Under My Thumb (Serenade Series #1) (9 page)

The smell of her shampoo moved to my nostrils. It smelled like coconut. My hand immediately glided through her hair, feeling the silky strands. She stared over my balcony at the beach, mesmerized by the beauty. I could stare at her all day. I wanted her to come over so I could fuck her brains out, but
now I was content lying with her. Her chest pressed against mine with every breath she took, and she seemed relaxed in my arms. I didn’t want to move.

“What did you get your degree in?” I asked. It was probably music, but I thought I should ask anyway.

“Analytical chemistry.”

My hand stilled, and not because it was caught in her hair.
What the hell? Analytical chemistry?
“Why did you pick that?”

“I didn’t. My dad made me.”

“So you didn’t like it at all?”

“No, it was a fascinating subject. It’s applicable to the real world and how things work, but I wanted to pursue music instead. My dad talked some sense into me, even though I’ll always resent him for it.”

“He wouldn’t let you choose the major you wanted?” This guy sounded like a dick.

“Not if
I wanted him to pay for my education.”

“He didn’t support your music career?”

“He still doesn’t. My passion is a waste of time and potential. I’ll never go anywhere or succeed. His words hurt at the time, but I realize he was right. And having an economically safe education was the smart move.”

“Not if you don’t care about it.” I didn’t know why I was getting so upset. The fact her own father didn’t believe in her or support her pissed me off. Didn’t he see how talented she was? She was better than most professional musicians I saw on a daily basis. What the hell was his problem?

She shrugged. “It’s in the past.”

“Are you close with him?”

“No. We’ll never be close.”

I detected the resentment in her voice. “What happened?” I always steered clear of family drama and emotional problems when I dated, but I needed to know. Her life was fascinating to me.

“It’s a long and boring story.” She tightened her hold on my waist.

“I have nowhere to be.” I kept the desperation out of my voice.

She stared at the ocean and remained silent. I patiently waited for the story, but nothing was revealed. I hid my disappointment. All the women I’d been with wouldn’t shut up about their problems, even when I didn’t ask. And it was annoying as hell. Prudence was the first one to hold her silence. And she was the first one I didn’t want to.

“How’s Gavin feeling?”

“I don’t know,” she said with a change of tone.

“I thought he was under the weather?”

“Oh… He’s fine now.”

“What happened?”

Her fingers dug into my side. “He ate some bad meat last night.” Her voice was different than it ever was before, slightly raspy and high-pitched.

“Oh. That’s a shame.” I really didn’t give a shit.

“Wait.” She sighed then sat up. Judging by the torn look on her face, I knew something was on her mind. “That was a lie. I’m sorry.”

I waited for her to speak.

“Since I requested that rule, I have to abide by it too.” She propped herself on her elbow then rested her hand on my stomach. I flexed automatically.

“It’s okay,” I said gently. I was eager to hear the true version.

“The reason Gavin didn’t play last night was because we had a fight.” I didn’t like where this story was going. If she knew about the explosive jealousy inside me, she’d run. And run fast. “He said it was too hard to play the songs we wrote because…he’s in love with me. He walked home and we haven’t spoken since.”

I knew that piece of shit was into her, but he’s in love with her? That just pissed me off even more. Who the hell did he think he was proclaiming his love for my girl? Well…the girl I was seeing. Prudence was mine and I wasn’t going to share her with anyone. “I’m sorry. I know that must have
been difficult.”

“We’ll get through it.” She sighed deeply. “We always do.”

“Do you think he’ll drop it?” He better if he wanted to keep his head.

“I need to clear the air with him. Hopefully, we’ll work on it from there.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t live with him.”
Damn, did I just say that?
I wanted to smack myself in the forehead. That was a really stupid and possessive move.

She shrugged. “We’ll be fine.”

I’d gladly pay for her to get her own apartment, one with twenty locks. But I couldn’t offer that. Not when we weren’t serious. She’d think I was a psychopath…which I was…now that I thought about it. “Why did you lie?”

“I thought you’d be mad. I know you two don’t get along.”

And for good reason. “You can tell me anything, Prudence. We’re friends as well as lovers.”

The mention of lovers made her flinch slightly. I was disappointed by the body language. I really wanted to feel her clench around my cock when I made her
come. But I’d be patient with her—only her—because I liked her so damn much. I placed my hand on her shoulder and pulled her back to me. When she was snuggled against my chest, my anxiety diminished. But my hatred for Gavin still burned. It would always burn.

I placed my foot on the floor and rocked us gently. The sea breeze glided past us,
bathing us in fresh air. It suddenly became very quiet while I held her. I never cuddled like this. Not even when I was trying to score. But it wasn’t that bad. I liked it.

“I want to know more about you.” The words flew from my mouth.

“What would you like to know?”

“Anything.”

“I have a brother. His name is Jeremy.”

“What’s he like?”

“Warm, affectionate, and selfless. He’s my hero. My best friend.” Her strong fondness for her brother surprised me. But I guess I felt the same way for my sister. She looked up to me, admired me.

“Is he older than you?”

She nodded. “He raised me.”

“I thought you had a dad?”

“Technically. But he didn’t come into my life until I was an adult. The first time I met him, I was eighteen.”

The light sadness in her voice shattered my heart. “Why?”

“It’s another long story.”

“Please tell me.”
What the hell was wrong with me? Did I just say that?

“You really want to know?” The surprise was evident in her voi
ce. “My baggage shouldn’t weigh you down.”

“It won’t. I really want to know.”
No, I needed to know. Now.

“My dad was a hor
rible father to Jeremy. After Jeremy was born, he was overwhelmed with the feedings, changings, and lack of sleep. He didn’t even marry my mom after he knocked her up. But after I was born, it was too much. He took off.”

I felt the anger rise inside me. I never wanted to have kids, but if I accidently knocked someone up, I’d step up. I wouldn’t abandon my kid like that. And the fact he did
it to her just pissed me off. This beautiful creature didn’t deserve that.

“My mom found out he remarried and lived in Liverpool. Even though she knew where he was, she never bothered him, asked him for child support—nothing. She said she could do it on her own. And that’s what she did.”

“She sounds admirable.”

Prudence shrugged. “I guess she did her best.”

I knew there was more.

“My mom was diagnosed with clinical depression. After my dad left, she never got back on her feet. She was always in the house, but she wasn’t really around. So my brother was the parent I never had. I just wish he had someone too.”

“He has you.”

She shook her head. “He spent so much time taking care of me. He never took care of himself.” She took a
breath then released it. “Any road, this is getting too heavy. Basically, my brother is my closest friend. There’s nothing I can’t tell him, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”

I processed her story. Then I ran my fingers through her hair, giving her a quiet comfort. “Why did you
r dad pay for your education?”

“Oh. That’s another story.” She rolled her eyes. “After his wife died, he had no one. He had no family and no kids. That’s when he came back, saying he was ready to make up for the time lost. Of course, my brother and I were over it. But he offered to pay for our tuition. Neither one of us could say no.”

“Where did you attend?”

“Cambridge.”

Shit. This girl was smart—really smart.
“Your brother?”

“The same. He’s a year older than me. My dad has tried to involve himself in our lives, but we both made it clear we just wanted the money. We never lied about that.
He still sticks his nose in our business, telling my brother what he should do with his life, and telling me my musical talents are amateur.”

“They are
n’t amateur,” I said firmly. “Not in the least. You are one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever heard.”

The pink entered her cheeks. “That’s sweet.”

“And true. Don’t listen to him.”

“It doesn’t matter. I play for me—no one else.”

Prudence’s exceptionalities were making me more obsessed with her. She was a smart cookie who handled herself well. She loved others with her whole heart. I recalled our conversation from last week. She said she never wanted to be in a relationship again, and I wondered why. Was it because of her dad? But if I asked, she’d ask me the same question, and I couldn’t answer it. I kept it to myself.

“I want to know something about you.” She snuggled against my chest, light as a feather.

“I have an older brother and a younger sister.”

“Are you close?”

“For the most part.”

“How are your parents?”

“They’re well. And still together.” I rested my hand on her neck, feeling the faint pulse underneath. I loved it when women wore their hair down, but I loved seeing Prudence’s face more. I imagined a pair of golden earring tangling from her lobes, and her hair pulled back. It excited me. I decided to get her something beautiful for our evenings out.

“Can you tell me something personal?”

I tried to think of something I was willing to reveal. “After my sister was born, my mom became pregnant again. It was a boy, but when she gave birth, a complication happened and the baby died. His name was Deagan. I was too young to really understand the loss, but as I got older, it started to hurt. I should have another sibling.”

Her eyes softened when she looked at me, the sign of true empathy. Her hand rubbed my chest
then she placed a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth. “I’m so sorry.” The affection stung my heart. Just in that gentle and innocent kiss, I felt more emotion than ever before. People always said they were sorry, but they never meant it. Prudence was different. She carried the pain with me, truly feeling the same loss I did. I pushed the emotion back then dug my nails into her hair.

“It was a long time ago.”

“Time doesn’t heal all wounds.” She gave me a serious expression, her blue eyes shining bright. “Whoever said otherwise was stupid.”

A slight chuckle escaped my lips. “You’re right.”

She returned to my chest and wrapped her legs around mine. Within the hour, the sun disappeared. We were in complete darkness. The sound of the waves was the only reminder of where we were. A chill crept into the land, and her skin started to turn cold despite my best attempt of keeping her warm.

“Would you like to go inside?”

“Yeah.” She maneuvered out of the hammock then regained her balance. I came behind her then placed my hand on her hip. Together, we walked back inside my house. I turned on the lights but dimmed them low, keeping the romantic aura in the air.

When she crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the pictures on the walls, I knew she felt nervous. She knew what I wanted, but I couldn’t tell what she wanted. I poured two glasses of wine then sat on the couch.

“Want to watch TV?”

“Sure.” She came beside me then kicked her shoes off. I placed my hand on her thigh, wishing I could do more. We fell silent while he watched the screen. But I wasn’t
paying attention to what was on. I only thought of Prudence, sitting beside me, looking gorgeous as hell. If I couldn’t sleep with her, I at least wanted to kiss her.

Eager for a taste, I guided her to the cushion then moved on top of her. There was no pre
amble so she gasped as I moved her. I hovered over her, putting my weight on my arms. I didn’t go in for the kill right away. Instead, I brushed my lips across hers, seeing what she’d do.

Her lips opened slightly, her tongue barely escaping. I took that as an invit
ation. As soon as my lips touched hers, excitement coursed through my body and my erection returned. It was throbbing, wanting to feel her wetness. I tried to ignore my desire and focus on her mouth, but she was making it pretty difficult.

Her fingers glided through my hair then down my neck. She touched me gently but was aggressive at the same time. Then her kiss started to change. She sucked my bottom lip
and moaned quietly.