“I’m not…”
She was simply emphasizing the weight music held in her life and in her world but words had power. To say she was nothing would put energy behind it. She also didn’t have to worry about that shit because he was officially her dream catcher. If she wished for, hell, if she even fucking thought about it, he was going to make it her reality.
“I know.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “But I don’t even want you playing with them words metaphorically.”
“Are you just gonna bully me into affirmations and happiness?”
“Shit yeah, ’cause I told you already. I’m risking it all for that smile.”
She playfully rolled her eyes, but again, she felt the truth in his words and chose to keep that locked away for the time being. “Why’d you ask?”
“I’m working on something and need you to trust the good is gonna outweigh the bad.”
“Which means?”
“I’m gonna get you out of your contract but the only way I might be able to work that means your songs stay with Cobra.”
Samari remained quiet and Asao shifted then nudged her side. “What’re you thinking?”
Before the words could flow, he lifted and placed a hand on the side of her hip. “Come up here so I can see your face when you answer. I wanna know if you’re running game or speaking from the heart.”
Samari grinned and arched a brow. “You won’t know the difference.”
He smiled confidently and nudged her again. “Yeah I will, come on.”
She pushed off the lounge and moved one leg over his waist. Once she was situated, Asao lifted them both, moving over enough to take back the space he’d allowed when she was beside him.
“Aight, run that shit.”
She pulled the corner of her lip between her teeth and considered her options. Stay tied to Cobra and keep songs she would never get paid from or accept Asao’s help and walk away, leaving everything behind.
“Those songs are my babies…”
He nodded. “I’m gonna fight that shit then and we’ll figure out how to take back what belongs to you. Might take some time but I’ll get it done.”
She smiled at the ease and confidence with which he made the promise. “You cut me off before I could finish,” Samari said softly, delivering a smile that had one ghosting at the corner of his lips.
“That’s ’cause you got me ready for war behind your ass already. I told you how lethal that smile is, Mari.”
When the warmth of his palms made contact with her hips, she had to fight hard to keep her smile from expanding.
“Those songs are my babies but they’re also a reminder of how I fucked up.”
“Nah, man, you didn’t fuck up. You got fucked. You thought you were handling business. You wanted to sing and he took advantage of your passion. Nobody can say shit to you about how that muthafucker played you, and if they do, trust that I have something for them.”
“So what are you now, my personal bodyguard and protector?”
Asao smiled and moved his hands down her thighs, back up her hips, then cuffed her ass. She had no idea what he was willing to be on her behalf. No idea how far he was willing to go. “What I tell you?”
She frowned and he added clarity, “What I tell you I’m trying to be in your life?”
“Everything I need.”
“Aight then, stop fucking sonning me by acting like I’m not more than capable. I’m the devil with no conscience when it comes to those I deem worthy, Mari. Like it or not, you’re under my care.”
She huffed, trying to deviate from the heaviness of the conversation and the promises delivered. In the past couple of years the only guarantee Samari had or chose to believe in was that she could depend on herself and herself only. Men lied. Their purposes were self-serving, and as long as women remained useful to their goals by satisfying their needs, women were held up and revered. When that need was no longer served, they kicked the woman to the curb.
“I want to sing. Having the freedom and ability to create makes me whole.”
