“Ben and I have plans, but maybe next time. Oh, and Ben says hello.”
I fucking did not!
“Yes, Thomas, he is here with me now. Thank you again for the opportunity. I will contact you as soon as I receive your email.”
Thomas... always trying to take what was mine.
She placed the phone back on the nightstand.
“That was your cousin Thomas. He wants me to open up for a few big-time indie artists. He said if I do well, this could be the break I’ve been waiting for.” She giggled as she kicked her legs. “I cannot believe this is happening.”
“I can. You are amazing.”
She turned to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Thank you. It was because of what you did, continue to do for me,” she said, then kissed me.
I rolled her on her back.
“My dear cousin asked you to dinner?”
Her eyes rolled. “It’s nothing.”
“I doubt that. He has always been competitive when it comes to me. Watch out for him, he can be aggressive.”
“I can handle him.”
I stared at her.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
She sat up. “Like I can’t handle aggressive men. If this is about Derek...”
“I refuse to fight or hear that asshole’s name.” I sat up.
“I am not fighting with you. I’m stating that you’re insinuating I can’t handle myself. You need to trust me, Ben. I made a mistake with Derek. I can own up to that, and that I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I also gave you the benefit of the doubt when I went out with you. Remember that.”
I sealed my lips firmly, thinking that wasn’t the same, but I wasn’t in the mood to argue with her. My Songbird had a heart and would give anyone a second or third chance. I made a mental note to watch Thomas and to make sure Gianna handled Melody from now on.
“I love you,” I said. “And I simply want the best for you.”
Her smile lit the room. “I know what you’re doing, but I love hearing that.”
“I love you,” I said again as I traced my mouth along her soft skin and down her neck. Then I turned her around and slapped her ass.
“Hey!”
“We need to get up. I have a meeting, and I want to fuck you properly and thoroughly in the shower before we clean up. Get up, and let’s get to it.”
She laughed as I rolled over her and off the bed. I lifted her up over my shoulder with the sheet and carried her into the bathroom while she laughed and kicked.
The work fires were plentiful throughout the day, but nothing seemed to matter other than the thought of Melody. I pictured the way her mouth opened, and her eyes rolled when I made her come. It was those moments when she couldn’t make a sound that tipped me over. The times she screamed my name until her voice became hoarse made me hard thinking about it.
I had spoken to Gianni earlier that day, regarding Thomas, instructing her to take over Melody as a client. She had a great group of agents who would oversee her career well. I also told her I wouldn’t be attending the board meeting that weekend. I wanted to take Melody away and made arrangements to use the plane.
It was time for us to have a serious talk about our future. There were things she should know, and I wanted her aware of what she was getting into with a public relationship. From her reaction to Derek’s little investigation, I knew she hadn’t researched me online. I was sure Derek assumed she knew everything.
Melody surprised me when I slid into the back seat.
“I had Scott pick me up first.”
Cupping her face, I kissed her. “I could get used to seeing you here every night. Maybe naked.”
She pushed against my shoulders.
I held her hand, listening to her day. She told me she had a meeting scheduled with my sister. Gianna had an agent who wanted to represent her.
I was pleased with Gianna’s quick action. She was excellent at her job.
Melody went on to tell me about the agent, and that she was nervous about meeting my sister. I told her there was nothing to worry about, but she was biting the nails on her free hand. I leaned over and took that hand.
“Hey, my sister will love you.”
“But she’s a woman, and sisters can be tougher than mothers. With your mother gone, I know she’s protective.”
That she was, but I didn’t want Melody to worry anymore about it.
“Why don’t I go with you to meet her, then leave you two alone.”
“You can’t do that, Ben. I have to do this on my own.”
I arched a brow.
“Not on my own as in you have no say. I mean, how would it look if I had my boyfriend come with me.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“So, do I... officially.”
“It’s always been official. I don’t share,” I huffed.
Her smile beamed.
“Sir, you need to take this call,” Scott interrupted.
I looked down at my cell, which I forgot to take off ‘do not disturb’ after my last meeting. There were several missed calls from Tisch.
“If it’s Tisch, tell her I’ll call her back.”
“Yes, sir.”
I wondered what was going on. The board meeting was rescheduled for later this week, so she couldn’t be calling about that.
I dialed her back. “Tisch, it’s Ben.”
“Ben...” She was crying.
“Tisch, what is it?”
If my dad did something, I thought.
“Your f-father... he was in a car accident.”
“Where is he?” I could feel the blood rushing through my heart.
“At General—”
“Scott, head to General!” I focused back on Tisch. “I’m on my way. Where’s Gianna?”
“She isn’t answering. It’s going straight to voicemail.”
“Damn it. Keep trying, we’re coming.”
I felt Melody grip my hand.
“My father was in a car accident,” I turned and said.
“Tisch, tell my father... to hold on. We are on our way. Just...” I wanted to tell him so much at that moment, but the words weren’t coming out. “Hold on, we’re coming,” I said again, hanging up.
Melody leaned her head on my shoulder. “I’ll say a prayer.”
For the first time in a very long time, I said one, too.
We ran into the emergency room, straight to the receptionist. “My name is Ben Schilling. My father was in an accident and brought here.”
She made a call.
I saw a few flashes, and Melody and I turned around. Damn paparazzi. She wrapped herself around my arm and more flashes.
“Mr. Schilling,” another nurse said, coming through the double doors, “this way, please.”
We quickly followed behind.
“Isn’t there anything you can do about them?” I asked, nodding to the scum with the cameras.
He looked apologetic. “We were told by security they left, but apparently, not.”
“Call the police.”
“Yes, sir.”
I felt Melody’s eyes on me. This wasn’t how I wanted her to find out, but I couldn’t change what happened.