Rhythm's Blues

by Kimberly Brown

This work of fiction includes strong language and lewd sex scenes. If this is not your cup of tea, please choose something else from my catalog. Please leave a rating/review on Amazon/Goodreads if you like this book!

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said softly. “What’s that?” “This.” Leaning in, he kissed me sweetly. I was slightly shocked that it was happening. For a moment, I stood frozen, unable to believe that my childhood crush was kissing me. When I finally snapped out of it, I didn’t hesitate to kiss him back.

Some of them even snuck up to the floor he was staying on. While I enjoyed the little quiet time we got, I quickly learned that I hated the spotlight. I was a low-key type of woman.

In those six months, I fell hard for him, and when he officially asked me to be his girl, I said yes. After a year, I moved out to L.A with him.

Fuck that. I may not be seen but claim me. As I sat planted next to my radio, I waited to see if it would come up today.

“Why the fuck would he say that?” “This industry shit is going to his head, boo. I know bitches love rappers and shit and it’s all about his image, but what he ain’t finna do is play with you like that.” “Nique, I’m so sick of this shit. Like, I get it. I’m not in the spotlight, but damn. He’s been moving real funny lately, especially when it comes to that shit with Lady Lingo. Like, how many times is he gonna be photographed with that bitch sitting on his lap, whispering in his ear, and shit? He keeps telling me it’s nothing, but he’s not acting like it’s nothing.”

The one I knew as Rod smirked. “Too late. We’ve seen it all. I see why you keep her locked away. You bad as hell, lil mama.” I held up a hand dismissively. “Raheem, it’s damn near two in the morning.” “I know, baby. We lost track of time in the studio. I had this fly ass track I wanted to add to the album—”

“I don’t give a damn! They gotta go. I’m not trying to have it smell like weed in here and I’m trying to sleep.” “My bad, baby. We can turn the music down and take it outside—”

“To bed. I’m gonna pretend like you didn’t say that dumb ass shit.” The next thing I heard was the sound of the bedroom door slamming shut. I took a seat on the couch and buried my face in my hands. I loved him, I really did. But I refused to be embarrassed because he wanted to portray a certain image to the media. The Raheem I knew was a man of his word. The Raheem I knew didn’t give a fuck about what others thought of him. He was true to himself. I didn’t know who that man upstairs was, but it wasn’t my Raheem.

After saying goodbye to Stella and her mom, I killed time, waiting for my next artist to get to the studio. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this one. He brought me in halfway through the process after firing his previous team.

I stuck out my hand. “Nice to meet you, man.” He dapped me up. “Nice to meet you. Imani has sung your praises.”

“All good things, I hope,” I responded. “You’d think she was obsessed.”

“I appreciate it. Why don’t y’all have a seat and we can get started. Prince, you can tell me about your vision for this album.”

“Nah, it can’t,” he answered, standing. “Raheem, Channing is a busy man. He doesn’t have time to waste.”

“You missed me, baby?” she asked, stroking it. I leaned over and grabbed a condom from my dresser. “Yeah… I missed you.” “How bad?” “Open that pretty ass mouth and find out.”

“Well?” he asked. “I don’t like being in this space, Raheem. You already know how I feel about you and that girl, and you’re gonna bring her into our home?” “We’re working, Rhythm.”

“Nique, you at two years shy of thirty.” “Tell that to my back. But what can I expect, carrying all this ass around?” She rolled over onto her knees and started twerking. I laughed as a hard knock came to the door.

“Get him out of here,” I said to his security. They remained on the other side of the door. “Now!” I yelled. “They don’t work for you,” Raheem reminded me. He leaned against the bed with his arms crossed.

“I think you’re overreacting.” “And I think you are full of shit. You didn’t even know I was gone until the next morning, Raheem. What? Were you too busy laid up in your studio to notice?”

“Fuck you, Raheem. Don’t make me humble your ass.” “Why are you even here?” “I’m here because my best friend needed me, and she couldn’t depend on her so-called man.”

don’t know. I would say until you decide where you wanna be, but I’m not a consolation prize. Pick me the first time, or don’t pick me at all.”

“My grams always said some things are meant to be a part of your history, but not your destiny.”

She may have looked innocent, but she probably gave a muthafucka a run for their money. “Why you looking at me like that, ma?” I asked in her ear. “Looking at you like what?” “You know what I’m talking about. Ask for it… I might let you have it.” Her eyes widened, and she blushed as she bit her lip. “A closed mouth don’t get fed,” I reminded her. Her breathing hitched in her throat. She swallowed hard as she backed away from me.

“Why you looking at me like that, ma?” I swallowed hard. “Looking at you like what?” “You know what I’m talking about. Ask for it… I might let you have it.”

closed mouth don’t get fed,” he reminded me. My pussy was screaming, Whatchu gon’ do, sis? Before I did something I might regret in the morning, I backed away and hightailed it after telling him I needed to use the bathroom. I locked myself in the stall until I could gather my bearings.

“What man? Did somebody touch you?” “No, nobody touched me. I’m talking about Channing.” “The fine nigga with all the tattoos that stopped you when we walked in?” “Yes.” “What did he do?” “He had me hot and bothered, that’s what he did.” She laughed obnoxiously. “You ran from the club because the man made you horny?”

“What’s up?” I asked, looking down at her short frame. “You’re gonna make some lucky woman a very happy wife one day, Channing.” I chuckled. “You think so?” “I know so. I’ll be taking the credit for that.” “Yeah, woman. That’s all you.”

held up a hand to stop her. “I’m not a selfish lover. I know how to get me off. My job is to make sure you leave satisfied. This ain’t my first rodeo, baby. I handle pussy, very well, I might add. You don’t have to do shit but take this dick.”

“Good girl,” I praised her. “You taking this dick so well. Play with this pussy for me.”

looked back at her. “I’m not the one that’s semi-attached to my ex. You know what you want, and you also know the type of dick I’m swinging. If you want me, you know how to contact me. Just drop me a location.”

“Rhythm, this is Channing Watson. He’s the producer on this album. Channing, this is the woman I was telling you about.” Shit! Shit! Shit! My guilty eyes met Channing’s, and he smiled as he extended his hand. “Ms. Rhythm… it’s very nice to meet you.”

“I liked you much better with my pussy in your mouth.” I pushed her up against the counter, causing her breath to hitch in her throat. “Don’t make it my mission to have you again, Rhythm.”

“Wh-why are you doing this to me?” she whispered. “’Cause I love the way you cum for me. Don’t you think you deserve to cum like this?”

“Look at me, mama.” Her head dropped back down, and her eyes met mine. I licked my lips as I watched the pleasure dancing in her beautiful orbs. “There you go… That’s my good girl. Cum for me. Make that fucking mess.”

serious. I see why you let him hit.” I shook my head. His dick was something serious. The dick. The mouth. Those fingers.

“Dr. Baker, meet my grandson Channing.” My eyes widened as I looked up into the face of the very man I said I was going to avoid. He smirked as he realized who I was. Fuck. Me.

I’m just admiring her—” “Ass. You’re admiring her ass.” “It’s a nice ass, Grams.” “I can hear you,” Rhythm said over her shoulder as we turned the corner.

Honey, I used to love me some David Ruffin. In my mind, that was my husband, and I had to see my man. I snuck out and went to the concert anyway. I had the time of my life. It was worth being on punishment when I got caught sneaking back in.”

“It’s all about making sure she’s comfortable. She may have dementia, but she can still have meaningful experiences. Everybody loves a good meal. Take her out. Engage her in conversation about the meal, reminisce about past dining experiences, or talk about the different flavors and textures of the food. It’ll keep her focused and make the outing more pleasant. Just because she’s sick doesn’t mean you have to treat her like she’s sick.”

She’s one of my favorite clients. She reminds me a lot of my grandmother back home.” “So she’s sassy as a muthafucka too?” She laughed. “Very.” She looked up at me, the smile still on her face. “You should bring her again. Give your mom a break.” “What? You like seeing my face?” She playfully rolled her eyes. “Boy, bye.” I chuckled. “Nah, for real. I can do that. It was nice spending time with you and getting to know you a little.”

it his mission to spend all his free time with his family.” “As he should. A man that doesn’t prioritize taking care of his family ain’t a man at all.” “So that means I expect you to be a good husband when you get married. Don’t let us revisit this conversation.” He chuckled. “I’ll be a great husband, both active and attentive. I told you, there’s more to me than just good dick.”

“You realize that you don’t have to accept the versions of people who no longer align with who you are, right? People change and grow at different paces. Sometimes you outgrow them, even if you love them. Don’t get so comfortable having people in your life that you don’t know when it’s time to remove them.”

You seem like a good girl. Seeing you with my grams today… I guess I kinda see you in a different light, one that doesn’t involve you face down, ass up, or on top of a counter cumming for me… though I rather enjoy that.” “I bet you do.” He chuckled. “I like your vibe.”

I’m not the type of nigga that waits for somebody to tell me I can have something. If I want it, I get it. So yo’ nigga is just gon’ have to take his L in good stride ’cause I want you.”

asked curiously. “Everything he can’t. I’ma let you sit on that though.” I was quiet for a moment. In plain English, he told me I was going to be his, even if he had to snatch me from another man. “Are you coming to this album release?” he asked. “I don’t know. I’m on the fence about it.”

You can look out, but nobody can look in. I’ll get you a space, and you won’t even have to see that nigga. I wanna see you.” “You can’t see me outside of the party?” “I can and I will. But I wanna see you then, too.”

“Thank you kindly,” I said, striking a pose for her. “You think this will get me laid?” She slapped my arm. “Boy, stop it!” I chuckled. “I’m joking.” “I bet you are,”

She gave me a side-eye but didn’t say anything, letting me know that she was gonna do whatever the fuck she wanted. I kissed her cheek and then my mama’s. “I love y’all.” “We love you too,” Mama said. “Have a good night.” “Oh, I will.”

“Hey,” she said, looking up at me with innocent eyes. “Hey, baby.”

her own dog food seasoning and all.” She laughed. “Oh, she’s bougie.” “She definitely thinks she’s a princess.” “If you’re this kind of dog dad, I can only imagine you with kids.” “My kids will absolutely be spoiled, especially if I have a daughter.” “With you taking care of your mom and grandma, I can see your daughter having you wrapped around her finger. All she’ll have to do is bat those eyelashes, and you’ll be a total sucker.”