And I Love Her (11 page)

“I’m sorry.” He kissed my forehead.

“I just want to talk to my mom and go home. This trip has been a disaster.”

Cash held me close and ran his fingers through my hair. “We’ll get through this together.”

Chapter Twelve

♬

Cash Matthews

When I met her friends, I thought they were cool. Well, except Gavin, of course. And they were a great band. The chemistry and companionship I saw on stage made it clear the four of them were close. But my opinion of them changed in light of their actions. I didn’t like it when anyone hurt my girl. That was no
t okay.

When we retired for the evening, Prudence was quiet. She had been silent for the rest of the day, saying very little. And when we walked into our bedroom, that quiet repose didn’t change.

She immediately started undressing, removing all her clothes. Against my wishes, my cock sprang to life. Now wasn’t the time but he didn’t understand that. When it came to Prudence, he had a mind of his own.

I knew Prudence would withdraw from me and that was fine. She was hurting, and I’d give her whatever space she needed. But that’s not what she had in mind. She grabbed my face and kissed me harder than she normally did. Her fingers immediately moved to the button of my jeans.

“Baby, it’s okay,” I whispered.

“Shut up.” She kissed me again and stripped me down. I noticed a trend with her. The more upset she was, the closer she pulled me. Her need increased with every pain. And I had a feeling that wasn
’t normal for her. She aggressively pulled me onto the bed and on top of her.

“Like your brother said…the walls are pretty thin.”

“Then be quiet.” She wrapped her legs around me and pulled me to her. When her lips caressed mine, the need evident in her movements, I was gone. When she wanted me, I couldn’t resist. Her hands cupped my face as she waited for me to move inside her.

My hard cock was like a magnet. It immediately found her and slipped in. And shit, she was wet for me. That fueled me even more. I loved how much she wanted me. I rocked into her slowly and stretched her. Being inside her was heaven. I could do it all day and all night.

I was as quiet as possible. Jeremy didn’t seem to care about our personal transgressions, but I still didn’t want him to hear me screw his sister. But her moans were the audible sounds from the two of us. I sealed my mouth over hers and made her stay quiet.

“Cash…”

Why did she have to say my name?
That pushed me to the edge. I held my weight and increased my pace, not rocking the bed. Every time I moved inside her, it was wetter each time. And it felt so fucking good.

When she broke our kiss and bit her lip, I knew she was igniting in a fiery blaze, one that I caused. Her nails dug into my back and she opened her legs wider. Having sex with her for months gave me a better understanding of her wants and needs. Silently, we knew how to please each other. Other than my wife, I’d never had a relationship that lasted this long.

I stared at her face and watched her pant for me. She was trying to stay quiet but was struggling. At the moment, I didn’t care how loud she was. Because the look made me explode. I pressed my face to hers and exploded inside her. I couldn’t count the number of times I filled her, but every time was better than the one before.

I didn’t move after I was finished. I took a moment to catch the air that left my lungs. Prudence leaned forward and kissed the sweat from my chest. I loved it when she
did that. I watched her finish then lay back down.

When I moved to pull out of her, she held me back. “No.”

If my woman said no, the answer was no. I stayed inside of her and rolled to my side, still lingering inside her. She wrapped her leg around my waist and held me tightly. When a satisfied sigh escaped her lips, I knew she was already asleep.

♫

When I woke up the next morning, I was still inside her. Neither one of us moved the entire night. She looked so peaceful in sleep. Her lips were relaxed and slightly parted. Her skin was unblemished and perfect. I kissed her cheek before I moved away from her.

Jeremy was downstairs like he always was. The guy never slept. It was like he was a vampire.

“Irritated we’ve been here so long?” I asked when I poured myself a cup of coffee.

“No. Why do you ask?”

“We’ve halted your personal affairs.” My meaning was implied.

“What do you think I do when you go to sleep?”

I smiled. “You’re sly.”

“I go elsewhere. I don’t bring that lifestyle around my sister.”

I nodded. “Do you have a relationship with these girls or just send them packing?”

“I make my intentions very clear.”

“And they don’t mind?” I asked incredulously.

“Do they mind when you do it?” Jeremy countered.

“I have short term relationships. They aren’t one-night stands. They are more agreeable to that.”

“I have no interest in that
type of relationship.” He flipped through the newspaper. “I make it very clear I’m good at what I do and have a lot of money. That seems to be enough.”

“For a single night?”

“They always leave with gifts.” He winked.

“Then aren’t they prostitutes? In a way?”

He shrugged. “If that’s how they see themselves, I don’t care.”

I was astounded by his secret life. I thought I was bad, but I was nothing compared to this guy. “Are you a sex addict?” it flew out of my mouth without further thought. Jeremy and I had become close in a short amount of time. It usually took me awhile to trust someone, but I trusted him. I think he felt the same way.

“I think so.”

Well, at least he admitted it.
I took the seat across from. “Did you talk to her?” I was dreading this conversation because I didn’t want to hear the answer, at least the answer I didn’t want.

“I did.”

“And…?”

He shook his head. “She denied it.”

I sighed. That’s what I was expecting.

“But I still suspect she’s lying.”

“Why would she?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe she’s hiding something else. But I feel uncomfortable prying into her personal life without volunteering anything about myself. She’s suddenly become very interested.”

“Well, thanks anyway.”

He nodded.

Maybe I should just accept the relationship for what it was. It was just a convenience for her. The sooner I accepted that, the easier the breakup would be. And it would allow me to enjoy the time I had with her.

“Or you could make the first move.”

I shook my head. “That would be pointless.”

Jeremy opened his mouth to speak but closed it abruptly. Prudence must be behind me.

“Why do you wake up so early?” Prudence asked. She moved into my lap like she usually did. “You’re supposed to be there when I wake up.”

“I’m sorry. You seemed tired and I thought you’d sleep in late.” She was extremely clingy with me. I hated clingy, but I loved it with her. “I’ll be there when you wake up tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Jeremy eyed her. “You two have a good relationship. I’m sure your marriage will be a happy one.”

Jeremy never said exactly what he meant, but I was starting to understand his vague statements.

Prudence eyed him but didn’t respond. “I’m going to see Gavin.”

“Can I come?” I asked immediately.

“I thought that would be awkward,” she said. “It’ll just be
me and him.”

“Which makes me want to go even more.”

She rolled her eyes. “Cash…”

“Please?” I hid the
need in my voice. I didn’t want her to be alone with him twice. Once was bad enough. I wasn’t worried about Prudence ending up with Gavin. If she wanted him, she would have had him already. But Gavin was a different story. He wasn’t my favorite person in the world.

“Fine.”

“Thank you, baby.”

♫

When we arrived at Gavin’s apartment, he didn’t answer. And I was happy about that. I didn’t understand why this conversation couldn’t take place over the phone. But Prudence insisted it had to be in person. And my girl always got her way.

He finally opened it. “Prudence?”

“Can I talk to you for a second?” She made a step forward.

Gavin eyed me behind her. He wasn’t happy to see me. “About what? There’s nothing left to say.”

“Please let me in.” She was practically begging.

Gavin stared into her eyes then gave in. It was hard to resist her. “Okay.” He opened the door and allowed us to walk inside. He didn’t greet me or speak to me. And that was fine by me. He moved to the couch. “What?”

She sat across from him and I took the seat next to her. I wanted to pull her into my lap and claim her as my mine, but I didn’t want to piss of Prudence. She wasn’t a fan of my jealousy.

“I’m really sorry about everything that’s happened, but I need you to do something for me.”

He chuckled slightly. It was more of a half laugh. “And what would that be?”

“Cash and I are only getting married for the citizenship.”

“I know,” he snapped. “You already said that.” He wasn’t too happy about the marriage.
Well, tough luck, asshole.

“But it’s important that our immigration investigator thinks it’s real. He’ll probably question you about
it, including Desi and Mason. Please go along with it.”

He rubbed his palms together and stared at his hands. “And what happens if I don’t?”

Motherfucker
.

“I won’t be allowed to return to America, Cash will be thrown in jail, and I’ll lose my contract.

Gavin glanced at me then looked down. “Wouldn’t that be a shame?”

She stared at him. “Gavin, please just go along with it.”

“You want me to lie?” he snapped. “And what will happen to me if I’m caught?”

“Nothing,” she said. “You aren’t the one being investigated.”

He shook his head. “I’m uncomfortable lying.” He wouldn’t look at her.

“Gavin…please.”

I knew exactly what was happening. And it had nothing to do with his virtue to be honest. “You want her to lose her citizenship. She’ll be forced to come back here, and I’ll be out the picture. She’ll be all yours.”

Gavin looked at me but didn’t speak. That was all the confirmation I needed.

Prudence looked shocked. “Gavin, please.”

He averted his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t do this to me!”

Gavin ran his fingers through his hair, doing anything to avoid her look.

“Gavin, look at me!”

He sighed then met her gaze.

“Please don’t do this to me. I thought you loved me.”

“I do,” he said simply. “Which is why I’m doing this.”

She grabbed his hand. “Gavin, this is what I want. Please just help me.”

He pulled his hand away.

I disliked Gavin but now I hated him. “Fucking asshole. I may not have liked you but I still respected you as a person.”

“You think I care?” he snapped.

I jumped to my feet with my fists clenched. Gavin did the same.

Prudence held me back. “Violence isn’t going to get us what we want.”

“Why do you care?” Gavin snapped. “You don’t give a bloody arse about her. All you are about is getting laid. You think I’ll stand by and let Prudence make the worst mistake of her life? No, I won’t.”

Prudence gripped his forearms. “Gavin, this is what I want. Don’t throw me under the bus. Please.” She had tears in her eyes.

Gavin didn’t look at her face because he was a coward.

I still clenched my fists. “Even if you do this, you’ll never have her. She doesn’t want you.” It took all my strength not to kill him. But hurting him would
n’t dissuade him from the idiotic decision he made. Prudence would be gone from my life and I’d never get her back. That wasn’t something I could afford.

Gavin shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

“I trusted you.” Tears fell down her face. She still gripped his arms.

“You can always trust me to do what’s best for you,” he said quietly.

“Gavin, please.” Now she started to sob. “You’re taking away the best thing that ever happened to me. Please don’t.”

Was she talking about her music career or me?
I glared at him. “How can you be so selfish?”

Gavin didn’t respond.
Because he was a fucking pussy.

Prudence continued to cry. “I’ll never forgive you if you do this. Never, Gavin.”

He kept his mouth shut.

I opened my wallet and pulled out a blank check. “How does a million sound?”

Gavin finally turned to me. “A million?”

“Dollars. Or five-hundred-thousand euros.”

He considered my offer. I expected Prudence to object but she kept her mouth shut. I knew how desperate she was.

Gavin pulled his arms away from her. Then he gave me a look of hate. “You might be able to buy everything in your life, but I’m not for sale. Your wealth won’t save you.”