“You pick, cook the ground meat or cut the vegetables for the salad.”
“I’ll take the meat.”
“So, I bared my soul last night,” she glanced up from cutting the tomato, “are ready to tell me about her?”
He froze. “Her who?”
“The woman who broke your heart.”
He went back to cooking the meat.
“I write love songs. I know the signs. You have a fine man. All his friends and brothers are booed up, having babies, and he’s being a man whore.”
“Man whore? I think I’m offended.” Teasing laughter reflected in his eyes.
“I didn’t call you a man whore, but if the shoe fits.” She grabbed the onion and went to work.
“Her name is Gabrielle and for the record, I don’t think she broke my heart. It was more a pride thing.” She stopped and glanced over at him. His back was to her as he chopped at the meat in the skillet with extra force. She quickly washed her hands and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back, enjoying the feel of his strong back muscles as he moved. He kissed her hand.
“We dated for a while in high school then connected again in college. We dated my junior and senior year.” She felt him shrug. “She always wanted to hang out at my family gatherings. She jumped at concerts and any opportunity to attend industry parties.”
“Industry parties?”
“Yeah, my father is a member of the SinSations.”
“I forgot about that.”
“…lady, I'd die for a drop of your love…” He sung.
“You sing?” She glanced around him.
“Not like you or Marques. But the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.”
“Why am I just learning this?”
“It’s not my thing. I prefer business side. I’ll leave the stage to the professionals.”
“Right.” She leaned back again him shocked. Cameron had a warm tenor, no, it was a baritone voice. Wonders never cease.
“I guess looking back I see the signs. It was always about being seen in public with a Carter.” She could hear the distaste in his voice.
“That must suck.”
“I was used to it. That’s why I valued my friendships with Damian and Bruce so much. It was never about our parents. And I thought she was a real one.”
“So what happened?”
“How’s this?” He leaned to the side for her to check the ground meat.
“Not bad. I might be able to teach you a thing or two. Grab those two cans.”
He brought the sauce over then sat at the island. “Towards the end of our senior year. I had peeped her game and planned to break it off. Then she came crying about an ex spreading with a video tape with them having sex. He wanted five thousand dollars for the tape.”
“And like a good boyfriend you helped.”
“I did, only to find out it was a lie. There was no tape.” He stared off into the distance. “People don’t realize my parents are wealthy not us. Five thousand dollars to a college student was a lot of money and I didn’t want to go to my parents to get it.”
“What did you do?”
“I went to my friends. We pulled our money and bought the ’tape’.” He air quoted. “I felt foolish for not seeing her coming. Then to pull my friends into the situation.”
“Did you ever tell your parents?”
“No. I hate that people always saw us as a way to get to their money. Totally disregarding how hard my parents work to amass their estate. My father still tours and does shows. My mother fundraises for charities. My parents are amazing people, you’ll meet them at the picnic, but to dwindle them down to their bank account is inhumane and disappointing.”
She would meet his parents, a warm sensation filled her heart, he saw a future with her.
“And then the man-whoring began.” She smiled, wanting him to join her.
“Enough with the man whoring.” He landed a loud kiss on her cheek with a smack and snuggled up behind her. “Okay so I little bit of man whoring went down. They dubbed me Playboy Carter.”
“I knew it!” They laughed.
“I’m good looking, wealthy, black male. I had my choice of women. So, I did.” He examined his voice, not boasting or bragging.
“Is that how you see us?” Her voice dropped.
He turned her around. “No, which is why I’m sharing this story with you. I want to see where we go. I’m feeling you and I know you’re feeling me.” He rubbed against her.
Sydney rolled her eyes. “I mean you are a good looking, wealthy, fiiiine chocolate brotha—”
“You’re a mess.”
They cooked lasagna and talked about music, sports, and life. By the close of the night she was cuddled in his arms not ready to return to Houston. She hoped what they’d found this weekend wasn’t left on the island.
“Cam.”
“Yeah baby what’s up?”
She turned in his arms. “So the after hours rule is out, right?”
“Yeah baby. Stop worrying so much. I got you. But I do recall you mentioning a birthday suit.” He smacked her butt.
“After stuffing my face with lasagna you want to see me naked?” This man loved her curvy body and she was down for it.
“I will always vote for the birthday suit.” She laughed until she cried.
“Cleaning house…”
“Birthday suit, see I can pull up behind you and….” He wiggled against her backside.
“Cooking…”
“Birthday suit, I can place your sexy ass on the table, spread your sweet thighs, and devour—”
“Cameron!”
“You asked. The kitchen is the perfect place for dessert.” He wiggled his mischievous brows, kissed her softly. He laid back closing his eyes as if drooped closed. Not yet oh man of mine.
“And what about now,” she straddled him, loving the feel of his thick flesh growing between them.
“I want you butt-ass naked.” His mouth joked but when his eyes opened the sensual blaze she witnessed made her reach for the hem of her shirt. She pulled it over her head and tossed it across the room. She reached for his, he lift his body, and she eased it over his head. It soon landed next to hers.
She lowered her mouth fluttering kisses across his broad chest, swirling her tongue around his nipple, raking her nails down his chest. “Did you get more condoms?”
“No doubt.” His gruff response made her core throb in need.
They were heading back to Houston. But Cameron was scheduled to leave on Tuesday. She missed him already. She continued her tour of his body as a lusty feeling of heat stole over her. The fullness of his manhood made her mouth water. She hooked her fingers around the waistband of his boxers and exposed him. He was ready.
“Syd…”
Cameron gripped the back of her head as she wrapped her sweet little hands around the base of his erection, lingering at the tip before slipping him into the warmth of her mouth. Her coaxing tongue, the gentle hum vibrating through his body, her steady rhythm, all of it was driving him mad. He fought his release but then she grabbed his jewels and the sweet suction of her mouth was too much.
“Fuck Syd…”
She sat back on the heels of her feet, licked her lips and a pleased look spread across on her face. He’d never wanted to be inside a woman so bad. He pent her to the bed, covered himself and seared into her. Branding her. Making her his, and only his.
He sat them up, missing her mouth. He slowed the pace knowing this would have to hold her over until he returned. He wanted her to miss him. To need him. To love him.
The barriers he’d lived behind no longer existed. She’d slipped past and now resided in a dark and dusty place. A place he’d closed off from the world. But Sydney and her luscious body, power voice and resilient spirit had kicked it down, and it crumbled beneath her feet, leaving him exposed.
He felt her walls tighten around him. He gripped her hips as she rode him like a true Texas cowgirl. Each thrus
t bringing them closer to paradise.
He tangled his hands in her hair, “Open for me.”
Sydney did without hesitation. They kissed open mouthed, panting as he rocked her body into submission. His sweet words assuring her that he was hers and she was his. Kissing away all doubt and fear. Her body bowed to his probing, his touch, his loving. And when she climaxed it ripped through her body like lightening.
“Cameron!”
Her body jerked and his rocking increased. She was about to come again. A soul shattering orgasm sent her over the edge. Nothing compared. Her addictive natural latched on to the euphoria and knew she couldn’t let him go.
He tensed beneath her and growled into the darkness of the night. “Damn girl, what are you doing to me?”
Falling in love with you. There was no coming back from this.
Chapter Thirteen
Cameron left Sydney at her place. They needed to find her a long-term housing option. He returned to meet with Damian before leaving for LA with Bruce.
“Knock, knock.”
He look at Eliana’s head peeping around the corner.
“Got a second.”
“Sure.” He sat his briefcase on the floor and removed his jacket. He settled behind his desk turning on his computer.
“I have your schedule.” She passed it across the desk. They’d tried to move her to A&R but it didn’t work. Her role now served as a crazy hybrid between all RSE departments. “Let’s start with page two, your most important meeting.”
He nodded, flipping through the document. “Shoot.”
“The bulk of your time will be with Rashan and his team. He makes it appear pretty seamless. Basically, just wow the other movie executives.”
“Do we need to take anything other than our treatment and the demo?”
“No, but I’d suggest taking a few extras for the movie cast. That way Bruce can potentially meet with them while you’re out there. It might save you an extra trip.”
“I like the sound of that. Schedule studio time while we’re out there too. Bruce’s preferred locations are—”
“On the cloud, I’ll take care of it.” She talked through the rest of his plans and accommodations.
He was traveling on their private plan and should return by early next week. He wouldn’t see Sydney for an entire week. The desire to stop by her place and see her again rushed over him. He glanced at his watch, but time wasn’t on his side.
“Cameron, are you listening?” He glanced up to see Eliana’s cross face.
“I apologize.” He didn’t hear anything beyond the duration of his trip.
“Y’all must be done hiding.” He lowered the document.
“Come again?”
“You and Sydney thought you had somebody fooled.” She sat back in the chair, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?” Damian stepped in without knocking.
“That Sydney and Cameron have a thing going on.” They shared a smile.
“Oh really, do tell.” Damian said, sitting next to her.
Cameron barely heard their exchange. He thought they hid it well, now everyone will know. Does that bother him? No, it didn’t. He wanted everyone to know she was off the market and all his.
“Playboy Carter falling for an R&B Bad Girl. That has an interesting ring to it.” Damian teased.
“I will keep my comments to myself.” Cameron declared, but he had no room to talk. “But for the record, your wife is a saint.”
“I know.” They laughed.
Eliana stood to leave them alone.
“Can you schedule to meet with Damian while I’m gone? Sydney needs long-term housing. She’d been in the hotel for a month. I think we can do better than that.”
“I’m on it boss.” And with a wave she was off.
He turned to Damian. “Thank for coming. How’s the fam?”
“Growing.” He chuckled. “The baby is due soon and the center is expanding.”
“You need to let that woman breath.”
“I tried man. I can’t keep my hands off her.”
Cameron laughed until his eyes filled with unshed tears. “I don’t blame you.”
“What, no jokes? So, your thing with Sydney is true?”
“Man,” Cameron sat back. “I think one of y’all added a potion to the water because….” He didn’t have words for it.
“This is serious.” Damian moved to the edge of the chair.
“Yeah man, it’s serious.”
“And you’re ready to give up your player ways?” His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“No doubt. She’s it.”
“It? As in, wifey?” His smile widened in approval.
Cameron nodded and chuckled at the stunned Damian. “But there seems to be an issue with a previously signed recording contract.”
He sat back, all traces of humor gone. “Start at the top.”
For the next hour he walked Damian on the happenings from the showcase at S&J to last night. Not everything, but all the pertinent details. Damian asked a million questions as usually without taking a single note.
“Dude you are really a scary creature.” Cameron joked.
“That’s why you keep me around.” He tossed back standing. “I’ll do some digging. How far do you want me to go back?”
“I want to know from the moment his father shot up the club.” Cameron leaned forward. “And do some searching on Southern Sounds. Their parent company, distribution, artists. And any other angles that will remove this asshole from Sydney’s life, for good.”
“Do you think he’ll come after her?”
“Not and live.” His gut twisted at the thought of harm coming her way. They had around the clock security and cameras on the premises.
“Calm down Romeo. He obviously was trying to blacklist her. Learning she has a contract with RSE won’t be good news.”
Cameron dropped his head back, her safety came first. “Let’s switch out her driver for one of our armed bodyguards. And I’ll talk with her about assigning her a bodyguard until we get this matter under control.”
“That sounds good. I’m on it.” Damian stood.
“And thanks man.” He stepped around his desk and hugged his friend. Glad to have him on their side.
“You’d do the same for me and mine. And don’t worry, the man may be reckless but he ain’t crazy.”
“Yeah, I hope not.”
“I’m out.” He strolled to the door.
“Family…”
“Over fame.”
He sat on the edge of his desk. Cameron dropped his head to his chest and prayed for Sydney. He reached across his desk and picked up his cellphone. He scrolled through his history and tapped her contact.
“Hello.” Her groggy voice made him smile.
“Mind if I stop by before I head to the airport.”
“Not at all, I’ll be waiting in my birthday suit.” She giggled.
“I plan to break every moving violation in the State of Texas to get to you girl.”
“And I’ll be waiting. But make it here in one piece.”
“No doubt.”
He disconnected the line and grabbed his briefcase. He knew digging could rouse One Time, but the sooner they ironed out this mess the sooner they could move on.
Sydney arrived at RSE with a planned apology for Bruce. She acted like a brat. And she knew it after hearing the final with demo with Cameron over the weekend. His suggestions were spot on. She had a lot to learn about team work and collaboration. She stepped in the studio to find Marques sitting in Bruce’s coveted seat.
“Hey you!” He stood giving her a hug.
“When did you get back?”
“This morning.”
She sat on the couch. “Where’s Bruce?”
“You’ll work with me while they’re in LA. And I’m pretty sure you need a break.”
“Do I?” She laughed. “We had a huge blow-out Friday.”
Marques l
aughed. “Noooo, what happened?”
She told him all about it. Marques reminded her a lot of Isaac. He had a calming presence about him.
“What do you have planned for me?” She sat forward.
“I have a selfish project.” He leaned back in the chair with her full attention. “I want to try to co-write a song together.”
“That doesn’t sound selfish at all. What do you have in mind?” She reached down into her bag and pulled out her binder and pen.
“The treatment of the main characters made me think about a couple at odds trying to find their way back to love.”
She lowered to the floor in front of the table and jotted down a few notes. “And you want the song to retell their struggle?”
“No, I’m thinking a ballad told from their prospectives. I see the song as a literal bridge between the beginning and end. A bridge they have to cross to make it to the other side.”
“Let’s do it.” She stood and walked over to the board taking the set beside him. He played a few tracks from Bruce. They agreed on one and went to work.
The closed the night with the melody and the chorus. Cameron texted letting her know he’d made it. He had several meetings but would call her as soon as they had the good news. She sent up a prayer for them.
“You did a great job tonight.” Marques said as they prepared to leave.
“Thanks. I’m excited about the progress we’ve made. I think we could have a finished song by the time they get back.” She closed her binder and walked over to the couch to grab her bag.
“I think so too.”
“Mind if I ask you a question?”
“Not at all.” He turned facing her.
“How do you do this? You seem to have it all together. Recording, traveling, your family.”
“I wish. I just do what Brione says.” He laughed.
Sydney mocked writing a note. “Do what Brione says, check.”
“No, real talk. Do what she says, and…” he glanced over at her, “there are many factors to success. But for me, it took falling and losing it all to appreciate it. Then I had to fight to get it back.”
“What do you mean?”
“I lost my first recording contract.”
Rockstar Sinners (Forbidden Chords Book 2) Page 9