Under My Thumb (Serenade Series #1) (17 page)

“Please don’t hurt her. I beg you.”

The emotion in his voice caught me off guard. He was so professional most of the time.

“I don’t have any such intention.”

He eyed my face, searching for a lie. “My sister’s personal life is none of my business, but since this happened so fast, I had to say something. I worry about her. I can’t help it.”

“I completely understand. I have a younger sister too.”

“What’s going to happen between you when she goes back home?”

I didn’t know what to say. What did Prudence want me to say?
“That’s up to her.”

“What does that mean?”

“She may not leave at all.” I was just pulling shit out of my ass. “If she wants to be with me, she’ll stay. If not, she’ll leave.”

“So, it’s up to her?”

“I won’t ask her to stay, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I just want what’s best for my sister. And I wanted to know your intention
s.”

“I care about her very much. That should give you some reassurance.”

“So you aren’t just using her since she’ll only be here for a few months?”

How could I keep a s
traight face and lie? Our agreement was a loveless and meaningless relationship until she left. I was using her, but she was using me too. Well, there was more to it than that. I really cared about her, would do anything for her, loved seeing her smile every morning when we woke up, felt my world fall apart every time she cried, practically died every night we were apart, and looked forward to the next time I would see her every time I wasn’t with her…and I knew she felt the same way. She was my closest friend and the best lover I ever had. How would I explain that to him?

“Are you using my sister?” he repeated with a deeper tone.

“No,” I said firmly. “Not at all.”

Chapter Twenty-One

♬

Prudence Clearwater

Cash took us to Jeremy’s hotel. His hand never left my thigh for the entire ride. I thought it would be awkward to be affectionate in front of my brother, but I had to be convincing. If not, Jeremy woul
d see through my lie. And I couldn’t let that happen.

Cash helped me out of the limo then embraced me on the sidewalk. “Are you sleeping here?”

“No. We’ll probably watch a movie then I’ll go home.”

“When?” The dark tone I heard the other day returned.

“I don’t know…a few hours.”

He looked at his watch. “It’s already eleven.”

“I’ll get a cab.”

He leaned close to my ear. “No. Scott will pick you up and take you home.”

“No?”

He pulled a card out of his wallet then handed it to me. “Just call him when you’re ready. He’ll be here in five minutes. And he’ll come to the room and escort you down. Don’t wait on the sidewalk.”

Was this a show for my brother or was he being serious?

He stared me down. “Prudence, do this for me. Please.”

“I can take care of myself. London is a big city with creepers, muggers, and killers. I did just fine there.”

“Well, you weren’t mine at the time. Now do as I ask.”

I didn’t want to get into an argument in front of my brother so I kept the anger back.

Cash grabbed my face and gave me a sweet kiss. “I’ll do that thing you like…”

Sex. His biggest weapon.
“Okay.”

He rubbed his nose against mine. “I knew that would work.”

I stepped away. “Thank you for dinner.”

“Anytime.” He reluctantly dropped his hand then approached my brother. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Jeremy nodded. “Likewise.”

Cash gave me another kiss before he got inside the limo.

My brother and I walked into the hotel then moved to his room. We were having a movie night, something we used to do as kids when we shared a room. After we walked inside, I sat on the couch then kicked my heels off.

My brother walked to the bar and made a drink. He was quiet
—abnormally quiet.

“What do you want to watch?” I flipped through the channels and
Shallow Hal
was on. “I love this movie. Gwyneth Paltrow is in it.”

My brother sat beside me. “Sure.”

I eyed him then turned back to the TV.
Did he hate Cash? Why was he in such an odd mood?

“How was work?” I asked.

“Boring.” He drank from his scotch glass.

I decided to give up. If my brother wanted to open up, he would.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing someone?”

H
ere we go.
“What?”

“You’re in a serious relationship with some guy and you didn’t say a word to me
. It was totally out of the blue.”

“Well, I didn’t have a chance to call you. I would have said something if we spoke.”

He finished his glass then refilled it.

“Jeremy, what’s the big deal? Do you not like Cash?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”
What the hell did that mean?

“He’s clearly in love with you.”

Cash was a good actor. He did exactly as I asked.

“He couldn’t stop touching you.
And he didn’t keep his attraction to you PG.”

PG? What?

“I just didn’t realize you were ready for another relationship.”

“Well, I am.”

“Well, that makes me happy.”

And that’s exactly what I wanted. My brother harbored every pain I felt, but that only made me feel worse. His compassion and selflessness drowned me. “I am happy. You don’t need to worry about me, Jeremy. Cash will take care of me.”

“What does that mean?” He gave me a hard stare, the movie forgotten.

“Nothing. I just don’t want you to be concerned.”

“Do you love him?”

I would
n’t love anyone for the rest of my life, but I did feel something significant for Cash. He was the only comfort I had. With him, I could be myself. He respected my wishes and didn’t push me. He was perfect—perfect for me. “I do.”

“Then, are you going to stay at the end of the summer?”

This is the direction I knew this conversation would take. And I planned it. “I think so.”

Jeremy took a deep breath. “You’re going to move here?”

“Yeah.”

His eyes darted from left to right, the emotion hiding behind
them. I knew my brother well, and I understood how he would react. He’d be devastated about me staying, but he’d be happy for me. He would hide his pain. “Is that what you want?”

I had to leave London. My dad kept trying to reconnect with me, my mom was a mess, and Isaac continued to haunt me. All my friends pitied me for what happened. I had a label I couldn’t get rid of. I needed to move on, and I loved LA. Jobs were plentiful and I was in
a city where I could be discovered—eventually. “Yeah.”

“Pru, I know you think you love this guy, but is it a little too soon?” My brother was always pragmatic about everything.

“If it doesn’t work out, I’ll move home. Problem solved.” Except I never would.

“It sounds like you have it figured out.”

I was excited to move on with my life, but my brother would always hold a soft spot in my heart. I was devastated I wouldn’t see him everyday. But I couldn’t stay in London just for him. There would always be holidays and birthdays, plenty of reasons for me to visit. But it wouldn’t be the same—never again. “I think so.”

He took another deep breath. “Then you have my support. This is probably the best place for you to be for your career anyway.”

There he goes, putting me first
. He was such a great guy.

He hugged me tightly. “I’m happy for you. You deserve the world, Pru. I’m sorry I couldn’t give it to you, but I’m glad Cash can.”

Awe. Why did he have to be so sweet?
“I love you.”

“I love you
too.”

♫

When I called Scott to pick me up at three in the morning, he arrived within five minutes like Cash said. My brother gave me a big hug before I opened the door.

“I didn’t realize this would be the last time
I saw you.” His voice was quiet and reserved. But a flood of pain was behind it.

“It’s not the last time, Jeremy.”

“But it won’t be the same.” He pulled away and looked me in the eye. “I’ll probably visit frequently for business trips. But I would love it if you came home as often as you can.”

“Of course.” My eyes softened.

“What do I tell Mom?”

“I’ll call her…”

“Will you really?” He knew I didn’t have a lot of respect for her.

“Yes.”

“And Dad?”

“I’m not calling Jim.” I still didn’t call him Dad. He may be my biological creator but he didn’t
deserve that title. Jeremy was my father as far as I was concerned.

“Well, I guess I’ll break it to him.”

“Not that he’ll care.”

Jeremy eyed me. “I admit Dad was a coward for the past twenty years, but his attempt to connect with us seems genuine. He did spend a hundred grand on our educations.”

“And that makes everything better?” I asked incredulously.

“He’s not that bad. You should give him a chance.”

“He had twenty years to get his chance. He had twenty years to get to know me. He didn’t want to then and I don’t want to now.”

Jeremy sighed. I knew he gave up.

“I don’t mean to be cold.”

“No, I understand.” Jeremy rubbed my shoulder then opened the door.

When I saw Cash on the other side, I did a double take.
Why was he here at three in the morning? The fucking psychopath.
He didn’t look like he just rolled out of bed to pick me up. He wore his suit, wrinkle free, and seemed wide awake. He appraised me while I stood in the doorway.

“If you want to make sure a job is done right, you have to do it yourself.” His hands were in his pockets and
he seemed calm, confident. Even though I was annoyed with him, he looked damn fine. I imagined his naked body underneath his clothes. Not having Cash for three days was starting to wear me down. I didn’t realize how obsessed I was with him until I didn’t have him, and now he looked so fuckable. I wondered if he did it on purpose.

“You came all th
e way here just to take me home?”

Cash smirked. “We live in a good area, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bad people. I’ll get a good night’s rest after I know you’re safe.”

Was this an act for my brother? I couldn’t tell anymore.

Jeremy extended his hand. “I’m glad my sister is in good hands.”

Cash shook it. “You never have to worry about that.” He turned back to me. “Are you ready, baby?”

I gave my brother
one last hug. “I’ll see you soon.”

He did something I never expected. He kissed me on my forehead. “I hope so.” He stepped away then let me walk out the door.

After the door was shut, I felt the depression sink in. I had no idea when I’d see my brother again—the only family I had. Was I making a huge mistake? Was I being selfish? But I couldn’t go back home. It was just too hard.

Cash took my hand. “Everything alright?”

His voice shook the thought away. “Yeah.”

He eyed me but dropped the interrogation.

“You really didn’t need to pick me up.”

“I wanted to.”

“What were you doing all night?”

“Waiting for you to call my driver.”

I sighed. “You didn’t have to do that to impress my brother.”

“I didn’t
.” His hand hooked around my waist until we reached the limo. He let me inside first before he slid beside me. “I care about you—a lot.”

My eyes softened. “I care about you too.”

“And as long as you’re mine, I want you to be safe. That’s not something I’m willing to compromise on.”

“Are you like this with all your lady friends?”

He turned on the heater then leaned against the leather cushion. “No.”

“Then why are you like that with me?” I was curious to know. He didn’t love me or have any particular attachment to me. I was a warm body he got to use over and over. And I was fine with that.

“I just am.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. “But I have a very selfish ulterior motive.”

I knew exactly what it was. But I wanted to play with him. “What?”

He kissed my wrist then moved up my arm. He kissed my shoulder then my neck. His lips stopped at my ear. “I’ve been very lonely these past nights. And I want you to satisfy me.”

“So you didn’t care about my safety at all?” I had a grin on my face because I loved his kisses. He could do so many things with his mouth.

“I wouldn’t say that.” He kissed my ear, and the loud smacking noise made me moan.

The depression suddenly weighed on me when I realized there was no going back. My brother would leave and I would stay behind. But my greatest drug was sitting next to me. Cash helped me forget my problems, put them so far in the back of my mind I almost forgot them entirely. And that’s when I knew I needed him.

I pushed his shoulders back then straddled him.

His eyes widened and a smirk stretched his face. “You missed me too.”

I pressed my mouth against his then unbuckled his belt. His hands were on me, moving up my dress and to my underwear. He slipped two fingers inside while I moaned into his mouth.

Fuck. He was good at that.

I unbuttoned his shirt then pulled down his slacks slightly. His cock popped out, big and long.

I loved him.

His fingers continued to explore me, making involuntary gasps escape my mouth. He was good at everything. Every appendage was a trained master. Cash pulled me closer to him then kissed my neck, sucking and biting gently. Arousal burned between my legs and I wanted to feel him inside me—the real him.

I grabbed his arm and tried to pull his fingers out. “I want you.”

His eyes darkened. “Tell me again.”

“I want you, Cash.”

He fingered me harder. “You’ll have to wait.”

“No.” I gripped his shoulder, loving the feel of his hand. “I don’t want to.”

“I want to make love to you on my bed, not in the backseat of a car. Not tonight, at least.”

Make love? When did we start doing that?
And he never had a problem doing it in the limo, in a bathroom stall, or on the beach. He’d take me, anywhere and anytime.

The limo pulled into his driveway
. Cash readjusted his clothes before we got out. My legs were wobbly. I just wanted to spread them and feel him inside me.