“You’d fire them.”
“I didn’t say that, you did.” But he would fire them, in the blink of an eye. “When I evaluate a company it’s not about family, title, or degrees. It boils down to performance. If a person cannot carry their weight, they aren’t fit to hold the position. We ditch the issues and find a candidate with the skills needed to achieve the goals of the organization.”
“Life is not that simple.” She whispered. “You don’t just ditch people.”
“I’m not just ditching people. I make decisions based on the what is best for the company. What’s the alternative? Throw money out the window. La, you’re staring at however many people that supported you with their hard earned dollars. And what did you do with it?”
“I didn’t do anything.” Jamal looked straight ahead. “Tell me Jamal.”
“Carmela, you are the captain of this ship. You are the head. Richard and Marcel may manage you, but when it all comes down to it, you are responsible.”
“You don’t think I know that.” She shouted. “But that doesn’t mean I can go around cutting people off.”
“What do you propose?” Jamal sat back. The tension in the room was thick. But Carmela needed to see the errors in her thinking. She believed RSE would swoop in and save the day. But they won’t come aboard if the company is not financially solid.
“I was booked for ten shows. Fifty a show. That must count for something.”
“Before or after your expenses.”
“Before.” Carmela fell back against the couch.
“Carmela I want to help you. I can help you. But you have to help me.”
“That’s why I want you here, but I’m not firing Richard.” Her eyes conveyed her anger.
“If you really want my help you have to update your bank account to require your signature on all checks and withdrawals.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Carmela, I’m starting to think you don’t want help.”
She sat up, looking into his eyes. “I want help. But how can I sign checks while I’m on the road?”
“Fine, I’ll settle with requiring you, Gabriel, hell even Nicki.” Jamal waited. “Carmela, your goal to assist the people in your old neighborhood will not happen if you don’t straighten this out. How can you help them if you can’t help yourself?”
“Jamal you’re being a bully.”
“No La, I’m helping you. And you have to agree to come visit Houston with me.” He leaned over and kissed her firm lips.
“No kisses for you, mister, ‘I’m on the clock.’” She rolled her eyes.
“Do this and we can monitor the flow of your transactions. You said Richard will get me the other documents and I’ll make sense of this. I’ll make sure you open Crescendo and fulfill your campaign.”
Jamal would fix it because Carmela was fighting to help people who didn’t have the resources to help themselves. But she might hate him in the end.
Carmela turned with her face in kissable distance. “I believe this is blackmail.”
“It suits. I’m a black male.”
“That is so lame.” She smiled.
“I’m not the MC here. I’m the money man. They call me Midas for a reason.”
“Jamal, who in this lifetime says MC?” Her nose wrinkled. “How old are you?”
“Old enough to…” …be your man. The words died on his lips.
Her eyes searched his. “I like that kind of old.”
Jamal exchanged a smile with her, then shook his head. “You’ll accompany me to Houston and we’ll update your signature cards at the bank before you leave.” For the second time today he extended his hand to Carmela. This time she didn’t hesitate.
“Deal. I have an idea.” Her voice had a mischief ring to it as she straddled him, rocking her sexy body against his.
“I’m listening.”
Chapter 17
“I’m starting to think you’re a tease.” Carmela whispered across his lips before reaching to turn the lamp off.
“A tease?”
His large hands circled her waist, his fingers softly feathered across her stomach, around her sides, and resting on her lower back. Her exposed flesh tingle with each caress. Then he kissed the base of her neck.
“Here I was thinking I’m being a gentleman.”
Kiss. He inhaled deeply rolling his hips beneath her. The hardness brushing against her heat and the tingling traveled lower.
“A professional.”
Kiss. He nibbled his way up to her earlobe. Almost against her will she began a slow grind, and he chuckled.
“And I’m the tease? You’re mistaken.”
He captured her moan in his mouth, digging his fingers into the soft flesh of butt with just enough pressure to hurt in the sweetest way. He gripped her hips, thrusting against her. She couldn’t think beyond the sensation building in her body. Her eyes closed as her head fell back, then a tug on her nipple snapped her eyes wide open.
“Jamal…,” was all she could say.
Carmela didn’t have sex with men on the road and the stress of her life overshadowed any attempts of having a man this fine doing crazy things to her senses. This decision could turn around and bite her in the ass, but right now she didn’t care. She wanted to feel the freedom of losing herself in him. To not have to think about Richard, or Marcel, or bounced checks, or the fear of letting her mother down. She gripped his head, holding him closer shutting everything and everyone out, except him.
“Baby, I’m officially off the clock.” His moist tongue found its way under her top, brushing the tops of her breast.
“It’s about damn time.”
“Imma have to do something about that tongue of yours.”
And he did. The hold on her neck kept her locked in place as their tongues explored. The kiss reached the depths of her soul, searching the hollow places that were once hopeful. Replacing the empty promises with pure need. The kind old as time.
Anticipation flooded her veins with desire, and she wanted more.
“Jamal…”
“La, baby…”
Jamal felt his heart racing like an uncontrollable train. The desire to have this woman overtook him and he knew he wouldn’t be the same. Hell, she already had him questioning why he was still here. This situation was not ideal but it didn’t matter.
He wanted her. All of her. The rest would have to work itself out later.
He pulled away and reached for the hem of her crop top, tossing it to the floor. The soft light from the back room shone around her. The passion in her eyes caused his manhood to ached for release.
The flavor of her skin lingered on his lips. He had a taste of the forbidden, there was no way he could turn back. He kissed across her breast, reviling in the weigh in his hands, please with her hardened nipples against the palms of his hands. He was glad to not be alone in this tsunami of temptation.
He wanted her, in every way a man could have a woman and the thought stole his breath.
Unable to take it anymore, he stood taking her with him. His lungs burning for release, he flesh yearning for the same. He walked across the suite to the master bedroom with her legs wrap around him.
He kissed her slow stopping, lowering her to the bed without his chest leaving hers. He exhaled. “Baby I need you to hear me.”
Carmela nodded, her eyes heavy, intoxicated by pure hunger. Need so foreign she had no words. But what she knew without a shadow of a doubt, she wanted Jamal Washington like no other man in her life. He caressed her skin like it was made of the finest silk. He looked at her with such intensity that she wondered for a brief moment if she was ready.
He crawled up the bed with ease, not breaking contact, searching her eyes for what she didn’t know. She searched the dark brown eyes of this man who was the epitome of quiet strength. Strength she needed in her life. The depths of pain she saw made her want him more. Then she knew—just like she knew she’d never be the same—what he was looking for, what he w
anted, he wanted her permission.
“The answer is yes.”
He sat back, gripping her elastic waistband kissing down her stomach. “This is the moment you tell me. It’s too soon Jamal.”
She shook her head. “Not on your life. You got my v-jay-jay on fire. It’s time for you to pay up.”
“If you insist.” He eased her sweats off, taking her panties with them. She lay in nothing but her sports bra. He pulled her up from the bed, slipping the bra up and over her head. “But first we shower. I need you ready for all the ways I plan to savor your delicious body tonight.”
“That sounds like a tall order.”
He paused as if thinking it over, “I think I can handle it.”
Jamal swept her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing. She draped an arm around his neck, and the other rested on her thigh. Then he froze. She followed the direction of his gaze, lost in the moment she forgot. She flipped her arm over to hide her scars, avoiding the questions in his eyes.
Thankfully he kept walking to the bathroom. He sat her on the edge of the tub and turned on the water in the shower.
“I can leave if my scars make you uncomfortable.”
They covered her forearms to her wrists. She was once a cutter.
“La, we all have scares. Some visible and others not.” Jamal removed his shirt and a large tiger spanned the top of his chest. “Is that why you wear long sleeved shirts?”
She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. The sound of the running water couldn’t drown out the embarrassment of her forgetting. She sat naked in front of him and all she could think about was her scars, sucking the energy from the room.
Her scars showed how she chose to cope with the rising pressure of supporting her entire family, exposing her weakness. So she learned to cover them. The only person who knew was Nicki and now Jamal.
Carmela looked towards the bathroom door. Could she get away?
The rustle of clothes caught her attention and she glanced back to see a heavenly sight. The man was chiseled, perfection. He still wanted her, as his thick arousal jumped in her direction. She smiled, sweeping her tongue over her lower lip.
“Come here La.” He stood near the shower stall.
“Jamal…” She made her living with words. She wrote thousands of lyrics over the years, yet she had no words to explain how vulnerable she felt. How she went from total desire to shame in seconds.
“Sweetheart, you can trust me.”
Carmela couldn’t look into his eyes as heat traveled to her face. “I think I should go.” She stood to leave.
“You asked what I feared.” Her eyes snapped to his. His eyes were gentle and magnetic. But she had to resist. “Rejection, is what I fear most.”
There was no way, she shook her head confused. “You’re just saying that and it’s not necessary. There is nothing sexy or hot about this.” She held up her arms hating herself for letting her guard down. She got loss in the moment.
“What about this?” He spun around and her determination faltered at seeing the slashes covering his back. She reached for him unable to resist.
“Who did this?” He turned back, cupping her face in his hands.
Jamal turned before he could stop himself. Seeing the doubt in her eyes cut deeper than he believed possible. He’d known her for less than two weeks, yet he’d revealed the secrets he’d carried under lock and key. Secrets no one knew, but Carmela.
She lifted to her tiptoes, kissing him and words weren’t needed. Then her eyes met his and the heat looking back made his heart declare, mine.
“Stay,” was smothered on her lips.
Her soft nod showed more trust than he probably deserved. He would make sure she didn’t regret letting him into her life. He open the shower door pulling her inside, his hands inching to cover her body. Under the spray of shower their hands explored, lathered, and rinsed in a haze. Never had he wanted a woman so much. But now it was all about her. Revealing his scares left him exposed and he could only imagine how Carmela felt right now.
They finished and Jamal wrapped her in a towel carrying her on the edge of his bed. Should he say something? Should he hold her? He lowered in front of her.
“Carmela I want nothing more than to have you. But I don’t want to rush you.”
“Which makes me want you more.”
He placed her foot on his shoulder kissing from the inside of her knee down her thigh, his eyes locked on hers. Each kiss made her eyes slide close, he held each a little longer than the last working his way closer to heaven. He placed both knees over his shoulders, sliding his hands beneath her butt. He nuzzled the inside of her thigh, inhaling.
“May I?”
“Please.”
Carmela fell back against the mattress the moment his tongue parted the folds of her flesh, losing herself in the stroking, licking, suckling. She rubbed his bald head, squeezing her thighs to keep from jumping up. He took his sweet time, the sound of his pleasure mixing with her own until the end crept up on her. The sensation spilled over, taking with it all the strain from the day, draining the last of her fight.
He kissed his way up her thighs as she squirmed under his direction gaze. The man knew his way around her body already. Her eyes lowered to the delectable flesh, amazed at its thickness. She moved to the end of the bed eager to taste him, the way he tasted her. His eyes watched her intently as she positioned herself sitting with him between her legs. She licked the head, sampling the liquid gold, gripping the base like a mic.
“La….”
She took him into her mouth, loving the feel and texture, loving the control she had over such a powerful man. His hands guided her head as she took him deeper tapping the back of her throat. He pulled away so fast Carmela gasped.
“That sweet little mouth of yours is about to kill me.”
He covered himself then pushed her knees up and wedged himself between her moist thighs. The scent of herself lingering between them. Then he filled her.
“Oh my god….”
Jamal held still letting her flesh adjust, as her tightness gripped him like a glove. She wiggled beneath him and he obliged, pulling out and back in thrusting deeper. She stretched, melting her sweet flesh around his. Her hiss brought a smile to his face. He found their tempo, she whispered for more, and he’d deny her nothing.
The throaty sound of pleasure echoed off the walls and he’d never get enough of this, of her.
“Jamal, baby….”
He increased the tempo branding her body, branding her soul, making Carmela his. “Come for me baby.”
Carmela felt the tingling sensation gathering, she was so close. The ache was unbearable, she pleaded with him to push her over the edge. He hit her spot then her scream of release merged with his groan, his name echoed from the depths of her being as she shattered. Her teeth clenched, toes curled, nails deep in the flesh of his back. She felt release down in her bones, as her body quivered in relief. Then exhaustion pulled her under.
Chapter 18
Carmela dragged out of Jamal’s heavenly bed, away from his warmth, ready to face her real life. She had to prepare her brain for the mediocre hotels and long days and nights ahead. A two month tour by charter bus at her level in the game wasn’t a luxury. It was the bare necessities to get them from one city to the next. Nothing like this plush presidential suite with elegant drapes, expensive bedding, and the man who striped her bare last night.
Jamal lay in the bed still on his side, curled up around the space she occupied minutes ago. What would life be like to wake up with a man like this in her life?
Someone who looked after her the way she looked after others. Someone who brought her dinner, and washed her body, and made her feel…special.
Carmela lowered to the floor beside the bed. She let her eyes roam over his face, down his neck. She smiled at the beauty of his broad chest. Jamal had her screaming his name and she wasn’t ashamed to admit it. But she had to shake those thoughts. Because in his own w
ords, he wasn’t the keeping type.
So, he wasn’t hers to have. She’d have to settle for reliving last night, on the long bus ride ahead. Thinking of the bus ride made her remember the meeting this morning at the bank, and the reason she left the warmth of the bed. She decided to add Nicki and Gabriel to the signature card at the bank.
She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and sent a quick text telling them to meet her at the bank. Jamal managed to get them an appointment. She shook her head glancing back at the sleeping Adonis. He had more tricks than a magician—minus the top hat and magic wand. No, this magician yielded a cellphone.
With a single call, he booked the rehearsal space, he summoned food, he even magically opened the doors of a national bank chain before banking hours.
“Having second thoughts about today?” He asked not opening his eyes.
The level of vulnerability she had in this moment was unreal. But she’d showed him her scars and shared her body and she wanted more. And more meant giving him the pieces of her she held under lock and key.
“A little.”
“How can I help?” His eyes opened and seared her naked skin. He caressed her without moving and she’d never felt this level of connection with another human being. It made her feet itched to move. Her hands ached to write. Her heart expanded wide open, closing it wasn’t an option.
Don’t make it worse, her heart whispered. Her loyalty to the men in her life brought her the greatest of joy and the worse pain. She’d signed the contract with Richard last night and only God knows the deals he banked on her signature, the brands he’d secured to get that type of money.
“La, I want you and the fear in your eyes make me want to fight the source. But I’m just a man. I’m a loner by choice. I’m a tiger used to the wild, trying to conform to a cage.”
“What does that mean?”
“A man like me doesn’t deserve a woman like you. And we know it.” His voice broke with huskiness associated with too little sleep. “But after having you, I’m certain I’d do just about anything to keep you and make you mine.”
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