“Yeah,” she admits, twisting her hands.
“You’ll do great, you’re a natural. I reach over and squeeze her hand and she smiles warmly.
“I’m glad you’re the one here with me, Nathan.”
My heart’s pounding when our category finally comes up, and two actors start announcing the nominees. When they announce Danny Deletes as the winner, Brooke looks over at me beaming and as we rise out of our seats, I give her a big hug. I don’t sit back down until I know she is safely down the aisle and up the stairs to the stage.
She looks amazingly composed considering that I felt her trembling when I hugged her. Damn, she’s beautiful. I’m so mesmerized watching her that I don’t clearly hear her speech at first, something about accepting for the artist that created the show. But right before she ends, it seems like she’s searching for me in the audience. Her words cut right through me.
“This is for the animation artists who quietly put their hearts and souls into their work to create magic for us all. I’m honored to be a part of their world.”
I take a sharp breath and fall back against my seat. I can’t believe the way she makes me feel. Every time I think it isn’t possible that she could do or say anything to make me love her more, she proves me wrong.
She gives me a shy smile as she settles back into her seat. I lean in closer to her.
“Congratulations, Brooke. You were amazing up there.”
“Thanks. I think your Starbucks cup drawing brought me good luck.”
I smile warmly at her and whisper, “And just for the record, I’m honored to be part of your world.”
Luckily the hair guy, Bradley, had warned me how boring award ceremonies can get, so I came prepared. Well into the second hour, I pull out my mini-sketch pad and pencil and start drawing little caricatures for Brooke of the different people that we see on stage. She almost laughs out loud at the one of Ellen DeGeneres dancing with one of the guys from Glee.
When the ceremony torture is over we head over to the Governor’s Ball for what appears to be formal dinner torture. Even though Arnold’s an ass for abandoning Brooke, I’m starting to see why he didn’t mind missing this endless event and all the industry small talk required. Everyone is standing around having cocktails, so I leave Brooke with some people from Disney Animation to go get us drinks at the bar.
When I finally get back there’s some good looking guy standing too close to Brooke and handing her his card. I grip my drink so hard I’m lucky the glass doesn’t shatter. As I step up he looks at me and takes his cue.
“Okay Brooke, call me next week and we’ll have lunch.”
I wish I were one of those guys who could just haul off and punch him, instead I watch him walk away.
“Who’s that?” I ask carefully.
“Richard’s from Disney. He says he wants to meet with me about a potential joint project between the studios for charity.” She glances at me, watching to see my reaction. I can tell she isn’t completely convinced of his motives either.
“Yeah, I bet he wants to meet with you. Are you going to go?” I hand her the drink.
“I don’t know.”
I feel a wave of nausea wash over me. It’s one thing to know she’s with Arnold, but if she starts seeing another man too, I know I won’t be able to handle it. But before anything can get even more tense and awkward, Gene from Nickelodeon joins us and the industry banter starts up again. I just want to get the hell out of here.
When it is time to be seated Brooke looks at me and seems to sense that I’m at the end of my rope.
“Hey, are you all right?”
I nod, not wanting to reveal the jealous beast that is burning inside of me.
She takes my hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
“Are you sure? What about the people you should be talking to?”
“I don’t care about that. I’ve done my bit. Let’s go get a burger.” She grins and my heart soars. I whip out my cell phone and call our driver.
Once in the limo we crack open the chilled champagne and clink glasses before settling back into our seats. Due to traffic and construction it’s a slow drive back, so by the time we get to In-N-Out we’re already buzzed.
There’s nothing like the vision of Brooke in her evening gown, perched in a plastic seat, waiting for me to bring her a Double-Double, animal style. The Emmy sits grandly on the Formica-topped table. I can only imagine what the other diners think of us, but I don’t care.
I undo my tie and the top few buttons of my dress shirt so I can breath. We laugh as we eat, her doing goofy impressions of the speeches while I draw the corresponding caricatures in my little sketchpad. More than once she takes a napkin and wipes the ketchup off my chin. This is how I like my Brooke. This is how we should always be.
We’re even more boisterous in the limo ride back to her house. We finish off the champagne and put our feet up so we are practically lying down. I open up the skylight so we can look at the stars. Something about the vastness of the night sky makes me feel like anything is possible.
When we reach her house I sign for the driver and walk her to the door.
“Thanks for letting me take you Brooke…” I start, hopeful that this isn’t goodbye.
“You’re not leaving yet!” she laughs as she takes my hand and drags me in. “I have some wine open in the fridge.”
Yes! I follow as she pulls me along.
She hands me the bottle while she grabs two glasses and we head back to the living room. I notice she’s walking a little funny.
“Are you okay?” I slide off my jacket and drop it over the edge of a chair.
“Yeah, it’s just my feet are killing me. I can’t wait to get these shoes off.” She lowers herself onto the couch as I uncork the bottle and pour the wine. I hand her a glass and watch her lips skim the edge as she takes a sip.
“We need some music,” she suggests as she settles against the cushions. “Do you have your iPod with you? I don’t want to get up and look for mine.”
I nod slowly. “Yeah, but I’m not sure there’s anything you’d want to listen to on my playlists.”
“Don’t be so sure, handsome. Here, let me see,” she teases as she reaches towards me.
I remove my iPod from the inside pocket of my jacket, then hand it to her. “Be gentle,” I implore.
She takes another sip as he skims the many playlists. She grins widely and looks up at me. “The Carl Stalling Project? You have Looney Tunes music on your iPod!”
“Yes,” I admit, my cheeks turning red. “I think it’s cool. Stalling was brilliant.”
“It is cool,” she agrees. “But that’s not the mood I’m looking for.” Her eyes light up as she makes a different choice and then hands it back to me. She gives me a coy look with one eyebrow raised. “Very interesting playlists.”
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“The dock’s right there.” She points to a small table next to the wall.
I smile and take the iPod back and set it in the dock, without looking to see her choice. The sounds of Marvin Gaye’s, Let’s Get it On fills the room. I freeze, horrified realizing that she found an old playlist titled Make-out Music which I had made when I thought I still had a sexual chance with Rachel. Damn! Why hadn’t I deleted it?
My mind races wondering how I can explain this to Brooke, but I look up and she’s smiling and seems inspired. The buzz from the champagne probably isn’t hurting my cause either. Don’t be an idiot Nathan; she chose that playlist after all. It occurs to me to calm down and just go with it, so I give her an awkward smile back.
She sips her wine and then lifts her leg up and twists her ankle. “Help,” she implores.
“So…you really need my help?” I’m teasing her so she teases back, making it sound so damn sexy.
“Badly,” she suggests.
I step closer and lower myself to my knees in front of her.
The sound of her voice and the look in her eyes does something to
me. I slide my hands around her ankles and rub my thumbs back and forth along her insteps. “Can I take these off for you?”
“Please,” she whispers.
I carefully unhook the first delicate strap and then pull it open, before slowly easing it off her foot. I know that she thinks I will merely move onto the other shoe, but I start massaging her gently.
She moans softly. “Oh, that feels so good.”
I smile and look down. Even her feet are perfect.
“Nathan?”
“Uh, huh?” I’m focused on her toes with their little painted toenails.
“I love your haircut. I especially love that he left some of that messy part on top; it’s just enough to pull on.” She reaches forward and winds her fingers in my hair, pulling gently.
If I wasn’t completely turned on a moment ago, I certainly am now.
“You cut your hair for me, for tonight…didn’t you?”
I nod, and shyly look up at her. Part of me doesn’t want that information to make her uncomfortable, the other part wants her to know that I would do anything for her.
“You look so damn sexy in that tux. Will you wear it again for me sometime?”
“Whenever you want,” I murmur as I caress her soft skin just above her ankle. I reach over and start to undo the other sandal.
“You know, Nathan, when the time comes I’m going to have a really hard time sharing you with another girl.”
Oh Brooke, you didn’t just say that, did you? I can’t help but look at her shocked.
She must take my expression the wrong way because her expression falls.
“Oh, but of course. You’re nothing like Arnauld. You probably couldn’t be with more than one woman at a time. Could you?”
“No, I wouldn’t want to be.” I state firmly before I think how she will react.
She nods as she watches me touch her. With one hand tenderly massaging the ball of her foot, the other runs up her calf, each stroke just a little higher.
She closes her eyes and moans again. I notice her legs pull further apart, just slightly, yet the suggestion is there. She lifts the hem of her dress up higher. I’m so excited I can barely breathe.
I picture kissing her between her legs and desire rips through me.
Oh Brooke, can I? Please…please…
Marvin Gaye’s seductive voice in the background is encouraging me to make my move and get it on with Brooke. When he sings how he’s held back the feeling for so long I shake my head knowingly. I also know I may never have this opportunity again.
My hands are now stroking each calf evenly and I take a deep breath and stop at her knees. I’m empowered, sensing the spirit of Marvin is with me. My fingers press into the soft skin, gently parting her legs far enough for me to fit in between. She opens her eyes just as I lean down and begin kissing her on the inside of her thigh, just above her knee.
Her sigh is ragged and wanting as I lower myself even closer. It gives me hope that she’ll let me pleasure her this intimate way. Rachel always said this was something I was truly great at. Now if I don’t get too nervous and fumble, it will be Brooke’s turn to find out why.
Animate Me / Chapter Fourteen / A School-Night Sleepover
“Ooh, what does this button do?” ~Dee Deexiii
“Nathan,” she moans. “What’re you doing?”
I’m slowly trailing kisses up her inner thighs. I look up at her and smile, hoping she’ll go along with my plan.
“It’s a surprise,” I tease as I run my fingertips higher and higher.
“I like surprises,” she says softly as she edges her skirt up, her legs easing further apart.
Her skin is unbelievably soft; I savor every inch of sweetness as my lips feather over her. I’m intoxicated with the idea of having my tongue against her. It’s making me so excited that I struggle to stay calm. When my fingers finally stroke along the silk of her panties, she moans.
“I really, really like surprises,” she whispers.
She isn’t resisting at all. If anything, I can feel how much she wants this. It’s an unbelievable rush. I feel like Superman would if Lois had her thighs spread open for him.
I love the idea of Brooke’s delicate panties just disintegrating in my superhero hands, but instead I carefully loop my fingers under the lace that runs across her hips and gently pull down. She lifts up to help me, and we work together until she is bare—and I mean completely bare. I almost pass out with excitement when I see that she’s perfectly smooth between her legs. This is new territory for me that I’ve dreamed of navigating. I hope that I can live up to her expectations, since I already told her that this is something I’m really good at.
But once I start it all comes naturally because instinctively I want to please her more than anything. I quickly learn that the best part of exploring Brooke is how responsive she is. Her moans and whispers, along with the way she rocks gently against me tells me how good I’m making her feel. Every look and sigh is unbelievably motivating.
Do you have any idea what your reactions are doing to me Brooke?
I manage to resist the urge to unzip my trousers and get relief from the need to be touched. I have to resist, because this is all about Brooke…my chance to show her what my words cannot say.
I start out slow, my tongue, lips and fingers softly working over her. Every time she begins to accelerate I slow down. I can feel the building and then the easing back, and I want to push all of her sensations as far as I possibly can.
At one point she gets frisky as I do this particular thing with my tongue. All of a sudden she randomly cries out, “The dress!”
“The dress?” I question, pushing the fabric out of the way again, and lifting up to face her.
She’s panting. “It’s got to come off…now.”
She won’t get an argument from me. I lean back on my heels and rise, as she pushes off the couch and turns. My fingers work the zipper with astounding speed. Next thing I know the dress is off and then the bra.
Good God, she’s naked before me.
And before I even have time to think about it she’s kissing me, unfazed by the idea of where my mouth’s just been, or the fact that she’s naked and I’m still in my tux. It’s like some James Bond movie.
My hands roam over every curve while we kiss: the swell of her hips, her soft breasts and her nipples tight with arousal. I discover a tiny dimple just above her bottom and I softly run my finger across it. Meanwhile I’m burning up with the sensation of her pressed against me. I can’t believe the way she’s kissing me…my God, I’ve never imagined kissing could be like this.
When we pull away, I gasp for breath, then stutter, “I-I-I’m not done.”
“No, you’re not,” she grins, as she eases back down on the couch, her legs falling open as she pulls me down.
Again on my knees, I slide my hands under her bottom and pull her closer. She is warm and wet, pink and soft, a landscape to wander with my tongue as my fingers push into her. Every part of her is beautiful.
“Do you know how incredible you’re making me feel?” she asks, her fingers weaving through my hair.
Her words give me the confidence that sexually I could be good for her. I’ve never felt like this before with anyone—not even close.
Inspired, I rise up higher to kiss her again. This time I’m more assertive, my arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her into me. Working my way down her neck, I take my time with her breasts before finally settling back between her legs. Within moments I’m lost in her again. I never want to leave.
“Oh, God,” she groans. “You’re amazing…ahhh…” She tugs on my hair, pulling me closer as her legs wrap around me.
Just about then it hits me: I’m on my knees, between her legs, about to make Brooke orgasm with my outstanding oral skills. It’s almost too good to be true. This event will always be noted as one of the most satisfying accomplishments of my life. I groan loudly with pleasure and this seems to be the spark lighting her fuse.
Her power’s astounding as she starts to climax, her fingers digging into my shoulders as her hips thrust forward. She’s all passion and fire, more woman than I could’ve ever hoped for… a lit rocket, soaring past me into the dark night.
When her cries subside, I pull back and gently rub her knees, waiting for her to catch her breath. Her eyes are glassy, and her skin’s flushed.
“Are you okay?” I ask, starting to worry a bit. She looks disoriented.
She laughs, and then as if talking to herself, asks, “Am I okay?”
“Brooke?” I ask again, hoping she can focus.
“Oh, Nathan…whatever am I going to do with you—Mister, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“Do with me?”
But before she can answer, she pulls a throw blanket over her shoulders, slides off the couch and joins me on the floor.
“Were you really as into that as you seemed?” she asks as she leans her head back on the cushions watching me.
“Yes,” I reply, looking down, suddenly embarrassed.
“Wow…just wow.” She says happily.
She lifts my chin with her fingers, and looks me straight in the eyes. “You are wonderful,” she says softly.
I grin ear to ear as she reaches out and takes my hand.
“Are you still hard?” Her blanket is bunched between us; otherwise my situation would be so glaringly apparent that she wouldn’t need to ask.
“Are you kidding?” I groan, even more embarrassed.
“Show me,” she whispers.
Show me? Holy hell, what’s she going to do? I say a silent prayer to the oral sex Gods before I lift up and tentatively unzip my tuxedo trousers. While I fumble to push my pants and boxers down, she reaches over and wraps her hand around me. Oh my God. Please, please, Brooke, don’t let go.
“Oh wow,” she moans, studying me.
I gasp, watching her lick her lips, admiration in her eyes. I feel a surge of hope as she keeps touching me.
My head rolls back. “When you look at me and touch me like that…it makes me crazy. I swear, you’re going to make me come.”
She stills, her warm hand still holding me possessively.
“What do you want, Nathan?”
Animate Me Page 17
