Under My Thumb (Serenade Series #1) (13 page)

Chapter Seventeen

♬

Prudence
Clearwater

We played a few shows
during the following weeks, and we rocked every single one of them. While we sold merchandise and gained new fans, executives and agents never approached us. Not that I was surprised. I was realizing it was a hobby more and more.

I applied to a few more positions but didn’t get
any calls back. Hopefully, somebody would take a chance on me. I didn’t have any experience, but I knew my chemistry. My grades would attest to that.

Cash came to every show, like he said he would. I’d grown more attached to his presence. When I played my music, I
always stared at his face. It calmed my nerves and made me feel better. With him, I wasn’t nervous or scared. And his eyes never left my face.

At the end of every show, he
brought me a beautiful arrangement of flowers. Every time. I was starting to realize he was my number-one fan. But Desi insisted he was my number-one stalker.

Gavin wasn’t rude to Cash, but he didn’t speak to him. In fact, he didn’t look at him. But I guess that was better than throwing punches.

When Cash picked me up for a date, Gavin stayed in his room. He always seemed to be locked away when Cash came over. But if that made it easier for him, that was fine with me.

“I found a restaurant I think you’ll like.” His hand hooked around my waist a
s he led me to the street. Our affection and closeness increased the longer we spent time together. He quickly became my favorite person in the world, and not just because he gave me screaming orgasms.

“What is it?”

“It’s a vegan restaurant.”

“What will you eat?”

“I’ll find something.” We reached the sidewalk but his limo was nowhere in sight. I looked around in confusion. Cash pulled out his key chain then pressed the button. A Range Rover lit up. “I thought I’d drive tonight. I hope that’s okay.”

“We won’t be able to screw on the drive.”

His eyes widened and he halted. “Damn.”

I smiled.
“But I’ll give you a nice blowjob on the way home.”

His eyes became even wider. “I love you.”

I laughed loudly then got into the passenger side. He shut the door then walked to the driver’s seat. The Police were on the radio when we drove to the restaurant. His hand grabbed mine and caressed my knuckles. Traffic wasn’t that bad on the drive, so we reached the restaurant in twenty minutes.

When we were led
to our table, Cash pulled out the chair for me and helped me sit down. After he pushed my chair in, he sat across from me. The black shirt he wore looked nice on his chest and shoulders.

“I love your shirt.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

“And I like the way you look in it.”

He smiled. “I like that compliment more. And I love your dress.”

“You always like my dress.”

“You look gorgeous in everything.”

I didn’t blush at his words or hide behind my menu. I was more comfortable with him than I was with anyone else. Despite the strong physical relationship we ha
d, the friendship underneath was strong and trusting. It was a relief to be with someone who wouldn’t lie to me. Cash never misled me about his intentions, and I knew exactly what he wanted from me. It was such a breath of fresh air.

“What are you thinking
about?” He stared me down with his intense gaze.

“How happy I am.”

His eyes softened. “Am I responsible for that?”

“More than you’ll ever know.”

He stared at me, waiting for me to elaborate. I’d gotten better at reading him over the past few weeks.

“I was hesitant about our relationship because of the physical aspect, but I’m so glad I didn’t reject you. I know our relationship is going to end, and I know it doesn’t mean anything, but it’s so nice to be with someone and not have to worry about anything.”

“Like what?”

“Commitment, lies, cheating, betrayal, stuff like that. I feel like you’re a friend I sleep with. It’s nice.”

His eyes darkened slightly while he studied my face. “I’m glad I make you happy.”

“Well, you’re pretty good in the bedroom.”

He smirked. “But it seems like I make you happy for other reasons.”

“You do.”

Cash leaned across the table then rested his hand on mine. When his fingers brushed my knuckles, I felt the bumps on my arms. It made me tingle. When I stared at his handsome features, I was slightly sad I wouldn’t always see him. Eventually, he would disappear and start a new arrangement with someone else, but that was the way life was, at least how I wanted it to be.

After we ordered, the waitress brought our dishes. I had fried noodles with tofu, and he had a salad.
It was delicious.

“Do you like it?” I asked.

“It’s very good.” He finished his plate then wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“I’d be a vegan if I had the time and money.”

“Why can’t you do it now?” he asked.

“Being healthy is important, and it’s difficult to do that when you have no animal
protein in your diet. So it takes a lot of research to get all the vital vitamins, nutrients, and protein you need. Plus, fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive.”

He nodded. “
It must be impossible on a musician’s salary.”

I
chuckled. “I knew I’d be poor when I picked this hobby.”

“Hobby? I thought it was your career?”

I didn’t want to admit I was looking for a job with my degree. Then I’d have to admit I wasn’t really leaving, which might freak him out. “For now, it is.” I drank my wine then returned it to the table. His eyes were on me the whole time, burning holes into my flesh. I was used to it. When I looked up, I saw a man staring at me from another table. Naturally, I looked away. But when I glanced back, he was still studying me. Maybe he recognized me from a show? When he stood up and approached our table with a woman, I felt panicked.

Cash caught my expression. “Baby, is everything alright?”

The man clapped Cash on the shoulder. “Look who it is.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. It was obviously someone Cash knew.
When Cash glared at the man, I could tell he wasn’t happy. The woman rubbed Cash’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I missed you the other night.”

The scowl disappeared from his face when he addressed her. “It’s nice to see you, Vivian. I hope Natalia isn’t spending too much time with her new toy
s.”

Vivian smiled. “She loves th
ose things. Now you are her favorite person in the world, not just her favorite uncle.”

Uncle? He never mentioned that to me.

“She’s too damn cute to resist.” When he turned back to the man, the scowl returned. “It was nice seeing you, Denver.”

When I looked at the man, I recognized the familiar features. The blue eyes were the same color and shape, and the sway of his shoulders reminded me of Cash. They both had hard chins and wide chests. They must be related.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” He turned his gaze to me. He wore a buttoned white shirt with dark jeans.

Cash looked pissed. I was obviously missing something. “This is Prudence.”

“Prudence…” Denver said my name slowly. Then he extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Prudence. I’m Denver, Cash’s brother.”

As I suspected.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” I shook his hand then dropped my arm.

“And this is my beautiful wife.” He pulled Vivian toward me and introduced her.

“It’s nice to meet you too.”

“So, how do you know Cash?” she asked innocently.

“She’s a friend,” Cash said quickly. I could see the lines of anxiety on his face. Normally, he was cool and collected. But now he was unnerved and irritated. It was a new side to him.

“I don’t hold hands with my friends,” Denver said with a smile.

Cash’s eyes flared in hatred.

“Let’s go have a drink next door,” Denver said. He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’d like to get to know you better.”

His family seemed really interested in me and I wasn’t sure why. But I could tell Cash wasn’t happy about that.

“Umm…”I didn’t know what to say.

“Prudence and I have plans,” Cash said.

“With us.” Denver
pulled out my chair then tugged me to a stand.

Cash was on his feet instantly. “Denver, enjoy your night with your wife. You guys don’t get much alone time.” He opened his wallet and threw a hundred on the table. That
was more than enough to cover the bill.

“But you’re family.” Denver gave him a cocky smile. “What’s more important than that?”

Vivian hooked her arm through mine and led me out of the restaurant. “What did you order?”

“I had the fried tofu. It was good.”

“I always get the Greek salad. My favorite.” She had a beaming smile. I automatically liked her. She seemed a little older than me.

I distantly heard Cash and Denver argu
ing behind us. Cash said he didn’t want to mix family and friends into our relationship, so I knew he was irritated he’d been spotted. But I didn’t see why it was a big deal.

Once we walked inside the bar, we headed to
a table. Cash pulled out my seat then sat beside me. But his familiar affection was absent. He didn’t touch me or rest his hand on my thigh. I didn’t realize how much I loved his touch until I couldn’t have it.

Denver and his wife sat across from us.
Drinks were brought and we sipped them. I already had two glasses of red wine but I drank a Long Island iced tea to fit in.

“How did you two meet?” Denver asked.

I kept my silence, allowing Cash to handle the situation however he wanted. Cash glanced at me then spoke.

“At a concert.”

“What concert?” his brother asked.

“Hers.”

Denver eyed me. “Are you a musician?”

“Yep,” I said. “My band is called The Quakes.”

“Awesome,” he said enthusiastically. “What do you play?”

“I play the bass, but I also play the guitar, the drums, and the piano.”

“Wow,” Vivian said. “You’re very accomplished.”

“Thank you,” I said with red cheeks.

“She can play the bassoon too.” Cash gave me an affectionate look.

“I can’t forget that,” I said with a laugh.

Denver caught the look Cash gave me. “And how long ago was that?”

I let Cash take the reins.

“A few weeks ago.”

Denver nodded. “Why didn’t you take her to McKenzie’s birthday party?”

“Why would I?” Cash said. “She’s just a friend.”

“That you hold hands with?” he asked incredulously.

Cash glared at him.

There was something deeper being exchanged between the two brothers. But I didn’t know what it was. Denver and Vivian seemed overly interested in Cash’s personal life, and I was curious to know why. But that conversation would have to wait.

Cash looked at his sister-in-law. “How’s work?”

“Hectic. I’m surprised I haven’t gotten called in today.”

“What do you do?” I asked.

“I’m a physician.”

“Wow,” I said. “You’re accomplished too.”

Denver stared at his wife fondly. “That she is.” The look was adorable. It was clear she was the apple of his eye, the sunrise and sunset
of every day. He turned to Cash. “It looks like we upgraded.”

Cash didn’t respond. I knew him well enough to understand when he was angry, even if he didn’t express it. He was a master at hiding his emotions, pretending everything was fine. I knew that because I did the same thing.

“How’s work?” Denver asked.

Cash got uncomfortable again. “Good. How’s Natalia?”

I noticed he changed the subject quickly.

“Adorable.” Vivian sighed. “Denver had to drag me out because I didn’t want to leave her.”

I smiled at the love on her face. “Pictures?”

Her face lit up. “I have plenty.”

“And I have more.” Cash held his phone to me. “Scroll to the left.”

I eyed it before I took it. When I moved through the pictures, I saw a beautiful brunette. In every photo she was smiling
or laughing, an energetic child. I kept moving through the photos and realized how many there were. “She’s beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Denver said.

I kept scrolling.
Damn, how many pictures did he have?
I finally got to the end of the reel. It was a picture of me sleeping. My face was resting on my arm and I looked so peaceful. I had no idea he took it.

Cash took the phone back before I could say anything.

“You have a lot of pictures,” I said.