Page 49 of Nothing Like Your Ex

“Babe, look at this,” she said, holding up a sculptural brass cabinet pull between her fingers. “This would look so good on the custom walnut vanity I showed you.”

Melo took it from her, turning the piece over in his hand before looking back at her. “You like this little thing?”

Kwinn giggled. “Yes. This one small detail may seem minor, but it can make an entire piece look like something or be bland as hell.”

Melo smirked. “Understood. You want ‘em?”

“Mhm. I’ll need about eight.”

“Do ya thang then. I’m just chilling, watching you ball out.”

Almost his height in her heels, Kwinn kissed his lips and hugged him around the waist. Pulling back, they stared at one another until Melo broke the silence seconds later.

“I love you, pretty girl.”

Kwinn blushed so hard. “I love you, too. Thank you, baby,” she said and kissed him again.

“Yeah, you better have said that shit with your chest. Make a nigga feel something,” he said, squeezing her booty with both hands.

Laughing, Kwinn wiggled out of his embrace. “Oh goodness. I don’ started something.”

“I’m glad you know that.”

Melo smiled as he watched her walk off, but he wasn’t too far away. Seeing Kwinn happy fulfilled a part of him he hadn’t realized was waiting to be filled. Melo’s list of things he was grateful for had her name on it, but he was going to double back and add it again, along with being grateful to be the one who made her smile.

Pulling out his phone, he snapped pictures of her, capturing one so breathtaking as she beamed his way. Melo couldn’t keep the masterpiece to himself. Outside of his interview, bloggers who posted pictures, and people close to them, no one really knew the deal between them except Kwinn and Melo.

Melo didn’t give a fuck about the public’s approval, how loud they were or weren’t rooting for them, or any outside validation. He shared the picture of her to his story because he wanted to show them the real. How his baby was living the absolute best life with a man who cherished and appreciated who the fuck she was as a woman.

Melo wasn’t about to pretend otherwise, especially after confessing his love. Clearly, Kwinn was feeling the same way. Since she hadn’t been on her phone for most of their trip, she had no clue Melo had shared the photo of her. Later that night, while they posed and kissed in front of the sparkling Eiffel Tower, Kwinn shared a story of her own. Only she added a cute caption and tagged Melo. As he’d done during his interview, Kwinn stamped him, too.

& I’ma always choose you , the caption read.

Melo re-shared it, and of course, by the time people started their day, the image was posted everywhere. There was no more questioning whether Melo and Kwinn were a thing. They’d made it abundantly clear and hoped those who had trouble seeing now got the picture.

CHAPTER 13

In all of his thirty-plus years of birthdays, Melo couldn’t recall one where he felt so much at peace. The others hadn’t been bad, but not many of them held a candle to today. With no definite plans but to chill for the day until his dinner later tonight, Melo woke up not expecting much. Not because he thought he wasn’t getting anything, but because he’d told everyone that he simply just wanted to relax. He could do that, but unbeknownst to him, Kwinn had gone all out decorating the dining room with red, black, and silver decor.

She would’ve jazzed up the bedroom, but Melo was knocked out inside his king-sized bed, catching good Z’s. Kwinn and his assistant, Nyla, tried to be as quiet as possible as they hung balloons, pinned streamers, and transformed the dining room and kitchen. Some balloons floated, others were weighed down, and a red happy birthday balloon banner with the number thirty-eight, along with some shaped like hearts, made it feel like a true celebration.

Kwinn’s favorite part of the decor was the pictures she’d gathered of Melo throughout his thirty-eight years of life. She printed them on Polaroids and stuck them around the room. Of course, she included herself in a few. Even though she was a new person in his life, she was just as important to Melo as people he’d known for years.

When he woke up, Kwinn had his breakfast hot and ready for him. Being the person she is, she’d gone all out, draping the massive island with a black cloth and placing the food in circular warmers. She’d had it set up as if it were catered, but it hadn’t been. Kwinn got in that kitchen and whipped it up for her man.

Melo was all smiles when he finally made his way downstairs. Kwinn had a mimosa waiting for him, knowing he’d appreciate the little buzz she claimed he’d have since she mixed hers with premium tequila. While they ate and talked, Melo answered calls and responded to texts before she gave him his gifts.

Unsure of what to get a man who seemingly had everything, Kwinn bought him things she figured he needed or would like. First on the list was a black Rimowa trunk with a custom luggage tag. Then came multiple Louis Vuitton boxes containing beanies and clothes. Another gift bag held bottles of cologne, more clothes she’d been collecting, two candles since he loved the ones at her place, pairs of shoes, a fitted KC hat, hand soap from FROHE, and she made him a personal-sized lemon cake with a card on the side.

Melo was damn near brought to tears. It felt good to be loved and celebrated to this magnitude from a woman who actually gave a fuck about him. His family and friends, of course, showed their love, but having Kwinn there to bring in this new year of life was extra special. Probably just as special, if not more, as it was watching her ride him. They’d ventured to the living room after one too many drinks and were bringing in his birthday just how he liked it.

“Look at me while you ride this dick.” Melo’s raspy voice was almost missed over the music playing, but Kwinn heard him.

Her sexy moans meshed flawlessly with Pleasure P’s crooning as Walk Different by him and C-Ride floated through the surround sound system. With a sickening arch in her back and pussy dripping down his pole, Kwinn rode his dick like it was going out of style. Looking over her shoulder, she caught a chill at the sight of him…of them and the love they were making. Her eyes clouded with pure bliss as they rolled. Sexing her man had become a part of her routine—penciled in on her personal calendar. Sometimes, she’d get one or two dick downs a day, and they surely kept her attitude away.

“Ooooh, fuck baby,” she whimpered as he smacked and gripped her ass.

Melo’s toes curled as he watched her with hooded eyes. She was taking his dick like a pro, smoothly gliding up and down as if she owned it. And she did. Kwinn got in a flow state, bouncing faster and harder. Grabbing her hands, Melo held her wrists as his pelvis lifted from the ground. He was delivering strokes so lethal, Kwinn could hardly breathe.