“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 me 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 wanted 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 the 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.