Page 34 of Nothing Like Your Ex

“Both. So, what’s up? Pack whatever you need, but we gon’ hit the stores when you get here. Bring your best friend with you if she’s free.”

For her comfort, he didn’t mind if she brought a friend. Kwinn thought she’d be used to the pace Melo was taking her by now, but she wasn’t. Swiftly, seemingly having only one destination in mind, Melo was on a mission to make her his. Fully. Fuck the gimmicks and what seemed morally correct or timely. They were making their own rules.

She’d known that the song had been mixed and mastered, a phrase Melo had to explain to her, but she didn’t know it was already time to record a video. Far from dumb, the urgency let her know that the song must’ve been doing numbers.

“It’s kind of fast for a video, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Nah. Not really. The song is number one and going crazy. We gotta give them folks what they want.” Melo grinned, shocking her.

Kwinn’s mouth fell open. “It’s number one? Shut up!”

“I’m for real. I been getting tagged in posts and shit all week. I know you ain’t really on that side of the internet, but the ladies been making all kinds of videos to the intro.”

Hearing that, Kwinn’s smile widened. Knowing she contributed to the song’s success had her mentality rearranging her schedule. If her boo wanted to fly her out to be in his video, who was she to deny him?

“Awww, Malone. I love that so much. Congratulations. Number one so quickly is amazing,” she gushed, genuinely happy.

Tender as his grandad’s ribs, Melo blushed. “Thank you, my baby. Couldn’t have made it what it was without you.”

“You’re welcome. I’m going to eat with Saiko in a little bit, but I don’t think she’ll be able to take off.”

“That’s coo’. I know it’s short notice. I’ma give you my other driver’s info, and my assistant, Nyla, gon’ hit you up so she can schedule the private flight. What time you wanna get here?”

“What time do you need me there?” Kwinn asked, sounding just as seductive as she did on the intro.

Melo’s dick stiffened, wishing she were near. With the formalities out of the way, he was ready to see what her pussy truly felt like. Tasting her hadn’t been nearly enough. Melo was certain it had to be just as top-tier as the heart of the person it belonged to. He’d bet money on it.

After giving her the details, Melo let her go so she wouldn't be late. As she pulled out of the garage, her phone pinged with a notification from her banking app. Melo sent her ten racks for the fuck of it and told her to enjoy dinner.

“Yeah…” Kwinn said, nodding with a smile. “Being single isn’t too bad at all.”

CHAPTER 8

True to his word, Melo had been spoiling Kwinn from the moment she landed in California. With the trip being last minute, she and Saiko still enjoyed their dinner before heading back to Kwinn’s place to pack a carry-on. A part of her thought she’d arrive and Melo wouldn’t have time for her, but that hadn’t been the case at all.

He’d been attentive, cracking jokes with her, recording her little videos, and connecting her with folks on set who he knew would bring The Taylor Collective a coin. Melo had Kwinn feeling like the leading lady in his life and not just in the music video. It feels like bring your girl to work day, she texted Saiko and they joked about him showing her off.

When she landed, he was waiting for her at the private terminal in a black truck, with roses, wine, and something for her to eat. From there, Sarge drove them straight to the beachfront home on the Pacific coast where they were staying. The property was so beautiful that it made Kwinn wonder whether she should work a bit while she was there. There was far too much inspiration not to. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water and the home's open layout had her ready to create magic. But she didn’t. More like she couldn’t.

It’d been two days since they shot the video, and no one had prepared her for the workload. The video had a chill, laid-back vibe, capturing them as a couple, along with Laurent and another woman, but Kwinn had the leading role. Though it was simple, between settling in, introductions, wardrobe changes, hair and makeup, and the California sun, Kwinn was exhausted.

She’d made up her mind that it’d be a few hours, some cute scenes, a little flirting, and then back to the house. She had been grossly mistaken and had developed a newfound respect for anyone who worked on music video sets for a living. Despite that, she still enjoyed so much, especially getting to see Melo in another one of his elements.

Watching him had been one of her favorite parts. There was something so insanely attractive about a grown-ass man who knew he was that nigga. Not boastfully, but in the way he carried himself and the people around him. Melo’s stage and studio presence weren’t that much different while he was on set. He was just as focused.

When it was time to work, the playful side of him disappeared, and Melo became serious about every little detail. He listened to the director, gave his opinion when something didn’t feel right, and never seemed bothered by doing another take if he wasn’t satisfied with the first one. Every little thing he did had Kwinn in heat while he looked like walking sex dripped in money.

She was glad they were done working, and Melo clearly was too. They slept in for a bit, and when they woke up, they had no real agenda for the day but grabbing food was a must. They ate breakfast at a spot overlooking the water. It wasn’t anything fancy, but Kwinn enjoyed sitting outside, with the waves crashing against the shore as they ate and talked about a little of everything. She didn’t realize how much she needed that.

Now, they were headed back to the truck after hours of shopping. Kwinn had lost count of how many stores they’d been to. The number of bags Melo and Sarge were carrying made her shake her head. The ten bands he sent over were nothing compared to the amount he’d cashed out today. When Kwinn asked what she could get, Melo told her whatever she wanted, and he meant it. Rightfully so, Melo knew how to have fun with those funds.

Seeing Kwinn happy was his main priority, and she could run up in his pockets for as long as she wanted. There wasn’t a budget. Whatever Kwinn saw and wanted was hers. If she stared at a bag or a pair of shoes for too long, Melo would wave over an associate to assist them.

“All these bags is crazy.” Kwinn chuckled as she walked ahead of him.

Melo’s eyes were glued to the way her ass bounced in the white linen shorts cuffing her cheeks. With his free hand, he reached out and smacked it, then palmed it, causing a squeal to fall from her lips.

“Baaabe.” She pouted, whipping her head around. She hoped his security hadn’t been watching.