“That’s such a cool offer, Joel. But I need to let you know that my comic got picked up by Sharper Edge and that’s going to keep me really busy in my off hours. I just worry that I may not be able to manage everything.”

“Yeah, I heard about your books. Congratulations by the way. It’s great and all, but seriously dude, I still think you need to remember that comic books are dying a slow death. I really wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket. I mean, look at Comic Con…there are only a few aisles left of comic book vendors. People just don’t read anymore.”

But I still read comics…

Joel easily stirs up the apprehension I’ve had all along and he knows it. I nod my head. “I know. I’m not expecting too much from it.”

“That’s smart, then no matter what happens you’ll be happy,” he says patting me on the shoulder. “And you still love working in animation, right?”

“Absolutely,” I say deciding on my strategy. “I’d like to work on this idea with you.”

“Great, I’ll have Anna set up a meeting next week to start planning, and I’ll let HR know too so they can work out all the gory details.”

On my way out I notice a framed picture of the girl he brought to the party, between the stacks of books all over his desk. “Hey, how’s it going with…was it Laurie?”

“Actually, Laura.” He grins happily. “It’s going great. I’m crazy about her.” He studies me for a moment. “You know we’ve got to find you a girl, Evans. It’s been far too long.”

My eye starts to twitch, and I nod nervously and shrug my shoulders, figuring it’s safest not to say anything. As I silently head back to my cube, I feel great frustration not to be able to tell others about my relationship with Brooke yet. I want the whole world to know that she’s my girl.

• • •

Kevin offers to drive a group of us to Sharkey’s for lunch. As we approach the open elevator to head down, I see Brooke’s already in the elevator having an intense conversation with a man I’ve never seen before. As soon as she sees our group, she turns towards us. When our eyes meet, she smiles sweetly.

“Hey guys,” she says. “This is the creator of Danny Deletes. I’d like you to meet Lazlo.”

Lazlo turns to face us with a wary look. He looks rugged, like he lumbers timber wherever the hell he lives, when he isn’t drawing a little boy computer genius, that is. He reacts by stepping closer to Brooke, and I don’t like it…not one bit. He turns back to her and whispers something in her ear before any of us can introduce ourselves.

The ass is whispering to my woman. I grit my teeth so hard I’m surprised they don’t crumble in my mouth. Kevin looks at me and rolls his eyes before taking another sideways glance at them.

Brooke takes a step away from Lazlo and addresses us again. “So where are you guys headed to?” She asks brightly.

“Sharkeys,” Andy replies happily. Of course the rotund man-boy is blissfully happy. As long as he’s eating fast food or playing with his life size doll, he’s perfectly content.

“Do you want to join us?” I ask my girl, looking directly into her eyes. Of course, I mean just Brooke, but I know I can’t really clarify that at this moment.

The mute lumberjack is shaking his head vehemently.

“No, we’re meeting the producers at Prosecco’s,” Brooke quickly responds. “But you guys have a great time.”

I clench my hands into fists as I imagine him at a fancy lunch with Brooke. He probably takes a handful of toothpicks to chew on when he leaves the restaurant.

When we get to the lobby, we part ways. But right before we pass through the door Brooke looks back at me and winks. Of course the man-boy, Andy, notices and almost squeals as he turns to me.

“Dude, did you see that? She winked at you! I’d tap that hard if I were you.”

“Shut up, Andy,” I growl.

But despite his gross outburst, I must admit Brooke’s wink did me a world of good. I know she did it to reassure me, not caring who else would see. I carry that wink with me well into the afternoon.

Just after four I call her office directly to tell her that I’ll be late getting coffee since I was finishing up a scene on deadline.

“Are you done with Mr. Personality yet?” I ask, immediately second guessing the wisdom of my nasty tone.

There’s a long pause.

“Mr. Personality? What exactly are you alluding to, Mr. Evans? You weren’t impressed with Lazlo?”

“Not exactly,” I admit.

“Aww, he’s not so bad. I actually really like Lazlo, except that he eats with his mouth open, and he’s a breather.”

“A breather?” I ask, getting more agitated by the moment. What the hell does that mean? Was he breathing on my Brooke?

“You know those pug dogs with the squishy faces? He wheezes like one of those.”

“Did he breathe on you,” I can’t help but ask.

“What?” she questions, sounding baffled. “What do you mean, did he breathe on me?”

“Never mind,” I huff, feeling very discouraged.

“Are we jealous? Is that what this is about? Because you can’t possibly be jealous of Lazlo?”

“Why can’t I? Isn’t being jealous and over-protective one of my jobs…being your boyfriend and all?”

There’s another pause.

“Boyfriend?”

“Yes,” I say boldly. “That only makes sense since you’re my girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” she repeats.

I’m not sure if we’re getting anywhere here.

“And that also makes you mine, not the breather’s,” I clarify.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes,” I reply without hesitation.

“For the record, I think it’s sexy, Nathan, when you go all possessive and dominant on me like this.”

“Dominant?” I ask, my mind reeling with images. Maybe she’s trying to tell me something. What does dominant mean to her?

She seems to sense my anxiety. “Don’t worry, I’m not talking about that kind of dominant, where you have to tie me up and throttle me. Sometimes it’s just about being direct and demanding what you want. You know, like Indiana Jones.”

“Oh, I see,” I say, even though I don’t really understand the practical applications of that yet.

“It’s like you pushing me down to my knees and telling me to take you in my mouth, because you need that from me.”

I pull the phone away from my ear and examine it like it’s faulty. Did she just say that on the work line?

“Geez, Brooke. I’m not sure I could do that. Push you to your knees? That sounds inappropriate, like something that I’d never do.”

“But could you say, ‘I want your mouth on me,’ if you desired that?”

I know I’m turning bright red, if anyone walks by my cube now they’ll think I’ve got a sunburn.

“Well, I always desire that, but honestly, I’d be too embarrassed to ask you like that.”

“I see. But don’t you think it’s okay if your woman wants you to say it? If she wants to do that for you?”

“Is that what you want?” I ask, nervously.

“Yes, definitely it’s what I want, and what I need. Actually, I want it now. I’m all flustered and hot just thinking of being on my knees for you.”

“Oh, good God, Brooke…”

“I know…I’m naughty. See, it reminds me of when you were Indy and how commanding you were.”

“But we’re leaving in an hour?” I say quite unconvincingly, more like a question.

“Oh, that will be more than enough time. Say it Nathan; I want to hear you ask for it.”

“Really? Now?”

“Yes, now. Come on…I know you can do it,” she encourages.

I stand up and look over the top of my cube. Andy has his ear buds in and appears to be rocking out to one of his metal bands as he works. I sit back down in my chair, and cup my hand over the speaker part of the phone. I take a deep breath and speak in a low, firm voice.

“I want your mouth on me, Brooke.” My heart’s pounding. This is crazy shit…but I’m definitely getting off on it.

There is a long pause where all I can hear is her breathing, and I imagine I see the wheels turning in her head. She sounds breathy when she replies. “Listen, take the elevator up to the nineteenth floor. When you get off make a right and walk to the end of the hallway where you’ll find a conference room. I’ll meet you there in five minutes.”