Jamal knew the moment he pulled her out of the tub that a night of wild love making was out. She could barely keep her eyes open as they shared a bath. Then when he carried her from the bathroom to the bed cradled to his chest, her soft snores brought a smile to his face.
He placed her in the king size bed and tucked her in tight. He loved her. Was it possible to be excited and spooked at the same time? Because that’s how he felt about handing his heart over to her. But he wanted her, all of her and her messy situation, in his life, for however long she let him stay around.
The chime of his phone told him he had a text. He reached for his phone, quickly because he didn’t want to wake her. He’d called the concierge service to order over-the-counter medicine and soup for Carmela. Her cough seemed much worse, he had to take care of his lady.
Jamal glanced at the text from Gabriel, The tour is postponed until further notice.
How long do I got? He asked sitting back in the chair.
Got a sec? Jamal glanced over at Carmela. She was out.
He walked into the living room, pulling the door closed. Yeah.
Jamal answered the phone on the first ring, sitting on the couch, preparing himself. “Hey Gabriel.”
“Hey. La must be knocked out.” He laughed.
“She is. But that nasty cough is making it hard for her. I have some meds on route though. Whatcha got?” The line went silence. “You still there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Jamal thanks for looking out for my sister. I’m stuck between doing what’s best for her and doing my job as her road manager.”
Jamal leaned forward, focused on every word coming from Gabriel. “Level with me then.”
“She shouldn’t have ever come out on this tour. The bus is crap, the venues are worse, and that place tonight went well but none of her normal riders were fulfilled. Which means either they totally neglected them or Richard didn’t submit them.”
“And what do you think?”
“Richard is slipping. Something is going on and he’s so focused on getting gigs that he’s not thinking about the position he’s placing us in.” The words rushed out and Jamal could hear Gabriel breathing fire on the other end. It made him feel better knowing Gabriel had Carmela’s back though.
“Calm down Gabriel. What are your options?”
“End the tour. We can’t negotiate a new contracts with promoters and venues that have already paid us. But it could mean lawsuits and La’s name is on the line.”
“I hear you. What’s your status now?”
“We’re in a hotel until I make the call.”
Jamal, now fully aware of their financial state, know this could kill their bottom line. “Let me take care of it. Can you get your hands on her standard contract? This is over my head but I’ll get it over to the team. Text me your hotel location and I’ll have a new charter bus sent over. You guys may need to hang out for day. But I’ll get you back to New Orleans with your equipment.”
“Man, thank you. Richard is going to shit a brick.”
“Blame me.” Jamal stood walking to the length of the room. “And send me the hotel too.”
They talked for a few more minutes before disconnecting. Jamal glanced at his watch trying to decide is next move at three in the morning. He’d usually call Cameron first with this type of issue. But he and Sydney had extended their honeymoon. As a result, the team was redistributing the workload to give Cam the time he needed with is new wife.
The second option was Damian but reaching out to him was out too. He was in Atlanta with the folks. Life was almost back to normal but Jamal and the others decided to take turns spending time at home to assist Ma until Pops bounced back fully. This was Damian’s week.
Jamal realized the obvious choice. He had to laugh at his oversight as he sent a text to Marques, and the phone rung within seconds.
“Man, sorry to wake you. But I need to chat with Brione. I got a situation with La Frank Records.”
“We got you. Just a sec.”
Marques was the youngest of the partners. He and Bruce usually handled all the music and producing. However, his wife and manager, Brione was an attorney. Jamal could hear the hushed whispers between them. Marques and Brione are a power couple in the making.
“I got you on speaker phone.” Marques said.
“Hey Midas, only you’d be up in the middle of the night making business calls.” Brione said.
Jamal chuckled. “I’m sorry about waking you guys but I need your help.”
“It’s yours.” Brione assured him.
The three talked until the sun came up. In the end, Brione agreed to review Carmela’s contracts and they’d reach out to Damian only if it was necessary. But Brione assured him she’d find Carmela an out, and Jamal agreed to cover any fees to have Carmela walk away without issue.
“I appreciate you guys.” Jamal said.
“That’s what we’re here for.” Brione’s presence on the team felt as natural as the guys. She took to the RSE bunch like a fish to water, it made Jamal wonder if Carmela would do the same.
Jamal felt overwhelmed by his awareness of his life. His friends, his lady. He’d spent so much time in his own bubble that he didn’t fully appreciate them. He was definitely a fortunate man.
“Yo Midas, before you go.” Marques had a perky quality to his voice.
Jamal knew it had to do with music. The guy didn’t stop. “What’s up?”
“Think you can get La Luvie into the studio. Man…Bruce and I are working on a crazy track.”
“I’ll see—”
“I’ll be there.” Jamal glanced over his shoulder to see Carmela standing with tears in her eyes.
“Word!” Marques yelled.
Jamal stood gathering her to his heart, kissing below her ear. “Baby Bro, I’ll see y’all in a few.”
“Family…” They said in unison.
“…over fame.” Jamal disconnected the call.
“You can’t keep fixing everything.” She mumbled into his shirt, Carmela’s tears soaked his shirt.
“Who’s gonna stop me?” He placed a finger under her chin, turning her beautiful face to his. “La, when I tell you I got you, I got you. I’ll sit back and cheer for my woman. But no more riding on raggedy ass buses or staying in raggedy ass hotels. Because I’m trusting you to take care of the woman I love.”
Her maple brown eyes filed with tears again.
“I love you more than anyone and anything in my entire life.” He exhaled. He was opening himself up to all types of trouble and he’d stand toe-to-toe to have her.
“More than money, Midas.”
He kissed her forehead bringing his to hers. “You’re it La.”
“Good because I feel feel the same about you.” She kissed him and he savored the feel of her lips and the smell of the lotion on her skin.
Walking them back to the room. They shared quick kisses, slow kisses. Kisses with their tongues mating in a dance he wanted to take further.
“Thank you baby.” Jamal pulled the hem of her shirt over her head and let her locs hang free.
“For what?” She tossed his shirt aside, as he removed her bra.
“For being you.”
Carmela pushed Jamal back on the bed. She overheard him talking and thought she was dreaming. She removed her panties slow kicking them aside. She’d never felt more sexy than she did right now. His eyes burned with heat and she wanted all of it. All of him.
She heard him talk with Gabriel and that’s when she knew it wasn’t a dream. By the time she made it to the doorway he was talking with Marques. He’d called his family, for her.
Her heart ached for pulling him into her life. But for the first time in her life Carmela wanted to be selfish. She wanted no one more than the man beneath her as she crawled up his body. Her tongue and lips tasting his chocolate skin. Her nose creeped closer to his manhood and he stood at attention. The man’s mic was magic. The kind that made her forget everything and everyone. Tonight, s
he was the head MC and she’d leave no doubts in his mind about her or them.
She traced the tip with her tongue, his groan gave her the green light to take him into the warmth of her mouth. His hands gripped the back of her head, guiding her as he thrust deeper.
One minute he was in her mouth the next she slide down his shaft. Her body taking all of him.
“Fuck.” He growled. Their eyes holding, knowing this moment would change everything. Skin to skin. Man to woman.“La you sure?”
“It’s the only thing I’m sure about.”
Jamal flipped to the mattress driving deeper. Carmela taking every inch of her man and the relief he gave. “You’re trying to kill me.” He mumbled. “To fucking kill me.”
They mated like wild animals. Urgent. Raw.
He claimed her. “You’re mine La….”
Her heart pounding as she surrendered to this love…his love. “And you’re mine….”
“Damn La you loud as hell.” He joked pulling her close hours later.
“That because you was trying to bang my guts out.” They laughed. She turned over staring in his eyes. “We said a lot.”
He pushed a loc back, kissing her lips softly. “And I meant every word. Did you?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. “Why do you think loving me will kill you?”
“Because every person I let in has turned their backs on me. Taking a piece of me with them.” The pain in his eyes made her reach up and kiss him. “But I’m realizing that’s not the entire story anymore. I’m tired of shielding myself from potential hurt. I have too much to live for and too many people who love me. Like you.”
“Who hurt you baby?” She leaned her chin on his chest. She loved this Jamal probably more than the take charge Jamal. He had sides and personas, all equally charming, equally lovable. But this man, the one who was introspective and open is the one who won her heart first.
“I could say the biggest hurt came from my parents. All I know is my mother left me at a fire station and never returned.” He went silent and Carmela looked up at him in the dark. “Then I bounced around from home to home. I learned early not to get attached. Because I could live with a family for a few weeks, months, or for years like I did with the Martin family.”
Carmela felt his body tense beneath her. She kissed softly across his chest to calm him. “What happen with the Martin family?” His eyes held hers and the she wanted to find the people who hurt him. “Tell me baby.”
“Miss Joyce was okay. She had a house full of kids. They had the type of home that took kids in for the money. But her husband, Tyson, was an angry drunk. He’d come home wasted and we’d know what was next. He’d beat her.” He sat silent, she glanced up at Jamal and he kissed her. “Then one night we laid in bed, hearing the sound of his fist connecting with her flesh and I couldn’t take it.”
She held her breath. “What’d you do Jamal?”
“I went into the living room and told him to get off of her. He threw me across the room like a rag doll.”
“How old were you?”
“Twelve or so. But I kept fighting. I jump on his back hitting him as hard as I could until he delivered an ultimatum. He told her, it was him or me.”
“Her? Miss Joyce?”
“Yes, and within an hour I was packed up. I asked to never be assigned to a family again.”
“You remained on your own until you met the Hughes?”
“Yeah.” His voice seemed distant.
“That explains a lot.” She laid her head over his heart.
“What does it explain La?”
She glanced up, “Why you love them but you fight them loving you. Why you’re surprised when your friends…your brothers go out of their way to do what you do for everyone you meet. Jamal, baby, you are this dark handsome angel. You give without expectations but you miss out on the best part of loving people.”
“And what’s that sweetheart?”
“Letting us love you back.”
The tiger in her man flipped her back to the mattress and she spread her legs wide for him.
“Is that what you want La?”
She cupped his face in her hands. “Yes Jamal. You’re not in this alone. Let me in. You can trust me with your heart.”
“Are you sure you can handle me?”
He filled her. His eyes never leaving hers, and she took every stroke, as her heart welcomed this complicated, loner. A man who gave fully, and she’d show him she knows how to give too.
Carmela climbed on top, steadfast in her pursuit. The sound of their declarations filled the air. And she penned this moment in the journal of her heart. No man, not her father, her brothers…no man loved her the way Jamal loved her. He’d been like a curtain wall protecting her from the seen and unseen. Even from the man who declared to love her most.
They were perfect together. Jamal would see.
The grumbled in his chest told Carmela the end was near. Fueled to a new height they came together with whispers of … I love you…sealing her heart to his.
Chapter 24
The next morning they boarded the RSE plane heading to Houston, with a pitstop in Austin.
“I have a feeling you’re up to something over there.” Carmela snapped her seatbelt.
“And you are right.” He kissed her. Jamal planned to fill Carmela’s day with surprises. She made him want to lavish her with gifts and all the things he knew would put a smile on her face.
“What’s on the agenda?” She coughed and it made his heartache.
“We’re taking you to see a doctor the moment we touch down in Austin.”
“It will pass. I just need more sleep. Somebody kept me up all night.” She laced her fingers with his.
“And that somebody is planning for a repeat, so get some rest. We have a long day ahead. I’ll wake you when we’re about to land.” He signaled the stewardess for a blanket.
The moment he heard her soft snores he texted Gabriel, We’re heading to Austin, then Houston.
Roger that. FYI we should have a payout sometime this week. I’m expecting fireworks. Jamal tilted his phone closer to him, just in case Carmela woke.
I can’t talk now. But let’s catch up with the details. I want Crescendo rolling again ASAP. Jamal looked towards his sleeping woman, knowing this would make her extremely happy. It would be the best payoff for all her hard work.
I’m on it. Gabriel assured him.
Great. Can you send Nicki’s number? La will need her in Austin.
Gabriel sent the details. Jamal shot her a quick text making arrangements for her to meet them. This weekend she’ll have a chance to meet the entire RSE team. Having Nicki around will help her adjust to his large crew and La will need styling for the banquet.
Jamal wondered what the guys would say about Carmela. No doubt he needed to get prepare himself for endless jokes, but he was ready for it. And ready for them to meet her.
We’re about to land. Keep me posted. Let me know if you need me. Jamal added as they neared Austin.
You got it. Take care of her.
Always. Jamal meant it. The little lady beside him was now the center of his world. He planned to do everything within his power to ensure she had exactly what she wanted and needed. He put his phone away with a smile.
The doors of the plane opened. The crew carried their bags out while he waited for Carmela. She refused to let him carry her around like a baby. Her words, not his.
“Babe, you’ve let me carry you before.” He teased as she gathered her purse.
“Stop flirting and hold this.” She crumbled up her Saints blanket and he followed her to the exit bumping against her lush butt.
“You slept through my surprise.” He kissed her neck before stepping back.
“What surprise?” Her eyes danced with excitement.
“There’s a bed in back of the plane.”
She spun around. “Jamal Washington you are such a tease. Why didn’t you wake me?”
He cupped the size of her face and kissed her softly, “Because you were exhausted. We’ll make up for it on the trip back.”
“Mile high club here I come!”
He laughed. “Woman get moving. We got people to see and things to do.”
“Like what?” She stopped again.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hate surprises.” She called over her shoulder.
“Tough.” He kissed her neck again as they cleared the doorway.
“Surprise!”
He froze.
Carmela glanced over her shoulder with a dimpled smile. “I take it you know these people.”
He nodded. He had a weekend of surprises planned for Carmela but he didn’t expect to be the one surprised. He knew the person responsible.
“Eliana.” He dropped his head with a chuckle. His emotions couldn’t take much more. “La, let me introduce you to my family.”
They walked down the stairs and the group moved closer. He started from the top down.
“This is Cameron Carter. See babe, you finally get to meet a Carter.”
“You are soooo not funny Jamal.” She extended her hand.
“You’re family. We’re huggers.”
“Stop trying to hold my woman, you have your own.”
“Hey, if it wasn’t for me sending you, you wouldn’t have this woman, Mister…”
“The water is contaminated.” The guys said in unison.
The gang laughed and so did Carmela.
Jamal laughed but he felt overwhelmed with happiness. “Let me try this again, and save your hugs until the end please, and don’t hold on too tight.”
“This man has more rules than Cameron.” Devin called out.
“You’re just mad because you’re the only one still single.” Marques yell.
“Are you serious? That just means more ladies for me.”
Jamal shook his head. He left single and came back with a woman of his own.
“Your family is kind of amazing,” Carmela whispered as the others joked around.
He pulled her to him, “Yeah, but we’ll be here all day waiting on the jokesters to stop.”
Rockstar Savages (Forbidden Chords Book 3) Page 18