistic photos with Brad."
"Do I want to know?" His fingers traced the underside of my breast.
"Trust me, you don't. I didn't know the human body could bend that way."
"We could test that theory."
"Absolutely not. I value my spine, thank you very much." I gasped as his thumb brushed my nipple. "And drink your coffee before it gets cold."
"I can think of better ways to wake up." Tom's fingers continued their teasing exploration.
I grabbed his wrist, fixing him with my best stern look. "Coffee first. Your thousand-dollar beans are going to waste."
"Two thousand, actually." He retrieved his mug from the nightstand, taking a slow sip while maintaining eye contact. "Happy?"
"Show-off."
"You know," he said between sips, "I could teach you how to make it properly."
"What's wrong with my coffee?"
"Besides the fact that you basically make brown water?" He dodged the pillow I threw at his head. "Nothing at all."
"At least I don't need a PhD in coffee studies to operate a coffee maker."
"It's called having standards." He watched me over the rim of his mug. "Like dating smart, beautiful women who can't make decent coffee to save their lives."
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Keep talking, and you'll be making your own coffee for that month without sex."
"Cruel woman." But he was smiling as he took another sip. "At least let me show you how to use the grinder properly. Watching you massacre those beans hurts my soul."
"Your soul will survive." I nestled deeper into the pillows, enjoying the warmth of the coffee and his presence. "Besides, I like it when you make it for me."
"Manipulative, too." He pressed a kiss to my temple. "No wonder I'm crazy about you."
I smiled. "You're just figuring that out now? Some professor you are."
"I prefer hands-on learning."
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