“Yes, I am and guess what?”

“What?” I ask.

“I told my friend Jenn all about us. I think I bored her. I couldn’t stop talking about you.”

“What’d you tell her?”

“That you’re the kindest, sexiest, most talented, loving, brilliant man I’ve ever known. I also told her you’re an awesome kisser.”

“Just kisser?” I ask, teasing her, since I’m already flying high with the “sexiest” comment.

“Alright, I didn’t want to be crude, but after a few lemon martinis I told her you were the best lover I’d ever had, and that I’m madly in love with you.”

Best lover ever? I can’t help being skeptical, but I sense she means it. Maybe it’s because she’s never made love to someone who adores her as completely as I do.

“Wow, you should have drinks with her more often if these are the reports I get back. What did she say to all of that?”

“She was rather shocked. She never thought I would fall for someone this hard.”

“Not even when you were with Arnold?”

“Who’s Arnold?” she asks playfully.

I know she’s kidding, but she has no idea what those two words do to me.

Yes, who the hell is Arnold?

It reminds me of that Looney Tunes cartoon where Daffy is Duck Twacy and Eraser man tries to “rub him out” by erasing the crazy duck away completely. I’m going to get Brooke a big-ass eraser and together we will rub Arnold right off our page. With one careless sweep of my hand, his little, pathetic eraser crumbs will tumble to the floor.

“So did you really tell her that I was the best lover you’ve ever had?”

“Yes, handsome. And I meant it.”

I swallow and take a deep breath.

“Brooke, I just want you to know that I’m really wanting to drive you wild right now.”

There’s a long pause.

“How wild?” she finally asks, all breathy and hot.

“Really, really wild. I know it’s late, but can I come over?” I try not to not be too pushy, but there’s definitely urgency in my voice.

“How fast can you get here?” she asks. She sounds urgent too.

“Really, really fast,”

“Well then…Go Speed Racer, go,” she chants into the phone.

The spirit of Speed Racer’s with me as I fire up my Mini-Cooper, Mach 5. I race through the streets of Burbank knowing the sooner I get to her place, the sooner she’ll be in my arms. Tonight I will make wild Speed Racer love to my Trixie-Brooke. I sing the theme song at the top of my lungs, all the way back up that hill.

“Go Speed Racer, go Speed Racer…go Speed Racer, goooooooo!”

Animate Me / Chapter Twenty-Two / Indy Gets His Princess

“The choice to lead an ordinary life is no longer an option.” ~ Kevin Parker^xxi

“When I was a kid I saved my allowance to buy a vintage Speed Racer slot car set.” I grin as she takes a sip from her Speed Racer-styled Starbucks cup. In the drawing she’s driving his Mach 5 racing car and has left tracks where she’s raced round and round her cup.

“You’re such a guy, Nathan.” She laughs.

“And aren’t you glad,” I tease back.

“Are you still coming over tonight, Indiana Jones? I noticed you haven’t shaved.”

“Hell yes,” I reply, thinking about my costume and props laid out on my bed.

“And you’re sure you want to see Wonder Woman tonight?” she asks.

“Brooke…” I state categorically. “Do you really think I would pass up a chance to see you dressed as Wonder Woman?” I fold my arms over my chest, and shake my head in mock disbelief. “Really woman, I thought you knew me better than that.”

She laughs and throws her hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay…the little blue panties and red bustier will make an appearance tonight exclusively for you…seven o’clock sharp!”

As I head out of Brooke’s office Morgan calls me over.

“Nathan?”

I stop in my tracks, and turn back towards her desk.

“Yeah, Morgan?” I ask, smiling. But I’m always smiling when I’ve just seen Brooke.

“I don’t know what in the hell you’ve been doing…sprinkling fairy dust in her macchiatos, or whatever…but do me a favor?”

“Anything…just name it.”

“Please, just keep it up. I’ve never, ever, seen her so happy.”

I grin widely. “Really?” I can’t help asking.

“Yes, really,” she offers, smiling.

“It’s a deal,” I agree.

Her expression becomes serious. “You know you’ll need to be careful when Arnauld comes back. So if I can help in any way…well, I just want you to know that I’ve got your back.”

Even though she bursts my bubble, reminding me about the monkey’s highly anticipated return, I’m very touched by her sentiment.

“Thanks, Morgan. That means a lot to me.”

She nods.

“And if I can ever do something for you, will you let me know?”

“Sure thing. But no bullshit…Brooke’s the best boss I’ve ever had by far, so it makes me happy to see her this happy.”

• • •

After work I head home and get my costume together for my big date with Wonder Woman. When I finally pull the hat on my head and look in the mirror, I have to smile and admit to myself that I look pretty good. The look is right, but that’s only part of the effect. So all the way up the winding road to Brooke’s I give myself a pep talk to get in character for my girl.

I am the man…I am Indiana Jones!

The sun is low in the sky as I stride up to my Wonder Woman waiting in her home’s open doorway. It takes my complete focus to maintain my Indiana Jones bravado when all I want to do is stop and bask in her super hero glory. From her majestic gold headpiece, all the way down to her sexy boots, she is everything I’d hoped for and more. With great concentration I manage to carry off my swagger as I move close to her.

“Hey, Wonder Woman,” I say in a low voice, tipping my hat. “You’re looking mighty fine.”

Wow, the way she’s looking at me…it’s kind of wild…

“Indiana,” she says in a low seductive voice. “I always knew someday you’d come walking back through my door.” She reaches out and runs her fingers along the edge of my shirt. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you.”

Hot damn.

There’s so much pent up desire fueled by our private fantasies that between the flush moving across her chest, and the way she’s gazing at me, I can tell she’s excited already. I sweep her into my arms and kiss her with everything I’ve got. My hat falls off my head and tumbles to the ground. Moments later, we’re grinding together against her door jamb, not even caring who might pass by and see us. At this point I just want to make love to her until she sees stars.

When I grope her breast over her costume, and bite her neck, she gasps, “Let’s go inside.” I kick the door wide open and carry her towards her living room. I feel this unbelievable surge of adrenaline…I am Indiana Jones, sweaty and rugged, ready to take my woman!

I stop in the hallway and press her against the wall so I can kiss her again. She wraps her legs around my waist, locking them at the ankles and pulling me close.

Damn, we really should’ve done this dress-up stuff sooner.

I take her cuffed wrists and secure them high above her head, pressing them firmly against the cool plaster. Her abundant cleavage is spilling out the top of her costume. With one quick yank downwards, I set her breasts free.

She’s panting as she gives me a wild look. She’s unbelievably sexy, her desire wrapping around us like a cape. Her naked breasts are so beautiful. I tease her nipple with my tongue as she watches.

“Are you trying to overpower me?” she asks, her voice heavy with want. Her wrists are fighting against my grasp.