Coming Undone (Tangled Web #2) Read online

  “Don’t!” I covered the button with my hand.

  I didn’t want him waking Ashton.

  “Oh, Hi, your total is twenty-one, forty-seven.” He smiled and handed me the pies.

  I smiled back and gave him the money and coupon.

  “Thanks.” I went to close the door but he held it open.

  "Umm...excuse me," he said.

  "Yesss," I said confused.

  He held his hand out and I looked at it.

  "I'm Donovan, and I have to tell you that you are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. Can I ask your name?"

  I laughed.

  "I'm Jacinda, nice to meet you, Donovan," I said, shaking his hand.

  "You go to WSU?" he asked.

  "Yes."

  "I don't think I've ever seen you there before. As a matter of fact, I know I haven’t. You a freshman?" he asked.

  "I am, I just moved here today."

  "Well check it, me and some of my friends are having a soirée, a little get together to kick off the new school year. Why don't you come through?" He smiled.

  "Can I bring my friends with me?" I asked, as he wrote his address down on the top of the box.

  "Yeah, bring 'em," he said smiling.

  "Cool, we'll be there then," I said.

  "Friday, at ten p.m.," he said, walking down the sidewalk to his car.

  I shut the door and grabbed a couple of sodas out the fridge before heading back to the bedroom.

  After sitting next to Ash on the floor, I stroked his hair back from his face. He was so handsome, and he was all mine. I kissed his chin, and the hair of his goatee tickled my lips. I moved to his lips then kissed them too. He stirred but didn't wake, so I moved down to his chest and kissed his nipples. His hand came up and grabbed my head.

  "Don't start something you can't finish," he said his smooth voice groggy.

  I bit his nipple. "Who says I can't finish it?"

  He flipped over quickly, pinning me beneath him and sniffing my neck.

  "You showered," he said.

  "I did."

  "Umm…so she's all clean and ready for me again?" he asked.

  "The pizza’s here, aren't you hungry?" I smiled.

  "Yeah...but not for pizza." He growled.

  "Ashton…"

  He pinned my hands above my head and kissed down my neck.

  "I was dreaming about you," he whispered.

  "You were?" I said.

  "Yes, it was a good one too and you interrupted it. So now you have to help me finish it," he said, lifting his body from mine so he could pull my shorts down.

  "But the pizza's going to get cold," I said seriously worried. I hated cold pizza.

  "Jacinda," he said forcing my legs open with his.

  "Yes…" I panted.

  "Fuck the pizza..." he said, sliding into me, tightening his hands around mine.

  "Hmmm…babyyy…" he moaned, as he thrust smooth and slow, his eyes rolling back in their sockets before his head fell on my shoulder.

  "You love me?" I purred, as he made slow love to me.

  "More than you'll ever understand," he said, lifting up to look into my eyes.

  ********

  We sat on the floor, naked, eating pizza and drinking cherry coke. These were the joys of having your own place. We could do this every day if we wanted to. I smiled at that thought. Ashton wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and kissed me. His mouth tasted like sausage and pizza sauce, just yummy.

  "So, I guess I'll start looking for a job tomorrow," I said.

  He rolled his eyes.

  "Cin, you don't have to work."

  "Ashton, we've had this discussion already."

  "I know, and I still don't want you to work. It's going to be a tough year. This quarter alone we've got Organic Chem., Microbiology, Comp. Anatomy, Professional Writing, and that's not including labs. I think you should just focus on school. I can handle the bills by myself," he said chewing.

  "I'll be fine. I'm not letting you take care of me," I said.

  "That's my job now. You're going to be my wife." He smiled.

  "I know, but until then, I’ll pay my own way thank you.”

  He sighed and rolled his eyes.

  “It's just not me, you know that."

  "Just plain old stubborn is more likely the reason," he said closing the box.

  "Oh, hush up." I smiled.

  He reached for the next pizza box and I got up to go shower, again.

  "Hey, Jacinda…who the hell is Donovan?" he asked calmly.

  "Oh…that's the pizza guy. He invited us, to a party on Friday. I think we should go."

  "He invited us, huh? We've been here for what, four, five hours tops and you've already got men beating down my door." He complained, running his hands through his hair.

  "Ash, we're engaged to be married, I'm yours okay," I said, shaking my head. "Besides, you're giving me shit when I know my turn is coming. We haven't had to deal with the scandalous females here yet but I’m sure we will. So you just remember that your sexy ass belongs to me now. I’d really hate to have to kick a bitch’s ass over you, but I will." I smiled, walking over to him.

  He fell back roaring in laughter. He had a great laugh. "You're crazy!"

  "And don't you forget it." I winked, bending over to kiss him.

  As soon as I climbed into the shower I heard my cell ringing. I called to Ashton and told him to answer it. He came in the bathroom and said Ali and Tanya were coming over tomorrow after Max and Jared left. I figured as much, they’d probably be here a lot, especially around dinner time since I was the only one of us that could cook.

  After my shower, I got online and began searching the local job listings. But Ashton singing in the shower caught my attention and gave me pause. He'd never done that before. I mean I’d heard him humming the music he wrote all the time, but he could really sing. I guess there would be a lot of things we would find out about each other now that we were living together. And that both excited and frightened me.

  Ashton had come down to help me finish unpacking the kitchen. Then we decided to unpack the half bath downstairs. He hung the shelves and stenciled the walls, while I cleaned, scrubbing the sink, toilet, and floor. When we were done, we stood outside the bathroom and hugged. It was the first room we finished and it looked great.

  The two full size bathrooms were next. The one in the hallway upstairs we left pretty neutral, using a calm, cream and coral color theme. For some of the décor we used abalone shells, and in the corner by the sink, I hung a sea shell wind chime that I found at a yard sale on the Rez, a little taste of home.

  Our bathroom in the master suite was more elegant. There was huge walk in shower and a Jacuzzi tub big enough for three grown men. But we thought keeping it simple in our bedroom would be best since this is where we would come to wind down for the day and just relax.

  The bed and chest and dresser was done in a deep mahogany wood but the bedding, sheets and all the accent furniture and cushions would be white. The walls, we were painting a very pale blue and the throw pillows on the bed and large chaise would range from shades of light blue to a deep purple.

  It was just past two a.m. when we finished painting our room. We cleaned up the tarps covering the floor and put the paint away. Then Ashton went downstairs to finish off the rest of the pizza while I showered and headed to bed. I don't know what time it was when he finally came up, but I remember feeling him snuggling into my back, and wrapping his arms around me.

  Chapter 2: Paulie’s Pub

  *Jacinda*

  The furniture arrived early the next morning so Ashton got up to deal with them. I slept until they needed to come in the bedroom and set things up. Once everything was in its place I took a shower and got dressed. I had an interview at the local bar, a pub called Paulie's. The pay was good for a waitressing job but I hoped the tips would be better.

  "I'll stop by the grocery store on the way home." I kissed him. “Wish me luck?”
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  "You don’t need it," he smiled giving me a love tap to the behind.

  "Love you..." I winked.

  "Me too," he smiled.

  ********

  I walked into the pub and looked around. It was nicer than I expected, and was only ten minutes from the house. It was fairly quiet at the moment since only a few of the TV's were on. A handsome young gentleman came from behind the bar eying curiously. He couldn't have been a day over twenty-five.

  "Jacinda?" he asked.

  "Yes, are you Paulie?"

  "I’m Paul junior, PJ, and I run this place for my pops." He smiled offering his hand.

  He was cute in a rugged, lumberjack kinda way, with light brown hair that was cut in wild spikes, hazel eyes, and a scruffy bearded face.

  "Nice to meet you, PJ," I said smiling as I shook his hand.

  "You too. So tell me, are you new to the area?"

  "Well I grew up in Washington, but I'm new to Pullman."

  "You're going to WSU?" he asked.

  "Yes."

  "Fresh meat or you transferred in?"

  "Fresh meat?" I asked confused.

  "Freshman, are you a freshman?" He chuckled.

  "Oh yeah, I'm a freshman, Medical sciences, pre-med major."

  "Beautiful and smart; a deadly combination," he said, looking me over. "Have you ever been a waitress before?"

  "No, but I learn quickly," I said.

  "Previous experience helps, but not having any is not really a problem as long as you got a decent memory. Remember the table numbers and the drink orders and you’re golden. With this job, it mostly comes down to being a people person. And by that I mean a drunken, college boy, people person. You have to be able to hold your own here. The boys can get a little rowdy. Now Tone and I usually keep them under control but there are times when you might have to control the situation until we get there."

  "Tone?"

  "My bouncer, he'll be here at six. Things start to get live after that. That's what time your shift will start. It'll be over at midnight. I know it’s only six hours, but the tips you'll make will make up for the missing two. And trust me, you will thank me later. Eight hours on your feet, carrying drinks, and food trays, wears you down."

  "So, does this mean I have the job?" I asked.

  "Let's have a trial run. Then you tell me if you want to keep the job." He laughed.

  Geez, was it that bad.

  "You got a man?" he asked.

  "Why?” That's was none of his business and not an appropriate interview question.

  He laughed.

  "Women with boyfriends don't usually work here too long," he said.

  "Why not?"

  "Too jealous..." he shrugged. "Let me give you your uniform. It may explain better than I can," he said, heading toward the back.

  "Don't you need to know my size!" I called to him.

  "No, I'm pretty good at judging a woman's body." He said waving me off.

  I just bet you are.

  He came back and handed me a bag. There was something satiny, a ball of ruffles, and two t-shirts inside.

  I grabbed the satin...shorts...panties...and held them up. I looked at PJ, who smirked. The ruffles, a skirt that had shorts attached, would just cover my ass. I took the hot pink t-shirt out and held it up to my chest. It was a low cut, 'V' neck, baby tee. It would fit very snug around my chest, and probably would show my belly. Ashton was going to shit.

  "Is there a problem?" He smiled; my expression must have shown my concern.

  "You sure the tips are good, because my fiancé is going to hit the ceiling."

  He laughed again.

  "The tips are great! Whoa…hold on, did you say fiancé?"

  "Yep," I said.

  "Your app said that you were nineteen.”

  “I am.”

  “And you're engaged already?"

  "I am."

  "Huh…this will be interesting. Your trial run is Saturday night; six p.m. Call me tomorrow, let me know if you're still game after you talk to your fiancé. If it's a no go, please bring the uniform back by Friday." He nodded.

  "Okay," I said.

  "Oh, and I need one more girl. If you know someone who needs a job pass the word."

  I immediately thought of Tanya.

  "I think I might. I'll give her your number." I smiled. "I'll see you Saturday."

  ********

  I walked into the house with a bag of groceries. Ashton jumped up from his perch on the sofa and grabbed the bag from me. He sat it on the counter top and went out to my car to get the rest.

  I looked around the now furnished house. The living room looked great with the red, microfiber, 'U' shaped sectional, and bleach oak wood cocktail and end tables. I looked at the big ass, flat screen TV, Ashton refused to live without and shook my head. The eating area, slash dining room, now held a six seat, round glass table. The base was the same bleached oak wood as the cocktail tables, the chairs, sleigh, high backs.

  "You like it?" Ashton asked, grabbing me around my waist.

  "Yes, it's nice. I think your mom and I did well. I need to call her and thank her again."

  "I did already," he said.

  "Well I want to as well. This is really too much."

  "Jacinda, my parents just want us focused on school, not bills. Don't make it a big deal."

  "I know, and I wasn't going to." I sighed rolling my eyes.

  "So how was your interview?" he asked changing the subject.

  "I got the job," I said.

  "I knew you would." He smiled.

  "We need to talk about the job though," I said.

  “It's just a waitressing job. What do we need to talk about?"

  "It’s a waitressing job at a college bar," I said.

  "Yeah, I know. But they got a bouncer, right?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at me.

  I walked in the kitchen and started emptying the bags. He followed me and started to put the groceries away.

  "Right, Jacinda?" He froze.

  "Yeah, they do, and the manager helps bounce too," I said.

  "But..." he encouraged, “...because I feel like there’s a but.”

  "But...he also said the guys can get a little rowdy once they get drunk," I said.

  "Well that figures," he mumbled, looking at me, trying to figure out what I was getting at.

  "Look, if you’re nervous about it, don't take the job. You know I don't care. I can hold us down until you find something else you like," he said, digging through the bags.

  "Hey, did you get me some…Cool Ranch Doritos?" He asked just as I handed him the bag of chips.

  He kissed my lips and tore the bag open.

  "Thanks babe." He smiled crunching.

  "You're welcome." I said passing him the bag that held my uniform. I might as well get this over with.

  He opened the bag and pulled out the shorts. “Yes babe, I likes these. You gonna wear them for me tonight?" He asked excited.

  "That's my uniform, Ashton," I said looking at the ground, squinting, and waiting for the blowout.

  He looked at the garment again then looked in the bag pulling out the skirt, and two Paulie's t-shirts. He looked at me.

  "Where the fuck is the rest of it?" He yelled.

  "Ashton..." I grimaced.

  "Oh, hell no, are you mad, Jacinda? You're not wearing this out of the house, let alone around some drunken fucktards with itchy hands!"

  "It's my job...and this, unfortunately, is the uniform," I said.

  "Fuck no, forget it!" He yelled.

  "Ashton, you were just admiring them," I said, trying another tactic.

  "Yeah, because I thought they were for me. If they make my dick hard, and I've had what's underneath them, I can just imagine what the assholes in that bar are going to be thinking. Forget it, you're not working there. You can take this shit back!" he said throwing the uniform on the table then walking away.

  He sat on the couch with his chips like the discussion was over.

>   "Ashton, it's no different than Hooters or somewhere like that," I said.

  "Love, men don't go to Hooters for the food…let me just make that perfectly clear," he said. "And I don't want those fools ogling my shit."

  "I took the job already." I sighed.

  "Quit then," he said simply.

  "No, the tips are supposed to be insane," I said.

  "I fucking guess so, you'll be serving in panties. It's not worth the money, Jacinda. You don't have to work."

  "Yes I do, and I’m working at Paulie's. I wasn't asking for permission, Ashton. I was just letting you know up front," I said.

  He looked up at me now. "What?"

  "I said, I wasn't asking for your permission. If I do well Saturday, the job is mine."

  "You're not working in fucking panties, Jacinda! Find another fucking job!" He yelled.

  "No, I took the job and you’re going to have to deal with it!" I yelled back.

  His eyes narrowed and I stepped back.

  "Fine… Go and work in your whore's outfit, see if I give a fuck!" he hissed, turning the TV up.

  Whore's outfit? Fucking son of a bitch.

  I hurried out the room before I slapped him and slammed the door to our bedroom. It really was beautiful. The king sized pillared bed consumed the room but made the space feel inviting.

  I stripped off my clothes and threw them across the room. I was livid. Our second day of living together wasn't going as well as the first. I needed to clear my head so I went into the master bath and turned the water on. After adding some scented bath salts I climbed in.

  I felt a little numb, but after laying there and staring at the ceiling with nothing to do but replay the night’s events I felt a tear run down my cheek. Fuck, don't cry I thought trying to blink the new tears away. But wishing them away hadn’t worked. In fact, it only made them worse. So I threw a hot washcloth over my face to cover them up.

  When I woke up the water was freezing. Sighing and shivering, I sat up slowly reaching for the hot water knob. When I couldn’t find it I ripped the washcloth from my face.

  "Fuck Ashton! You scared the shit out of me," I said, jumping and holding my hand over my heart.

  He was sitting on the edge of the tub completely naked.