Under My Thumb (Serenade Series #1) (21 page)

“He sounds very accomplished—like you.”

“My brother is amazing. He’s my hero.”

“Your parents must be very proud.”

Touchy subject. “Yeah…”

Her eyes narrowed. “Spill it.”

Damn, she was good.

“My parents were never married, so I didn’t grow up with a father.” I kept the emotion out of my voice, but I couldn’t hide my face. “He left us when I was born.”

“That’s terrible.” She seemed truly empathetic.

“
He came back around when I started college, but the damage had been done. Jeremy and I didn’t want a relationship with him. But he offered to pay for our tuitions so we accepted that in exchange for some of our time.”

She nodded. “It sounds like he’s trying.”

“I know…but he told me my dream to be a musician was stupid. Now I have a degree in something I don’t really care about.”

“Why can’t you have both?”

“I said the same thing.” My voice came out quiet.

“Li
fe is too short to live for someone else. I admire you for pursuing your dream. If it doesn’t work out, you always have your education to fall back on. At least your father gave you that.”

I couldn’t deny that. “I’m grateful he paid for my education. If not, I wouldn’t have been able to attend at all. The same goes for my brother. Now he has an MBA.”

“Too bad he doesn’t live here,” she said with a sigh. “McKenzie needs a good man in her life. She keeps running around with all these…boys.”

“Good men are hard to come by.” Cash popped into my mind.

Ophelia stared at my face. “Do you love my son?”

That came out of nowhere. What did I say? She continued to stare at me, waiting for me to speak. I couldn’t lie to her. She was too observant, too smart. I thought the truth was the best way to go. “I do.”

A smile spread across her face. “I don’t know why I even asked.”

I did love Cash and I knew it. It was something I didn’t expect to happen but I had to bottle it inside.
Because our relationship was going to end soon. He’d move on with someone else and forget about me. But I’d never forget about him.

I’m not sure when the feelings started. We just got so close, so fast in the past two months. When I wasn’t with him, I missed him. And I always wanted to be with him. When he had to work late
some nights, it was torture. I couldn’t get enough of him.

“And I know he loves you.”

She was wrong about that one. I smiled.

“I’m so glad Cash found you. I was so scared he’d never move on.”

She was talking about his divorce. Every time I thought about that stupid bitch I got angry. “I would never hurt Cash like that, Ophelia.”

“I know, dear. I’m just glad he finally got through it. It was hard on all of us. When your child suffers, you suffer. It’s how love works.”

And I knew that too well. Every time I imagined how Cash felt, it broke my heart. It hurt more than when Isaac betrayed me.

“Do you know the feeling?”

She was asking me a lot of personal questions. But I didn’t mind. It was nice talking to a parental figure. I immediately liked her when I met her. There was something motherly about her. “I had a boyfriend who did the same thing to me. I just wasn’t married.”

She took a deep breath. “Then you really are perfect for him.”

Yes, we were both really fucked up in the head. “I guess so.”

“Does your mother live in London?”

“Yes.”

“She must miss you like crazy.”

No, definitely not.

“You aren’t close to your mom either?”

How did she keep doing that? Was she a mind reader? “No…”

“What happened?” She gave me that sympathetic look again.

“My mom was…just not around much. She was depressed when my dad left, and she never recovered. She chose to stay in her room and watch TV. She knows I play music, but she has no idea what kind and has never even seen me play. And she didn’t come to my college graduation.”

“Oh my…” She grabbed my hand on the table and squeezed it. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I tried to keep the emotion out of my voice. “I had Jeremy. And he’s all I’ve ever needed.”

“He reminds me of my two sons. They were always so protective of McKenzie—still are.”

“I don’t know what I would have done without him…”

“I’m sure you’ll never know.” She let go of my hand then rested
hers on her thigh. “Thank you for having lunch with me today. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”

“Me too.” I meant it. She made me feel better about myself
. Like it was okay not to be perfect.

“And it’s really given me
peace of mind.” I wasn’t sure what that meant. “I know you’ll take care of Cash. He needs a woman in his life. I’m just so glad he got it right this time.”

That made me feel
good, but bad at the same time. If she knew the truth about our relationship, she’d be disappointed in Cash. Nothing had changed and nothing would ever change. He’d never be in a serious relationship, and he’d never get remarried.

He kissed me and touched me like he loved me.
The way he looked into my eyes when he was inside me was more than just a mere friendly fuck. It felt real. And I loved it. But that didn’t mean he loved me. Or that he ever would.

Chapter Twenty-Six

♬

Cash Matthews

When I realized I only had a month left with Prudence, the depression fell on m
e like a slab of bricks. Every bone in my body broke. Every hope I felt shattered. She was really leaving, and there was nothing I could do to stop her.

I was attached to her like I’d never been to anyone else. I loved fucking her brains out every night, but I loved spending the next morning with her
too. Most girls I dated weren’t very bright. They were models or actresses, not exactly intellectuals. But Prudence was not only smart, but she was a damn supermodel. I loved the curve of her hips and her long legs. Her tits were perky and perfect. And her ass….damn.

But she was leaving, taking all those good things with her. I came up with an idea that I never even considered before. It was entirely selfish, and I just want
ed to indulge my own fantasies, but I was definitely breaking some rules.

I was going to ask her to move in with me—for the next month.

I hated knowing Gavin was sleeping down the hall from her. If she was ever alone with him, how did I know she’d be safe? What if she stepped out of the shower in a towel and he caught a glimpse? What if they were drinking after a celebration and he got her drunk then took advantage of her? What if she started to have feelings for him while she lived there? When you were around someone long enough, sparks flew. But I couldn’t let that happen. Prudence was mine as long as she was on American soil.

I had to work on a rewrite for the show, even though it was Sunday. When the day was finally over, I was relieved. I had one thing on my mind. After I got into
my Range Rover, I called Prudence.

“Hello?” Her musical voice got me every time.

“Hey, baby. How are you?”

“Good. You?”

“Great. How was my mom?”

“It was a lot of fun. Damn, she can golf.”

I chuckled. “My mom is good at everything she does.”

“I could tell.”

“She reminds me of you.” The words flew out of my mouth.

“That’s awkward…”

I laughed. “You know what I mean, baby. And that’s a compliment. I love my mom.”

“You’re such a momma’s boy,” she teased.

“I’m guilty. I don’t care.”

Her voice softened. “That’s so sweet.”

“They say a man will treat his partner the way he treats his mom.”

“That’s not true,” she said simply.

“It’s not?”

“You treat me better.”

I smiled. “You deserve nothing but the best, Prudence.”

She sighed into the phone. She was probably getting ready for bed. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

That’s not what I wanted. “Come over.”

“Now?”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“I’ve been there all week,” she argued. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome.”

You definitely aren’t. “Please come over.” The desperation came out in my voice. I didn’t mean for that to happen. It slipped.

“Okay.”

“I’m on my way.”

After I arrived at her apartment, she opened the door with a bag in her hand. I immediately took it and guided her down to the car. After getting her inside the passenger seat, I got behind the wheel.

“Cash, is everything alright?”

“Yeah.” I drove away and headed back to my place.

She stared at me in the darkness. Only the lights from the dashboard gave any luminescence. “Are you sure?”

I gripped the steering wheel. “I’m an insomniac.”

“What? You are?”

“I can’t sleep. I’ve taken medication for it—nothing works. I even wear myself out at th
e gym just so I can be tired. That doesn’t work either. But you know what does?”

She stared at me.

“You. When you sleep over, I don’t stay awake all night.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Did it help when you slept with your other lady friends?”

“I never slept with them.” I just hit it and quit it.

“Even your wife?”

“Well, I wasn’t an insomniac at the time. I think our divorce caused it.”

“Oh.”

We arrived at the house and walked inside. I carried her bag into the bedroom then placed it on her nightstand.

“I had no idea,” she said.

I wasn’t in the mood for talking. After the long day I had, I just wanted to be inside Prudence. She was always so wet for me. Her musical sighs stroked my ego, giving me the best orgasms I ever had. And I loved coming inside her. I could do it again and again.

I grabbed her shirt and yanked it off. She
understood exactly what I needed and shut her mouth. I loved that about her. She knew what I wanted, when I wanted it. I stripped her clothes away then fell to my knees, aroused by the sight of her beautiful body. I kissed her thighs and the area between her legs. Her fingers moved into my hair while I indulged in my desires.

I was in the mood to take her from behind, so I stood up and guided her to the bed. She got on all fours and crawled across the comforter. When she looked over her shoulder, she had that look of fire in her eyes. I
settled behind her then grabbed her by the neck. I was always gentle with her, but insane at the same time. I slipped inside her with no friction—she was soaked.

“Cash…” She moved her ass, rocking my cock inside her.

I pressed my chest against her back and wrapped my arm around her waist. I held on and pulled her onto my cock. She was so light, it wasn’t hard. Every time my head slid past her entrance, I felt my cock twitch. I loved her pussy. She was small and tight, but able to accommodate my size. She never stretched too much.

“Baby, I’m going to come,” she said with a moan.

She never called me baby before. That was a first. I liked it—really liked it. It was affectionate and intimate. I felt like I wasn’t just a guy fucking her. I was important to her.

I rocked into her hard and fast, pushing her over the edge. She gripped the arm around her waist and breathed
into the orgasm shooting through her body. I forced myself to wait until she was completely finished. I knew most guys didn’t care if their partners got off. I did. Not only because I cared about Prudence and wanted her to feel good, but because I wanted her to come back for more. That was the key.

I let myself go and emptied inside her. Knowing my seed was being implanted was a turn-on in itself. I rocked into her as I finished, feeling the tenderness in my groin. I loved making love to Prudence. It was the best I ever had. I pulled out then la
y beside her on my bed. I took the left side and she took the right. Even when she wasn’t around, I still stuck to my side. It was a habit.

She pulled the sheets over her shoulder then sighed. I could tell she was happy
with my performance.

You’re welcome. I had a cocky grin on my face.

“You always do that.”

My smile dropped. “What?”

“Smirk like an idiot after we’re done. We’ve had sex at least a hundred times. Not exactly a challenge.”

Damn, she caught me. “I’m just happy.”

“Really happy.” She gave me a cute grin.

I hooked my arm around her waist and pulled her to my side of the bed. “Why are you way over there?”

“It’s my side.”

“My side is your side.”

“My mistake.”

I kissed her forehead then held her close.
My long day was forgotten. I was exactly where I wanted to be. “Did my mom drive you crazy?”

“No. I love your mom.”

“And was my sister on her best behavior?”

“Yep. She even apologized for her previous behavior.”

“Good.” That brat was still going to get an earful from me. “Did you have lunch too?”

“Yeah. We ate at the country club.” She moved her arm around my waist. “Thank you for the money…I wouldn’t have been able to afford anything.”

I could tell she was uncomfortable taking money from me. It took an hour just to get her to put it in her wallet. I was annoyed at the time, but also happy. She didn’t care about money or superficial things. I had an account at Tiffany’s because I bought my lady friends so many things. But I hadn’t bought her a single thing. She didn’t want anything. But that somehow made me like her even more. “You’re very welcome. I know the country club is a rip-off.”

She laughed. “You can say that again. I need to pay rent on our apartment. And lunch alone was my full amount.”

Which brought me to my next question. “Baby, I want to ask you something.”

She turned her chin up, looking me in the face. “What?”

“Move in with me.”

Prudence stilled at my question. Her eyes didn’t change because she was still processing my request. Then confusion settled onto the lines of her face. “What do you mean?”

“Spend your last month here. You’ll save money, you’ll have your own space, you’re here all the time anyway, and the most important reason—it’ll make me really happy.”

“That’s a lot of
togetherness…I don’t want to infringe on your privacy or your space.”

“I have nothing to hide.” I didn’t. I hadn’t watched porn since I met her, none of my booty call friends had texted me, and there was nothing in my life I was afraid to share with her. Now that she knew I was divorced, I had no secre
ts except my real job.

“But I’ll always be here…”

I smiled. “That’s the point, Prudence.”

“Are you sure?”

“Are you saying yes?” Please say yes.

Her eyes darted back and forth. “Why do you want me to stay here?”

I thought that was pretty obvious. “Because I love being with you.”

“And this has nothing to do with Gavin?”

Damn. She was good. “It may be a factor into my decision…”

“Any other reason?”

“You help me sleep.”

“And that’s it?” she asked.

“And the biggest reason of all. I love being with you. There’s no catch, Prudence.”

She became quiet.

“Why is that so hard for you to believe?” After I asked the question, I wished I hadn’t. Her response would break my heart. I knew it would.

“Isaac never spent the night. We always fooled around then he would leave, saying he had homework or work. He never wanted to spend time with me unless we were fucking.” Her voice was quiet, full of pain.

“I’m not him,” I said firmly. “I’m not a fucking asshole.”

“I never said you were.”

I grabbed her face and turned her gaze on me. “I love being with you. You make me happy. I promised I’d never lie to you. And I haven’t.”

She rested her hand on mine.

“That piece of shit is the dumbest fucker I’ve ever heard of. Don’t value your worth based on his treatment of you. You’re a rare find, Prudence. A diamond in the rough, an unbroken seashell in the sand, and someone’s everything.” I kissed her forehead and let my lips linger for a long time. I’d do anything to take her pain away. Anything.

“I try not to let it get to me. But it just does…”

“When did you break up?”

“A few months ago.”

Now I understood why she was so hurt. It wasn’t that long ago. “He’ll regret his behavior one day. I have no doubt.”

“I don’t care if he does or doesn’t.”

I liked that response. “Are you over him?”

“Yes.”

“Did you love him?” Please say no.

“I did at the time. Because I’m an idiot.”

“Don’t do that to yourself,” I said firmly.

“I’m ignorant, gullible, and stupid.” There was no emotion in her voice.
Just a calm acceptance.

“No,” I snapped. “You’re a wonderful person. You can’t see the bad in people because it doesn’t exist within yourself. Since you never lie, you never expect anyone else to. You took his word for what it was and didn’t question it. You didn’t think he was cheating on you because you couldn’t contemplate it yourself. That doesn’t make you ignorant or stupid. It just means you’re a trusting person, which is rare these days.”

“It sounds nicer when you say it that way, but it doesn’t change the truth.” She looked away and shrugged. “I’ve learned the truth of humanity and see how they really are. No one really cares about each other. They just use each other, lie to each other.”

That stung—bad. She didn’t think that applied to us, did she? “Baby, you think I lie to you?”

She looked at me, her eyes searching my face. “No. But that’s different.”

“How?”

“You told me exactly what you wanted from this relationship. And I agreed. You have no reason to lie. It’s a rare arrangement.”

“You’re wrong. I don’t lie to you because I never would. It’s that simple.”

She tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear, revealing her neck.