‘Your pack is so nice. Jared—’ I didn’t get to say much more on the matter because he shovelled a huge fork full of eggs into my mouth. And we went on like that until I’d eaten the lot.
‘How’re you feeling now?’ he asks putting the tray to one side and pulling me into his side.
‘Better still now I’ve eaten, thanks.’ He nods—his face is a little grave. I brace myself for whatever is to come.
‘I have to go home. It’s Garret's funeral this afternoon, and I have to be there.’
‘Jared, of course you do. I’m just sorry about this whole mess. You should never have had to come back.’ The guilt hits me once again. Fuck a duck.
‘That’s done with now, don’t go there again.’ His tone is soft, but it’s not a request. I nod my agreement. I know I can’t go with him, but I wish I could support him through it.
‘Jared, take as long as you need. I’ll be fine.’ And I would be. I wouldn’t fall to pieces without him. I came here on my own. I could manage. I have Maiya. Classes also. He sighs and nods.
‘I know you will, baby, but I don’t like leaving you.’
‘And I don’t like you leaving, but it’s important right?’
He sighs again. ‘It really is, yeah.’
I squeeze his hand.
‘Then go, and don’t worry about me.’
‘Leaving you unprotected though. It goes against all my instincts.’ He clenches his jaw.
‘Jared, seriously. I’m not important enough to have security,’ I giggle. ‘And what do I need protecting from?’ He just looks at me.
‘Fucking men.’ He smiles. ‘Minute I’m gone they’ll be lining up ready to take what’s mine.’ He’s smiling, but I sense that he really believes this. Talk about putting someone on a pedestal.
‘Jared, seriously, what do I need protection from? Nothing. So go and do what you gotta do.’
We get ready and say our goodbyes as he drops me back at my room.
Maiya is out. No doubt shopping again. As soon as I leave Jared I miss him so intensely my heart actually hurts. I keep myself busy by going over the syllabus for my Austin to Hardy module, and I do some reading. It doesn’t seem like long before my stomach is growling again. I make my way to the shared kitchen on our floor and grab some super noodles. I can’t find anything else quick or more substantial so they would do. Chicken flavour. I measure out the water put them all into a bowl in the microwave and nuke it for three minutes. Five minutes later I’m eating them at the table. A guy comes in shortly after. Surfer shorts on, no top. He isn’t bad looking and obviously works out. His hair is mussed, and he looks like he probably just woke up. It’s past twelve now. I smile as he waves his hand in a ‘hi’, but doesn’t speak. He flicks the kettle on then rummages through the cupboards looking for something.
‘Shit.’ He turns to me. ‘No coffee?’ We do have coffee, well at least I did. I go to my cupboard get it out and hand it to him. ‘Thanks, can’t function without it.’ I laugh with him.
‘Me neither.’
‘You want some?’
Actually, I did. ‘Yeah, I will do, thanks.’
‘Milk and sugar?’ he asks with his back to me spooning coffee into two cups,
‘Just milk please.’
‘Ah sweet enough eh?’ he says turning to look at me. I laugh.
‘I guess. I just don’t do sweet—’ I was going to say coffee
‘You do sweet real well, darling.’
Oh dear. He’s flirting. The fact that he is half naked in an all-girls building clearly means he’s just left someone’s bed. That offends me. Not that I would be interested. Hell no. But have a bit of decency. Jesus. He sets the coffee in front of me and moves to sit next to me at the table, at which point I stand up.
‘You have to leave so soon? I was hoping to get to know you a little better.’
‘I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Maybe you should go on back to whoever’s room you left just now. Bye,’ I mumble the last word as he looks up at me, and he smiles.
‘Fair enough’ he concedes with a nod of the head, and a smirk on his lips.
As I get back to my room, my phone rings. It’s a coffee shop not far from my room. Maiya had taken my resume in and saved their number to my phone. Maybe they had a vacancy and wanted to interview me. I close my door and look at the phone again. I’m nervous but hell I have nothing to lose.
‘Hello?’
‘Hi, is that Devon Hathoway?’ A pleasant sounding guy asks.
‘Yes speaking.’
‘Hi, I’m calling from Coffee Planet. We have an opening for a trial today if you would like to come over. I’ve got your CV in front of me, and it seems you’re qualified as a barista?
‘Yes, I’ve worked in lots of coffee shops all over America.’
‘So? Trial today? Can you do it?’
‘Umm, sure, I can be there in a half hour?’
‘Great, I’m on my own so the sooner the better. Just come to the counter when you arrive. I’ll be the one with no hair left.’ He laughs and disconnects the call. Well, that was weird. Never had an interview quite like that before. I gather my clothes—I decide on all black since I don’t know the uniform—and I grab a quick shower.
When I arrive, I find the guy behind the counter. He has reddish hair and is built like a house. He’s easily the tallest man in here. He sags visibly in relief as I introduce myself.
‘Thank God. Please tell me you can work your way around these machines?’ He points behind him. He has a queue almost to the entrance door, and I smile realising I’ve used these machines plenty.
‘Just tell me where everything is, and I will get right on it.’ Everything is within reach so no need for trips to the back. The fridges with everything I need are right there. We decide on a plan of action. He serves cake and pastries and takes the money, and I make the drinks. Before I know it, the queue has gone and an hour and a half has passed. It's two thirty pm already.
‘I’m Wade, by the way, and you are awesome.’ He comes and shakes my hand. ‘My usual barista called me this morning to say he wouldn’t be in anymore as he’s moved back home.’
‘Ouch,’ I cringe.
‘I know, right? Left me right in the shit. Anyway, after that performance, the job’s yours if you want it?’
‘Wow, thanks. I don’t really know what to say?’
‘Start with, ‘I’ll take the job?’ I nod, laughing, still a bit gobsmacked. That was the easiest interview I’d ever had. I barely spoke to him or anyone else. It was great.
‘I know you’re a student so we’ll work out what shifts you can do, but I definitely need you for the rest of the day and tomorrow if you can?’
‘Umm, yeah. I guess that will be fine. I’ll have to check my timetable for my classes next week though because they all start properly then. I’ve only had intro’s at this point.’
‘No problem. You help me, and I’ll help you. Pay is minimum wage plus tips. There is always overtime, and if you let me know in advance, you can have time off too. It’s easy going here. Do the work, and I’ll leave you to it.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ I smile. The rest of the shift flies by and before I know it it’s five thirty pm and another girl comes in to do the evening shift.
‘Hey,’ she says giving me her hand to shake. ‘I’m Cammie. So glad he hired you so quickly.’
‘Devon. Yeah, was definitely a strange interview.’ I laugh.
‘They don’t always throw you in the deep end, but he doesn’t do things like other bosses do. He says he gets a feeling and goes with it. That’s how he hired me anyway. And now you. So welcome to the team. It’s a madhouse.’
‘Hey, Cammie!’ Wade shouts over. ‘Don’t put her off she won’t come back tomorrow.’ We all laugh as I grab my purse. I check my phone as I leave and I have missed calls from Jared. Shit. I dial him, and he picks up immediately.
‘Baby, you okay?’ I don’t even manage a hello. His tone is hard and worried.
‘I’m fine. I’ve been working! I got a job!’ He’s silent for a second.
‘I didn’t know you wanted a job?’
‘Yeah. I put out my resume when I first got here but got no replies, so I assumed there weren’t any jobs. Anyway, this guy called me today from Coffee Planet and said I could work a trial, and he gave me the job.’ I’m babbling. Jared has just buried a pack member for God’s sake. I stop. Take a breath and ask him.
‘How did it all go?’
‘As well as can be expected. We’re all going back to the big house now and having drinks in his honour. But when I couldn’t get hold of you I panicked.’
‘Jared, I’m so sorry, that was really inconsiderate of me. I should have text you but it all happened so fast and when I arrived it was as busy as Times Square—only everyone wanted coffee.’
‘It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re okay. I can relax now. You can tell me all about your job when I get back tomorrow, okay?’
‘Sure, but I’m working tomorrow too. Nine till five. I get a half hour break though?’
He sighs, it sounds like heavy breathing down the phone.
‘I’ll see you there then. Text me when you get home, and I’ll call you before you go to sleep tonight.’
‘Okay.’ I sigh. ‘Jared?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I really miss you.’
Again he sighs.
‘God, I miss the shit out of you too, talk later yeah?’
‘Bye.’
‘Bye, baby.’
I can’t stop thinking about Jared. I don’t go out with Maiya, to her utter displeasure, but I want to be up and fresh for work tomorrow—not hung over and tired. After much pouting and sulking though, she finally relents and leaves me to go and party the night away. Not before I divulge all the details on Jared and me, though. I don’t get off that lightly. Maiya is so funny when it comes to men. You would think after the way she called him out for being a cheat and rode my ass about finding a new one she would hate him. But no, he’s all awesome again in her book because I’m happy. I’m sure the minute I wasn’t happy she would be there to cut the crotch out of all his boxers and jeans though—she has my back.
I have a fitful sleep that night, and I toss and turn, unable to get comfy. When I do sleep, I have a nightmare. Well, not a scary as shit, Nightmare on Elm Street type, but a bad dream, and it’s so vivid and real I think I’d rather have Freddy Kruger in my head, at least then I could kick his ass. This was torture. I stand at the sides, unseen and unheard, while Jared goes about his life. He has made the commitment with Kristen, and she has a swollen belly, full of his baby. They hold hands and laugh as they pass me. I don’t exist in his world, and therefore he doesn’t see me. They look so happy. Then I’m in a room. It looks sterile and like a hospital, but isn’t. Kristen is giving birth, twins. Jared cries as his identical boys are born. I cry at my own misery. Why? Why would he do this to me? Why the hell do I have to see this? My own screaming wakes me. I sit up stiff in my bed, the vivid images still playing like a movie on repeat behind my eyes. Torture.
Maiya stumbles across the small space, clearly half asleep and still drunk, but she hugs me, albeit awkwardly—it’s the thought that counts. She shushes me like I’m a crying toddler. I don’t say anything, she means well and is too drunk to be of much of use. So I let her have this. And in a strange way, it’s comforting. I check my phone: three am. Shit, I feel like I haven’t slept at all. And honestly, I didn’t want to go back to sleep if that’s what I will see. No thanks. I’d rather scoop out my eyes with a spoon.
***
I’ve only been at work two hours when Jared walks in. The place is quite quiet at the minute, so I spot him immediately when the over the door bell rings. I squeal in excitement like a small child at Christmas and Wade my boss looks up from cleaning tables a strange look on his face, but I pay him no mind, all I can see is Jared. He’s wearing a white tee showing off all the dips and rips in his arms and shoulders. Mmmm. And his jeans hang just perfectly from his hips. I lift my hand to my mouth because he is seriously drool-worthy and I don’t want to embarrass myself at work. He strides straight toward the counter, which I am rounding like an addict. Jeez, I only saw him yesterday. I practically jump into his arms and suck his face. He chuckles against my lips.
‘You miss me, baby?’
‘Mmhmm,’ I mumble back. My arms are wrapped around his neck, and he has me by the ass. Our bodies are crushed together, just like our mouths. I can’t get enough of him—just when we are bordering on inappropriate he sets me down and holds my face in his hands.
‘What time is your break?’
I sigh. Why do I need a job again? ‘I’m not sure, yesterday it was around two o clock, but I guess it will be whenever it’s quiet.’ I shrug. Jared looks around the place, noting the small handful of people.
‘Seems pretty quiet to me?’
‘Jared, shush. It’s like my second day. I can’t go on break when I feel like it.’
‘Why do you want a job anyway? Won’t you have enough on with study?’ He scowls noticing Wade now behind the counter. ‘And who’s he?’
I shush him again. ‘That’s Wade. He’s the boss.’ Jared doesn’t look pleased, and he propels us forward to the counter. He sticks his hand out to Wade introducing himself.
‘I’m her man,’ he simply states. I internally groan and slap my hand to my face. OH MY GOD. He may as well have just pissed on me, marking his territory.
‘Umm, okay. Good to know. Well, I’m Wade and just so you know, I’m gay.’
I want the ground to open up and swallow me where I stand.
‘Good to know.’ Jared just looks at him, and I can feel the testosterone in the room. Seriously?
‘Wade, this is Jared, my boyfriend,’ I say giving Jared a wide-eyed ‘what the fuck was that’ look. Jared grunts like he’s pissed at him for hiring me. Holy shit balls.
‘Well, since it’s quiet, you can have a short break if you want? I’m sure I’ll manage for fifteen.’
‘Oh, wow. You sure?’ I ask
‘He’s sure, come on.’ Jared tugs at my arm until I dutifully follow like a lap dog. What the actual fuck has got into him. He pulls me along until we get to his truck, then he opens the door, turns, lifts me into the seat and closes the door, I wait until he rounds the front of the truck and climbs in the driver’s side.
I turn in my seat to face him, not quite sure how I should play this. I don’t give him a chance to get settled before I blurt out my feelings on the situation he just put me in.
‘What the hell was that all about?’
He has the grace to look a little embarrassed about his behaviour. But he doesn’t answer.
‘Jared, what is your problem?’
He rolls his eyes and turns to me. ‘Baby, I’ve missed you. Let’s not do this now. Come over here and show me how much you’ve missed me.’
‘Oh no. You are not distracting me with your body. Spill.’
He looks up at the roof of the truck and takes a deep breath,
‘I don’t like that he’s your boss.’ I shake my head in disbelief. I mean what the hell? ‘Don’t look like that. Would you like me spending my entire day being bossed by another woman?’ He makes it sound sexual, and the image that jumps to my mind is not a pleasant one. No, I wouldn’t like that, but this is not like that.
‘Jared, you make it sound seedy. It’s a coffee shop! I make coffee and clean tables. I’m not doing anything wrong here.’
‘Why do you need to work?’ Well duh, why does anyone need to work?
‘Well, Jared. There’s this thing called cash, and it makes the world go round. You earn it and then you spend it. Makes life a whole lot easier.’
‘Smart ass. You don’t need to work. I’ve got plenty.’
‘Wow, I man, you woman,’ I say in my caveman impersonation. ‘You gonna chain me to the kitchen sink too?’
He glares at me. ‘Devon don’t be like that. You
don’t need to work. I don’t want you to.’
‘Ahh, so now we’re getting to it? Why, Jared?’
‘Just because. Okay?’
‘No, not okay, Jared. Why?’
He pushes his hand through his hair and grumbles to himself in frustration. ‘Because you are MY female, and I am supposed to take care of you.’ Jesus Christ on a stick.
‘Yes, Jared. I am YOUR female. But I like to earn my own money—what’s wrong with that?’ I whine, my voice getting higher by the second.
‘I don’t like it.’
‘Well, gee. I’m sorry, NOT. I’m not accustomed to being handed everything I want or need, and I like to pay my own way, so deal with it! I’m working, end of story.’ Jared looks at me, and I can see the frustration dancing behind his eyes. He’s pissed. Real pissed.
‘We’ll see.’
I look up as he starts the truck. ‘What are you doing? I’ve gotta get back inside.’ He puts it into gear, and we take off, leaving a cloud of grit and dust from the car park. Oh shit.
‘JARED TURN AROUND.’ He ignores me clenching his jaw tight. I can just see the muscle there ticking with each clench. But I’m mad.
‘JARED STONE. TURN THIS CAR AROUND RIGHT NOW. SO HELP ME I’M—’ he brakes and laughs at me. That deep rumble sounds so sexy, and I melt a little in my seat. We’ve pulled over at the side of the road, about two miles down from Coffee Planet, and he turns in his seat, his face inches from mine. I close the gap. I can’t help myself, and I find his tongue with mine, God, I have missed him so much. Then he’s lifting me into his lap. My ass bumps the gearshift, but he isn’t deterred. I straddle him. He deepens the kiss, and his hands roam—my nipples are pebbled and desperate for attention. And my vagina is in full overflow mode. I need him. I want to climb his cock and ride him right here. He has his hand in my hair, and he’s tugging at the roots. His other is slowly finding its way into my panties.
‘Jared, please…’ I pant now, even more desperate. His fingers slide home, and I moan his name all breathy and needy.
‘What is it, baby? What do you need?’
Forbidden Love (Stone Pack Book 1) Page 15