Chapter 24 #2
“That leads me to my next question. There’s never a time when we see you that we don’t see him and vice versa.
He’s always nearby. It’s cute because he’s so protective.
I can’t count the number of videos circulating of him stepping between you and fans or paparazzi to make sure you’re good. Does that ever feel like too much?”
“No but why would it? If a man loves you, his actions will show it. He knows me better than anyone. That means knowing when I’m in the headspace to grant others access and when I’m not.
As much as I love my life and this career, it’s a lot.
Sometimes, it’s suffocating. He gives me room to breathe when the world refuses to.
I love that he shields me from the chaos by knowing what I need without me having to communicate it. ”
“That’s a new perspective. I respect that and can attest to how that man loves you. I was at the performance you did a few weeks ago. The way he watched you like you were the only person who existed in the world was very intense.”
“Yeah, I saw the clip.” Samari smiled, making Saniya laugh.
“Speaking of clips, can we talk about the viral moment that happened with that tattoo? Did you know?”
Samari blushed.
If your name is on me, mine should be on you…
Samari shook her head. “That was very him…”
She cut her eyes at Asao who had a smug grin in place.
“What do you mean?”
Samari wouldn’t admit the full story, which started with her tattoo under her left breast. His full name.
Asao Delane. A tattoo no one would ever see which he was adamant about.
He made it clear that the world would know his name was on her based on the way he stepped behind her.
He then proceeded to get one of her name on his neck, big as hell, very visible because he wanted there to be no mistake about who owned not just his heart but his entire being.
“Intentions are important.”
Saniya glanced at Asao who chuckled, making her arch a brow at Samari. “It sounds like there’s something there you’re not going to share.”
“You would be correct.”
“Is his name inked on you?’
“Maybe.” Saniya glanced at Asao again then shook her head.
“Okay, I’ll move on. Let’s circle back to your album. It’s titled Unbound, what’s that about?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. I’m giving you all of me, no restrictions.
I wasn’t limiting myself or holding back.
There’s a story of heartbreak, how I healed, and the reason I was able to heal.
I found home in a man who loves me the way I deserve to be loved.
It’s also about me having full creative freedom to do what I want, not just with my lyrics but with my sound.
There are throwbacks that give you that nineties R&B vibe, the rawness of the street like the track I recorded with Fyre, and ballads that show my range.
My goal is for people to feel the music the same way I felt when creating it.
“I love that and mission accomplished. I definitely felt everything with this album.”
“Thank you.”
“Last question, you’re both high profile. Is there any competition between the two of you, and if so, how does that play into navigating your relationship?”
Samari laughed and rolled her eyes. “We’re both in our own lanes. People need to find something safe to do and stay out of our business. I know they talk but it’s crazy because first of all, he is him…”
“Agreed, but you are her,” Saniya added.
“We are who we are and we embrace our roles. That man celebrates my wins harder than I do because he’s secure enough in himself to let me shine.
Nothing I do dims his light. My success is a reflection of how he loves and supports me.
My wins allow him to shine brighter. A real man can fall back and still be dominant and present. That’s him.”
“Okay, I think that’s it. I have what I need and will work on this tonight.
I’ll email the final article for your approval before I send it in.
” Saniya ended the recording and began collecting her things.
Asao crossed the room and went straight to Samari.
He leaned over the back of the sofa and kissed her temple while his hand rested on the side of her neck.
“That almost killed you, didn’t it,” Saniya said with amusement in her tone.
“What do you mean?” Asao asked with a frown.
“Having to share her with me.”
He smiled smugly but didn’t answer the question. “You sending that straight to Mari or to Kolby?”
Saniya grinned as she stood, noticing he’d skipped right past her question but the way he was immediately near Samari after they were done was her answer. “Both, actually. I believe she was copied on the email exchange.”
“Bet.” He tossed his chin.
“Y’all are cute though. Thank you for this and now I have to get home to my man before our daughter empties our bank account.”
“Damn, it’s like that?” Asao smirked in understanding, draping his arm around Samari as they walked Saniya to the door. The same way she could get every penny he owned, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind, if she blessed him with a daughter, his net worth would be shared between the two of them.
“Definitely like that. She asks, he says yes, and the fact that she’s two and knows how to work things in her favor is a whole problem.”
“Aw, but that’s how it’s supposed to be. A daddy’s girl,” Samari said.
“True, but it’s not just her. Our son does the same thing so there’s that.” Saniya rolled her eyes, making Asao laugh.
“Yeah but I bet you do too. My man doesn’t have a prayer in hell with y’all.”
“Nope,” Saniya said with a huge smile. They said their goodbyes then Asao and Samari were chilling in the lounge chair where they spent most of their time.
“You straight with that interview?”
“Yes, I think it was good,” she said, running through the questions asked and how she’d delivered her responses.
“It was you and that’s all that matters,” he said, pulling away from Samari and adjusting so she was on her back and he was hovering over her. When his weight was balanced on one side so he could reach the handle that would lower the back of the lounge chair, Samari narrowed her eyes.
“I can’t see the water,” she complained.
“That’s not required for what I’m about to do.”
“And what’s that?”
“Inspire your next album.”
She grinned when he lowered his head and kissed her before he was up again and helping Samari out of her jeans.
“Um, isn’t that a little ambitious considering I haven’t even released the first one yet?”
“Planning is key,” he said before he lowered his head, leaned over her body, and planted kisses on her stomach, down her thighs, then between them.
“Oh fuck yes…” she rushed out when the warmth of his tongue was on her at the same time he pushed two fingers into her pussy as deep as they could go. “Planning is definitely key.”
She also had a feeling what he was about to inspire would no doubt make it onto her next album.
Asao: You gonna let me spend my money on you?
Samari: Nope!
Asao: You really believe that?
Samari: Yep, today is not about me. I’m not shopping.
Asao: Yeah, aight. Send me pictures and let me see what I’m paying for.
Samari:
She locked her phone and walked into Kameren Taylor.
As soon as she was in the store, she did a quick scan to find Fyre.
She wasn’t there yet but Ju’rae came from the back on six inch heels, wearing a fly, wide legged fit.
The shirt was sleeveless and sheer black with a bustier underneath with black satin pants.
Her sandy brown hair was bone straight, parted down the middle, and her makeup was dramatic.
“You look like Catwoman.”
Ju’rae smiled arrogantly. “A sexy Catwoman.”
“Definitely sexy. I love this though.”
“All new, it came in a couple days ago. One of the many perks of being a sales associate here.” She grinned and did a full spin so Samari could have a three-sixty visual. “Where’s my girl?”
“Mm, let me check. She was supposed to meet me here.”
Samari sent a quick text and one was returned seconds later saying, Be there in ten. Parking now.
“She’s parking.”
“Good, that gives me time to work on you.”
“I’m not shopping.” Samari frowned and Ju’rae looped her arm through Samari’s and shrugged off the comment with a simple, “Mhm.”
The women walked to the styling area on the other side of the store and Ju’rae pointed to a back wall that held some pieces she’d selected for Samari that had come in with the shipment she’d pulled her current look from.
Samari groaned, unable to help herself, and began checking out the items. Most of them were dark grays and blacks.
“Oh, I like.”
“I figured you would. I already know what I think will work but you can pick what you want and I’ll pull some looks together for you. This is her black label Shadow series. You have some shoots coming up and a media run.”
Samari moved things around, placing items she liked together before she looked over her shoulder. “You talked to Sao?”
“He didn’t pick any of this stuff…” Ju’rae confessed.
“No, but he knew you picked stuff.”
Now she understood why he was insistent on her running up a tab.
Ju’rae smiled. “You already know how I feel about letting a man spend his money when he wants to, and he’s kind of my boss, so if he needs me to style his artists, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Samari rolled her eyes. “The artist in question isn’t supposed to be me though. Today is about Fyre.”
“It is and your man said you’re in the conversation too. So let me do what I do so he can do what he does.”
“You better be glad I love all of these, and since he wants to spend his money, I’ll do what I do and spend it.”
“My girl.” Ju’rae tapped her fingers together. “Run that commission for me.”