Chapter Nineteen
Sydney
Five grand.
It stared up at me from my mobile bank account. I’d never had that much money in my account at one time. It felt good. I felt like an adult, a productive adult.
I turned off my phone because I realized it was getting closer to time to leave. I’d buried myself in my work all day, anything to distract myself from the dinner that night.
The full-length closet mirror showed a girl I’d always wanted to be. Sexy but classy. I’d never quite got the classy part of it, but I strived for it.
The black dress I wore fit way differently than the funeral dress I’d worn last time. It was sleeveless, a very low v-line that made my cleavage worth looking at, but not too low. The dress fit tight to my waist before flowing out over my thighs and ending three inches above my knee. I’d paired it with nude pumps, and a fancy side braid that Frankie’s grandmother taught me how to do.
I took a step to the side, examining the low back and I felt it. Cash had been ruthless toward Joey in the limo. He’d tossed him a quarter, and told him to get something to eat.
The tension was thick between the two of them, but I didn’t pry. I’d tried not to think about it when we went back in for lunch. I actually hadn’t since then. I was too scared someone would see it on my face, the lust, the pure animalistic need that would be evident on my face.
I’d stared at the shocked look on Joey’s face as Cash, all but shoved me into the back of the limo. I’d hardly had time to think before he’d locked the doors, and pushed himself between my legs.
I could sense the need from him from the minute he’d helped me off my ladder, and ushered me outside.
Those mossy eyes locked with mine, his wide palm braced the back of my head and lowered me to the plush leather seats of his limo. “I’ve been thinkin’ about this all day long.” He rocked his hips into mine, showing me how badly he wanted me. A deep growl left his throat when I’d whimpered. “Tell me you want this as bad as I do, Peach. I need to hear it.”
I nodded, swallowing the deep ache of emotions that clogged my throat. “I want you more.”
He leaned down, finally, molding his mouth to mine. I’d loved his kiss before in his bed, and this time it felt more urgent, needier. His tongue devoured me, running along the roof of my mouth, my teeth, and every inch he claimed mercilessly.
Cash caught one of my wrists, and drug it above my head, holding it hostage. “You want me inside that pretty pink pussy?”
Warmth heated my cheeks as I nodded.
With one hand Cash had unbuttoned my jean shorts, slid them down my legs and shoved two fingers into my wetness. Delusional. My legs widened, willing him to give me more—more than I could handle, all of him. He watched me closely, shoving his fingers inside of me, only to slowly drag them out. There was something wicked in those eyes, and it dared me to let go of everything I held onto.
I plunged my free hand into his hair and pulled. I wanted him to understand the need I felt inside of me. The way he made me feel.
A slow chuckle had vibrated against my mouth before I heard his navy suit pants unzip, and suddenly he was against my slick entrance. I pressed my head against the seat, staring up at the ceiling of the limo. “Please, Cash … move.”
“Are you mine?” he asked gruffly, his free hand twining into the back of my hair.
“Yes,” I pleaded, my vision hazy from want. “All yours.”
It wasn’t until he entered me in one thrust, and the few moments of painful, pure bliss that I’d realized what I’d said. I was his. All his. I’d never been someone’s property before. Someone’s only, and it scared me but thrilled me at once.
Cash’s hands tightened in my hair, pulling so that I had no choice but to look at him. His expression was ravenous, so hot that I nearly came on the spot. When he pulled at my nipple, with his teeth, through the fabric of my paint-covered T-shirt, I cried out. His hips begun to pump faster, filling me to the hilt with his glorious width.
Stars threatened the corners of my eyes, promising me the full release I’d craved since the time he’d pulled out of me in his bed. There was no mercy given in each thrust, his fingers worked their way down to my swollen clit, using a magic I never thought any male could possess.
“Fuck!” he cried out, as my muscles milked his length. His harsh breaths only heightened my pleasure. All my common sense had vanished, I’d tilted my hips upward, the move sent jolts of pleasure coursing through me.
I knew it’d only be a minute. I wouldn’t last. He’d drug himself so slowly out of me, only to ram into me full force.
Cash closed the distance between our mouths, giving me the wild taste of his mouth that I craved. He bit into my lip, pulled and soothed it with his tongue, all the while slow stroking me. He fed me everything, as hard as he could until my legs shook against him. My convulsion racked my body, I twisted and turned, riding out the longest orgasm I’d ever experienced.
Cash watched me with intense eyes, his hips poured into mine, both hands cupped my face, bringing our lips together. “I love to watch you come, Baby,” he whispered, his breath becoming labored.
I couldn’t speak, his actions and words were so raw and real that I felt my soul burning with lust. When I bit Cash’s lip, the only response I could give, I felt his dick jump inside of me, his warm liquid filling me.
His groans filled the quiet limo. I loved the sounds he made, but even more I loved that I was the cause of it. He kissed me afterward, not moving, not pulling out. My lips were raw and swollen by the time he pulled away. I swore I tasted blood, but I didn’t care if it was mine or his. I just knew that I’d been marked by something deeper than I could have imagined.
I’d been marked by a beast.
The sound of his knocking brought me back to earth. Sure enough, my cheeks were stained a bright red from the memory of us earlier.
I ran my hands over my dress, before running to open the front door. I took a deep breath to hide my racing heart, but his smooth smile only made my heart race harder.
He leaned forward, his lips rested against the corner of my mouth. “Your dress looks nice,” he chuckled. “A lot better than the funeral dress from last time.”
I laughed. “You clean up nice yourself.”
He did look nice, better than nice. The suit he wore fit him like a glove, showcasing his broad shoulders, and lean frame. Despite knowing him for weeks, I felt the same flutter I did the moment I saw him at my parent’s house. “Are you ready?”
“Let’s go.”
The Savannah International Trade & Convention Center was the fanciest place for any event in Savannah. The building was long with seven floor-to-ceiling windows, a large circular drive with mile-high trees.
Joey parked Cash’s limo in front of the entrance. I searched the building, my heart thudded like a hammer. His warm palm rested on my thigh, his bright eyes iridescent in the streetlights. “Don’t be nervous, Peach. Are you ready?”
I nodded, watching as Joey opened the back door. Cash took my hand in his, carefully helping me out of the limo. The Georgia air was humid, sucking what breath I had left out of me.
Cash didn’t acknowledge Joey and tugged me closer to him when I told him thank you. I didn’t expect him to just spill what his problems were, but I knew it must be something big. Joey and he had been friends since they were small.
A hostess greeted us by name, handing Cash and me a goodie bag. Part of me wanted to file through it now, but I knew better. If my mother had taught me anything, it was how not to embarrass her.
There were hundreds of people there, dressed like the president was coming to town. I clung tightly to Cash’s arm, keeping my head downward. I’d already had my picture taken when we walked in, and there were photographers lining the wall from every newspaper and magazine in Savannah.
Cash leaned down. “You ready to go find our table?”
I nodded, keeping eye contact with the hard marble floor beneath us as Cash led us through the dining area that looked like it was made for celebrities. Our table said reserved for Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Henry.
Once I sat, a weight lifted off of my shoulders. Numerous men and women made their way in, most stopping to greet Cash. He generously introduced me to everyone who walked up.
The lighting was bright, the stage set up with several seats with gold pediatric cancer ribbons hanging everywhere.
Turning to face me, his hands cupping my intertwined ones. “You’re shakin’, Peach. Calm down. I swear it won’t be so bad. If you feel uncomfortable, we can leave.”
I shook my head fiercely. I was not going to be the reason he had to leave this early. “No, I’m fine.”
He cocked a brow. “Are you cold?” He went to shrug off his jacket, but someone interrupted him.
“Cash Jenkins?”
I glanced up over Cash’s head to the man and woman standing beside him. I had no idea who they were until I saw the young guy staring at me from beside them. Dillon Sharpe, the asshole I almost went home with from the Frozen Paradise. Shit. Shit. Shit.
My body grew numb.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe.” Cash stood to greet them, but my feet wouldn’t move to stand. I sat there, dumbstruck, like a stone statue. Cash turned toward me, offering me his hand and a warm smile. “This is Sydney Henry.”
I mustered up the nerve to look up at them, and the scowl on his mother’s face I read loud and clear. “Yes,” she said. “I remember.”
I hated the condescending tone to her voice. “You know my son, Dillon.”
Dillon didn’t step forward and kept his hands shoved into the pockets of his slacks. “Hi,” he snapped.
Mr. Sharpe spoke briefly with Cash before retreating to his table; his family close behind him. When Cash sat down, he laughed out loud. I sent him a look. “And why in the hell are you laughin’?”
He jabbed his finger over his shoulder. “Of all the fuckin’ people to run into he—,”
“Sydney?”
No. Damn. Way.
My mother stood across the table from us, my father shaking hands with someone beside her. “I spoke way too soon,” Cash mumbled underneath his breath. “Hi, Mrs. Henry. Mr. Henry.”
Mom’s eyes were wide, but the smile on her face told me she was thrilled. Something I hadn’t seen too many times directed toward me. “I’m so happy to see y’all here.”
She moved around the table to kiss my cheek. Her fancy earring scraped against my face. I pulled back to give her a smile, but Dad tugged me into a hug before I could. I hadn’t had this many hugs since I was in elementary school, and was too young to really be a disappointment.
Dad shook Cash’s hand. “Why don’t we give our table up and sit with y’all?” Dad asked, already waving someone down.
No!
Cash’s face was grim, his hands tight around the arm of his chair. “Sure,” he said, watching my mother sit beside me. “Have a seat.”
The hostess brought over their reservation sign and sat it next to ours. This was the worst situation I’d ever been in. Worse than all of the one-night stands, the newspaper articles talking down about me. This felt like I was in a never-ending nightmare.
“So honey,” Mom said, reaching over to touch my hand. “I love your dress, but your heels are way too high for an event like this. We need to get you some shorter heels.”
We? Since when did we need to do anything?
Dad interlaced his fingers across his protruding belly. I could see that he’d still been overeating at Friday night dinners. “So, Cash, any news on your end?”
Cash hadn’t said a word since they’d taken a seat, his face was deadpanned. If I had to have guessed, I would say he was just as uncomfortable as I was. “Nothing too big. Just work.” I wasn’t sure if my parents noticed his clipped tone, but it was there.
Mother’s narrowed eyes bounced back and forth between Cash and me. “So, are you still painting for Mr. Jenkins here?”
My shoulders stiffened. Cash’s palm clutched my thigh underneath the table. “Yes.”
She gave me a sad smile and greeted our server as he poured us all a glass of white wine. I took a long drink of mine, hoping the alcohol would loosen up my nerves soon.
The speaker tapped the microphone several times to get our attention. My body relaxed. I knew as long as they were presenting that I wouldn’t have to endure my parent’s trivial chitchat.
Two hours later, I’d finished my desert, not caring that my mother shot me daggers across the table. I was hungry, and I didn’t care that she’d only picked at her salad and main course. It had made me smile.
By the time the fundraiser had come to an end, they’d had over six million dollars donated. I’d tried not to look when Cash wrote out his check, but my eyes wondered over to see that The Jenkins Brothers donated twenty thousand.
Everyone stood at the end to clap, and several children with cancer entered the room, taking a bow on the stage. The oldest boy, who looked around eight or nine, stepped forward. “Thank you all for the donations. It means so much to know we have people that care about our health. We all love and cherish every one of you.”
My tears forced their way down my face. I’d always been a sucker for kids, and to see them so helpless and sick, it broke my heart in two. When the kids descended, and everyone started to say their goodbyes, I pushed away from my table and made my way toward them.
The smallest one, a little five-year-old girl, wore a pink bow around her head, and a pink dress to match. “Hi,” I said, dropping to my knees. “What’s your name?”
She grinned widely, showing me her missing teeth. “Hannah. I lost my tooth last night. The tooth fairy gave me five whole dollars!” She held up her hand to show me.
I covered my mouth. “That must have been a great tooth, Hannah.”
She nodded proudly. “I started kindergarten this year, and my best friend hasn’t lost any teeth yet. You’re pretty, what’s your name? I like your dress.”
I smiled. “Not as pretty as you. My name is Sydney and thank you. I love your dress.”
Hannah’s gaze went over my head, and she smiled. “Is that your husband? Do you have kids?”
I glanced over my shoulder at Cash. His eyes were intense, but he smiled. “No, we’re not married.”
She cupped a hand over her mouth. “Is he your boyfriend? My older sister has one, but I think he’s yucky. But he’s not yucky.”
“Yes, he’s my boyfriend. But sometimes boys can be yucky.”
She nodded, her eyes finding someone over my shoulder. “There’s my mom. I gotta go.”
“It was nice to meet you, Hannah.”
She wrapped her little arms around my shoulders. “See you later.” I watched as she skipped off to her mother, who gave me a kind smile before disappearing into a sea of people.
Cash helped me up. “We need to leave before your parents find us,” he whispered.
“I see I wasn’t the only one completely uncomfortable,” I whispered.
He rolled his eyes, bringing me closer to him with his hand. “God, could they be any more stuck up?”
I snorted, as we made our way through the crowd toward the entrance. My feet had hardly hit the second step when I heard my mother’s voice. Dammit.
Cash groaned but turned us to face her. She’d cradled her jacket to her like an infant; I was positive that she’d never held me that close, not even when I was an infant. “I wanted to make sure you’d be at Friday night dinner next week since you’ve skipped the last two. Will Cash be joining us?”
No. Why would he want to spend his Friday night conversing with the two of them? I could think of a thousand places I’d rather be. “We’ll be there,” Cash said, his voice low.
I sighed, trying my best to keep from screaming.
Mom smiled, her eyes searching Cash’s face, for what I had no idea, before she glanced down at me. “I see you’re still working at the little gallery, teaching kids. I would have thought you’d stopped since you’re working with Mr. Jenkins now.”
Aggravation took control of my patience. “I’m not gonna be workin’ with him forever, Mom. I’m only painting a few things for him. Why would I stop working there? I love it there.”
She shrugged her shoulders, flipping her bangs from her face with nails that were delicately painted a deep red. “Well, I’m sure he’s paying you more than your work is worth, it would be enough for you to stop working there long enough to find something else.”
Flabbergasted, I stood quietly staring at her, my voice on the brink of sobbing and screeching. I felt my ears grow hot, and a scalding warmth take over my cheeks. When Cash pulled me closer, I could feel the hectic beat of his heart against my shoulder. “Her work is worth every penny I’ve given her. And if she wants to paint, so what? I did what I wanted and look where it’s gotten me.”
Mom didn’t answer at first, she held her tongue. After a few long, uncomfortable, silent minutes, she straightened her shoulders. “Your father is ready to go. I’ll see you both next Friday.”
She walked around us without another word, disappearing into the Town Car that waited for her. Cash ushered me toward the limo while I stared at the town car’s lights. He said something to Joey, and the divider closed
, closing us off from him.
The numbness from before had taken control of my entire body. I wanted to ignore what my mother said, she always said what she thought, and it never seemed to get better. It hurt deeper than I ever wanted to admit.
I hadn’t realized a tear fell from my eye until Cash wiped it from my cheek, and pulled me to his chest.
We didn’t speak on the way home. There wasn’t anything to say. Cash just held me close to him, and his touch eventually became louder than anything my mother had said.
It was all I needed.