Something Sweet
Brady walked into Belle's room, wearing a sky blue bathrobe over his pajamas. The blue in his robe made his eyes seem clearer and more sparkly. The combination of the robe, his cow-licked hair, and that crooked smile made Chloe's neck hot.
Mi: Well, look who's up. It's Hef!
Br: How you're doing, Meems?
Mi: (flirty) Can't complain. I thought you were hibernating today. Did Belle and I keep you up?
Br: (looking at Chloe) Oh, no. For some reason, your 'rap session' was very beneficial to me.
Mi: In what way?
Br: (looking at Mimi) Well, since Marlena didn't want to disturb the 'meeting of the minds', I got first dibs on this candy. Do you want some?
Mi: No thanks. I'm on a diet.
Chloe turned away from Mimi and Brady. He smiled as he walked past Mimi, toward Chloe.
Br: (standing behind her) Chloe, would you like a kiss?
Ch: (turning around, flushed) Excuse me?
Br: (smiling) Would you like a kiss?
Brady smiled as he opened his hand and offered her a selection of foil-wrapped candy. She looked at the candy and raised her eyes to him.
Br: (lips curled) Do you want a kiss or not?
Ch: (nervous) No… no thank you.
Br: Well, suit yourself. (eyes sparkling) Me personally, I can't get enough kisses. (walking toward the door) If you change your mind, come to my bedroom. There's plenty, if you want to indulge your sweet tooth.
Ch: (to herself) That son of a… (to Brady) Brady, wait a minute. I've changed my mind.
Br: (turning to her) Oh, really?
Ch: Yeah, I'll take a kiss.
Mi: (annoyed) Sheesh. All this drama for a piece of candy.
Brady watched as Mimi walked out of the room. He went to Chloe and opened his hand to offer her a piece of candy. She used her finger to carefully sort them. There were instances when she didn't brush away a morsel, but was, instead, gently tickling his palm.
Ch: (teeth clenched) What the hell do you think you're doing?
Br: (smirking) I'm spreading joy to young women with a sweet tooth.
Ch: (glaring) I have a sweet tooth. Do I look like I'm happy to see you?
Br: (smirking) Uh huh.
Ch: Right now, I hate you so much…
Br: Only, you don't.
Ch: How old are you?
Br: Old enough.
Ch: You think you're so cute?
Br: No, you think I'm so cute.
Ch: (flustered) Will you just go?
Br: Sure, as soon as you take your kiss.
Ch: (glaring) Okay.
She took a piece of candy, slowly unwrapping it. She placed the morsel on her tongue, closing her eyes as she savored it. Brady was transfixed as she relished the sensation. His jaw dropped when she licked her lips. Her lips curled as the color left his face. He turned to see if Mimi had returned. She wasn't there so he placed his hand on Chloe's waist and pulled her closer to him. She stepped away from him, balled up the wrapper and placed it in his robe pocket.
Ch: (looking in his eyes) A lesson learned. I get to you, as much as you get to me. (patting his pocket) Thank you for the kiss.
Brady watched as she walked away from him.
Ch: (flirty) You know, I'm a little ashamed of you. Falling for that cheap trick.
Br: Hey, I'm only human, and you have no idea how sexy that was… and how sexy you are.
Ch: (smiling) Yeah right.
Br: (turning her around) Yeah right.
They smiled at each other.
Ch: So… (looking at him) what's the deal with the robe?
Br: (looking down at it) Um… (slyly) Nothing.
Ch: (sardonically) What? Do you think I'm going to attack the body beautiful?
Br: (pretending to think) Uh… (looking at her, smiling) No.
Ch: (sarcastically) Afraid of scaring Belle's 'teenybopper' friends, with the awesomeness of your body?
Br: (annoyed) No.
Ch: Then why?
Br: Practicality.
Ch: (puzzled) Huh?
Brady untied his robe, slid it off his left shoulder, revealing a large, red hickey.
Ch: (gasping) I didn't do that.
Br: (slyly) Um… yes, you did.
Ch: (incredulous) No… (wanting to touch it)
Br: (defensive) What… you think I went behind your back, got a vacuum cleaner and… (feigning indignation) This is yours and you're taking responsibility for it. (face softening) Isn't it cute? (beginning to laugh) It was made from our love…
Chloe bit her lip, trying not to laugh, but Brady was already gone. His chuckled, peppered with snorts, made her lose it. She rested her head on his chest, trying to collect herself.
Ch: (through her laugh) B… (hugging him) what am I going to do with you?
Br: (whispering) You know the answer to that.
He looked down at her, inching closer to her neck. She felt his breath on her neck and felt weak. If his lips touched her neck, she knew it would be over.
Mi: (from the hallway) Brady…
They pulled away from each other. Chloe looked at his bare shoulder.
Ch: (mortified) Oh, God! (looking at his shoulder) Put it back on.
Br: (smiling) No.
Ch: Do it before Belle and Mimi come back.
Br: (shaking his head) Uh-uh.
Mi: (from the hall) On second thought, I want some candy too.
Ch: (fuming) God… how old are you?
Br: (grinning) Why do you keep asking me that?
Exasperated, Chloe pulled the robe back on his shoulder. Glancing at the doorway, she frantically grabbed the belt and hurriedly tied it, as he watched.
Ch: (angrily) If you pull another stunt like that, I'll never speak to you again.
He smiled at her.
Ch: Did you hear me?
Br: Uh huh.
She looked into his eyes.
Ch: Why are you looking at me like that?
Br: Because your threats won't work.
Ch: (defiant) Won't they?
Br: No. (whispering in her ear) Because you love dressing me, well, not as much you love undressing me.
He gave her a kiss on the cheek. Before she was lost in his kiss, she heard Mimi approaching the door. Chloe shoved Brady away and tried to get herself together.
Mi: (in the doorway) Didn't you hear me? Can I have some candy, Brady?
Br: (turning around) Um, sure. (opening his hand) Here.
Mi: (looking at him) Um, Brady. These candies are melted.
Br: (embarrassed) Oh. Sorry, Meems. I have some more in my room.
Mi: (flirty) Can I come too?
Br: Yeah, I guess.
Brady walked out of the room. Mimi followed him, smiling as she eyed him. As he entered his room, Mimi, mockingly, waited for his invitation to enter.
Br: (looking up) Come in, Mimi.
Mi: (smiling) Thank you.
She surveyed his room, noticing his trophies, his small collection of books, and scattered sheet music. While all of that were impressive, she headed straight to the centerpiece of the room: Brady's bed. She carefully sat on it as Brady poured the candy on his dresser. Mimi began to bounce on it.
Mi: (bouncing) Ooo… your bed is still toasty.
Brady slowly turned around and looked at a beaming Mimi.
Br: (uncomfortable) Yeah, I just got out of it.
Mi: (stilling bouncing) So, what kind of candy do you have?
Br: It looks like… chocolate, caramels, toffees, truffles…
Mi: (bouncing) That sounds…
The sound of the bouncing bed springs stopped.
Br: (turning around) So, Mimi, what would you like?
Mi: (slowly standing up) Everything sounded so good, I can't pick.
Br: Well… take one of each.
Mi: (moving to the door) No, I don't want to be greedy.
Br: There's plenty.
Mi: (backing away) No… no thank you.
Br: (puzzled) Well, suit yourself.
Mi: Um, I'll see you later.
Br: Okay.
Mimi hastily retreated from his room, heading to Belle's. Chloe was lying on Belle's bed, staring at the ceiling. Mimi stepped inside, slamming the door behind her, using her foot. The loud slam sat Chloe up.
Mi: (livid) You bitch!
Ch: (glaring at Mimi) Okay, what did I do now?
Mimi glowered at Chloe.
Ch: What? Four months weren't enough to solidify your friendship with Belle?
Mimi walked over to Chloe.
Ch: I'm sorry, Meems. I'm back. And if your friendship with Belle can't withstand my presence… Why are you looking at me like that?
Mimi moved her hand to Chloe's eye level. There were several strands of long brown hair between her pressed fingers.
Mi: (coolly) I found these in Brady's bed. So, Clinton, how are you going to talk your way out of this?