The Divine One
After several false starts, Chloe finally went upstairs. As she approached Belle's bedroom, she could hear Belle and Mimi gossiping about guys. She felt hesitant about knocking on the door, since she was about to cast a shadow on their conversation. Or, maybe, she didn't want to indulge in it, because the subject would change to Phillip. Knowing she couldn't face them yet, she walked to Brady's door and knocked softly. The door opened, just a crack, revealing a blue eye and the corner of an upturned mouth.
Ch: (whispering) I hope I didn't wake you.
Br: (whispering) You didn't. But what are you doing here and why are we whispering?
Ch: (whispering) Because I don't want them to know that I'm here, at least, not yet. I'm not ready to face them.
Br: (whispering) Well, would you like to come in and get your bearings?
Ch: (whispering) Please.
Brady opened the door. She came inside, as he carefully closed it. She noticed that Brady was freshly showered and shaved, dressed in a sleeveless T-shirt and light blue pajama bottoms. His hair was slightly damp and tousled, which made him look younger and surprisingly innocent.
Br: Would you like to sit or something?
Ch: (nervous) No, thank you.
Br: (uncomfortable) So… are you just going to stand there?
Ch: (nervous) No. Actually, can you play some music or something?
Br: Sure. What do you want to hear?
Ch: (reaching in her pocket) This.
She pulled out the Sarah Vaughan CD that he gave her. She walked over to his stereo and inserted the disc.
Br: (smiling) You actually listened to it?
Ch: Absolutely. Yesterday was devoted to listening to her. And you were right, Brady, I adore her.
Br: Is this turning into a listening party?
Ch: (laughing) No, I just need to calm down and her voice helps me. Is it okay…
Br: Go ahead.
Ch: Great. Oh… but Belle may hear us.
Br: No, she won't. This room is soundproof.
Ch: (taking off her coat) It is?
Br: It's necessary for the days when I feel like being Slash. So go ahead and play it.
Brady began to straighten his bed sheets. He fluffed his pillows as Chloe stood in front of the stereo, mulling over which track she wanted to play. He plopped himself onto his bed, shifting in it, attempting to make himself comfortable.
Ch: (looking at the CD cover) This one is my favorite.
Brady shifted in his bed. He turned his back to Chloe as he snuggled a pillow. She pressed the play button and waited. The sounds of an audience, the tinkling of the piano keys, and Sarah thanking the crowd permeated from the speakers. She turned around and smiled in Brady's direction. She strolled around his room, perusing his things, waiting for the Divine One to begin. Chloe couldn't contain her excitement. This particular performance will be a duet.
Ch: (singing softly, in a throaty tone)
The more…I… see you
The more… I want you
Chloe turned away from Brady and looked at his high school academic awards. Brady slowly rolled over and looked at her.
Ch:
Somehow this feeling
Just grows… and grows
As she sang, she looked at old newspaper clippings, from his jock days. She shook her head, laughing to herself as she looked at his exposed knees. Brady stared at her as she continued to look at his keepsakes. He listened to her carefully, as she sang to herself. He sensed something different in her voice, but found the sight of her, slowly swaying to the music, too distracting. Reluctantly, he closed his eyes, trying to concentrate on her voice and not on her.
Ch:
Can you imagine
How much… I love you…
She picked up the photo of him, his father, and his mother. She laughed to herself as she looked at that beautifully chubby, blond baby.
Ch:
The more I see you…
As years go by…
She touched the smiling baby's face.
I know the on…ly one for me
Can only be you
She placed the picture on the bureau. Brady opened his eyes, and slowly sat up. He watched her as she touched his grey hulk. He slowly stood up and walked toward her. She was standing in front of the stereo.
Ch:
My arms won't free you…
My heart won't try…
From the corner of her eye, she saw a hand pressing the pause button. She spun around, looking straight into his blue eyes.
Ch: (breathless) Oh, Brady. I'm sorry. I'm keeping you up, aren't I?
He nodded.
Ch: (nervous) I was really bad, huh?
He shook his head. She could feel the warmth of his body and was growing increasingly nervous. Never before has Brady looked at her, in that way. He gently stroked her cheek, studying her face, processing every aspect of it. Her body relaxed, as his hands traced her face. As he traced her lips with his thumb, she closed her eyes. She felt his hands on her neck. Slowly, she opened her eyes, looking into his, waiting for him to say something.
Br: (breathless) So beautiful.
Ch: (quietly) My singing?
Br: (breathless) That too.
Brady moved closer to her. Wide-eyed, Chloe lifted her chin, slightly, closing her eyes, in anticipation. She waited… and waited. Finally, she felt them, his soft lips lightly brushing against hers. Then, they were gone. She slowly opened her eyes. His lips grazed hers, again. She opened her mouth, slightly, anxious for more. He attempted to graze her lips, but she gently held on to him, lingering on his upper lip, delicately nibbling on his bottom lip, savoring him. He placed his hands on her waist, pulling her closer. She released his bottom lip, caressing his mouth with hers. She pressed herself against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. As his lips touched hers, she slightly sucked them, tickling them with her tongue. She held his face in her hands, pulling him closer. Brady paused, pulled away, and opened his eyes. He looked at Chloe as she opened hers.
Ch: (breathlessly looking at Brady) Oh, shit!
She pulled him to her, with such force, she rocked the hutch that held the stereo. They were kissing with such passion and intensity, they knocked over the CD carousel, scattering the Cds all over the floor. Chloe attempted to sit on the hutch, pushing the stereo to the wall. They looked in each other's eyes, waiting for someone, or something, to stop them. Nothing did. Chloe tenderly kissed his cheek, slowly moving down to his neck as he kissed her lovingly, caressing her back. As her lips moved to his shoulder and his hand touched the small of her back, they both jolted, as if they were singed and shivered, in relief, as if they were being healed. Instinctively, she wrapped her legs around him as he pulled her to him, cradling her luscious ass in his hands, while they kissed each other, frenziedly. She pulled off his T-shirt and threw it across the room. She began kissing his shoulders and his neck. He pressed himself against her, making her lean on the stereo, pressing the play button. As they ravaged each other, the Divine One serenaded them.
Sarah Vaughan:
Can…you…imagine
How… much I love you
Brady clasped the zipper of Chloe's sweatshirt with his teeth and slowly unzipped it.
S.V.:
The more I…see you…
As years go by… oh, by…
She arched her back, making her shirt open. He carefully slid the shirt off of her shoulders, exposing her cotton bra, decorated with tiny yellow flowers.
S.V.:
I know the only one for me…
The only one for me
Can only be you…
Chloe looked into his eyes and carefully got off of the hutch. She pushed down on his shoulders, wanting him to lie on the floor. He laid on the floor and she carefully straddled him. She took his face into her hands and pulled him in for a kiss.
S.V.:
My arms won't free you…
My arms won't free you…
My heart… won't… try…
He reclined, making her to lean forward. She straddled him tighter and rolled him on top of her, as the sound of cracking CD cases punctuated their movement. As he nibbled her lips, she caressed his chest, lingering on his six-pack. She moved her hands to his ass, slightly squeezing him. He tongued her belly-button, causing her to arch. She rolled him again, placing him on the floor, amid the sound of cracking CD cases.
Ch: (breathless) The bed, Brady.
Chloe got off of Brady and he moved toward his bed. Still looking at Chloe, he lifted himself onto the bed. She crawled toward him, positioned herself between his legs, licked his six pack, and squeezed his thighs. She moved up to his neck, nibbling and sucking as he reclined on the bed. She steadied herself on top of him, looking down at him. She took her hair in her hand and carefully twirled it. When her hair resembled a plait, she lowered her face to Brady's, tenderly kissing his waiting lips. As she indulged in his delicious kisses, she draped the plait over his head. As they kissed, the plait loosened, causing her hair to cascade across the bed. As she kissed down his chest, he was treated to an erotic hair tickle.
Br: (breathless) Oh… my… God!
Chloe got off of him, causing him to sit up. She moved to the head of the bed and laid down. He crawled to her and hovered over her. She caressed his flushed cheek, smiling at him.
Ch: (breathless) Brady, I know that this is a stupid question… (kissing him) but what just happened?
Br: (lingering on her lips) Hey, Diva. (breathless) I was going to ask you the same thing.
Ch: (nibbling his lips) Whatever this is, let's see this through, okay?
Br: (smiling) Okay.
Chloe pulled Brady to her. He shifted himself, so he wouldn't crush her. She began to kiss him tenderly, caressing his back. Her hands wandered to his pajama bottoms, where she began to tug at them.
Ch: (breathless) Are you sure this room is soundproof?
Br: (nibbling on her neck) Uh huh.
She continued to pull at his pajamas as he moved her right bra strap down her arm. She turned to Brady, placed her hands on his head, gave him a devilish smile and guided him to her chest. He kissed her breastbone as he moved lower and lower…
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Brady and Chloe froze.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Chloe covered her mouth, in embarrassment, and looked up at Brady. He looked down at her and carefully rose from her. She rolled off of the bed, searching for her coat. He surveyed his room, looking at his CD collection scattered all over his floor, his stereo teetering on its hutch, his bed dressings, crumpled on the floor. But he couldn't keep his mind off the raven-haired Diva, with eyes of topaz blue, scrambling to get herself together. He gestured her to stay put. Flustered, she went into the closet. Brady took a deep breath and walked to the door and cracked it. She saw Marlena standing there.
Br: (surprised) Marlena.
Ma: I hope I didn't disturb you.
Br: (glancing at the closet) Uh… no. What is it?
Ma: Today, you're going to get something you haven't had, since you returned from college.
Brady glanced at his closet, then looked at Marlena.
Ma: Look what I have for you… (shaking a bag in his face) candy.
Br: (hesitantly) Oh.
Ma: Oh? These are your favorites…
Br: Yeah…
Ma: Oh, I know what's going on.
Br: (coolly) Do you?
Ma: Yeah, you're still upset about me being in your room earlier…
Br: (relieved) No, I'm not.
Ma: Well, what's wrong?
Br: Nothing.
Ma: Yes there is. (looking at his face) Your face.
Br: (rubbing it) What about my face?
Ma: It really flushed. Are you hot or something?
Br: Maybe a little.
Ma: (touching his forehead) You feel feverish.
Br: (removing her hand) I promise you… I'm not.
Ma: Not in the mood for mothering, are you?
Br: (glancing at the closet) No, I'm not.
Ma: (resigned) Okay. (touching his cheek) Try to get some rest, sweetie. (turning away) Hmm…
Br: (nervous) What, Marlena?
Ma: I was just thinking… your father gets that look in his eye… around bedtime. (smiling) Well, I'll leave you alone.
Marlena walked away. Brady closed the door and looked at the closet. He walked to the closet and knocked softly. The door slowly opened. Avoiding eye contact, Chloe walked out of the closet, heading straight for the door. She peeked out and quietly exited. He stood there, devastated. He turned around and looked at his room, trying to remember every detail of it, for the mess was a reminder of her. He used his foot to move the CDs and clear a spot on the floor. As he sat down, he cursed himself for losing control, with her, so soon. He chuckled to himself about how ironic it was that the same day he found out she's survived leukemia, he lost her anyway. He was awaken from his thoughts by the sound of clacking plastic. He looked over and saw Chloe, crawling on the floor, picking up his CDs. Her hair veiled her face as she collected them. Brady reached over and gently brushed the hair from her eyes. She stopped and looked at him.
Br: (quietly) You don't have to do this. I can take care of this. (trying to smile) You can go.
Brady began to pick up the CDs around him. He heard the sound of rapid clacking and saw her quickly picking them up. Defeated, he let her help him. He crawled toward the door and sat there, pretending to put his CDs in order. Chloe crawled over to him, reached across his lap, and grabbed some CDs. He tried not to look at her backside or feel her warmth across lap, but he couldn't help himself. He then noticed her shoving the CDs away. She turned over, facing him, draping herself across his lap. He watched her as she made herself comfortable. She looked up at him, watching as his eyes sparkled. She gave him a kittenish grin. Then, she looked down at her sweatshirt. She could see her cleavage and had no doubt that he could too. She grabbed his hand, guiding it to her zipper. Looking at him, she guided his hand and the zipper toward her neck. They snickered, hugging each other. She buried her head in his chest, trying to catch her breath. He looked at her and she slowly sat up.
Ch: (eyes sparkling) Come here…
She pulled him into a kiss as she kicked the door shut.