And I Love Her (7 page)

Jeremy rested his elbows on the table and watched the screen.

“What are you hiding from her?”

“That is something I share with no one.”

I nodded. “Prudence seems to think you like me.”

He lit a cigar then smoked it. He handed me one but I declined it. Prudence seemed strongly averse to cigars. She would smell it on my breath.

“What makes you say that?”

“She told me.”

“I do like you. You remind me of me.”

“Which you?” I asked with a smile.

“Both. But I know you love my sister. I sincerely hope she feels the same way. I don’t want her to spend the rest of her life alone.”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing?”

He shrugged. “I guess that’s hypocritical. But it’s different. Prudence will come back from this. I never will.”

Now I really wanted to know what happened to him. I withheld my curiosity and kept my mouth shut.

“Sometimes I think she could love me.”

Jeremy stared at me. “Why?”

“It’s just the way she looks at me…when we’re together.”
I didn’t want to talk about having sex with his sister. That would just be awkward.

“It’s hard to tell. But if she did, wouldn’t she just tell you?”

He had a point. If she was in love with me, she would have mentioned it by now. And knowing her, she would just push me away. “I guess.”

“Did you tell her how you chased her down? That you were the one trying to get her
a record deal first?”

“She doesn’t
know anything.”

Jeremy took a big drink from his glass. “Wow. That must be hard to hide.”

“I’m surprised she hasn’t figured it out already. I’ve pretty much given her my heart on a silver platter.”

“My sister can be dumb sometimes,” he said with
a laugh.

“I think she’s brilliant.”

Jeremy smiled. “She is. But she’s too humble to advertise it.”

“I like that about her.”

“She’s a wonderful person and wonderful girl. But I am hurt she lied to me. And it wasn’t just a petty lie.”

“You’re one to talk,” I pointed out.

“She’s never asked about my personal life, so I’ve never had to lie to her.”

“What will you do if she does?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. But I’d rather not tell my baby sister I’m the biggest manwhore I’ve ever known.”

I laughed. “I may give you a run for your money.”

“Have you retired that jersey?”

“For now…”

“That doesn’t sound good,” Jeremy said.

“When Prudence leaves me in a year, I’ll probably go back to my old ways…to make me feel better.”

“Hopefully, she starts thinking clearly.”

“My heart depends on it.”

Chapter Nine

♬

Prudence Clearwater

My hand moved to my side to feel Cash beside me. But he wasn’t there. I suddenly panicked, worrying about where he was. My eyes popped open and I looked at the bed beside me. But he was gone.

My heart pounded in my ears and I started to sweat. I was in that ghetto apartment with all the cockroaches. Scary men stared at me. Cash was gone and I’d never see him again. All the memories from our time apart washed over me. It took a moment for me to calm myself down. It was just a dream. It wasn’t real.

But it would be real when we divorced in a year’s time.

I looked at the clock and realized how late it was. What was he doing? He must be exhausted. I wanted to go back to sleep but I couldn’t, not when he wasn’t beside me. I pulled on a nightshirt and shorts then crept down the stairs.

No one was in the living room or the kitchen. But I heard voice
s down the hall. I followed it and looked through the open doorway. Jeremy and Cash were sitting in the parlor, both drinking brandy. My brother was smoking a cigar. They both laughed at something Jeremy said. I thought the scene was odd. It was like they were old friends. If anything, I thought Jeremy would dislike Cash since we lied to him about our relationship. That clearly wasn’t the case.

I stepped inside then moved to Cash.

He glanced at me, and concern formed in his eyes. “Baby, are you okay?”

I moved to his lap, not cari
ng about being affectionate in front of my brother. “Why haven’t you gone to bed yet?”

“I’m having a good time with your brother.”

“It’s almost midnight.”

He shrugged. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

I hooked my arm around his neck. “Come to bed. I can’t sleep without you.”

He rubbed his nose against mine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay. I didn’t know you were going to be gone so long.”

Cash stood up and held my bottom with one arm. “Thanks for the liquor. But my fiancé is bossing me around.”

Jeremy lifted his glass then nodded. “Have a good night.”

I rested my head on Cash’s shoulder as he carried me from the room. Cash was three times my size and made me feel as light as a fea
ther. He carried me upstairs and laid me on the bed.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting, baby.”

I watched him change. “It’s okay, babe. I had a bad dream.”

He stripped all his clothes off then slid beside me. “What happened?”

It was about him leaving me. And I could never tell him that. “Pass.”

Cash kissed my forehead. “Well, I’m here now.”

“Good. Now I can actually get a good night’s rest.” I wrapped my arm across his stomach then hooked his leg with mine. I sighed happily. “Did you have fun with my brother?”

“Yeah.”

“What did you do?”

“Went out for a drink then came back her
e to have another.”

“What did you guys talk about?” I rested my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

“Just boring manly things.”

I rolled my eyes. “And I wouldn’t understand such manly things?”

“You wouldn’t be interested.”

I squeezed him tightly. It meant a lot to me that he was getting along with my brother, my only family in the world. The marriage was a scam but it was still important to me. “Thank you for making an effort with Jeremy.”

“I’m not. I genuinely like him. He reminds me of myself.”

“I guess I can see the similarities.”

“And I know he’s important to you,” he said gently. “It’s my sole purpose in life to make you happy.”

His words made me melt—like they always did. “Thank you.”

Cash moved his fingers through my hair like he usually did. The touch was familiar and intimate. No one else ever touched me that way. And that ignited a spark within me.

I slowly sat up then straddled his hips. Even in the darkness, I could see his hesitation.

“Baby, your brother is in the next room.”

I pulled my shirt off then my bottoms. He was already naked so there wasn’t much else for me to do. As soon as my breasts were in view, his cock grew hard.
“So?”

“Prudence…I don’t think this is a good idea.”

I leaned back and grasped his shaft. I pointed the tip at my entrance. “I want to make love.”

Those words seemed to change his mind. He separated his legs and placed his feet flat against the mattress then grabbed my hips. “You have to be silent.”

‘Then make me come quick.”

He growled at me. Actually growled. He thrust up and slipped inside me.

Man…that felt so good. I let him stretch me for a moment before I moved into him gently. I gripped his stomach while I rocked into him. My head rolled back and I bit my lip. I could do this all day.

“Baby…”

“Look who needs to be quiet,” I said through my heavy breathing. I rocked into him harder, wanting it to feel even better. The bed creaked slightly but that didn’t slow me down. My brother knew I wasn’t a blushing virgin, and I knew he wouldn’t be listening. He had a white noise machine in his room. He had it since college.

“Cash…I love how you feel inside me.”

He sat up and pressed his face close to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he gripped my hips, moving me up and down on his length.

“You’re going to make me come,” I said into his ear.

He moved harder.

“Right there…
.yeah.” I felt the explosion immediately. It didn’t creep slowly like it usually did. It was immediate and innate. I couldn’t control it. I moaned and whimpered directly into his ear. I knew that set him off because he came inside me with a quiet moan.

“Baby…” He stayed inside me while he caught his breath. “I’ll spank you if he heard us.”

“Ooh…that doesn’t sound so bad.”

He smacked my ass gently. “I mean it.”

“I’m so scared,” I teased.

He grabbed my nipple
with his teeth then sucked it gently. “I’ll make you scared.”

“Hey. You’re my fiancé. When I tell you to make love to me, you better. I don’t care who hears us.”

“Are you bossing me around now?”

“Damn right.”

He smiled at me. “You’re lucky I’m such a pushover.”

“A pushover?” I asked incredulously. “I remember all the crazy things you did to get between my legs. And I remember when you didn’t take no for an answer.”

Cash rubbed his nose against mine and pulled me closer. “And now that I have what I want, I need to make sure I keep it as long as possible.” He stared into my eyes. “Because it’s my sole purpose to make you happy.”

Awe…my legs just turned to jelly.
Cash could be so romantic. “You make me happier than I’ve ever been.” The tears bubbled under my eyes. I don’t know where they came from. They just emerged.

Cash’s eyes softened while he stared at me. And his eyes started to coat with tears. “I feel the same way.” He kissed my tears away then pressed his mouth against mine.

I needed to stop being emotional about this. I loved him so much and I couldn’t hide it anymore. I just wanted to tell him how I felt, that I wanted him for always, not just for a year. But the moment was too beautiful, and everything we had was too wonderful to throw away. I couldn’t risk losing him. So I bottled it inside and fought against my urge to scream.

♫

Cash and I made love twice the next morning. Once in bed then the other in the shower. Our innocent decision to save water turned into another episode. Neither one of us spoke about my breakdown the night before. Maybe he didn’t understand what my reaction meant. Guys could be dense sometimes.

When we went downstairs, Jeremy was drinking coffee while
he looked at his laptop. Breakfast dishes were already sitting out, so we took our seats and started to devour the food. I assumed it was prepared by Lorraine.

“Sleep well?” Jeremy asked.

I blushed. “Yes.”

Cash ate his omelet with his eyes downcast. “Yes. Thank you.”

Jeremy returned his attention to his computer. “Who are you seeing first? Dad or Mom?”

Ugh. Nei
ther.
“I guess Dad. Even though I don’t owe him anything.”

“Then why are you telling him?”

“Because the immigration investigator will question him. I have to make sure Dad knows everything.

Jeremy nodded.

“You’re coming, right?”

He smiled. “I assumed I would.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I was afraid you had to work.”

“I did a lot of it last night.”

Last night? Cash didn’t come to bed until midnight. I wondered if my brother heard us…his white noise machine probably wasn’t on. That was awkward… “When should we go?”

“Whenever you’re ready. My driver is outside.”

“Your driver?” I asked.

He nodded.

“When did you get one of those?”

“A few months ago,” he said simply.

“Things have been going well at work, I take it?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

I rolled my eyes. “Spill it. There’s no reason to be humble. It’s me.”

Jeremy smiled. “I’ve acquired a stock broking company and I’m the CEO of the organization. I’m doing quite well…”

“Wow…” I walked around the table and hugged him. “I’m so happy for you.”

He returned my embrace. “I know.”

“You deserve all the success, Jer. You’re the hardest worker I know.”

“I think my little sister rivals me.”

“No…” I pulled away. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You mean when I had no idea where you were and I couldn’t even call you?” His words were heated. The resentment flew out.

“Oh…sorry.”

“Well, that’s when everything went down.”

I sat next to him, Cash still across the table. “What does that mean for you?”

“What is your meaning?” His
right ankle rested on his left knee. Even when he wasn’t at the office, he was so formal. The jeans he wore were dark and he wore a collared shirt.

“You obviously can afford a bigger place.”

“I like it, actually. But I think I’m going to find other real estate, preferably in America.”

I smiled. “Why there?”

“Because my sister will be living there for the next year.”

“You’re so sweet.” I hugged him again.

“I like Southern California. It’s very beautiful. Crowded—but beautiful.”

“You don’t need to buy property there. You are always welcome to stay with Cash and I.”

He glanced at Cash. “I don’t want to intrude on your space.”

I hit his arm. “You could never intrude.”

“Well, I’d still like my own space.”

For what?
“My offer still stands.”

“Well, it’s Cash’s house, not yours.”

Cash interjected. “What’s mine is hers.”

I smiled triumphantly. “Cash is going to be a wonderful husband.”

“I have no doubt he will.”

The idea of loving him and losing him weighed on my heart. I wanted to change the subject. “I guess we should get this visit over with.”

“Tell him you’re a famous musician and rub it in his face.” Jeremy smiled at me.

“I’m not telling him anything. He didn’t come into my life until he wanted something. Now he’ll keep butting his nose in and try to get involved, claiming he supported me from the beginning. I don’t need that bloody bullshit.”

Jeremy studied my face. “I don’t think he’ll react that way. But do what you wish.”

“Thank you.”

Cash watched our interaction from across the table.

I rose from my chair with a heavy heart. “Let’s go.”