7 comments/ 41893 views/ 7 favorites The Makeup Artist Ch. 01 By: Stephanie_Rose The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. No harm is intended toward any of the celebrities named. ~~~ Beyonce Knowles needs immediate attention. ~~~ I stepped out of the stretch black limousine and looked up at the tall building framed by the ice-cold blue sky. As noisy as it was, the Manhattan traffic couldn't distract me from my thoughts. So many things ran through my head: Would this work out? Would she be satisfied? Hell, would I even get paid? I chuckled. Times were pretty tight, so there really wasn't any time to bullshit. Rent was due 6 days ago. "Here goes nothing," I sighed as the doorman curtly wished me a good afternoon and ushered me into the hotel. Riding the elevator to the Penthouse, I glanced down at my makeup case. I'd been making up celebrities for a grand total of two months. Quitting my job at Essence salon sounded like a good idea at the time, but now those thoughts seemed light years away. As I stepped off of the elevator, I glanced back at myself in the mirrored doors. I looked pretty damn good. My chocolate skin, soft and smooth to the touch, glowed with excitement. Somewhat on the short side, I was lucky enough to be pretty slender. My petite frame was tight and toned for the most part, but there was always room for improvement. My firm breasts stretched against the sheer white blouse that hit just above my navel, showing just a peek of brown skin. Those crunches hurt like hell, but made me look so good. Tailored khaki cargo pants fit my toned hips and legs perfectly. My black leather jacket came just over my hips. I had to admit: I looked pretty fly. And definitely younger than my mid-30s would reveal. My light vanilla scent swirled around me and caressed me gently. Just as I cocked my tweed newsboy cap over my black, shoulder-length bob, and winked at my reflection, I heard the lock click on the door. Before I'd gotten a chance to reach for the doorbell, the door opened. A gorgeous caramel beauty stood in the foyer, headset in place, clipboard tucked under her arm. Her long chestnut hair was pulled up into a neat ponytail, and stylish, but tasteful gold jewelry adorned her delicate fingers and wrists. We silently checked each other out. Wow. Very pretty. Then she smiled. Is she teasing me? Doesn't she know that it's been over two weeks since...? "Nikii Clarke?" I nodded as she checked my ID. "I'm Jewel." Without another word, she waved me in. I followed her through the elaborate foyer into a luxurious great room filled with people. Though the room was packed, and definitely hectic, I noticed many smiles on the faces of the busy workers. Laughter rang out as various groups huddled into each other. In one corner of the room, beautiful models and dancers, with incredibly fit bodies, milled around in various states of undress. Some were being fitted for costumes; others waited patiently for hair and makeup attention. In another corner, tailors adjusted hems on wildly colored garments, as seamstresses handled expensive fabrics and franticly sewed new creations. Near the bank of windows at the far end of the room, two assistants furiously tapped on laptops as two more ran stacks of documents through a tabletop copier. As Jewel silently led the way, I barely heard our heels click on the marble tile through all the buzzing activity taking place. We continued through a back hallway into a second suite; she still giving me the silent treatment, me checking out her strong shoulder blades and tightly formed arms in a white tank top. Her lightly defined muscles rippled underneath the taut skin. I licked my lips as I turned my attention to her cute ass in tight black leather pants. The firm globes danced rhythmically before my eyes. But just as I was getting annoyed by her silence, I heard her light voice. "So. How long have you been a makeup artist?" "It speaks," I teased. She turned and scowled at me. I held up my makeup case in between us. "Just kidding, sweetie. To answer your question, I've been playing with colors since I was a kid." "How nice," she clipped. As I looked around the spacious suite, I realized just how broke I actually was. And I wondered just where in the hell were we going. Just how big was this palace? Everywhere I turned, assistants fluttered around, making sure everything was taken care of for tonight's concert. Jewel led me to a tall and thin, yet elegant lady with beautiful honey-brown skin. Sandee, as she introduced herself, was the lead stylist. As she checked my ID, we spoke briefly about the look for tonight's concert, and confirmed my fee. I quickly explained the products I'd brought, and my timeline for finishing the job. She must have been satisfied, because Jewel was then leading me back into a third room, a makeshift beauty salon. Colorful costumes stored in clear plastic garment bags were neatly hung on several clothing racks. Shoes and other accessories were carefully stacked and labeled in various see-through plastic bins. She's neat. Good sign, I grinned. "Welcome to Casa B," my escort chuckled, as she turned to leave. "Good luck." Though this room was smaller, it was more lavish than the previous ones. Rare artwork adorned the cream-colored walls, a perfect accompaniment to the contemporary décor of the room. I waved a quick greeting at a couple of the assistants, and looked around for my assignment. Then I saw her. She was modestly dressed, yet absolutely gorgeous. My breath caught at the sight of her. She was seated in a plush styling chair, in front of a large mirror; surprisingly calm and cool despite the flurry of activity around her. She wore an adorable pink fluffy robe with matching slippers. Legs crossed, tempting me with a glimpse of her creamy skin, she chatted on a jeweled cell phone as she flipped through a large stack of papers in her lap. As she continued her phone conversation, she caught my eye and waved me over. As she talked, I quickly removed my hat and jacket, and unloaded my makeup case. Just as I finished, she clicked off her phone, and extended a neatly manicured hand. "Hi. You're Nikii?" she asked sweetly. To be a woman worth millions, I was surprised at how soft her voice was. As I shook her hand, I was even more surprised at her soft touch. "Yes, I am. How are you, Ms. Knowl-" She waved me off. "Don't even," she said. "Call me Beyonce, or just B. The whole team does." "Sure, B." I smiled. "And thanks for hiring me on such short notice." "Thank you for coming on such short notice." She looked at me quietly for a moment. "I have to admit, though, new people make me nervous." Then she gave me a reassuring smile. "But Charlene says you're trustworthy. And amazing. And not going to charge me an arm and a leg for coming over right away." I smiled as I pictured my old boss at Essence Salon. "Char's absolutely correct on all counts," I quipped. Hopefully by joking with her, I impressed her with my talents and put her at ease. "Char's a doll. She got me my first solo gig doing makeup for Tyra Banks, so I'm forever grateful to her." I made a mental note to give Char a big, wet kiss the next time I saw her. But because I was growing to really like Beyonce, I conveniently left out the fact that Char & I had been involved off-and-on for quite some time. Remaining friends with ex-girlfriends can often be kind of sticky, but Char and I always remained cool. Beyonce and I spoke quickly about the look she wanted, confirmed my fee, and then I went to work. With less than 2 hours before the dress rehearsal at Madison Square Garden, I had to work quickly. From eavesdropping on the buzz around me, her usual routine on a concert night consisted of a final costume fitting, hairstyling, and makeup at the hotel before leaving for the arena. As of now, her hair was finished and her costumes were neatly pressed and hanging on hooks right by the mirror. All that was left was her makeup. Which meant me. And I was nervous as hell. But I swallowed my fear and went to work. As I deftly applied her foundation, I commented on how smooth and clear her skin was. I took her creamy light complexion and added sparkly, yet warm colors to give it a shimmery glow. Then I started on her eyes. Blocking out all the noise in the room, I closed my eyes and quickly visualized her color scheme. Since she wanted a soft, glowing, romantic look, adding rosy pinks with a touch of gold to her skin would be perfect. As I expertly applied the soft shades onto her lids, I noticed just how pretty she really was. As I glanced down, I noticed that her robe had opened slightly. A peek of satiny black lace was nestled around her soft golden breasts. As I imagined the firm nipples nestled in my wanting mouth, beads of sweat began to form on my forehead, and I felt an insistent throbbing between my legs. Her light fragrance captivated me; adding to my arousal. Being so close to her allowed her warmth to permeate my being; dismantling all of my defenses. This girl was getting to me. Badly. Composing myself, I carefully groomed her eyebrows and applied jet black mascara to her long, luscious lashes. While I worked, I saw her looking intently at herself in the mirror. Immediately, I became even more nervous as she silently critiqued my work, but I was determined not to let it show. After applying a rosy blush to her sharply defined cheekbones, I moved to start on her lips. As I moved my lip brush toward her, she broke into a wide smile. "You're so serious. I've never seen someone so intense." I smiled back. "No one except yourself." Whoa. Was I taking a chance? She grinned, as I swept the soft rose color across her lips. Damn. So lickable. I quickly finished with some sheer pink gloss, and we both stared in the mirror at her reflection. "Oooh, Nikii," she gasped. "I love it! It's perfect." She was simply gorgeous. Her hair fell in loose, sandy-brown waves cascading around her shoulders. Her face was truly angelic. Her expressive eyes glowed with joy, and her cute smile melted my heart. Why did it get warm all of a sudden? As I packed up my equipment, I heard her soft voice. "I want you." I broke my reverie. Had I heard right? "Excuse me?" "I want you...to come with me to the arena. For the last-minute touch ups." "Oh, ok. Sure. Fine." Didn't I know any words longer than one syllable? "Great. Sandee can give you all the details. You can ride over with the rest of the glam squad, and I'll see you there shortly." "Thanks." Is that all I was going to say? Had I gotten shy all of a sudden? "And oh yeah...she'll have your check at the end of the night." Thank the Lord. I'd almost forgotten why I was there. She rose from the chair and extended her arms out to me for a hug. Her embrace felt so warm and comforting, and I could feel her hands gently stroke my back. Her fingernails tickled me gently. "Thanks again, sweetheart," she winked, as she clicked her phone back on and began to dial. Damn, she's flirtatious. I'm definitely going to have to see where this goes. Leaving her to her conversation, I left the beauty suite, and continued back into the great room. I eventually found Sandee in all of the chaos and she gave me the full run-down of all the night's activities. She also introduced me to the rest of the staff, who were surprisingly warm and friendly. I even got to meet Beyonce's mom, Tina. She was holding court in the middle of the room, directing the staff on their duties for that evening. Beyonce's sister, Solange, was there with her son Daniel, but they were both too preoccupied playing with brightly-colored toys in the corner of the room to notice the commotion. After signing all of the required paperwork (which included a monster of a confidentiality agreement), I sat through a brief staff meeting. Finally, armed with my backstage pass, I made my way down to the luxury SUV with the rest of the team. There were three more in her personal glam squad: James took care of her hair, Delores did the clothes, and Pietra took care of all of the shoes and accessories. I was amazed at all of the gorgeous members of her team. Only handsome gentlemen and legions of attractive women seemed to be on her payroll. If I wasn't so busy (and nervous) at this new job, I would have loved to have made some special new friends. Sweet and pretty girls had always been my weakness, and today was no different. Unfortunately, work had to come first, so I put my passions on the back burner. As we rode over to the arena, I learned that not only did Sandee oversee this team, but she was also in charge of the secondary style teams that did hair, makeup and costumes for each of the dancers, backup singers and musicians. It was a huge undertaking, and I was definitely impressed. Since the moment I arrived, I noticed the efficiency and professionalism of the entire staff, and I secretly hoped that Beyonce was the one who orchestrated it. As the rest of the team chatted around me, I couldn't help but stare out of the window in amazement. I was actually styling Beyonce Knowles. And for great pay. And for a brief moment, I even imagined myself as a permanent part of Beyonce's style team. The next few hours were a blur. After arriving at the arena, Beyonce launched into a spirited rehearsal. Later, we had just 10 minutes to freshen her up for a press conference. We also did a quick re-touch for her usual meet-and-greet with fans. To my credit, I noticed that whenever I worked on her, she kept smiling at me. I'd heard she was friendly and cordial, but I couldn't help but wonder if something more was there. Nah, couldn't be. Hopefully she's just pleased with my work. Still, I secretly imagined myself in between those gorgeous, creamy thighs taking her to heaven. Later that evening, while her opening act took the stage, we did a full styling, with theatrical makeup, and professional hair and clothing accessories. She danced and sang with such passion, that we had to make sure her look would hold up beautifully under the intense lights and cameras. Finally it was time for her performance. The driving beat of her entrance music began, and I found myself rocking to one of my favorite songs. While she performed her first set, I finally had a chance to catch my breath. I couldn't believe I was so wiped out. But the night was hardly done: we ended up styling her through 5 more costume, hair and makeup changes before the end of the show. Though I was just backstage, I could feel the energy she radiated. It felt like the entire arena vibed off of the fun dance moves, the sexy outfits and the hard-driving beats. Two hours later, exhausted and dripping wet with sweat, she finally left the stage after 2 encores. She retreated directly to her dressing room while we waited for further instructions. I learned that it was customary for her to have about 20 minutes alone after every performance before she met with fans and signed more autographs. So I was surprised when, after only a couple of minutes, Sandee walked up to me. "Beyonce wants to see you." I thought I detected some tension in her voice, but I had to be mistaken. "Sure. Let me grab my case." I followed her back to Beyonce's dressing room. She let me in and, before I could turn around, she exited the room and closed the door behind her. I was surprised that, except for Beyonce, the room was empty. I never thought she'd be alone now, especially having just performed a major concert in front of thousands of fans, and with so many of her entourage just down the hall. She was sitting in a chair in front of the mirror; this time in a light blue robe. "I need you to freshen me up real quick." "Sure." I set my case on the table and quickly went to work. I began to complement her on her performance, but I was thrown off by her delicious scent. I could smell the baby oil on her freshly showered body, and my chocolate nipples immediately hardened. I was embarrassed because I knew they were showing through both my bra and my sheer white blouse. She didn't seem to notice, so I relaxed a bit. I composed myself and continued working. I decided to use cool pink tones to make her skin look refreshed. She seemed pleased with my choice as she stared at the mirror. This time, I could have sworn that she was looking directly at me, rather than at herself. Her sweet voice soothed my ears. "I'm really pleased at how great you've been today. Char said that you did good work. In fact, she said that you're the best. Very talented." "Thanks," I blushed. Why in the hell was I getting shy all of a sudden? I've never been this timid around a girl before. "She also said that you were good at keeping things quiet..." What? Excuse me? I drew back and looked straight into her eyes. "Char said you might be willing to...do some more work for me?" That damned Char. I didn't know whether I was going to kiss her or slap her. She reached out to gently caress my hand. Her soft touch sent tingles through my skin. "Don't tense up on me now," she teased. "I know all about you, sweetie. In my business, it's my job to thoroughly check out all of my employees before they come work for me. I've heard so many good things about you..." I glanced down at the bathrobe, which had, again, mysteriously opened. What in the hell was going on? I was then treated to the lovely sight of B in a silver bra and panty set. Her buttermilk skin glistened with the baby oil, as the sparkly silver material barely contained her generous, luscious curves. She tossed her hair back, settled deeply into the chair, and spread her legs. "Please?" In a trance, I slowly lowered to my knees. Her heat was intoxicating. "Hurry, baby," she whispered. I shook off my nerves, as my feminine instinct kicked in. I'd been dreaming about this since earlier, and I relished the chance to taste her. Wasting no time, I slid the tight, glittering fabric underneath her curvy ass and down her long legs, to her artfully manicured toes. The coral pink color captured my attention for a second, but was quickly forgotten when I looked back to the exposed jewel between her thighs. As I drew in closer to her, I lifted her leg and settled it comfortably on my shoulder. The soft skin tickled my earlobe. I took one last look at her angelic face. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was slightly open. Somehow she had opened the front clasp of her bra and her golden breasts were now cupped gently in her soft hands. As she fondled her rigid nipples, I chuckled as I realized that she had no idea what she was really in for. I softly kissed her inner thighs as I made my way to her slick wetness. Her moist body tasted sugary sweet and my fingertips stroked her skin, following my trail of hot kisses. Her moans brought me back to reality. Though I'd briefly lost track of time, I remembered that we were in a packed arena and only had a few minutes to ourselves. As such, I was determined to make this one of the most enjoyable moments of the night. Finally done teasing her, I settled in at her wet heat. As my tongue carefully parted her delicate lips, an electric shock ran through us. We both moaned at the contact. She was absolutely delicious. Her flavor was as ripe, juicy cherries; tasty, sweet and succulent. I boldly kissed and licked her repeatedly, enjoying myself immensely. My tongue ran up and down her juicy slit, as her breathing quickened. Her soft cries and moans intensified, threatening to out us, but I was beyond caring. Her other leg settled on my shoulders as I drank deeply at the copious honey that flowed from her essence. Not wanting to wait any longer, I set my sights on her clit. The moist little button began to pulsate as I licked and kissed the sensitive flesh. I strummed the pink gem with my tongue, her entire body writhing in ecstasy. The Makeup Artist Ch. 01 She bit her lip as she tried to contain the joyous noises deep in her throat. "Oh my god, baby." Her body bucked with pure pleasure. "Please don't stop." How could I refuse such an impassioned request? I loved the sticky, syrupy juice that covered my lips and tongue, and I could have continued pleasuring her far into the night. I wanted to keep her just on the edge of an explosive climax, but time wasn't on our side. I needed to give her relief, and I had to do it fast. Doubling my efforts, I furiously lapped at her pussy. She moaned my name over and over, as she begged me to make her cum. To spike her pleasure, I slid one finger into her. "Nikii...Baby!" She tried to muffle her screams, but I attacked her clit with abandon. Her pink inner lips glistened with her desire, and beckoned me to kiss and tongue them harder. All at once, her luscious body began to shake, and the end was near. I grabbed her hips and held on for dear life as I continued licking and sucking her precious jewel. My tongue drew sharp circles around the wet flesh as her lust rose to a fever pitch. "More, baby. More..." I tongued her faster and faster, as her hands continued to tease her nipples. Her fingers caressed the rigid peaks, squeezing and stroking the sizzling flesh. She was delirious with pleasure. As my secret weapon, I slid a second finger into her, and crisscrossed the two rapidly. That was all she needed. "Ahhh! Baby...I'm cumming..." Her climax hit hard. Her entire body tensed up as her juices rushed into my mouth; a delicious tropical waterfall for my own personal enjoyment. Her hands went to my hair, pulling my head deeper into her heat. Her sugary wetness flowed over my mouth and chin, and seeped from between her yummy thighs into the fabric of the chair, a tasty reminder of our secret encounter. She sighed and cooed as she gently floated back to earth. "Baby...that was wonderful," she beamed. Surprisingly, she leaned down and kissed my lips tenderly. Tasting her lips again was truly a treat. I delighted in her satisfaction. All of a sudden, the mood was broken by the insistent noises just outside the locked door. Abruptly, she sat up, slipped her undergarments back in place and readjusted her robe, suddenly modest again. Prim and proper as always, she clicked back into business mode. She reached for her cell phone and began to dial. As she held the instrument to her ear, she winked at me. "Please tell Sandee to come in. And make sure she gives you your check first." She gave me a sly grin. "And thanks again." Silent, I waved at her and exited the dressing room. Throngs of people waited outside for a glimpse of the gorgeous superstar. Sandee seemed to be a bit irritated when I found her back at the main styling area. "That was quick," she quipped. Just as I opened my mouth for a retort, her eyes softened and she seemed to regret her tone. "Do you need me to arrange a ride for you?" she asked quietly. "Yes. Thanks," I said as I composed myself. The job wasn't over yet, so I still needed to be professional. Thirty minutes later, I relaxed in back of the luxury SUV with a small envelope nestled in my jacket pocket. Smiling at the surprising turn of events, I pulled it out. As I removed a small white card, a light blue piece of paper fluttered into my lap. I stared at the card in amazement. The small, neat handwriting was simple and to the point: "Thanks for all of your help." A coral pink lip print decorated the stark white cardstock. I grinned at the thought of those luscious coral pink lips kissing me tenderly. As an afterthought, I picked up the blue slip of paper in my lap. A personal check, made out for triple my fee, rested in my fingertips. I had to smile. Life was definitely good. Definitely. The Makeup Artist Ch. 02 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. ~~~ Ciara gets pretty for a video shoot. ~~~ I stepped out of the taxi and stared at the large, gray warehouse. Where in the hell was I? I quickly checked my reflection in the car window. Despite a late night, and an early call time, my toffee-brown skin was still amazingly smooth and clear. I smiled easily. My shoulder-length black hair was pulled into a neat ponytail. I wore a simple black leather jacket with black jeans. My eyes were a bit red from lack of sleep, but dark shades kept my secret for the time being. The phone call came hella early this morning. Leila, David's assistant, was crisp and curt as she only gave me an address and instructions to be at the shoot at 7am. My old classmate, David Lynn, was the director of Ciara's new music video. As I looked around, the rest of the street was dark and void of activity, with boarded up buildings standing ominously against the warm light of dawn. Why in the hell was I spending such a beautiful August morning at a dusty warehouse? Oh yeah, I chuckled. Rent was due. Once I got my business established, I vowed not to take any more last-minute sessions. One day, appointments only, baby, I mused as I grabbed my makeup case, paid the driver, and made my way to the open warehouse door. I was pleasantly surprised at all the activity taking place. Usually, the larger the staff, the better the pay. Several of the crew members were gathered at the front of the warehouse, obviously on a smoke break. I waved as I passed by, carefully avoiding all of the cables and other equipment strewn across the ground. As I walked inside, I immediately realized how professional this shoot was. Several cameras were set up against two main areas: To the right, the crew had constructed a huge performance stage with several rows of lights set against a black backdrop. To the left was a giant green screen set up to capture all of the other shots. Almost behind me, in the corner, I saw several dancers practicing what looked to be a pretty complicated dance sequence. I set my case down and studied their graceful movements for a few moments. I almost got lost in watching their bodies float to the beautiful rhythms when I heard a booming voice behind me. "Hey Nikii!" I'd know that deep voice anywhere. I spun around. "David!" I took a moment to study how great David looked. His sandy brown eyes were strong and clear. His firm jawline settled into a neat goatee, which added a sophisticated flair to his overall look. His warm golden-brown skin glowed with delight. He wore a black pullover that hugged his frame beautifully. The crisply pressed jeans completed his casual look. I hadn't seen him in over a year, but he looked better and more mature every time I saw him. 6 years ago, David set out for NYC with only a handheld camera and $60. He started out assisting various directors, but only a couple years later, he'd turned into a successful video director himself. He'd made it big quickly, directing videos for B2K, Monica and Christina Milian. Today's shoot with Ciara was his biggest coup to date, and I beamed with pride at his success. I hugged him hard. "What's up, baby!" "You, sweetie." He stood back and looked at me. "You look great, girl!" "Thank you very much, Mr. Big-Time Video Director, sir." We giggled. "And thanks for the call. Char said I had a shot at this gig, but she never called me back." I frowned. It normally wasn't like my old boss to leave me hanging for a job like that. "Oh, I told her I'd let you know personally. Except I got so busy that I had Leila call." "Oh, ok. And Leila's a doll. But she only called me this morning, and then just gave me an address. I'm kinda nervous about this whole thing..." "We're trying to keep this shoot a secret," David explained. "The media's been all over Babygirl lately, with the new album coming out soon. We needed this video to make a big splash, so it was best to keep everything under wraps. Most of the crew didn't know where we were shooting until late last night, so don't feel bad." I nodded. "Well, that explains it." I took another glance around, and relaxed a bit. "Let's get started." We spoke quickly about the overall look he wanted, and confirmed my fee. Just then, he pulled a walkie-talkie out of his back pocket. "Someone go get Trish and tell her to meet me in front of the stage." He turned back to me. "She's the lead stylist. You'll meet her first. I'm also gonna need you to meet the set director, Kenneth." He paused. "Actually, since you're new to the business, and don't have a lot of clients yet, I'll just introduce you around to everyone. You need as many contacts as you can get." I smiled. David was a gem. "Thanks." My nerves were still a bit frazzled, though. I had to ease my fears. I had to know. "So...what is she like?" He didn't hesitate. "Ciara's an extremely hard worker. One of the hardest. She puts her all into her work. She loves what she does, and it shows. And she's a real sweetheart. And very generous too." He grinned at me. "You're gonna love this one." Just then, a curvy mocha beauty strolled over. She was about 5'9", clad in a sheer rose-colored blouse with a form-fitting, knee-length black suede skirt that clung to her thick, beautiful hips and legs. Black stiletto boots completed her savvy look. Her chestnut eyes sparkled as she gave me a warm smile. Her sultry hips swayed and rocked as she strode over. I lusted over her round, full breasts as I imagined the mocha-tipped nipples nestled between my slim fingers, and nuzzled by my hot mouth. David winked at me as he led the introductions. "Nikii Clarke? Meet Trish Connor." As I shook her hand, I noticed that while her grip was firm, her fingers were the softest and the silkiest I'd felt in a while. This was gonna be fun. She looked at me and quickly took in my look from head to toe. I was only 5'4", but slender and pretty toned. Though I only had a few minutes to get ready this morning, I looked pretty pulled together in a soft gray cashmere sweater with a black patent leather belt, and slim black denim jeans. The luxurious sweater caressed my full cleavage. Her eyes were drawn to it, and I caught her staring. She winked, but at least had the good manners to blush. Just then, a tall, handsome man appeared and introduced himself as Kenneth, the set director. The next half-hour was a blur. David, Kenneth, Trish and I carefully went over the various set designs and the makeup look they wanted for each shot. The main part of the video would feature Ciara in a rough, boyish dance sequence on the performance stage, and would feature the dancers I'd seen earlier. We agreed that she would need a dark look, so I'd make her up using smoky black and brown shades. The remainder of the video would feature Ciara as a glamorous diva. For these more alluring looks, I would use lush pinks and stunning metallics to make her skin glow. When shooting, the green screen setup would be used to take the various close-up glamour shots that would be interspersed between the dance sequences. Rough and masculine meets soft and feminine. I was intrigued. And slightly starstruck at the whole thing. Just then, a light voice rang out with laughter. As I turned, I saw a statuesque frame stride out from the back of the warehouse, surrounded by 3 assistants. The lean beauty, clad in an oversized, white bathrobe, walked straight toward our group and stood directly next to me. "I don't know you," Ciara questioned. David immediately introduced me as the new makeup artist, and quickly ran down my resume. She nodded, as she shook my hand. "It's nice to meet you, Nikii. Charlene sent you, right?" Her grip was firm, but her fingers were soft and smooth. I admired the brick-red nail polish that decorated her hands. "Yes she did. And thanks for the opportunity." "Sure. I love breaking new artists. My regular girl has been sick for a few days, so I'm glad you were available. I'd love --" We were interrupted by the soft chime of a cell phone. She quickly pulled it out of the bathrobe pocket. "Nikii, I can't talk right now, but have Trish bring you over to my trailer shortly and we'll get started." She smiled as she put the instrument to her ear. "Thanks again for coming on such short notice." With a flash, she turned and strode out of the building, assistants in tow. Finally, David and Kenneth left us to go set up the rest of the camera equipment. "I'll take you to her in a second," Trish said. "And once she approves everything, you can start working on her first look of the day. But first, I want to consult with you on a few more issues. Please come with me." I got a bit nervous and felt the butterflies, but I was determined to stay cool. I knew that celebs were regular people. It's just that I've had a crush on Ciara for a minute, and I wanted everything to run smoothly. I really anticipated us finally getting a chance to meet. I grabbed my makeup case and followed Trish out of the warehouse. We made our way outside to a trailer at the back of the building. Compared to the trailers right in the next row, this one was about half the size and stark white, with no frills or adornments. I was surprised at how small and nondescript it was. The nearby tour buses were larger and more elaborately decorated than this trailer. Not that I was trying to spend anyone's money, but I'd never thought that a multi-platinum artist would be so modest. As we entered the tiny space, Trish must have read my confusion. "This is my trailer. We'll go to meet her in a few." Then her voice lowered seductively. "I wanted to talk to you privately first." We talked for a few minutes generally about the business. She had 8 years in styling celebrities, and she loved every minute of it. We also talked about money and investing, with her sharing a few quick tips about being self-employed in the entertainment industry. I was grateful that she took such an interest in me. I took another look at Trish. She was extremely gorgeous, and obviously bright and talented. I usually tried to keep my passions under bay while I'm working, but I wasn't sure that was going to happen with such a cutie standing in front of me with that look on her face. She suddenly reached out and stroked my jet-black hair. A few tendrils had escaped from my ponytail, and I guess she couldn't resist. "You have such pretty hair," she whispered. "Charlene told me all about you. She said you were a talented artist. Very talented..." Her voice trailed off as she continued to stroke my jet black tresses. I looked at her quizzically. Char was my longtime friend, and former boss at Essence salon. She'd been hooking me up with jobs ever since I went solo as a makeup artist a few months ago. Now Char knew that I loved women; I'd been involved with her off-and on for quite a while. But Trish didn't know about me. Or did she? Her directness broke my reverie. "I needed to try you out first. I hear you can really make a girl over." I guess she had heard about me. Did Char tell her something? She couldn't have. She wouldn't. I mean-- I was distracted as Trish licked her lips. I shivered at the sight. I wanted to lick those sweet lips too. Fuck it. I'm in. "Baby, after I work on you, you'll never be the same again." She took my hand and led me over to a small sofa. Her hand softly caressed my skin. As she moved in front of me, the scent of her warm musk swirled around me. She quickly raised her skirt and sat down, legs open, exposing her naked sex. No panties? I chuckled. She's so naughty. I kneeled between her open legs, my fingers lightly caressing her thighs. "We don't have much time baby," she whispered. I nodded as my passion took over. Being with gorgeous women was truly my weakness. I leaned forward and kissed her gently. She moaned in my ear as I kissed down her neck, stroking her with my tongue. Sighs escaped her lips as I kept licking and sucking the soft flesh. My hands were busy, caressing her satiny skin. I dipped my finger in her wetness and slid it into my mouth. I sighed, loving the taste of her juices. Knowing that time was limited, I bent in deep between her legs. Her luscious scent drove me wild. My lips kissed her clit, and she spread her legs wider to accommodate me. I gently nipped her pussy lips, eliciting a gasp from the mocha beauty. I used my tongue to trace circles over and over her wet pussy. Her sighs became moans as I intensified my efforts, determined to give her the best climax I could. I kept licking and kissing her, abandoning myself in her sweet nectar. Faster and faster, I licked her sweet jewel. Her body writhed in ecstasy, and her legs tightened around me. "Don't stop, baby. I'm so close..." I buried my face deeper into her sugary sweetness and worked her clit with a strong rhythm. Her arms and legs began to shake and unearthly sounds rose from her throat. I pulled her hips closer, and licked lower, teasing her tight rosebud. I kept up the long licks from her clit to her anus. As I felt the tremors start to race through her body, I concentrated tight spirals directly on her swollen clit. Suddenly her body stiffened. She cried out with release, and I tasted a deliciously sweet burst of nectar. She sighed and cooed, as I gave her sweet pussy several last kisses. I lifted my head and sat back on my heels. For a minute, she was unable to speak. Then she broke out into a huge grin. "Good job," she sighed. "And quick too. But I need to chill for a minute. You can go find David if you want, while I pull myself together." I gave her a peck on the lips. "You like?" She rolled her eyes. "It was aiight." We laughed, then I quickly straightened myself up. I blew her a kiss as I silently made my exit. *** Coming down the stairs of the trailer, I ran smack into a small form coming up the stairs. "Oh. I'm sorry! Are you ok--" I stopped and looked closely. Whoa. A pretty brown beauty with a killer smile. "Are you Nikii?" "Yes. And you are...?" "Leila. David's assistant." She smiled, teeth gleaming. "I'm the one who called you this morning." Oh. This was Leila. Her skin, the color of rich pecan, was flawless. Smooth and silk-like, I wanted to press my lips against it. A youthful glow colored her cheeks. Her reddish-brown hair fell in luscious waves around her shoulders. Phone headset securely in place, she motioned back toward the warehouse. "David needs you to start on Ciara asap. Follow me." We headed toward a large trailer next to the warehouse. Following slightly behind her, I silently admired her athletic frame. Somewhat hidden under a red polo shirt and slim jeans, I could still make out her small waist and curvy ass. "So is everything alright? Do you need anything?" Her light voice rang in my ears. "No, I'm fine, thanks." I waited a beat. "So how long have you known David?" "All my life. He's my uncle." My mouth dropped open. He'd never said a word. "He likes to keep it quiet," she continued. "Says it's more professional." She rolled her eyes. "But everyone pretty much knows. It's not a secret." "He's kinda right, though. You should keep it quiet. You don't have to flaunt that you're related." Then I grinned. "Actually, I'm not sure you want people to know. I mean, you could've told me he was your uncle when you called me this morning. But you didn't, right?" I thought for a second. "Let me guess: you want to make a name for yourself, don't you?" She laughed. "David said you were quick." She linked her arm in mine. "I bet you could teach me a lot." *** A flurry of activity was taking place when we went inside Ciara's main trailer. A cute female assistant pulled outfits together, while a tall male hairstylist put the finishing touches on her hair. Ciara was seated in a director's chair in front of a makeup table with a large mirror attached. I was amazed at the transformation that had taken place. The first sequence, the dance performance, was to feature her in a more masculine look. Not too rough, though; she needed to be more boyishly feminine. Thus, her curly hair was blown straight, and was tucked behind her ears, giving her a very sleek look. Her hairstylist was tying a black jeweled bandana across her forehead. She wore a snug, white tank top and baggy denim jeans. The light cotton material could not contain her nipples, which were rock hard and straining against the thin fabric. I thought I could see the elastic of a pair of white boxers peeking just under her navel. "Nikii," she greeted me warmly. "How's it going?" Though I was a bit nervous, we chatted for a bit. I told her briefly about the work I'd done since starting my own makeup artistry company. "Yes, Charlene told me all about you," she winked. "You come highly recommended." She licked her full lips. "So...what are your ideas for this shoot? I'm putting myself in your very capable hands." I paused for a minute. If she knew how fast raw heat was rising in me at that moment, she wouldn't play with me like that. Composing myself, I explained my vision: To give her a boyish look, I'd use minimal eye color, just using black and brown shades. Also, while I wanted her look to be tough, I did want to add a peach color to her cheeks to make her skin glow. I also wanted to add a very light lipgloss to make her lips pop, but still keep her boyishly feminine. She agreed, and I quickly went to work. Her skin was so luminescent, that I only had to apply a very light foundation, with just a touch of concealer. I added a hint of dark color to her eyelids, and carefully groomed her eyebrows. After a touch of peach blush and clear gloss on her kissable lips, I stepped back so she could view my work. "I like it. Very nice." She winked at me. "You're taking very good care of me. Thank you." Her warm smile sent an electric shock through me. "My pleasure. Anything you need." Two could play this game. She hopped out of the chair. The tank top had risen and the flash of caramel skin set my heart ablaze. Just then, Trish walked in. "Wow. You look great, CeeCee." "Nikii did the makeup. Isn't it nice?" Trish looked directly at me. "It's lovely." I couldn't help but blush. Trish checked her watch. "We have to go. After we knock these scenes out, we can break for lunch, ok?" "Sure. That's fine. Nikii, come with us," Ciara motioned towards the door, as she grabbed a black hooded sweatshirt and tossed it over her arm. Once back in the warehouse, at the main performance area, the shoot was about to begin. All of the equipment was set up, and the crew was in place. Ciara did a quick rehearsal with the dancers just before filming began. Though the dancing was a rigid, military style, Ciara's natural femininity couldn't help but show through. Her body gracefully and easily moved through several complicated dance sequences. Finally ready to begin, David called for everyone's attention. He quickly explained the layout of the scene, and the overall look he wanted to achieve. For the next several hours, Ciara moved easily from shot to shot. With few mistakes, she rapidly completed the first half-day of filming. I touched up her makeup in between takes, but she was such a professional, that each shot took, at most, only two or three takes each. David was so pleased with the progress that he beamed when he announced that the hardest part of the shoot was completed and that we could break for lunch. After lunch, the rest of the day would be spent shooting the more glamorous portions of the video. Ciara breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God! I'm starving." Then she turned to me. "Come with us, Nikii." The Makeup Artist Ch. 02 How could I resist? Back in Ciara's trailer, I sat with her and the rest of her style team to enjoy a light meal of baked chicken and steamed vegetables. She joked easily with all of us, her sparking personality shining brightly. I then began to remove Ciara's makeup and prep her skin for the next look. Seated in her director's chair, her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched me in the mirror. I thought I caught her winking at me, but I wasn't sure. I finished quickly. Even barefaced, her skin was still smooth and satiny. I resisted the urge to stroke it gently with my fingertips. My job done for now, I took a seat in the back of the room as Trish and the rest of the team helped her change into the more feminine look. After a quick shower, the team fit her for a satiny baby doll halter dress. The sparkly silver fabric hit just at mid thigh, and had a deep v-neck that went down to her toned stomach. A light coat of baby oil made her creamy caramel skin shine. Her delicate feet were fitted with silver strappy sandals. Silvery nail polish decorated her cute fingers and toes. Her jewelry was minimal; just diamond studs in her tiny ears and a diamond ring, set in platinum, on her finger. Then her hair was spritzed to give it a wet and wavy look. Her jet-black tresses cascaded around her shoulders and down her back. I was awestruck at her beauty. Finally, it was time for me to make her up. I used soft, romantic pink shades to enhance the sparkly dress. A hint of silver shadow just underneath her eyebrows was the perfect accent. I added a set of long eyelashes, and finished them off with two coats of jet-black mascara. Rosy pinks on her cheeks and lips completed the soft look. Gazing at herself in the mirror, she smiled and nodded her assent. Just as we were about to head over to the set, Trish's phone went off. David was concerned about the set design and needed Trish to come and give her input. As she was leaving, Ciara spoke. "Actually, I need some quiet time for a minute. I'll catch up with y'all shortly." As we all filed out of the trailer, she spoke again. "No, Nikii. You stay," she said softly. "Lock the door." Surprised, I secured the trailer and turned to face her. "Charlene said that you're really talented. That makeup is not your only gift?" Char's words were like a splash of cold water on my arousal, which annoyed me. Yes, I like women. Love them. But why was Char putting me out there like that? Just telling people all of my personal business? But then a crazy thought came to me: Was Char pimping me out? I shook my head. Of course not. How silly, I chided myself. But I couldn't help but wonder-- "Baby, we don't have much time..." she cooed. She rose from the chair as I slid my hand underneath her halter and caressed a satiny breast. Braless, her nipples felt wonderful in my fingers. She moaned softly. I bent my head to kiss the nipple gently. I heard her sharp intake of breath. I leaned down to kiss her toned stomach, the muscles rippling underneath the smooth skin. "You want me, baby?" I teased. She giggled. "Do NOT tease me. Besides, we don't have time." My tongue continued to lap at the taut skin when an idea flashed in my mind. I stood up straight. "Turn around," I ordered. I turned her so that she was facing the mirror, and placed her hands on the table. Standing directly behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist. She leaned back into me. Her hair cascaded around me, and I nuzzled the jet-black tendrils and inhaled her fragrance deeply. The light jasmine scent made me dizzy with need. "You have to keep still. Don't move," I commanded. She whimpered softly. Slowly, I kissed my way down her exposed back. The caramel flesh darkened crimson with passion. Reaching the small of her back, I nipped the soft skin. She shivered and moaned at the tiny bites. I continued to nibble at the damp skin as I deftly raised the short dress. Her smooth, tight ass looked delicious. A flesh colored thong adorned her beautiful frame. I planted gentle kisses over the expanse of her cute tush. She tried to wiggle away, but my hands held her firmly in place. The honeyed skin was delectable. "Baby, please. Please..." I slid the thin strip of lingerie over her ass and down her legs. Then I bent her over further and used my hands to gently part the heated flesh. Beads of moisture shone on her pink jewel. On a mission, I pointed my tongue and drove it deeply into her wet, hot pussy. She jumped. "Ooooh! Damn, baby!" The first taste only inflamed my passion. Gripping both cheeks, I dove head first into the syrupy sweetness. I licked and sucked furiously, moving back and forth over her engorged clit. Every so often, I watched her watch herself in the mirror. Her eyes were closed and her face was contorted in pleasure. Her sighs and moans grew louder as her desire increased. One hand had slipped inside of the halter, and was stroking her rigid nipples. I swirled my tongue over and over the drenched pussy lips. I could feel her juices all over on my face and I wanted more. Needing to increase her passion further, I used my thumb to gently strum her clit. I glanced at her in the mirror again. I could read the ecstasy all over her face. Knowing I must have been close, I firmly inserted a finger into her hot pussy. "Ahhh!" she screamed. "Oh my god!" I added a second finger and increased my speed on her clit. Her moans rose louder and louder. Suddenly, her passion crested. "Nikii!" Her eyes rolled back and she ground her ass further into me. I held onto her ass tightly as she rode out her climax. Her body swayed and threatened to collapse with the intensity. "I got you. Don't worry," I said as she sagged against me. She panted as I lowered the dress back over her ass. I rose and we held each other in a warm embrace. Her body continued to shake and I gently rubbed her back as she floated back down to earth. We were both quiet for a moment. I would have loved to stay there with her. However, work won out, and we were forced to hastily pull ourselves together. "Wait! You're not ready yet." I quickly touched up her makeup until it was flawless again. "Thank you, baby" she sighed. "But we have to get back." She hugged me for the last time. "Please tell Trish I'll be out shortly." I quietly exited the trailer with a wave, and headed back to the main warehouse. *** A few minutes later, Ciara came out looking impeccable and rocked the rest of the shoot. She hit several stylish poses, and looked great from every angle. The camera loved her pretty face and toned body. Her enthusiasm for performing was intoxicating. Again, her work was not only efficient, it was near flawless. We styled her through two more costume changes. As the day progressed, I was definitely impressed with her work ethic. So many entertainers arrogantly wasted time on shoots. Not Ciara. I even found out that she gave bonuses to her staff if the work was completed ahead of schedule. When David announced that the day was a wrap, cheers erupted throughout the set. The footage I'd seen looked awesome, and I was definitely proud of the final product. Later, as I hugged David goodbye, he promised to use me on other jobs. As I packed up my equipment, Trish came up to me with a small envelope. "You were impressive today. I'm so glad I got to know you." I shrugged on my black leather jacket. "I loved it here. I had a great time. And don't hesitate to contact me again." She extended her arms out for a hug. As we embraced, I felt her slide something in my jacket pocket. "I've called you a cab, so you should be fine." She took a long look at me. "Don't be a stranger, ok?" She smiled, as she turned and walked away, her ample ass swaying deliciously. Before I could check to see what she'd put in there, I heard a light voice call my name. "You can't leave yet, Nikii." Ciara hurried up to me, dressed again in the white bathrobe. "Thank you so much, darling. By the way, my regular makeup artist will be back tomorrow. But later this month, I'm doing some events out of the country, and I'm putting together a style team. What's your schedule like?" I grinned as I promised to contact her assistant to work out the details. Her smile sparkled. "Thanks again, hon," she said as she reached out to hug me. As she pulled away, I felt her slide something in my pocket. "I'll see you soon." She winked and fluttered back to her trailer. Just then, the taxi pulled up, and the driver loaded my equipment inside. Exhausted, I slid against the seat and closed my eyes. I'd really enjoyed the experience. Suddenly, I remembered my pockets. I reached in one, and found a plain white envelope. Opening it, I found a check with double my fee tucked neatly inside. Thanks Trish, I mused. In the other pocket was a pink post-it note. Just a phone number and the letter "C." Thanks, baby. Life was definitely good. Definitely. The Makeup Artist Ch. 03 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ The Makeup Artist 3: Gabrielle Union gets a makeover. ~~~ I stepped out of the jet-black SUV onto the sidewalk just in front of the beach. Warm, rosy tones mixed with cool blue ones to form the famed Miami skyline. The warm golden sun, just rising, heated my skin and completed the picturesque sunrise. The boardwalk lay just in front of me, with a gorgeous beachfront cabana ahead. The golden sand beckoned me to run barefoot across its surface. I was in South Beach, literally steps away from the most beautiful beachfront view I'd ever seen. As the driver unloaded my equipment, I checked my reflection in the vehicle's dark windows. I wore a paper-thin wool dress that came just above the knee. The soft black fabric caressed my toned frame perfectly. I cinched my waist with a wide gold belt that matched my gold ballet slippers, and added dark sunglasses to shield my eyes from the radiant sunlight. My hair, falling in loose waves, was pulled off of my face with a jeweled headband. I took off my sunglasses, inhaled the salt water in the air and marveled at my good fortune. I got the call last week from Francine, a production assistant for Essence magazine, with instructions to arrive on set at 6am. Their fashion and beauty departments were doing a special cover story featuring the gorgeous Gabrielle Union for their upcoming anniversary issue. I was especially excited since this was my first out-of-town gig. I was flown into Miami last night, and was delighted with the luxurious hotel room that the Essence staff reserved for me. The Setai Hotel, located right in South Beach, was one of the best, and I was absolutely thrilled with the choice. As I admired the majestic sunrise, it reminded me of how great life had been lately. I could hardly believe that my makeup artistry business was going so well. I was so fortunate to be working with some of the most famous African-American beauties in the business, and I loved every minute of it. My good luck, and maybe my cute look and fun personality, were working overtime to get me the perfect jobs. ~~~ It had been over two months since my longtime friend and former boss, Charlene Drew, passed my name along to Essence's fashion editor, Rose Grandon. Soon after, I met with Rose about her ideas for the shoot. We met at the magazine's private photography studio in NYC. Once I arrived, I learned that Constance Sharpe, the magazine's beauty editor would be joining us for my interview. Rose Grandon was a fiery spirit with red-tipped locs to match. She was a gorgeous beauty, just over 6' tall and lean, with elegant, slim features. Her light complexion was smooth and satiny, and looked absolutely delicious. Her brightly printed blouse and slim pants drew my eyes right to her. Normally I try to be quite reserved around women while I'm working, but this lady had me mesmerized from the very beginning. In contrast, Constance Sharpe was a quiet beauty, adorned with a honey-brown complexion and long, curly hair in a stunning chestnut shade. She stood about 5'7", with a lush, curvy figure. Her bright, pretty smile quickly put me at ease, and her delicate features piqued my interest. She wore a pretty royal-blue wrap dress, and her honey-colored cleavage immediately captured my attention. I'd been dating women for quite a while now, so I was incredibly pleased to be in the company of such lovely ladies. The three of us hit it off immediately. As we chatted, I found out that Rose studied dance as a young girl, but quickly decided on a career in fashion once she learned how to sew as a teen. Later, she studied fashion design, where she learned about garments and their construction, and how clothes flowed on the body. She told me that she developed most of her sense of style by just studying regular people off the street. She said that she was fascinated with the clothes people wore, and how they developed their own personal style. Though she was just in her late 30s, she steadily worked her way up from unpaid college intern to fashion editor of the prestigious magazine. She offered me a cup of tea, and I watched her make her way across the room to the kitchenette in the studio. She still danced as a hobby, and her walk was so graceful, that I held my breath watching her glide across the floor. Constance didn't speak much at all; she mostly nodded as she made notes in her daily planner. I noticed that it was the new style that came decorated with an expensive alligator-skin cover. She also quickly typed notes into the newest Blackberry. We spoke for a few minutes about the look they wanted for Gabrielle's photo shoot. Rose booked the beautiful African-American actress in order to both feature her new projects coming out, as well as showcase the hottest clothing lines of the new season. Rose was very specific about the style she wanted for the overall layout: Her vision was to showcase Gabrielle as a fashionable South Beach socialite. The ocean view just beyond a lavish beachfront cabana would be the backdrop, and Gabrielle would model rich silk dresses, modern separates and stylish swimsuits. Thankfully, I had done a similar look before, and both ladies were pleased at my results as they flipped through my photo book. Once we agreed upon a fee, they agreed to book me as part of the style team. I was particularly grateful since I had little experience with shoots this big. Appreciative of the opportunity, and wanting to make the best first impression I could, I wore a fitted light blue blouse with a short, midnight-black skirt that seriously tested the laws of decency. Though I was petite, just at 5'4", I worked hard to keep in the best shape possible, and they both seemed to appreciate it. I noticed that Rose's eyes lingered on my legs a bit too long, but I was used to flirtatious women. She was too cool to approach me then, but I decided to keep my eyes on her. Constance continued to hold back, but as she hugged me goodbye, I felt her soft hands gently caress my back. This was going to be an interesting job. ~~~ Today's shoot was pretty straightforward: Gabrielle was the sole actress for the layout. Once she arrived, she'd go directly to wardrobe. When her final fittings were completed and her hair was styled, she would come to me for makeup. She would then be dressed and photographed directly on the beach. The set was designed as a luxurious oceanfront cabana. Vibrant red, gold and blue tapestries were draped from the roof to the sand. An ornate sleigh bed sat in the middle of the structure, surrounded by small tables decorated with exquisite antique pieces. Tens of candles, all unlit but very colorful, also adorned the space. A second, smaller "styling" villa was steps away, and housed the wardrobe and makeup rooms. Inside, racks of clothes sat by the door. A large table in front of a grand, full-length mirror was positioned toward the back of the room. Two small production trailers sat between the two structures. The first trailer, I learned, was for catering; the other for additional equipment. As I walked into the styling villa, I heard a loud voice behind me. "Nikii!" I spun. Rose quickly moved to embrace me. "I'm glad you're here." She checked her watch. "And you're early! Even better!" She grabbed my hand. "Gabrielle is scheduled to be here shortly. In the meantime, let's have some breakfast, shall we?" I walked with her out to the catering trailer. Stepping in, I was pleased to see an elaborate buffet of delicious items. Grabbing a plate, I filled it with a selection of fresh fruit and a couple of warm, flaky croissants. Following Rose, we walked outside to a short bench right on the beach near the sidewalk. We chatted for a few minutes, all the while me noticing her eyes again on my exposed legs underneath the hem of my dress. Chuckling, I silently bet that she'd hit on me before the day was over. All of a sudden, a dark SUV pulled up to the curb just behind our bench. A woman with a medium-build and dark sunglasses hopped out of the passenger's side and walked over to us. We stood as Rose spoke first. "Hey, Melinda!" She turned back to me. "Nikii, this is Melinda Brown. Melinda is Gabrielle's personal assistant. Melinda, this is Nikii Clarke. She's today's makeup artist." Melinda tipped her shades down to her nose and regarded me with an icy stare. "Nikii Clarke. I hear you're friends with Charlene Drew?" "Yes, I–" Melinda rolled her eyes and abruptly turned back to Rose. "Gabrielle will be here shortly. Now, she has a tight schedule today. So the sooner we can get started, the better." As the three of us walked back to the styling villa, Melinda stopped me. "I need to talk to Rose privately. Can you...just go somewhere else?" Well, damn. But I needed to remain professional. "Sure. No problem," I smiled. "I'll be inside if you need me." Back in the styling villa, I unpacked my makeup case. With nothing to do just yet, I chatted with a few of the production assistants. As we talked, I heard a light voice. "Nikii?" I looked around to see Constance Sharpe walking toward me. She wore a close-fitting white button-down shirt with smartly tailored white capri pants. Next to her was a very pretty young lady; most likely in her early to mid 20's. The girl was dressed in a hot pink silk blouse with jeans that hugged her slender legs. "Hi Constance," I smiled. Such pretty ladies. This job was getting better and better. "Gabrielle should be here shortly," Constance said. "First, she'll get fitted for the outfits. Then she'll go to hair, and then to you for makeup. In the meantime, let's go over the looks we want today." She paused. "Oh. By the way, this is Fran. She's our production assistant. She's the one who called you." "Hi, Nikii," Fran said shyly. I was immediately taken with Fran's perfume. The scent of sandalwood adorned her trim body. I felt a delicious throb between my legs, but I was forced to ignore it for the time being. Just then, Constance's cell phone rang. She excused herself to take the call. Fran and I stood there grinning at each other for a moment. I couldn't believe that I was so taken with this young lady. Regaining my composure, I thanked her for being so professional when she called me. After that, she warmed up to me, and we really hit it off. While chatting, we grew much more comfortable with each other. We ended up talking about the industry, and I found out that, like me, she also had a love for fashion, beauty and style. We exchanged stories about working on set. She had me laughing with tales of being a young production assistant with such a celebrated magazine. I wanted to ask her out badly, but I wasn't sure if she even dated women. With her, I couldn't really tell. I thought I noticed some interest, but I just wasn't sure. But if the opportunity presented itself, I'd definitely take advantage of it. A few minutes later, Rose, Constance and Melinda joined us. We had a quick meeting to discuss Gabrielle's looks, and the mechanics of the shoot in general. Fortunately, I was also able to slide in a confirmation of my fee. Once we were done, I stepped outside for a moment to enjoy the warm Miami sunshine. As I stood there, a black SUV pulled up to the curb, similar to the one Melinda rode in. The driver got out and opened the side door. I immediately recognized the milk chocolate Barbie doll, and my mouth began to water. Clad in a simple gray tank top, denim shorts and dark sunglasses, Gabrielle Union carefully exited the SUV. Melinda hurried up to her and the two spoke quickly. Surprisingly, Melinda led Gabrielle straight to me. "Gabby, this is Nikii. She's your makeup artist," she said flatly. "Aren't you Charlene's friend?" Gabrielle had the sexiest, most seductive voice I'd ever heard. "Yes, Ms. Union. It's nice to meet you." "Likewise. But call me Gabrielle. So...let's get started, shall we?" Her sexy voice, low and husky, gave me delicious chills. ~~~ Gabrielle's first shot featured her modeling a scarlet red crochet mini dress. The delicate spaghetti straps rested comfortably on her smooth, milk chocolate shoulders. The front of the dress teased her chocolate nipples, which threatened to show through the intricate threaded pattern. The hem of the dress hit just at her mid thigh, exposing her creamy dark brown skin. Wanting her makeup to complement her dress, I applied dramatic shades to highlight her beautiful dark skin. I decorated her eyes with a striking golden hue, and added jet-black mascara to her lashes. I used a rosy blush that gave her cheeks a sensual glow. To her lips, I applied a dramatic red lip color with just a hint of sheer gloss. Admiring herself in the mirror, she raved about how much she liked it. They had her pose in the cabana, lying seductively on the bed. Once ready, she moved easily from pose to pose as the photographer snapped her lithe frame. Not surprisingly, the shots came out perfectly. We next changed her into a flirty black silk blouse with black cuffed silk shorts. Draped over her shoulder was a thin, silk leopard-print wrap. Dark sunglasses completed the sophisticated look. My job was easier this time. Rose asked me to do light, nude shades on her eyes and lips. Again, Gabrielle loved her look and praised me endlessly. All the while, Melinda stood quiet in the corner, but I felt her icy glare. Once she was ready, she was sent back to the cabana. Again, she was flawless in her poses, and was totally comfortable in front of the camera. The shots were absolutely beautiful. Rose called for a one-hour lunch break before we would style Gabrielle for the final shots. After a quick bite to eat, I again took a seat outside on the bench to enjoy the atmosphere. Just then, I heard a soft voice call my name. I turned to see Fran standing behind me with a wicked grin. "May I join you?" I smiled at the pretty young woman. "Sure." "So, how's it going?" she said as she took a seat next to me. She was so polite and sweet. "Good. Kind of tired, though. I'll be glad to get back to the hotel later." "A nice hot bath, huh?" I sighed. "Yes. Steaming hot." "A massage, maybe?" "I wish! I have a lonely hotel room waiting for me. And an empty condo in New York." "Oh," she said. "So you're...single?" I grimaced. "Yeah. My job keeps me pretty busy. Too busy, sometimes." "I find it hard to believe that no one's snapped you up yet." I wanted to turn the tables a bit. "Well, what about you? Are you with someone?" "I broke up with my girlfriend over a month ago." Girlfriend? I perked up. "Oh yeah?" "Yeah." We winked at each other and laughed. She gently touched my dress. "By the way, this is a really pretty outfit." That was my cue. "And you're a really pretty girl." I reached out and stroked her hair. Suddenly she leaned into me and kissed me on the cheek. As sweet as it was, I didn't want it taking place right on South Beach. Reading my mind, she grabbed my hand. "Come on." Nearly running, she led me across the street to a large parking lot. Unlocking a black SUV, she ushered me into the back seat. Locking the door behind us, she spoke softly. "I've never done anything like this before. But you are so damned fine!" She slid her arms around my waist and pressed her lips against mine. Fran ran her hands all over my body. I moaned at the delicious shivers that ran through me. I felt lightheaded as we continued to kiss passionately. I undid my belt and let it drop to the floor. She whispered in my ear. "We don't have much time." She leaned in and kissed and licked my nipples through the thin fabric. "Oooh," I sighed. Her voice deepened as her passion rose. "I want you so bad, baby." She knelt down in the cramped space and scooted between my legs. Lifting my dress, she slid her hands to my panties and expertly removed them. "I'm gonna keep these," she winked. Suddenly, I felt a warm, wet sensation directly on my clit. I moaned uncontrollably as Fran's tongue danced all over my wet pussy lips. Other than my sighs and moans, the only noise in the SUV was the sound of Fran licking me gently, teasing me at first. Soon, however, her pace increased and her tongue moved faster and faster as she drank my juices. "Oh, baby! That feels so good," I sighed. Without thinking, my hands gently gripped her hair to direct her movements. "Yes, honey, yes. Honey, please don't stop! Please...Oh baby!" Taking this as her cue, she licked with more deliberate strokes. My honey flowed from deep within me and the exotic scent permeated my nostrils. Grabbing my hips, she pulled me closer, never letting up on my sensitive clit. I threw my head back and lost myself in the delicious sensations. I could feel my orgasm building quickly, so I reached under my dress to caress my rock-hard nipples. "Don't stop, baby! I'm almost there," I moaned. "Please make me cum, baby...Please! I need it baby. I need it so bad...Oh God, baby...Baby, please!" Licking faster and faster, Fran's lips kissed and sucked my delicate jewel. Higher and higher I climbed until the sensations were unbearable. Fran's attention to my wet pussy was almost too much. "Oh baby! Baby, pleeeeease!" I moaned over and over. "Your tongue feels so good...Ah...Ahhhh...Oh God!" All at once, my body exploded as if dynamite had been set off. "Ahhhhh!" I screamed in ecstasy as my body turned into molten lava. Grateful, Fran licked up the sweet nectar that almost spilled out of me. Panting, I tried to regain my composure as Fran raised off of the floor and sat next to me on the seat. I pulled her into a heated embrace and kissed her deeply. Tasting my own sugary sweetness, my pussy tingled again with pleasure. Before I could return the favor – and I fully planned to turn her little ass out – her cell phone rang. Lunch hour was over and we were being summoned back to set. I kissed her again and hugged her tight. "Later, baby," I whispered. "I promise." She nodded as we exited the SUV, but not after programming our numbers into each other's phones. ~~~ As I walked back to the set, I ran into Melinda. "Nikii? Can I see you for a moment?" She led me behind the building. "First, I have nothing against you. Or your kind. Just do me a favor, ok? Stay away from Ms. Union." What? I thought. It's Ms. Union now? Ok. She continued before I could respond. "For some reason she's...taken with you. Now I can't control her or her personal life. But I can make life difficult for you if you interfere," she snapped. "Do I make myself clear?" I was on the verge of snapping right back at her, but I kept cool for a moment. I wasn't going to let this nosy, bitter woman throw me off my game. "Crystal," I replied. Her mood instantly brightened. "Good. And actually, I think you've done a good job so far," she offered. Then her mood immediately darkened again. "But I need for you to stay in your place. And, unless it's work related, stay away from Ms. Union." As fast as she arrived, she turned and left me standing there alone. By now I was fuming, but what could I do? This was my biggest job to date, and I couldn't afford to be blacklisted. But I had to smile. Gabrielle was "taken" with me? I laughed. I guess I had it goin' on. ~~~ Entering the styling villa, I prepared for the final shots. Soon after, Gabrielle came in, wearing a soft pink bathrobe, and flanked by Melinda and two stylists. Gabrielle sat at the table and I prepped her skin for the final makeup application. The Makeup Artist Ch. 03 Her final look would feature her modeling a silvery metallic swimsuit. I applied a shimmery pink eye shadow to her lids and a glittery bronzer to her cheeks. I kept her lips rich and luscious with a vibrant deep rose lipstick and a very light gloss. Looking in the mirror, she smiled. "That looks beautiful, Nikii." Her husky voice still excited me. "You're very talented," she said as she rose to leave. "Not yet. I have one last surprise." I winked playfully at her. She grinned and sat back down. As I looked up, Melinda had a stern look on her face. Ignoring her for the moment, I pulled a small black box out of my makeup case. "Take a look at these." Lifting the cover, inside were tens of tiny Swarovski crystals. They ranged in color from clear to light blue, and from rose to yellow. "Oooh! Those are so pretty!" she exclaimed. "I'm going to place a few of these crystals around your eyes for a dramatic accent. And I'm using regular old eyelash glue, so they'll come off easily." "Go for it, babygirl!" She high-fived me, and we giggled. I glanced across the room. Melinda's bitchface almost made me burst out laughing. Carefully, I applied the delicate crystals around her eyes. The clear stones would be the perfect match to the metallic swimsuit. Finally finished, I stepped back so we could admire her look. My breath caught. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled more brightly than the crystals. The gloss on her lips made them delightfully lickable. Her dark tresses lay in gorgeous waves across her shoulders. Our eyes locked in the mirror. Heat was rising in me fast. "Gabby, let's get you changed," Melinda interrupted. As she left, Gabrielle gave me a quick hug. "Thanks, hon!" Just then, a flurry of activity was at the door. I heard a shout. "Gabby!" I turned to see a surprising sight. The beautiful Christina Milian strolled into the room, followed by a slim, buttermilk-colored Latin beauty. Christina was simply gorgeous, clad in only a sparkling gold bikini top and denim shorts. Her golden hair, in deliciously curly ringlets, hung seductively down her back. Her honey-colored skin was simply radiant. She was so adorable, yet at the same time devilishly captivating. "Hey, Sunshine!" Gabrielle exclaimed as the two ladies hugged. "How are you? I'm glad you made it! I didn't think you'd have the time." Christina laughed. "Girl, I'm fine. Of course I had to come and see my number one girl while I'm in town!" She paused. "And my interview doesn't start until later, so I'm good." Christina stopped and looked at her closely. "Girl, your makeup is fierce!" she exclaimed. "I love those crystals!" Gabrielle turned to me. "This is Nikii. Nikii Clarke. She's the magician today. Her work is excellent." Nervously, I shook Christina's soft hand. "Hi there. It's nice to meet you Ms. Milian." "Girl, it's Christina." She turned to the lady next to her. "This is Jasmin Ramirez, my stylist." Jasmin gave me a friendly wave. Her bright smile put me at ease. Gabby spoke again. "Christina, let's go outside in the sun for a minute while they get my wardrobe together." I stood in awe as the ladies walked outside, chatting all the while. I had to admit: I loved my job. ~~~ The final shots featured Gabrielle directly on the sand. Her lean body lay seductively out in the sun. Even the photographer was sweating while shooting her luscious body. A small crowd gathered to watch. It seemed as though we were all mesmerized by her natural beauty. A few minutes later, Rose declared that the shoot was a wrap. I'd seen some of the film, and it was impressive. Gabrielle's sexy poses lit a roaring inferno in me. Composing myself, I quickly removed Gabrielle's makeup and thanked her for the opportunity. As I finished, Christina and Jasmin came back in to chat with her. I thought I should say goodbye to Melinda, but, thankfully, she was nowhere to be found. Strangely, neither was Fran. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to say goodbye to her, but I had her number and I'd make sure to call her later. As I packed up my equipment, Rose and Constance gave me my check and said I was free to leave. They both hugged me and said that they were impressed with my work. They also said they'd be calling me again in the future. ~~~ Exhausted, rather than wait for a ride, I just caught a cab back to the hotel. After unpacking and undressing, I drew a hot bath in the huge whirlpool tub, and poured in a generous amount of bubble bath. While it filled, I stepped out onto the balcony and enjoyed the serene Miami sunset. The magnificent colors – deep oranges, reds and blues – relaxed my spirit. Once my bath was ready, I soaked my tired body for what seemed like forever. All of a sudden, the hotel phone rang, interrupting my relaxation. My first instinct was to just let it ring. I normally used my cell phone for all my calls. However, it might be Rose or Constance, so I quickly came to my senses and jumped out of the tub. "Hello?" "Hi. Nikii?" Was it–? It couldn't be. "Yes, this is she." "It's Gabrielle. I hope I'm not disturbing you." Was she kidding? "No. Of course not." "I found out from Rose that you're staying in the Setai too. I'm a few floors above you." Wow. The Universe must really love me. "What can I do for you?" She paused. "I was wondering...I've got a couple of your crystals. I think they fell off while we were shooting. I wanted to make sure you got them back." "Oh, it's ok. I'm sure you're busy." "No. I insist." I got excited. "Do you want me to come up?" "No," she said a little too quickly. "I mean," her voice lowered, "I'm not alone. I'll just come down there, ok?" "Sure. I'll be here." "Thanks." Then she hung up. Quickly, I dried off and threw on my silk bathrobe to cover my damp, naked body. The royal blue fabric teased my rigid nipples, making them even harder. Ten minutes later, there was a soft knock at the door. I opened it, and Gabrielle stepped in. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat updo. She wore a white tank top and a short white cotton skirt. Her rich chocolate legs were firm and luscious. She reached into her bag and handed me a small piece of folded-up fabric. "I didn't know how to carry these, so I just wrapped them up. I hope that's ok." "It's fine. They'll be fine." I felt my heart beating furiously in my chest. She turned to the window. "It's such a beautiful sunset, isn't it? Like paradise on Earth." "Yes it is. Miami is turning out to be my favorite place. I think I just might relocate here." "I totally understand. I have a place here myself. If you do decide to move, you'll love it." She looked at me. "You know, I was really pleased with your work today. But I hoped you'd come with us out to dinner." "Dinner?" I was confused. "I didn't know you all were going out." She frowned. "I told Melinda to invite you personally." I sighed. "I didn't get the message. But I'm not surprised." "I don't understand." "Nevermind. I'm sorry." "No, wait. Did Melinda say something to you?" "Ms. Union–" "Gabrielle." "Ok. Gabrielle. I can't afford any problems right now." I got nervous. "I'm new to this biz. I can't–" "She told you to keep your distance from me, didn't she?" Surprised, I nodded. Gabrielle sighed. "She's a really good person." She sat on the foot of my bed. "She's looking out for my well-being. She doesn't want to see me get hurt." She motioned me to sit next to her. "But I know what I want." Boldly, she reached out and gripped my chin. Her touch was firm and gentle all at the same time. "I'm a pretty good judge of people. I have to be, in this business. I can tell you're a sweetheart. Not like the sharks I deal with on a daily basis." She stroked my hair, still slightly damp from my bath. "You're a good person. Very good. And Charlene says you're wonderful." I sighed. Charlene again. I had to talk to that girl and fast. But Char had been cleverly avoiding my calls for the past few weeks; our only contact being through a series of brief text messages. But before I could protest, Gabrielle's full lips captured mine in a heated kiss. Passion swirling out of control inside of me, I kissed back. Shaking off my nerves, I lost myself deeper into our hot kisses. Suddenly she stood up. "Let's get comfortable." With a grand gesture, she pulled her hairpins out, and let her full, long tresses shake free. Next, she grabbed the hem of her tank top and slowly raised it above her head, stripping it off. Nude underneath, her luscious breasts sat deliciously high on her chest. She twirled and did a cute pirouette. We giggled. I slid back on the bed so that my back rested against the headboard. "Are you going to give me a show?" I joked. "Oh, you want a show?" She turned her back to me. Playfully, she shook her cute tush. I heard a snap as she undid her skirt. Wiggling her ass, she shimmied out of the skirt and kicked it across the room. She turned back around and stood in front of me, clad in only a cute pair of sparkly pink panties. I motioned her to me. She crawled seductively onto the bed and slid on top of me, lightly kissing my heated flesh on the way. She undid the tie on my bathrobe and slid it off of my heated body. Boldly, I flipped her onto her back and my lips went directly to her scrumptious breasts. I licked and nipped the chocolate flesh until she moaned in ecstasy. As I teased the soft skin, I felt her hands in my hair pulling me closer. Kissing down her sweet body, I flicked my tongue in her navel. Giggling, she squirmed underneath me. "Ticklish, huh?" I launched into a full-on tickle assault. "No!" she squealed, and wriggled to get away. Laughing, I held her down and teased her until she was out of breath. Finally, I released my grip. As she panted, trying to catch her breath, I shocked her by stripping off her panties and diving directly into her sugary wetness. "Oh God!" she screamed. Her hot body lifted up off of the bed. I held her hips as I licked and sucked her wet pussy. After a few minutes, I drew back. "Open your legs wider," I ordered. She spread her legs wider, exposing her pink jewel. I leaned back in and used the tip of my tongue to gently trace her swollen lips. Her taste was warm and tangy, and her scent went directly into my brain. I loved eating her wet, juicy pussy. "Oh yes, baby," she moaned. "Lick me, baby! Lick my wet pussy!" I looked up. Her hands caressed her breasts, and her slim fingers teased her hardened nipples. Her pretty face was flushed with passion and her mouth hung open. Her delicious honey flowed from deep within, and I lapped it up quickly. My own throbbing need almost consumed me, but I was determined to satisfy this chocolate doll first. Lifting her legs up onto my shoulders, I buried my head in her wetness. "Baby," she wailed. "Baby, I love it!" I tongued her swollen clit over and over. Her body twisted and turned on the bed, tangling the sheets. I could feel her legs shake as her passion increased. I kissed her clit repeatedly, making her moan even louder. "Oh, baby. Baby, eat me!" she cried. "Eat my pussy, Nikii! Baby, pleeeeease!" I paused for a moment to reach toward the nightstand and grab a small black pouch. Her eyes grew large as I removed a soft pink vibrator and a small packet. Ripping the condom package open, I deftly unrolled the latex over the toy. Diving back between her legs, I easily slid it into her wetness. Her back arched and she cried out. "Oh, oh, oh!" I stifled a giggle at her surprise. Moving the toy in and out, I concentrated wet, juicy circles with my tongue on her clit. "More. Keep going, baby!" she moaned. "Don't stop, honey! Oooooh! Don't stop!" I kept up the delicious pressure on her pink gem. As I felt her body tremble, and heard her moans intensify, I knew she was close. Spreading her legs wider, I licked as hard and as fast as I could. I could see her stomach muscles tightening and hear her breathing become more labored. "I'm so close," she moaned. "Don't stop!" In and out, I stroked her deeply with the vibrator, inching closer and closer to her sweet spot. All of a sudden, she tensed up. "I'm cumming! Oh God, I'm cumming! Now, baby, now!" As she peaked, I turned the dial on the vibrator from off to high. The insistent buzz was drowned out by her passionate screams. Her warm juices flowed copiously, bathing my face in her sweet nectar. Keeping up the in-and-out movement, I turned the dial up and down, and continued teasing her swollen clit. The shocking movements set off another explosion in her body, and another. Abandoning the toy, I held her hips and hung on tight through her multiple orgasms. I kept licking her sweet pink pearl over and over, delighting in the sweet taste. My face was nearly drenched with her delicious elixir. Finally, after an eternity, she seemed to be calming down. Temporarily sated, she continued to tremble as she sighed with pleasure. Her body then gave out and she went limp. I gently removed the toy, and softly kissed the insides of her thighs. She giggled at the ticklish sensations. I continued to nuzzle at her damp flesh. "Nikii!" she laughed. "You are wonderful! Come 'ere." The bed sheets lay tangled underneath us as we embraced and kissed gently. "Now it's your turn." She licked my neck and bit me softly. Her lips felt so good. My hardened nipples waited expectantly for her soft tongue. My body was a blazing inferno and I couldn't wait much longer for my release. My throbbing pussy nearly made me come undone. Just then, I heard the soft chime of a cell phone. She groaned. "Shit! It's mine." She slid off the bed and ran to her handbag. "Hello?" I panted as she spoke to the caller quickly, but firmly. I sensed the beginnings of an argument. My passion dropped a few notches as I tried not to listen. "Yeah. Sure. Fine." Irritated, she snapped the phone shut. She sighed heavily. "Baby, that was Melinda. I have to go." She quickly began to dress and pull herself together. "I have to get to the airport. Turns out, I snagged an audition in L.A. But it's first thing tomorrow morning, so I have to fly out tonight." She gave me a sad look. "I'm sorry." She reached back into her handbag and handed me a small, white envelope. I waved her off. "Rose already paid me for the day." She insisted. "Consider it...overtime," she winked. I felt a bit weird, but took the envelope anyway and placed it on the nightstand. Suddenly, she snapped her fingers. "Oh! Before I forget. What are you doing a couple of weekends from now?" "I have a couple of jobs early in the week, but after that, I think I'm free. What do you need?" "It's not me, hon. It's Christina. She absolutely loved your work. She's appearing at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. She's looking for a couple of girls for her style team. It's going to be a pretty big job. She's hosting a party, and doing some interviews, and I think she's doing a red carpet gig for MTV. Are you interested?" Ws she kidding? "Sure! I'd love to help." "I'll let her know. Give me your number, and I'll pass it along to her and Jasmin." Quickly I leapt off the bed, grabbed a pen and paper off of the desk and scribbled down my contact information. Taking the paper, she embraced me and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, baby!" She waved as she left the room. I grabbed the envelope and stepped back onto the balcony. Opening it, I found a personal check made out to me for a very generous amount. I chuckled. Just then, my cell phone chimed. Checking the display, it was Fran. She was texting me to see if I wanted to hang out. I had to smile. Life was definitely good. Definitely. The Makeup Artist Ch. 04 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. This fictitious parody is protected speech under Hustler Magazine, Inc., et. al. v. Jerry Falwell. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ Chapter 4: Christina Milian at the Video Music Awards. ~~~ I pulled up in the hotel shuttle van and beheld the majestic Palms Hotel. My plane touched down nearly an hour ago and I marveled at the golden sunrise that framed the Las Vegas skyline. Though it was early Sunday morning, the air was electric and I absorbed every bit of the energy that radiated from the city streets. I was amazed at my good fortune. "Lady Luck? You with me, Mama?" I teased. I was definitely looking forward to completing this job, earning a considerable fee and gaining even more recognition as a makeup artist. ~~~ The past few months had been pretty damn awesome. I started my makeup artistry company in New York City, averaging about one or two jobs a week. I even scored jobs working with the incredible Beyonce Knowles and the extremely talented Ciara. When I was new to being self-employed, that was about all I could handle. Once I became much more comfortable and had much more confidence in my work, I needed new challenges and more of them. After a couple of months of steady work in New York's fashion industry doing smaller photo shoots and fashion shows, I got a lucky break. I scored a job in Miami working with Gabrielle Union. Soon after, I decided to relocate there. The water, the beaches, the sun, the warmth and the atmosphere all made me feel like I was in paradise. Fortunately, I was able to snag many makeup artistry jobs in Miami. I busied myself with the numerous smaller-scale fashion shows, photo shoots, conventions and other events that were always being held in the Magic City. I also started developing outlines for several projects I wanted to complete one day. I wanted to design both a how-to book and a DVD series that would teach various makeup techniques. I loved beautifully styled women, so I thought it would be the perfect outlet for my passion. I also wanted to form my own cosmetics company and develop a makeup line that featured rich, vibrant colors for medium to darker skin tones. I even thought about designing a calendar based on my best pictures. Now I was in Las Vegas doing makeup for an international pop star at a worldwide music event. After the fast-pace of NYC and the busyness of Miami, I was ready for the ultimate in excitement. And where better to experience that than here in Vegas? MTV was hosting the 2007 Video Music Awards here at the Palms. The VMAs, as they were popularly known, were always a wild event, and totally unpredictable. All types of people, from musicians to athletes to models to everyday folk, would descend on Sin City to party their asses off. ~~~ As I was about to let myself out of the vehicle, the door opened. The sharply dressed concierge greeted me with a warm smile and a small bouquet of flowers. "Ms. Nikii Clarke?" "Yes?" "Welcome to the Palms Hotel. We've been expecting you. How was your flight?" "Great, thanks," I said, as he helped me step out of the van. "Ms. Milian is upstairs and she's expecting you. Once you check in, we'll bring your bags and show you to your room." I smiled when I heard her name. Christina Milian, the international pop and R &B star, was asked to host the pre-show for the VMAs. Her numerous records and films topped the charts all over the world. I loved her style and I enjoyed meeting her previously in Miami. "Thank you so much," I beamed. I certainly didn't expect such an elaborate welcome, so I was a bit giddy. As the hotel staff unloaded my luggage, I caught my reflection in the hotel's glass doors. I knew the insane heat would be in effect, so I made sure to dress light, but still stylish. I wore a thin, lacy camisole top to keep cool in the desert heat. Its deep violet color looked radiant against my satiny brown skin. White shorts and deep violet sandals added to my casual look. As a stylish accent, I wore a few pieces of jewelry, including my brand new sorority pendant. I purchased the elegant piece with part of the proceeds from my Gabrielle Union shoot. The small, pink rose pendant on a thin gold chain hung deliciously between my full breasts. Amethyst gemstones affixed to gold hairclips gathered my black, wavy, shoulder-length hair off of my face. However, only out of the van for a few moments, beads of sweat already dotted my forehead. I quickly went to the front desk, accompanied by a handsome bellhop with my luggage in tow. A pretty Black woman with a gorgeous smile and a generous bosom took my information. As she deftly typed on her computer keyboard, I noticed her name badge: Monica. I definitely needed to keep that for reference. Her seductive voice brought me back from my brief reverie. "Yes, Ms. Clarke. I have your info right here. You're in Room 608. And you have a roommate, Jasmin Ramirez." She typed again. "And I see there's a message here for you. You're to report to Ms. Milian's room, Suite 3602, by 8am." Checking my watch, that gave me just thirty minutes to freshen up. Thanking Monica, and winking at her for good measure, the bellhop and I quickly went up to my room. As he unloaded my luggage, all I had time to do was quickly freshen up, brush my hair and touch up my makeup. Thanking the bellhop with a generous tip, I bid him goodbye, grabbed my case and my photo book, which I'd updated with the Gabrielle Union pictures, and hurried up to Christina's room. Knocking firmly, I thanked the Universe that I was ten minutes early. Through the door, I could hear several voices, along with the distinctive sound of a blow dryer. I smiled. Her glam squad was in full effect. As I was about to knock again, a slim Hispanic woman opened the door. "Nikii!" she exclaimed. "Hey Jasmin!" I was so glad to see a familiar face. Taking a closer look, however, I was immediately entranced by her sensuality. Jasmin Ramirez, Christina's lead stylist, was a statuesque Latin beauty, towering over me at a full six feet tall. Her flawless olive skin was luminous, set off beautifully by long, jet-black hair that hung wild, tousled and curly all the way down her back. Her chestnut eyes sparkled as she gave me a friendly hug. I first met her in Miami at Gabrielle Union's shoot and her smile was as bright now as it was then. Though I adored Jasmin's exotic features, I sensed a lot more going on inside of her. I even felt it back when we first met, but the busyness of the day made it impossible to talk to her. Now that we were together again, I looked forward to us getting much better acquainted. "Come on in, Chica!" Her cute accent rang sweetly in my ears. As I walked in, I noticed how busy it was. Jasmin introduced me to Tonya Jessup, Christina's manager, who was talking furiously into her cell phone. Tonya's adorable smile framed her cinnamon brown face perfectly. I also loved her natural hair, elaborately twisted into lengthy dark-brown locs. I also met Kurtis Dunbar, Christina's hairstylist, and Wanda Newsome, who was in charge of her wardrobe. Kurtis wore an expensive, midnight-black silk shirt and slacks set. His smooth, dark brown skin glittered like the silver and turquoise Native American-inspired jewelry he donned on his neck and wrists. His warm smile immediately put me at ease. Wanda, almost buried in several racks of clothing stationed at the back of the room, frantically pulled together various outfits while shaking her head in exasperation. Her rich, pecan colored skin caught my attention immediately. Her petite body was clad in a cute white tee and skin-tight jeans. Several strands of her hair, cut into a short, feathered style, bounced wildly as she fluttered around making sure Christina had the perfect outfits. Christina sat in the middle of the room in a hard-backed chair, with a decided frown on her face. She wore a hot pink bathrobe with matching slippers. The vibrant color made her golden brown skin gleam. "Hey Nikii! Thanks for coming!" she called out to me while Kurtis used a round brush and a hand-held hairdryer to tame her curly ringlets and make them bone-straight. All of a sudden, she winced in pain as the round brush tugged on her lengthy tresses. "Ouch!" I gave her a sympathetic look, but was grateful that I wasn't the one wielding the hurtful instrument. Beauty could be brutal sometimes. Clicking off her phone, Tonya grabbed a clipboard and called us to attention; her long locs swinging. Kurtis quickly shut off the hairdryer. "Ok, everybody. Christina's schedule is pretty jam-packed today, so I'll need everyone's cooperation." Tonya paused to collect her thoughts. "Ok. Christina's due on the red carpet to do the MTV Pre-Show interviews no later than 6pm. But first, she has an interview and photo shoot with Life & Style Magazine at 10am. Thankfully, they'll take place right here in the hotel at the pool. Next is a series of phone interviews with several radio stations across the country. Those'll be conducted right here in her room from 12pm to 2pm. Then we'll have a quick lunch and maybe some free time." Glancing at her schedule, her brow furrowed. "Well, maybe not." We all laughed. Tonya continued. "We'll start getting her ready for the red carpet at 3:30pm, so she can hit the floor at 5:30pm sharp. Now, about the content for today's interviews and for any other press: She's not due in the studio until later this year, so the new album is secondary. The main focus today is twofold: Christina's new endorsement deal with L'Oreal cosmetics and the new movie she's shooting in a few weeks. For your reference, it's called Southern Hospitality, starring Jamie Foxx and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Christina's character is Dream, a shy southern belle turned diva-ish Hollywood actress." She paused to let everything sink in. "Is everyone clear about today's schedule?" Everyone nodded his or her assent, including Christina. I smiled inwardly at how cute and agreeable she was. As I admired her delicate features, a heated rush of passion raced through me. Enjoying the delicious feeling, I knew that trying to keep my composure around this exquisite beauty would be a formidable task. Tonya then turned to me. "Nikii? I need you to get your equipment ready. Kurtis will be done with Christina's hair shortly. Then she'll have her final fitting. At that point, I'll need you to make her up carefully, but quickly. Then she'll get dressed. I want her down to the shoot by 9:45, so they can start at 10am sharp. She then reached into her briefcase and handed me a stack of papers. "In the meantime, please fill out these forms so I can get you paid at the end of the night." As thrilled as I was about my payment, I was even more thrilled with the opportunity to get to know Jasmin better. While we waited for Kurtis to finish Christina's hair, she and I compared notes for Christina's makeup. We immediately hit it off and began talking about beauty and fashion in general, with us soon moving to more complicated, more complex topics. She was well versed in many subjects and I found that talking to this fascinating creature was a delight. Kurtis continued his work on Christina's hair until it was sleek and silky straight. He added a few curls at the crown to give her hair volume and a bit of flair. Once he was done, Christina looked in the mirror. She shook her head and the golden strands fluttered around her face. "Perfect," she smiled. Her soft voice sent a delicious thrill through me. "How about these outfits for this morning's shoot?" Wanda called out from behind one of the clothing racks. First, she pulled out a dazzling white silk caftan decorated with tiny rhinestones. "This she can wear lying poolside in the chaise lounge." Next she pulled out a sparkling gold satin bikini. "This is for the shots in the pool and at the water's edge." The thin, gilded fabric, trimmed with tiny, hand-sewn gold beads, would look simply divine against Christina's naturally golden skin. Wanda also showed us a few more outfits that Christina could use as backup pieces. "All of those outfits are gorgeous!" Christina exclaimed. "Great. I like them too," Jasmin said. "But what about the dress for tonight? Her red carpet dress?" "It's over here." Wanda jogged across the room to grab a garment bag hanging on the bathroom door. Unzipping the bag, she pulled out a gorgeous red strapless mini dress. As an accent, tiny red sequins were sown in rose patterns across the bodice. The beautiful fabric glittered brightly and I knew it would be perfect for her. "Ta Da!" Wanda giggled. Christina oohed and ahhed at the stunning dress. "A red dress for the red carpet? I likey!" she cooed. Wanda quickly fit Christina into the white silk caftan. The sheer, flowing fabric swirled around her lithe frame. The highlight of the garment was its jeweled buttons up the front, most of which were left unbuttoned, displaying Christina's creamy honey-brown skin. The hem of the garment hit high up on her firm, silky thighs. Wanda then used a thin rhinestone belt to cinch Christina's tiny waist. Rhinestone-studded four-inch heels gave her calves a sultry, sexy look. Christina twirled in the mirror as we all stopped and stared. She was truly a vision of beauty. Wanda plotted a few last-minute alterations, then Christina slipped out of the caftan and back into the plush robe, so that my makeup application wouldn't ruin her outfit. "Ok, Nikii. You're up next," Christina said as she sat back down. "Work your magic." I stood right behind her chair looking at our reflection in the mirror, one of my brushes in hand. "Do you have something specific in mind?" I asked. I also glanced across the room at Jasmin and Tonya for their input. Christina spoke first. "I want to add sparkle to match the rhinestones in the white outfit. And I'm going to need golden tones for the gold bikini. I really liked those crystals you gave to Gabby." Then her voice lowered to a whisper. "In fact, I want the exact same treatment you gave to Gabrielle." What? Did Gabrielle- She didn't- She wouldn't have- Then Christina crossed her legs and winked. Yes, Gabrielle did. Damn. But how mad was I really gonna get? "Later, Sweetie," I whispered. She nodded. Smiling, I went back to work. Christina's skin was amazingly clear and smooth, so all she needed was just a touch of concealer and foundation. I wanted her eyes to be dramatic so I used a pearl eyeshadow at her browbone, with a deeper sable brown tone on the eyelid. For extra shimmer, I used a bit of champagne colored eyeshadow in the inside corner of her eyes. I applied a full set of false eyelashes followed by several coats of jet-black mascara. For her cheeks, I used a light coral blush that gave her a radiant glow. Finally, I added a sparkly pink lipcolor and gloss to make her lips pop. Christina smiled at her reflection in the mirror. "I really like it, Nikii." She touched my hand and looked me straight in the eye. "Gabrielle said you were the best." I couldn't help but blush. "You look great, Christina," Jasmin said. "And you, Nikii? Nice work. You too, Kurtis." "Yes, it's very good," Tonya added. "Ok everyone. It's 9:30. Let's pack up all the outfits, along with her robe and slippers, and everyone get their stuff together so we can go." ~~~ Once down at the pool, we met up with the staff from Life & Style Magazine. The photo shoot would be done first, with the interview worked in between. Christina carefully slipped out of her robe and into the white outfit. Several of the top buttons were still left undone, giving her an undeniable sexiness. The photographer already had his equipment set up, so Christina took a few test shots right away. Once the set and the lighting were perfect, she launched into the first half of the shoot. She decided to recline poolside in a plush lounge chair, where she moved comfortably from pose to pose. The open buttons of the silky material displayed her soft, light brown skin. Heat rose in me quickly as I gazed at her soft skin. I glanced over at Jasmin. Her eyes were fixed on Christina. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as I noticed her breathing quickening. Her hard nipples caught my attention and my mouth watered. She looked at me. Smiling, I went over to her and we both admired Christina's loveliness. "She's gorgeous, isn't she," I said under my breath. She lightly pinched my arm. "Yes. But so are you." My dark skin blushing scarlet, I couldn't speak. Once the first set of shots was complete, I removed Christina's makeup and we quickly changed her into the gold bikini. The satiny material clung seductively to every curve in her gorgeous body. Its tiny gold beads perfectly decorated both the outline of the fabric and the outline of Christina's soft, supple breasts. Her thick nipples hardened with the light breeze and I licked my lips in anticipation. The image of those taut gems being teased by my tongue flashed in front of me. I had to blink twice to clear the picture from my brain. I wanted something special for her new look. After prepping her skin, I added a glittery honey-gold shadow to her eyes, coupled with more black mascara. I used a light bronzer on her cheeks for a splash of color. On her lips, I used a gold moisturizing lipstick with just a hint of gloss. Also, as with Gabrielle, I wanted a special accent for her eyes. I used eyelash glue to affix a number of tiny gold beads I'd gotten several weeks ago at a craft store to the corners of her eyes. Her sparkling eyes were a perfect complement to her sparkling personality and the sparkling bikini. As a bonus, I quickly added two coats of gold nail polish to her fingers and toes. Then I applied a quick spray of sunscreen to protect her delicate skin. As a final touch, I sprayed her entire body with a gold-infused body oil. Her golden skin and hair absolutely gleamed in the Vegas sun. She reminded me of a regal golden goddess, the finest of royalty. Once ready, Christina immediately lay down at the pool's edge and took the first round of photos. She dipped her toes into the cool water and splashed them playfully. Then she turned the tables and began to pose seductively, her curvy body looking delicious in the blazing sun. Once she hit the water, her once-straight hair began to revert back into seductive spirals. The curly ringlets cascaded over her shoulders. A few loose strands fell over one eye, giving her a seductive look that made the entire photo shoot take a more sensual turn. Soon the shots were finished and she wrapped the robe around herself and studied each of the frames on the laptop monitor. Pleased with all but a few of the shots, she quickly decided to reshoot some of the film and make several modifications. She directed Kurtis and me to make small changes to her hair and makeup. As we did so, Jasmin and Wanda made a few alterations to the outfits. Meanwhile, in the middle of all the chaos, she conducted the interview, candidly answering some of the questions, artfully dodging others and successfully promoting her upcoming projects. I was impressed with Christina's definite ideas about her image. Even though the style team was free to make suggestions, it was clear that Christina was in the driver's seat. As it turned out, her style choices worked well. Once ready, she hit several chic poses and came away with twenty to thirty additional usable frames. The Makeup Artist Ch. 04 Once the Life & Style reps declared the shoot a wrap, we all whooped and hollered to celebrate Christina's success. She laughed as she took a mock bow and curtsey. The Life & Style team promised to email us the pictures once they were ready. I planned to print mine out as soon as I got them and update my photo book. After thanking them, we headed back up to Christina's suite. It was just about noon but we didn't have to start styling Christina for the red carpet until 3:30pm. She had radio call-in interviews from 12pm to 2pm, but she would just do those hanging out in her suite while wearing her casual clothes. Tonya called us all together. "Ok, everybody. I'm going to order lunch now and have it delivered up here. I'm thinking just a couple of fruit and meat trays and maybe some wingdings. And some salad items. Just something light and quick." We all nodded in agreement. "Ok. We'll unofficially break 'till about 3:30pm." Christina sat near the corner of the room, prepping for the interviews. She also had a copy of the script for Southern Hospitality to read in between the interviews. Kurtis busied himself with cleaning and organizing the hair accessories and all of the other equipment he planned to use that evening. Wanda worked on the final alterations to Christina's red carpet dress. Tonya was on her cell phone, doggedly negotiating Christina's next project. Jasmin sat quietly checking her portfolio when she groaned aloud. "Oh, I almost forgot. Christina, I need your approval on my style sketches for the Black & White Ball next month. We need to get your dress made soon. I just need to run back down to my room for a sec to get them." Then she turned to me. "Nikii? We're sharing a room, right? You wanna come with?" "Sure." After the long flight from Miami and the busy morning, I really needed a quick break. Maybe I could even freshen up and change while down there. Leaving the room together, we walked down the hall to the elevator. We stepped in, both of us silent for a moment. Over the past few hours, I found myself really enjoying Jasmin's company. We chatted more during Christina's photo shoot and I wondered at some point whether she was flirting with me. Her soft smiles and the way she touched my arm while making a point inflamed heated desire in me. But I decided to wait. For now, I just admired her. She wore a chic, charcoal-gray jersey dress. The soft, cashmere knit fabric was belted at her slender waist with a black patent leather belt. The hem of the dress rest at her mid-thigh, exposing black leggings on her long, graceful legs. Jasmin made take notice of her, and I did - often. She spoke first. "I really liked your work today. And what you did back in Miami. But you haven't been doing this long, though, have you?" I shook my head. "I've only been a solo artist for a few months, but like I told you earlier, I've been playing with makeup since I was a little girl." "Right. As did I," she chuckled. "Funny. I guess we all did." Then her voice lowered. "So...Answer me this. I'm curious about something..." "Yeah?" She leaned in close to my ear. "What motivates you? Why are you in this business?" "Simply put...I love styling beautiful women," I replied. "Actually, I think all women are gorgeous, but I believe I have a special talent to bring out their beauty even more." I paused. "I guess I'm like an artist. I love taking a blank canvas..." "Mmm hmm..." she whispered. "...and adding beautiful colors to it..." "Yeah?" "...to make an exquisite work of art." Her eyes locked with mine. "So...how do I get you to work on me? Do I need an appointment?" Wait. Did she know- Then she winked. I stared at her creamy olive skin and exotic features. Her long, lean and trim body was ripe for teasing by my skillful, wet tongue. I could again see the imprint of her rigid nipples from underneath her light dress. It was a done deal. I reached out to stroke her soft hair. "Actually, I do prefer appointments. But I'm free right now. I could take you as a walk-in..." She smiled as the elevator stopped at our floor. Without warning, she took my hand and kissed it gently. Though the saucy, pink lip print on my brown skin was hardly visible, the heat of her soft lips lingered for a long time afterwards. Once in our room, Jasmin grabbed her sketchbook and placed it on the table next to the door. She then walked toward me with outstretched arms. I embraced her warmly and leaned in for a passionate kiss. At the touch of her soft lips, pure electricity coursed through me. Moaning, I kissed her harder. Our tongues met and my heart raced. I was intoxicated with her sweet taste. I whispered in her ear. "I need to jump in the shower real quick. I have to freshen up. It'll only take a minute," I said. She frowned. "Oh. Well go ahead. But be quick. We don't have much time." "Nuh uh. Come with me," I grinned. "Now?" "What? 'Fraid to get a little wet?" She stood there, mouth open. "You know you want it," I tossed. She chuckled as I grabbed my overnight bag and hurried into the bathroom. I quickly stripped, and cut on the hot water. Stepping into the hot spray, which pounded against my tired skin, relaxed me instantly. Trying desperately not to wet my hair, I lathered with my vanilla scented body wash. Soaping my full breasts, I teased my nipples, squeezing the firm peaks. I slid my hands all over my body, enjoying the tingling sensations. My fingers moved deep between my legs to stroke my heated clit. A soft moan slipped from my lips. Suddenly, I heard a noise. I peeked out of the shower. Right in front of me stood Jasmin holding a fluffy white towel. She had removed her dress and was completely nude, her beautiful skin glowing with excitement. "Baby, let me dry you off," she whispered. "You're so sweet. So warm and so kind..." I stepped close to her, grabbed the soft, warm towel and let it drop to the floor. She embraced me and drew me into her passionate heat. My wet body pressed hard against hers. She squeezed my ass and I moaned with delight. Leaning into me, her lips touched mine gently. Her hot flesh almost burned my tongue. Deeper and deeper we kissed and embraced until I had to have more. Time was limited, so I needed her now. "Jas...Honey, I need you." Emotion swirled in me. "I've wanted you all day." I stepped back to look at her. Her pert breasts sat high on her chest. Her soft, olive skin had a damp sheen from the steam in the bathroom. As I watched a single bead of moisture slide from between her breasts, my mouth began to water and I had to taste. I leaned forward and kissed the smooth skin on her neck and worked my way down between her breasts. Quickly, I leaned even lower to catch the drop, which had now slid down to her taut waist. The salty liquid teased my tongue. I licked again and heard her faint moans ring in my ears. I closed my eyes and drank the moisture from her sweet flesh. I licked her sizzling skin over and over. "Baby, that feels so good..." she moaned. "Oh, Nikii pleeeease..." As her excitement rose, I smelled her tangy essence. But for some reason, instead of being inflamed with passion, her closeness began to comfort and soothe me. I decided to savor this moment as an intimate encounter, rather than just an excited romp. "I need to taste you, Jas. Oh, babygirl...I need you..." Placing my hands on her smooth hips, I nudged her upward. Smiling, she hopped up onto the counter next to the large double sink. I grabbed her legs and started at her delicate toes. I placed a scorching hot trail of kisses on her smooth flesh, working my way upward. I teased her firm calves and thighs, up to her stomach again. She squirmed in delight as I then caressed her firm breasts. Not able to wait any longer, I licked and nipped her rigid, brown nipples. I sucked hard on the firm peaks as her body shuddered. "Baby, your body is so sweet," I whispered. "But honey, I want more..." I bent right into the sweet triangle between her golden brown thighs. Deeply inhaling her erotic scent, my pussy throbbed in response. My tongue softly flicked her wet pussy. I licked my lips as my mind processed the taste. Wet, juicy, ripe peaches immediately came to mind. I swirled my tongue deep in her wet juiciness, loving the sticky sweetness. "Oooh, Nikii," she sighed. Her hands grabbed the back of my head and pulled tight. "Baby, don't stop!" Her firm thighs pressed against my cheeks as I licked and sucked her juicy clit. Feeling her tremble, I repeatedly kissed her hot, sticky flesh. Her sweet honey flowed down my lips and chin, drenching everything in its path. I loved the feel of her slick, slippery thighs and I couldn't get enough. Over and over, I teased her hot pussy. Wild with passion, her ass wiggled on the counter. Her back arched and deep moans continued to escape from her lips. I grabbed her hips and pulled her even closer. I had to give her the ultimate satisfaction. I couldn't focus on anything else but bringing this beautiful creature over the brink of ecstasy. Almost there, her thighs began to tremble with her impending cum. "Ohhhh...." she moaned as she bucked and bounced rhythmically. I licked my finger and slid it deep inside of her pussy, trying desperately to hit her sweet spot. Her tight walls closed in around my finger. "Ahhh, baby," she moaned as her excitement continued to rise. I focused my tongue strokes full on her engorged clit. Circling the tiny flesh over and over, I moaned as my tongue swirled her into ecstasy. I sucked her clit in between my lips and hummed on the tiny flesh. "Oooooh!" she wailed. My tongue lapped her furiously. I added another finger to her tight, hot pussy and pumped harder and harder. "Cum for me, baby," I commanded. "Now, babygirl...Now!" "Oh, oh, oh!" she screamed as her passion crested. Her muscles tightened and her hands pressed my head deeper and deeper into her sugary wetness. "Nikii!" Suddenly, I tasted an intense burst of sweetness. Her screams rang out for several long seconds. Soon, her cries shortened into whimpers as she sagged against the mirror. "Was that good, babygirl?" I teased. She smiled lazily. "That was perfect, Chica. Now your turn." She leaned forward to tenderly kiss my nipples. Wrapping her arms around me, she rolled her tongue over and over my taut flesh. I squirmed at the sparks surging through me that threatened to burst into raging flames. She slid off the counter and knelt down in front of me as I leaned against the cool tiled wall. "I've wanted you too, Mami." She gently ran her hand up and down my soft legs. "Can I have you, baby?" Once her fingers reached my wet pussy, I groaned at her touch. "Oh Jasmin...please eat me, honey!" Ignoring me, she continued stroking my wetness. "Such a pretty pussy, Chica. And I love that you shave. It's all soft and smooth..." she giggled. I was so close. The attention I'd given to her only inflamed my own needs. "Lick my pussy, Jasmin! Please!" I cried. "Please, babygirl!" She immediately slid her tongue deep inside my juicy pussy. "Oh!" I cried out as my body jumped. A wave of passion rushed through me. "Delicious, baby," she whispered. "I want more." She used one expertly manicured hand to hold my pussy lips open. I gasped as her tongue traced hard spirals on my sensitive pearl. My head rolled from side to side as my entire body tightened and quivered at her touch. Higher and higher I climbed as I grabbed my breasts and squeezed the damp flesh hard. I spread my legs even wider. "Oh, baby!" I moaned. "Babygirl, please don't tease me..." My skin was on fire as she lapped at my heated wetness. Faster and faster I raced to nirvana as she continued her sweet torment of me. Over and over again she licked and swirled her hot tongue over my tingling clit. I was teetering right on the edge, threatening to spill over. "Oh, fuck! Don't stop, baby!" I cried. "Ohhhh...Oh...Oh...Oh yesssssss!" Suddenly, my entire body exploded and melted into a sticky pool. My body flailed about and my voice went hoarse with my loud cries. I continued to shudder in ecstasy as Jasmin licked up all of the wetness. As I floated down from paradise, she continued to lick and kiss my trembling thighs. She slid up my body and wrapped her hands around me. I could barely catch my breath and I couldn't stop shaking. Our damp bodies pressed together tightly as we held onto each other for strength. I kissed her hard, loving the taste of our juices blended together. I kept stroking her soft skin. She ran her hands through my damp hair. "You're so beautiful." I kissed her again. The feel of her wet lips was heavenly. I moaned into her neck at the luscious feelings still coursing through me. "Damn. I'm all hot and sticky again," I whispered. "Uh oh. Guess you need to get clean again, huh?" she grinned as she pulled me back into the shower. ~~~ A bit later, Jasmin and I laughed playfully as we headed back upstairs to Christina's suite. "You ok, baby?" she teased. "You were loud as hell back there!" I chuckled. "Well, I got something for you later. Best believe." Suddenly, she grew quiet. "Nikii, we fly out late tonight. We have to go back to L.A." She frowned. "We all live out there." Damn. I hadn't thought that far ahead. But knowing that I was only here for the day myself, I should have expected that our goodbyes would come much sooner than later. Not expecting the sudden rush of emotion, I lowered my eyes. "We'll see each other soon. And if not," I whispered, "we'll always have Vegas." Hearing myself, I burst out laughing. "Ok. That was really wack." She laughed. "Yeah, that was pretty corny. But you're still cute, though!" We got back to Christina's room, just in time for the quick lunch, and sat through another staff meeting with Tonya. This time, she outlined the entire schedule and the logistics for the night's festivities. Once 3:30pm hit, we went into full-glam mode. Kurtis worked on Christina's hair, I did her makeup and Wanda and Jasmin pressed her dress and laid out her shoes, jewelry and the other accessories. At some point, someone turned on the TV and music videos flashed across the screen. Enjoying the music, we all laughed and bantered together. However, Christina's freshly showered skin, accented by a light, rose-scented fragrance, caught me off guard. Her delicious scent reminded me of our earlier conversation. All I needed now was the right time and I would give this cute, little minx the ride of her life. Focusing back on work, I wanted a breathtaking red-carpet glam look for Christina's big night. I learned that not only were thousands of people at the Palms for the event, but that the VMAs would be broadcast live around the world with millions of people watching. Therefore, Christina's makeup not only needed to be vibrant enough to capture everyone's attention, but it had to last through the entire broadcast with very little time for touch ups. Looking deep into Christina's eyes, I carefully planned her color palette. I used a deep rose shade on her eyes. A set of lashes with jet back mascara made her eyes sparkle. I added a similar rose color to her cheeks and lips. Finally, I used a light lipgloss that matched the shimmer of the red sequin dress. "Looking good, Nikii!" Kurtis announced as he fluffed Christina's hair and applied a light mist of hairspray. "Christina, you're getting the best dressed award this year!" He sprayed his aerosol can again, but all that came out was an empty hiss. "Damn. I need more hairspray." Kurtis stopped doing her hair and ran over to his duffel bag. Giving her face a last brush of powder, I finished her makeup and stood back from her chair. "So what do you think?" I asked. "I love it," she smiled. "But...I'm just not sure about...you know," she murmured. "I really want it...I mean, you...but...oh, Nikii! I just-" "Ok. Time to finish your hair, babe," Kurtis interrupted. He looked at us. "Did I interrupt something?" "No," I said. "I'm done for now." I looked Christina directly in the eye. "I may come back to it later, though." With the time ticking away, Kurtis continued to work his magic. Since frolicking in the pool earlier, Christina's bone straight hair reverted back into curly ringlets, which remained proudly on display. However, it was just too much work to re-straighten her tresses at this late a time. Also, curly hair could hold up better underneath all of the hot lights. Therefore, Christina's hair had been washed, deep conditioned and simply left in its naturally curly state. Kurtis decided to highlight Christina's sexy spirals by using a small curling iron to more sharply define her curls, applying both a light hair oil and a glossing spray and just letting her tresses fall loosely. Once Kurtis finished her hair, and I lightly touched up her makeup, Christina changed into the dramatic red dress. Watching Christina shimmy into the fitted crimson dress sent a delicious shiver deep between my legs. She caught me staring and she smiled. My heart fluttered at the happy look on her face. Her delicate beauty mixed with a saucy minx-like seductiveness gave me delicious fantasies of doing whatever it took to please her. Though I enjoyed the time I spent with Jasmin, instead of satisfying me, my rendezvous with Jas only aroused my passions even more. And if it were up to me, Christina would be next. As a final touch, Jasmin slid sparkling fire-red diamonds onto Christina's dainty ears and fingers. She then placed an elaborate, matching diamond necklace around Christina's neck. Finally, she was picture-perfect. "Oh Christina!" Tonya exclaimed. "You look gorgeous! You're so beautiful." We all agreed. She looked simply divine. Then Tonya addressed us all. "Ok, everyone. It's showtime! Let's get ready to go." We all began to scramble to pack up our equipment cases. Christina sat back down in her chair and waved me over. "I need you to change a few things." As I grabbed my brush, she instructed me to add a bit more sparkle to her eyes and lips. As I worked, I heard her soft voice, just above a whisper. "Nikii...about what I said earlier...about...you know...well, forget about it." Surprised, I drew back and looked directly at her. "I mean...I want to...but I can't. I mean...I've never..." "Shhh," I whispered. "Don't worry about it. But," I said, testing the waters a bit, "you wouldn't really have to do anything. You could just lay back and relax. Let me pamper you..." As I looked her in the eye, her gaze dropped to the ground. "Just think about it," I challenged gently. She was flustered and visibly uncomfortable with her new attraction to women. Nevertheless, I wanted her to be sure and I didn't want her to feel pressured, but I knew I could give her a really special treat if she'd let me. ~~~ Once Christina was ready, we headed down to the main floor of the casino where throngs of people crowded the Palms Hotel. Thankfully, the MTV staff roped off several areas to accommodate all the events planned. Near the rear of the casino, MTV designated a hair and makeup styling area. It consisted of a bank of rooms in the back of the hotel where the individual partitions had been removed to create a large open space. Several television monitors were set up all over, displaying the event footage from the main floor. The large room was packed with beauty professionals from all over the world. The style teams for each of the starlets, musicians and models all crowded into the same area; each vying to make their clients the most impeccably and perfectly styled. Trendy live music boomed through the speakers, but not loud enough to drown out the bells and whistles of the nearby casino games. The Makeup Artist Ch. 04 Though we'd already styled Christina in her hotel room, we grabbed a tight spot in the chaos and performed a few quick touch ups on her. Grabbing a shimmery eye pencil out of my makeup case, I glanced to my left. Surprised, I looked more closely. A stunning, light brown beauty caught my eye. The toffee-colored goddess looked directly at me and smiled. I smiled back. She wore a flowy, navy blue babydoll top with a short denim skirt. She was doing makeup for a tall woman seated in a chair with her back to me. Unfortunately, I had no time to chat. Once Christina was ready, Tonya led us out to the main broadcast area. The red carpet was located inside a roped off area in the center of the casino. Christina would be posted on a small stage with only the camera and a microphone. As celebrities walked up, she'd interview them live, getting them to talk about themselves and the projects they were working on. Though she was sharing hosting duties with the other MTV VJs, as beautiful and as talented as she was, she was MTV's first choice to be the featured host. Once Christina was on set at 5:45pm, I hung around a bit doing quick touch ups on her skin. Finally, at 6pm sharp, she went live on-air. I was very impressed to see Christina chatting animatedly with all of the guests. Her natural sparkle and effervescence was a smart addition to the show. Many of the guests were very taken with Christina. So many celebs gave her warm hugs and polite kisses. However, her adorable innocence prevented anyone from going too far. One of Christina's most memorable interviews was with the Pussycat Dolls' lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole, as stunning as ever, had just finished her VMA Pre-Show live performance. Her new solo album was due out soon, and her appearance at the VMAs would surely boost her album sales. Now being interviewed by Christina, Nicole wore a form-fitting black satin skirt, hitting just above the knee, coupled with a skin-tight, black and white satin bodice. A pink belt cinched her tiny waist. The cute outfit highlighted her sexy, fit body. Nicole's lengthy, dark hair was pulled into a neat updo, showcasing her smooth, flawless skin. The Hawaiian beauty looked simply radiant. Over the years, I'd fantasized about Nicole Scherzinger many times. I even remember her from the singing group, Eden's Crush. I grew moist at all the lascivious thoughts I'd had of her. I heard a soft voice behind me. "Wow! Christina looks great. That outfit is hot! Her makeup is great, too!" I turned around. Right behind me was a gorgeous, young woman in a Boho print blouse and tight jeans. She smiled at me and I felt a distinct warmth radiating from her. Smiling made her nose crinkle and that's when I saw tiny freckles dotting her rich, bronze skin. Her auburn hair, styled in tight, curly ringlets, was pulled back into a low ponytail. She stood next to a young woman just as tall but darker in complexion. I had to introduce myself. "Hi. I'm Nikii. Nikii Clarke. I helped style Christina. I did her makeup." The beauty with the freckles spoke. "Oh yeah? Well, she looks great! And I'm Saadia Jeffries. I'm Nicole Scherzinger's lead stylist." She extended her hand and we shook. Her hands were incredibly soft and smooth. "Saadia? Hi." I instantly wondered where this exotic beauty was from because I felt an unusual familiarity with her. My skin tingled for some reason, but I couldn't put my finger on why. Saadia motioned to the woman next to her. "And this is Tamara Jordan. She's Nicole's publicist." "Nice to meet you, Nikii," Tamara said as we shook hands. Tamara was very polite, but she was more interested in what Nicole was saying live on-camera to Christina than in our conversation. Excusing herself, she moved to get closer to where Nicole stood on the stage. "Well, Nicole looks awesome tonight," I said. "You ladies did a great job." Saadia smiled. "Thanks! But it wasn't easy. It was so busy today!" "Wasn't it?" I exclaimed. "Everything had to be done all at the same time. And on top of all this, I'm a new makeup artist." I paused. "Well, not new to makeup, but new to being self-employed." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah. I just started my solo business earlier this year." "Congrats! You must be a hell of a makeup artist if you're already styling Christina Milian. Who else have you done?" "I'll have to show you my book. I've got pictures-" "Nikii!" Saadia gasped and pointed to my neck. "Is that...is that the new sorority pendant?" I stared at her, surprised. "Yes it is!" "Oh my God!" she cried. "I just got the charm bracelet!" Excitedly, she held up her wrist, adorned with the delicate jewelry. "Oh my God!" I cried. "Are you-" "A Rho Sigma Tau kitten?" she asked. "Hell yes! All day, every day," she said, repeating our casual sorority greeting. Thinking about our mascot, the jet-black pussycat, made me grin. "Soror!" we cried in unison We quickly gave each other the official secret handshake and immediately embraced. "Oh my God!" we hugged, laughing. Suddenly, she reached out and stroked my hair, our unofficial secret handshake. I blushed at her meaning. "We have to hang out while you're in Vegas," she whispered. "Yes, of course," I agreed. Never having been to Vegas before, I was thrilled at the thought of having a sorority sister to hang out with. "As soon as I finish this job, we can chill." "Hey Saadia! We're all set to go," Tamara said as she led Nicole off the stage over to where Saadia and I stood. I looked up to see that Christina had finished their interview and had moved on to the next guest. "Nicole, I want you to meet...Nikii," Saadia laughed. "Nikii's Christina's makeup artist." "Hey girl," Nicole said as she shook my hand. "Nice work. Christina looks wonderful." "Thanks! You look great yourself!" I said. Nicole smiled at the compliment, her skin glowing with excitement. Looking at Nicole Scherzinger and Saadia, I realized that I wanted them both. Their natural sensuality sent delicious tingles all through me. "Soror, I'm going to call you," Saadia said as they were leaving. "Ok. And I'm right here in the hotel. Nikii Clarke." "Oh, I got your name. And I got your number too," she winked. I blushed again. Fortunately, Christina needed a quick touch-up while the telecast took a commercial break, so I hid my excitement and went back to work. Christina was only on duty from 6pm to 7pm. Promptly at 7pm, the awards show began, and we, as the style team, were basically done for the night. Christina would be attending the full award show, as well as a few suite parties afterward. As Christina sat in the audience enjoying the show, I thought about going back to my room to watch the broadcast. I really hated the idea of being that far away from the energy, but lacking the requisite backstage credentials, I had no other way to enjoy the festivities. However, instead of going back up to my room, I decided to just go back to the main styling area. I knew it would still be busy, so it would be a great opportunity to hang around all of the beauty and fashion professionals. Maybe I could make some new friends and contacts, or at least pick up a few tips by observing all of the action. Once I grabbed my makeup case and my photo book and went back into the large room, I grinned at my decision to stay downstairs. So many beautiful women and men were being transformed into exquisite works of art, that I could hardly stand it. Just then I heard a loud curse. I turned to see a pretty, toffee-colored beauty with a frustrated look on her face. Smiling, I recognized her as the cute girl I'd seen in here much earlier. Next to her was the tall woman in the chair, her back still to me, along with two other women. "Shit!" she exclaimed while examining a black eyeliner pencil. "Damn it!" Just as I was about to speak, the slim figure in the chair spoke. "What happened?" "The damn eye pencil broke. I'm sorry," the cutie said. Digging in the makeup case next to her, the beauty cursed again. "Damn! I can't find my pencil sharpener! And I can't find another black eye pencil! I'm never this forgetful. I'm so sorry!" However, the beauty was undaunted. "Does anyone have a black eyeliner pencil?" she called out. Not surprisingly, no one answered. Between the busyness of the surroundings, and probably a bit of professional jealousy, no one came to her aid. She called out for a second time. Again, no response. I had nothing to lose. Besides, as a new makeup artist, I knew all too well about running out of product unexpectedly. "Hey," I called out to her. "I have one!" I set my case down in an empty chair, dug out a spare eyeliner pencil with a sharpener and went over to her. "You're a doll," she smiled. Taking the instruments, she turned back to the lean frame in her chair and began to complete the sultry makeup look. Looking closely at the tall woman in the chair, my breath suddenly caught. Seated in the cutie's chair was the amazingly gorgeous Amerie. Amerie, the successful and popular R&B singer who'd had several chart-topping hits, was another one of my serious girlcrushes. Her African-American and Asian heritage gave her a delightful blend of beautiful features. Amerie's smooth light brown skin glowed radiantly. Her long, shapely legs highlighted a perfectly trim figure. Her long, black tresses cascaded well below her shoulders. I was mesmerized at the sight. The toffee-colored beauty thanked me graciously while she worked on Amerie. "I really appreciate your help! I've been working for the past five days straight and I haven't had a chance to replace all of my product yet." She extended her hand and I shook it. Her soft skin felt heavenly against mine. "By the way, my name is Krystal. Krystal Pennington." Then she looked at me closely. "I saw you in here earlier, right?" "Yes. I was doing makeup for Christina Milian. My name is Nikii. Nikii Clarke." Amerie spoke up. "And I'm Amerie. Thanks for your help. A lot of folks wouldn't have bothered." Amerie then introduced me to the two other women who made up the rest of her staff. Joi Dixon was her lead stylist and Karen Corbin was her publicist. Krystal spoke again. "What did you say your name was again? Nikii Clarke?" I nodded. "And you're doing style for Christina Milian?" I nodded again. "I've heard your name before. Recently." Krystal was silent for a moment. "Didn't you just do a shoot for Gabrielle Union?" "Yes, I did. Just a couple of weeks ago." I was puzzled, though. The Essence staff emailed me the pictures for my photo book a few days ago. But surely those pictures hadn't shown up in print yet, had they? How had anyone else seen them so soon? Krystal snapped her fingers. "Right! I saw those pictures! My friend Gayle emailed them to me. She works in the photography department at Essence magazine. Everyone's talking about them! They're so hot! Wait- I think I can get them on my iPhone." Krystal stopped working on Amerie's makeup and quickly grabbed her phone. Typing on a few buttons, the Gabrielle Union pictures appeared magically on the screen. "Check these out, Joi," Krystal said, handing her the phone. I spoke up while handing Joi my photo book. "Joi, while you're looking at those, here's more of my work." Joi and Karen huddled together discussing my work. Just then my cell phone chimed. Jasmin needed me to quickly touch up Christina. "I have to go now. Christina needs my help," I smiled as I grabbed my belongings. Joi returned my photo book. "Do us a favor, Nikii?" Joi asked. "Come back and see us when you get a chance, ok? Amerie is presenting one of the final MTV awards of the night, so we'll be here a while longer." "Just in case," Krystal added, "give me your number." I smiled as she tapped my contact info into her phone. "Thanks, hon!" she said as she gave me a quick hug. "Again, I'm grateful you decided to help us. You're a doll!" I waved goodbye and went to find my team. As I walked back toward the auditorium, I ran into Tonya on her cell phone. She grabbed my hand. "There you are! Come with me." She led me into a tiny suite where Christina was trying on a short, black lace cocktail dress. Christina waved at me. "Hey girl!" she exclaimed. Strangely, only she and Tonya were in the room. Tonya continued talking on her phone as Christina's light voice spoke. "Kurtis went to grab more hairpins and some other accessories back up in his room. Wanda went to go get a needle and thread for a couple of alterations. Jasmin's out looking for you, I think." Instantly I felt bad and wished I had stayed with one of the style team members. Christina read the dissatisfaction on my face. "It's ok. This was spur of the moment. Technically, you were off the clock, so it's ok." She moved over and gave me a hug. With her body touching mine, heat rose in me quickly. I smelled her soft scent and my nipples hardened immediately. I hadn't forgotten. Tonya's voice broke in. She was still on the phone, but now her voice rose dramatically at the other party on the line. "No, no, no! Christina's supposed to go to Kanye's afterparty first, then Diddy's!" She paused. "Just tell me the suite numbers, and I'll have her right there." She paused again. "What are the suite numbers?" she demanded, exasperated. "Hold on. You're breaking up. Wait- I get better reception outside of these rooms." "Nikii, help Christina, would you please? I'll be right back!" Tonya scurried out of the room. "Well, it's just the two of us," Christina said. I saw her tremble as she looked at the floor. "Nikii? I want it so bad! I've thought about it for a while. And I want it. I want you. I just...I'm just..." I stepped close and took her chin in my hand. "Christina, can you just relax? Let me take charge?" She nodded. I stroked her hair gently, the golden curls sliding between my fingertips. "Will you just try it? Just once..." She nodded again. "Say it." It took a few moments, but I heard her soft voice. "Yes. Please..." I leaned close, my lips hovering close to hers. "Are you sure?" "Yes, Nikii..." My lips touched hers. Then they touched again. And again. Tasting the light mint, I kissed her deeply. I went over and locked the door. Going back over to where Christina was standing, I reached out and took her soft hand in mine. As I held it, I felt it shaking. I raised it to my lips and kissed the soft skin gently. She sighed with pleasure. "Just relax," I whispered as I sunk to my knees. Knowing time was limited, I quickly slid my hands up her smooth legs, raising the hem of the dress along the way. I gasped as her panties came into view. The sparkly black material glittered brightly. I planted soft kisses all over her smooth thighs and calves, moving inch-by-inch up her silky legs. "Nikii!" she whispered as her body swayed. I licked her soft, golden skin. I playfully bit hard and watched the sudden darkness rush to the surface of her skin. "Cannibal," she whispered. Pleased with her newly found confidence, I set out to give this golden goddess the climax of her life. Slipping her panties off, I marveled at her exposed sex. Her bare flesh looked satiny smooth. I touched her soft skin with my index finger, tracing random designs. She giggled as I tickled her satiny skin. I immediately leaned in to kiss the heated flesh. She jumped as my lips made contact with her slick, wet pussy. She moaned uncontrollably as my kisses increased in speed and intensity. I flicked my tongue out and wiggled her sensitive clit. I felt her body shiver underneath my soft lips and it made me even hotter. I teased her with soft, sweet kisses until she begged for more. My hands slid up to her curvy ass and squeezed hard. "Oooh, that feels so good," she moaned. Her breathing became more ragged as I continued to tease her. Her hands went to my hair and held on tight. Remembering where I was, I had to act fast. I quickly dipped my head further into her sugary wetness and took a long drink. I licked my lips at the taste of pure honey. The scent of her essence inflamed me. Her voice cracked as her passion leapt. "Ohhhh!" She spread her legs wider and slipped her breasts out of the confines of the dress. "Oh, Nikii!" As I continued licking her sweet gem, her body began to twist and writhe. Her honey dripped down onto my tongue and I lapped up all of the delicious sweetness. She rubbed and stroked her hard nipples, teasing the smooth flesh. I looked up at her sweet face. Her brown eyes twinkled with delight. Her body started to tremble and I knew she was almost done. Nudging her legs open even wider, I inserted a slim finger into her wet pussy. I used my other hand to grab her ass and pull her tightly to me. Her body lurched. "Oooh!" she cried, pulling my hair tighter. "Please, please, please!" she begged. I licked and sucked her pink jewel over and over again. Her body began to rock back and forth. "Nikii! Nikii, pleeeeease! Oh, don't stop! Keep going...keep going...I'm almost there!" I looked up at her again. This time, her eyes were closed and her mouth hung open. I heard her moans increase in intensity. I licked even faster. Her deliciously hot juices nearly drowned me. Just then, her body tensed up. "Ahhhhh!" she cried. "Ooooh, Nikii!" Not quite ready for her to cum yet, I decided to tease her. I slowed my tongue strokes, desperate to keep her just on the edge of crashing. Her body twisted and turned, trying to rub her pussy against my tongue. "Nikii!" she squealed. "Stop teasing me!" She wound her fingers even tighter in my hair. I chuckled as I continued the slow strokes. She was lucky we had limited time. Else I'd tease her little ass all night. Finally ready for the explosion, I concentrated on her sensitive clit. Over and over, I manipulated the tiny pearl. Shaking my head back and forth, I lapped for all I was worth. I held my breath as the shivers started. I kept up the motions, and the tremors intensified. I used my finger to thrust harder and harder against her g-spot. Then I heard the primal scream. "Yessss!" Her body shook all over as she crested. I buried my head even deeper, lapping all of the delicious honey. She cooed as I stroked her thighs. Slowly her heartbeat and her movements returned to normal. "Oh my goodness!" She began to giggle. "Is it always like that?" "It can be," I smiled. "Come on. Let's get you freshened up." As I rose from the floor, the doorknob shook. A second later it shook again, more forcefully. "Are you ok?" I asked Christina. "I'm good," she said as she arranged her clothes, still quivering, but trying to make herself presentable again. I unlocked the door and Kurtis, Jasmin, Wanda and Tonya burst in, each carrying the items that Christina needed. "Hey y'all." Tonya started with the barrage of questions. "What's going on? Is everything ok? Why was the door locked?" Thankfully, Christina jumped in. "Everything's fine! I didn't want anyone walking in on me while I was changing, that's all." "Oh, ok," Tonya said. Everyone seemed satisfied with that explanation except Jasmin. Suddenly, I saw her sniff the air with a quizzical look on her face. As the realization dawned on her, a sly smile slid across her face. Trying to hang on to my last bit of professionalism, I went back to work without a word. All of us quickly worked together to style Christina for the afterparties. To complement her delicate black lace dress, I did a total vamp look. I used black and brown shades to create a dark, smoky eye. I also used a sexy crimson shade for her cheek and lip color. With the dramatic look, Christina looked even more sophisticated than she did earlier. Her cheeks were still flushed from our private time together, but it blended brilliantly with her makeup. The Makeup Artist Ch. 05 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. This fictitious parody is protected speech under Hustler Magazine, Inc., et. al. v. Jerry Falwell. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ Chapter 5: Amerie needs a suitable replacement. ~~~ First thing Monday morning, I awoke to the most awesome realization: I was having the time of my life in Las Vegas. The day before, I helped style Christina Milian during her very hectic day of promotion. She skillfully made her way through several interviews and posed for a stunning photo shoot, all before co-hosting the pre-show for the MTV Video Music Awards. With our help, Christina looked stunning in every outfit and her sexy, sultry look broke hearts all over Vegas. I was delighted to be a part of her style team and I was ecstatic when everyone complimented us on her amazing looks. Later on, just when I thought the night couldn't get any better, I met the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole Scherzinger. As it turned out, Nicole's stylist, Saadia Jeffries, was one of my sorority sisters. Once Saadia and I met and got acquainted, she introduced me to the gorgeous Nicole. Delicious shivers ran through me at the thought of both Saadia and Nicole and their natural, yet exotic beauty. And if Nicole Scherzinger wasn't lovely enough, later that night I met the famed songstress, Amerie. Amerie, the gorgeous and successful chart-topping R & B singer, was also in Vegas enjoying MTV's festivities. Looking absolutely stunning, she served as one of MTV's award presenters and seemed to enjoy interacting with all of the fans. However, always the businesswoman, like most Black starlets, she was maximizing her fame by also conducting other interviews, photo shoots and autograph signings while in town. Along with Amerie, I also met Krystal Pennington, her fill-in makeup artist. Krystal and I hit it off when she needed some assistance in order to finish styling Amerie. I helped her out and we became fast friends. Being a new solo makeup artist in this business, I needed as many allies as possible. I smiled as I thought of Krystal's toffee-brown skin and tight, toned frame. I also loved her soft, easy style. I looked forward to getting to know her better, but she'd already hopped on a plane to Japan. She was on her way to Tokyo to help style Janet Jackson. Since we were sharing a room, Krystal and I spent the rest of our time together simply talking throughout the night. Her favorite subjects were politics and finance, and since those were mine as well, we talked all night about money, business and even the upcoming election. She later shared several investment tips with me and I was impressed with her business acumen. I was especially surprised but pleased when she admitted her attraction to women. I loved that she was as open about loving beautiful and exotic African-American women as I was. Lying on the bed next to her just talking, I felt a strong attraction to her but for some reason, I held off on pursuing it. There was something about this gorgeous woman that convinced me to take my time, so we just continued to talk throughout the night until we both fell asleep side by side on the bed. Krystal woke me up briefly around 4am to hug me goodbye, but she then she was gone. Her freelance work as a makeup artist kept her literally traveling around the globe. After she left, I went back to sleep, safe in the knowledge that we had each other's number. I definitely looked forward to talking with her later. This morning, however, was for work. With Krystal gone on assignment, and Amerie's regular makeup artist still out ill, Amerie's team asked me to fill in. Though I'd just met them the night before, their conferences with Christina Milian's people, namely Christina's manager Tonya Jessup and her lead stylist Jasmin Ramirez, coupled with quick calls to my other clients, satisfied their questions about me and I was in. Just before we all turned in for the night, Amerie's publicist, Karen Corbin, and her lead stylist, Joi Dixon, gave me a quick rundown of her busy day: At 6am, the entire team would meet and begin getting Amerie ready. At 8:30am she was scheduled for an in-studio interview at a local radio station. At 11am, she had a 15-minute call-in radio interview, but that would be done back in her hotel room. At noon, she had a major photo shoot right in our hotel. Then from 5pm to 6:30pm was an autograph signing at a local record store. Finally at 10pm, she would make an appearance at a MTV event that would be held at a local night spot. With a busy day ahead, I awoke at 5am sharp to a beautifully golden Vegas sunrise. Taking the sunny sky as my cue, I showered and dressed quickly in a sheer, canary-yellow button-up silk blouse. I left the buttons open, showing my snug, white tank top underneath. Because I loved my ripe, firm breasts and lickable chocolate drop nipples, I definitely wanted to show them off. I also slipped on tight jeans that hugged my round ass and jeweled sandals that decorated my tiny feet and manicured toes. I quickly curled my jet-black shoulder-length hair so that the loose curls bounced with my every move. But rather than let them all hang loose, I used two gold hairclips to secure my hair behind my ears for convenience. Just before 6am, I quickly gathered my makeup case and my portfolio and rushed to leave. Opening the door, I was delighted to see that the hotel surprised me with an elaborate fruit basket. Gingerly, I picked it up and set it on the table. The care that went into delicately tying the huge pink bow and decorating the pink cellophane wrapping made me smile. My stomach rumbling, I ripped it open, grabbed a ripe, juicy apple, and took a great big bite. Groaning at the crisp, delicious taste, I headed off to work. Thankfully, we were all staying at the Palms Hotel, so at 6am sharp, I was upstairs knocking on the door to Joi & Karen's suite. Joi Dixon was Amerie's lead stylist and Karen Corbin was Amerie's publicist. Fifteen minutes later, Amerie came down from her suite to join us. There was little time to waste since she was due at the radio station in less than 2 hours. I waited patiently while Joi styled Amerie's hair. For convenience, Amerie's naturally curly hair, jet-black and waist-length, was washed and lightly blowdried with a diffuser to preserve her gorgeous, bouncy curls. Joi then spritzed her hair with a glosser for shine and left it to flow freely. Amerie's ebony ringlets shook and shimmied as she moved. Once Amerie's hair was finished, Joi began to press her outfit. While she waited, I went ahead and started on her makeup. Amerie sat in a chair in front of the large, mirrored vanity wearing only a sexy black tank top and tiny satin shorts. Her lean, honey-colored legs looked deliciously tight and toned. Over the years, her fit and trim frame fueled many of my erotic fantasies. I imagined using my tongue to trace wet circles over her taut nipples. That same tongue would lap up all the sugary wetness deep between her legs. Shaking my head to clear those images, I focused back on work. I thought that Amerie's honey-brown skin would look wonderful in pink and purplish tones. So for her eyes, I decided to use rosy pinks mixed with deep lilac and pale lavender shades. I also used deep violet eyeliner along with several coats of jet-black mascara to make her eyes really pop. Finally, I applied sheer pink blush to her cheeks and candy-pink gloss to her lips to give her skin a radiant glow. Joi then came in carrying the crisply pressed garments. Amerie changed into a deep violet sleeveless top that had a cute mandarin collar. The light, cotton fabric hugged her lean frame beautifully and the shirt's deep v-neck showed off her creamy honey-brown skin. A tiny pair of white cuffed shorts displayed her long legs perfectly. A matching pair of sexy high heels completed her conservative day look. During the entire time we styled her, Amerie was a perfect lady. Her polite demeanor and caring nature made a huge impression on me. She continually asked us how we were doing and if we were comfortable. She also entertained us with stories of being on tour and the many gracious fans she'd met. Even though I'd only known her for a short time, I found her enthusiasm to be infectious. Though it was an early hour and though we'd all just met, she laughed and joked with us, especially me, like we'd all known each other for years. Once she was ready, we all hustled to the radio station. I loved that we arrived with several moments to spare. I was especially impressed that she was such a stickler for being early. As it turned out, the in-studio interview went very smoothly. The DJs loved her music and many of her fans called in to wish her well. She gave tidbits about her upcoming album and hinted about an international tour. The DJs kept the atmosphere fun and a bit crazy and the time flew by. The program director wanted her to stay longer, but her schedule was just too jam-packed. Promising to come again, she graciously ended the interview and we were on our way back to the hotel. As we walked back into the lobby of the Palms, I heard a familiar voice call my name. "Nikii!" I looked over to see my sorority sister Saadia Jeffries and the Pussycat Dolls' lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger, walking straight toward us. My luck was getting better and better. "Hey Soror!" Saadia said as we hugged. "Nice to see you. We were just leaving for an event." She paused to stare at Amerie. "Amerie? Wow! You look great! Your makeup is fierce! Nikii, you do such great work!" Nicole agreed. "You really do, Nikii. You have a lot of talent." I was loving it. "Thanks!" Nicole continued. "I've heard a lot about you, Nikii. I need to get you to work on me," she winked. Saadia piped up. "Yes! We have to get you while you're still in town." I smiled. Saadia and Nicole just moved to the top of my calendar. Then Saadia frowned. "Wait. But weren't you just working with Christina Milian? So now it's Amerie too?" I told her about meeting Amerie while I was styling Christina, and how she hired me that same day. "Wow! You're, like, famous!" Saadia laughed. "You're a good luck charm. I guess I need to stay close to you, huh?" She grabbed my hand. "Actually, I'm not gonna let you out of my sight!" I smiled harder. Her soft hand felt wonderful in mine. We stood there for a second, eyeing each other and loving the connection. "No, but seriously." She let go of my hand and I was strangely disappointed. "We're going to hang out soon, I promise," she said as she stroked my hair. "I've still got my eye on you!" While Saadia and I flirted, Joi and Karen chatted animatedly with Nicole, wishing her luck on her upcoming projects. However, Amerie was quiet. She looked at Saadia and me curiously, but remained silent. I hadn't mentioned my love of women to her, but I wondered if she caught on to what was happening. Though I tried my best to remain professional on jobs, because I always met such beautiful, gorgeous women, my personal life was always present. Though I didn't flaunt my encounters with women, I wasn't one to hide it either. Finally, after a few minutes of chatting, we all said our goodbyes and our group went back up to Joi and Karen's suite. After a quick breakfast, Joi and I began styling Amerie for her photo shoot at noon. I discovered that the biggest challenge wasn't going to be her clothing or her makeup. I learned that I just needed to do a light, natural look for now, and then style her formally once we saw what the on-set wardrobe looked like. Our biggest challenge now was going to be her hair. Her wild and curly mane needed to be tamed for this job. I learned that the client specifically requested that her hair be blown straight for the first half of the shoot, and have full waves for the second half. It took Joi just over an hour to get Amerie's curly hair bone straight. Once it was accomplished, however, she looked gorgeous. The soft, silky strands cascaded over her shoulders and all the way down her back. I imagined gathering them up in my hands, lifting them, and kissing her soft, smooth neck. In the midst of all the chaos, Amerie conducted her 11am interview with the second radio station. I marveled at how extremely professional, yet fun and enthusiastic she was. After a few minutes, she warmly wished all of her fans well and promised to call in again. Finally, she was ready for the photo shoot. We all packed up our equipment and took the elevator upstairs. Once we got to the suite, I found out that this was no ordinary photo shoot. Amerie recently inked a one-year endorsement deal with the National Basketball Association. As such, she was to be featured in several print ads as an honorary NBA cheerleader. The deal required her to travel to various cities for photo shoots with the league cheerleaders in that particular city. Since she was already scheduled to be here in Vegas for the VMAs, both parties decided to shoot the premiere photo spread in the famed Hardwood Suite right in the Palms hotel. The popular suite featured an athletic-inspired layout, complete with a NBA-approved basketball court and other sports memorabilia. The person in charge, the Executive Vice President of Marketing for the NBA, Barbara Cole, was warm and welcoming to all of us. Barbara Cole looked to be in her mid-forties and she was in fantastic shape. She wore a dark, tailored business suit but she paired it with deliciously high heels. I also loved her mid-length, feathered haircut and her warm, brown complexion. She first introduced us to her production staff and then to the photographer. She showed us around the suite and explained each of the looks they wanted to achieve. Ms. Cole also explained all of the camera angles and the lighting direction. She then introduced us to Dana Wright, the young woman in charge of the wardrobe. Dana's beautiful brown skin was flawless and her bright blonde hair, cut into a short, tapered style, looked fabulous on her. We learned from Ms. Cole that Amerie would be solo for the entire shoot. She would model a fun, sporty attitude while wearing several pieces of the NBA's licensed activewear. The sexy outfits would consist of fitted tank tops, brightly colored tankinis, tight half-cut jerseys, tiny satin shorts and small, pleated cheerleading skirts. All of the pieces were designed to show off her incredibly fit and sexy body. Amerie would also use several vibrantly colored pom pons, mini megaphones, basketballs and other accessories as her props. After reviewing the wardrobe, Joi and I decided that Amerie would look best with a lightly polished, yet still natural face that would let her natural femininity show through. This formal launch needed to be tame and relatively kid-friendly. Therefore, although her wardrobe was a bit on the revealing side, her makeup and hair would definitely need to be toned down. After a quick conference, Amerie took a seat at the vanity table set up at the end of the room and I quickly went to work. I used warm browns and honey golds on her beautiful, sultry eyes. The classic colors gave her a sporty, yet feminine and elegant radiance. I carefully groomed her eyebrows and curled her thick, full eyelashes. After a few swipes of jet-black mascara, her eyes were simply gorgeous. I also used similar honey gold tones on her cheeks and lips. As a final accent, I spritzed a bit of glittery body oil on her satiny skin. After I was done, she shook out her long, jet-black hair and admired her reflection in the mirror. "It's perfect, Nikii. Very nice." She looked me in the eye. "I've really liked your work so far." "Thanks," I said shyly. Damn. Here I go again. Beautiful women were always my weakness. Next, Amerie went over to see Dana and take a closer look at the wardrobe. Her angelic face glowed with excitement as she fawned over the outfits. Each set, consisting of a sexy top and a matching bottom, was decorated with a NBA team logo and bright, vibrant colors. "These are so cute!" she exclaimed. "I have to get some of these for myself." "Help yourself," Ms. Cole said. "Compliments of the NBA." Amerie smiled and graciously thanked her for the gifts. Amerie's first outfit was a fire-engine red fitted crop top with matching satin shorts. Her honey-brown skin looked radiant against the vibrant color. I watched her stretch and turn to adjust the clothing on her body. I held my breath as I gazed at her beautiful figure. Her stomach was taut and when she turned, I saw her slender back and tiny waist slope down into her firm, well-rounded ass. As I watched, I silently thanked the Universe for my good fortune. Once she was ready, Amerie walked to the center of the basketball court, in front of the cameras that were set up there. Once the photographer was ready, he gave us the thumbs-up sign. As she began to pose, a familiar heat rose in me. I smiled as my chocolate nipples hardened into stiff peaks. I knew my body wouldn't be able to control itself. As it turns out, I wasn't alone. Every person in the room was mesmerized as Amerie totally rocked the first part of the shoot. Thankfully, someone brought a CD player, so we put her latest single on. Her body rhythmically swayed to the hip-hop sounds coming from the speakers. She placed one hand on her hip and looked directly into the lens. As the photographer snapped, she turned and looked back seductively into the camera. Winking at him, she hit a few more poses and he kept clicking away until he gave us a second thumbs-up sign. As we changed her into the next outfit, I overheard Ms. Cole talking on her cell phone behind me. "Oh, they're here in Vegas?" she said. "Here at the Palms? Great! Tell them to come on up to the Hardwood Suite. I'll call down and clear it with the front desk." After a couple of quick calls, Ms. Cole turned to us. "Amerie? We have a couple of the official NBA cheerleaders here in the hotel. They're in Vegas for some of the MTV festivities. I'd like for them to come up and take a few pictures with you. Is that ok?" Karen, in full publicist mode, motioned to Amerie and they worked out the plans with Mrs. Cole. As they were talking, the doorbell to the suite rang. After a few moments, I heard the distinct click of high heels and my jaw dropped at what I saw. In walked two of the most gorgeous women I'd ever seen. The taller creature was a satiny, chocolate brown. She had midnight-black hair that dipped just below her shoulders and was cut into long, easy, swinging layers. Her delicate features were set off by a firm jawline and a bright smile. The smaller woman had a creamy, light brown complexion. Her hair was a rich chestnut shade and lay in full, soft waves down her back. She smiled warmly, making her hazel eyes twinkle. Both women wore official NBA t-shirts with tiny shorts. I felt a delicious shiver run through me as I admired their lean, toned arms and legs. Ms. Cole spoke. "Everyone meet April and Anika. They're with the Los Angeles Lakers dance team, otherwise known as the Laker Girls. They're going to shoot a few frames with Amerie." "Hey everybody!" Anika called out, her dark brown skin gleaming. April just waved shyly. Her caramel skin was just as radiant. "Ladies, I want you to meet Amerie," Ms. Cole said. After all of the introductions were made, Ms. Cole turned back to April and Anika. "Ok, ladies. Please see Dana to get fitted for your wardrobe. You'll be wearing some of those outfits over there." She pointed to the racks of clothes. "And as far as your makeup?" She looked over at me. "Nikii? Would you be able to do them?" The Makeup Artist Ch. 05 I smiled at the double entendre but quickly composed myself. "I'd love to, as long as it's ok with Amerie. She's the one who hired me for today." Amerie and Karen looked at each other. "Oh, we'll take care of all the costs, Amerie," Ms. Cole said. "It's just that I'm in a bind. I really don't want to call another makeup artist." She paused. "Or hairstylist, for that matter," she said as she looked over at Joi. "I need them both, actually." She paused. "So much so, that I'm willing to pay triple for their time. And we can reimburse you, Amerie, for the time they're working for me. Would that work?" Amerie nodded and I was immediately relieved. Ms. Cole and I then went to the corner of the room to iron out the details. "I really like your work," she said, once we reached an agreement about my fees. "And I'll make sure you get a bonus for helping out on such short notice. I hear you're extremely talented, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do." Ms. Cole then spoke privately with Joi. Once all the details were set and Ms. Cole decided on the looks she wanted, Joi and I read through and then signed the NBA's paperwork. Just then, April and Anika came back over. "Ok, we're fitted for the outfits. Dana's altering and pressing them now," Anika said as she smoothed back her long, black hair. "What's next, Ms. Cole?" "Anika, Nikii's going to do your makeup. And April? Joi's going to do your hair. We're on a tight schedule, so just take 15 or 20 minutes and then switch. Then we'll be ready to go. In the meantime, Amerie, I'd like to discuss a few things with you and Karen about the shoot and about your next NBA event." The girls and I headed over to the styling area. Joi took April to the far end and began to comb out her shoulder-length dark brown hair. Anika plopped down in the seat in front of me at the mirror and looked at me. "So," she said. "Make me beautiful." I laughed. "Coming right up." I pulled out several pots of my prettiest eyeshadow shades. Her smooth, dark skin, her almond-shaped eyes and her carefully groomed eyebrows were the perfect inspiration. "Anika, since your complexion is such a deep, rich brown, I'm going to use complementary colors on you. Toffee and chocolate shades should work well. And I'm gonna use some golds too. And a bit of bronze," I smiled. She nodded and I went to work. I first prepped her skin with some protectants and moisturizing products. I then began to apply a light coat of concealer and foundation to her gorgeous face. "So what's it like being a professional cheerleader? A Laker Girl, at that?" I asked as I continued working. "Sounds like it'd be a lot of fun." "Oh, it is," Anika said. "But for the most part, it's only part-time. We don't travel with the team, so we only work home games and charity events. Things like that." "Do you have another job?" I asked. With her toned, sculpted limbs, I guessed that it had something to do with dance. "Actually, I'm a chemist." "Really?" I looked at her, shocked. "Wow. That's awesome. I'm sorry I'm so surprised, but I wasn't expecting to hear that." She laughed. "Most people aren't. But it's really simple: My grandfather founded a chemical company many years ago and my dad runs it now. They let me work around my NBA schedule." I grabbed my brush and began working on her sultry eyes. The rich, chocolate and toffee-colored eyeshadows I used looked simply divine on her skin. "That's cool," I said. "They sound like great folks." "Yeah, they are. But I told them both that I'd go to school and get my chemical engineering degree only if I could still dance on the side. Thankfully, it's worked out so far." "Yeah, I'd definitely say it has," I chuckled as I added a deep, bronze shade to her eyes. But I was curious about something. "Are you and April good friends? Actually, do all of you girls get along?" "Surprisingly, yes. There's a great group of girls on our team and in the NBA as a whole. Most are really smart and great to hang out with." Anika paused. "And April? She's great," she whispered. "She and I are real close. She's my heart." We both turned and looked at April, who was looking right at Anika. The tender glance they shared sent a sweet warmth through me. When April turned away, I leaned close to Anika's ear. "How long?" I whispered. "Two years," she grinned. "And it's never been better." "Congrats!" I quickly applied a rich cranberry lipcolor to Anika's full lips. The deep berry shade enhanced her rich, brown skin perfectly. She puckered her lips and blew kisses to herself in the mirror. "I love this color, Nikii. And I love the whole look. You're very talented." "Thanks." I finished her makeup as Anika admired her reflection. We conferred for a minute and I made a few changes. As I worked, I noticed April eyeing me curiously. But under our extreme time constraints, I kept working. Finally, Anika was all set. Then she reached her hand out to me. "Give me your phone," she ordered. I reached in my pocket and handed it to her. "I'm putting in my number," she said as she punched the keypad. "You know how hard it is to find a good makeup artist? Especially one who caters to darker skin tones?" I nodded. I sure did. When she was done, she got out of the chair and gave me a warm hug. "Anytime you're in L.A., give me a call, ok?" "Will do," I said. Just then, I happened to look over at Anika. Her eyes were boring a hole right through me. Damn. Not a good look. "Ok, ladies," Ms. Cole announced. "Please switch. April, let Nikii do your makeup. Anika? Go to Joi for your hair." April sauntered over to the table in front of me. "Hi. I'm April," she said coolly. She held out her hand but it was somewhat stiff as we shook. "I'm Nikii. It's nice to meet you," I offered. She just nodded and sat down. I continued. "I thought that since you have such smooth, light brown skin and such pretty hazel eyes, that I would use some light pink and peach shades. I think they'd really complement your skin tone." She shrugged. I tried again. "Your hair really looks nice." Joi put large curls in her lengthy, dark hair and gently combed them out. The full, shiny strands shook and bounced down around her shoulders. She snorted. "Maybe we should just get to work." Damn. Fine. I silently worked on her skin first, then her eyes. After adding the delicate pink and peach shades, I quickly moved to her cheeks and lips and added similar colors. Soon I was done. "How's that?" I asked. Her eyes widened as she looked in the mirror. After a few moments, she cracked a small smile. "Actually, it's really nice. I really like it." She shook her head and her shoulders slumped. "Sorry I was so...rude earlier." "I understand," I said as I packed my makeup brushes back in my case. "She's really cute." April's mouth dropped open. "How did you-" "But she only has eyes for you," I said. "Don't worry. You two are perfect for each other." She smiled wryly. Then she stood and held out her hand. "Nikii, if you're ever in L.A., come look us up, ok?" "Most definitely," I said as we shook. "Count on it." I was secretly relieved that April seemed to trust me. I certainly didn't want, nor need, a pissed-off NBA cheerleader stalking my ass. Even one as gorgeous as April. Just then, Dana came back in with the finished outfits. Once April and Anika got dressed, they joined Amerie in front of the cameras set up in the middle of the basketball court. The beautifully brown trio held up vibrantly colored pom pons and stood next to each other. They were each dressed in a skin-tight, royal blue halter top with a tiny, pleated cheerleading skirt. Tiny sequins sewed into the garments gave the girls extra sparkle and shimmer. I especially loved that their gorgeous skin tones blended perfectly against the vibrant fabric. Additionally, each lady had a tight, trim body with beautifully toned arms and legs. Their thighs and calves were especially firm and defined. I also studied their graceful movements, noticing that their dance training served them well. Once the photographer began to shoot, the ladies moved smoothly in front of the camera. They hit several chic poses, one right after the other. After he shot several frames, the trio turned, facing away from the camera. Then, as if on cue, each woman looked over her shoulder and smiled directly into the lens. Seeing such bright smiles coupled with such smooth, brown thighs and tight, firm asses made my heart start pounding in my chest. Then April and Anika knelt down to rest on one knee as Amerie stood right behind them. The sight of Amerie's dangerously long legs sent a rush of heat though all of us. As the ladies continued their seductive poses, I shot a glance at Ms. Cole. I wasn't surprised to see one hand on her hip and the other hand resting just inside the top of her open blouse. I saw her fingers moving underneath the silky fabric, gently caressing her own soft skin. As I looked around, I noticed that others were unconsciously either rubbing or touching themselves. The photo shoot tried to remain sporty and fun, but was steadily racing toward sexy and sensual. We styled the ladies through two more costume changes, also redoing their hair and makeup, and they posed just as seductively as before. All too soon, however, the shoot was over. Following Amerie's lead, we graciously thanked all of the staff and crew for their hospitality. I saw that Amerie liked to make friends on each job and leave a good impression. Judging by the wistful looks on everyone's faces as she left, she definitely succeeded. Before we left, I hugged both April and Anika and wished them well. We giggled as we acknowledged our mutual attraction to beautiful, black women. They pinched my cheeks, calling me a cutie, and laughed when I blushed. I loved the warm camaraderie and promised to look them up soon. I also made sure to thank Ms. Cole. "No, thank you," she said as she handed me a small envelope. "I appreciate your being so helpful. I'll definitely be working with you in the future." Once we left and settled back in Joi and Karen's suite, we began to get Amerie ready for her autograph signing at 5pm. Since it was just after 2pm, and though we were running a bit early, we decided to go ahead and get started. Joi and Karen went into the other room to choose Amerie's outfit and get it ready. However, after just a few minutes, the hotel phone rang and Joi picked it up. After a moment, she held out the receiver. "Nikii? It's for you." I quickly took the phone. "Hello?" "Hi Nikii. It's Barbara Cole from the NBA." "Hi Ms. Cole. How can I help you?" "I think you left some of your equipment up here. I'm holding two makeup brushes. They both have jet-black handles with golden bristles?" "Oh! Those do sound like mine." I quickly grabbed my case and looked in. "I guess they are mine. I didn't even know they were missing. I could've sworn I packed everything up. Well, thanks for calling. I'll be right up." "That'll be fine, Nikii," she said. "One of my assistants will let you into the suite and I'll have them send you to me. See you in a minute." After I hung up, I grabbed my purse. "Everyone? I have to run back upstairs. I forgot some of my brushes. I'll be right back, though." Karen checked the clock on the wall. "Well, we're still a bit ahead of schedule," she said, "so don't rush. Just make sure you have everything when you get back." "Thanks," I waved as I left. Once upstairs at the suite, one of the male production assistants let me in. "I believe Ms. Cole's in one of the master bedrooms," he smiled. "That way," he said as he pointed to the right. "Go all the way around - past the lounge, the bar, the dining room and the storage rooms. Keep going all the way down and you'll reach the bedrooms." "Thanks." I slipped around him and headed toward the back. I walked for a few moments before I realized just how large the suite really was. And that I hadn't yet found the lounge, the bar, the dining room nor any of the storage rooms. I was actually now pretty lost. "This is insane," I muttered as I kept walking, seemingly in circles. I was about to start fuming as I walked past a set of closed doors. "Oh!" I froze in place just outside one of the closed doors. What was that? "Oooh!" The voice had gotten louder. No. It couldn't be, I thought as I leaned in and pressed my ear close to the door. "Shhh!" Then I heard a giggle. And then a loud sigh. Oh my goodness, I thought, grinning. No way. My curiosity got the best of me. Maybe I could take a peek. I gently turned the doorknob. Not locked, I thought as the knob turned. Good. I pushed in gently and peeked into the dimly lit room. "Oh my goodness!" I gasped. The elaborate bedroom had maroon drapes and heavy, luxe wood furniture. A sturdy, modern dresser sat in the corner of the room next to a small table and chair set. In the middle of the room sat what looked like a king-sized bed. It was decorated with a luxurious, champagne-colored satin comforter. Matching pillows were strewn across its surface. Attached to the bed was a large, brass headboard. And on her knees, gripping the gilded headboard tightly, was Anika. She was completely nude and her breasts, capped with rigid, brown nipples, bounced and jiggled wildly. "Ohhh," she moaned, her body wriggling uncontrollably. I looked lower. Lying underneath her was April, furiously licking Anika's pussy. April's long, dark brown hair lay sprawled across one of the satin pillows and her head rapidly moved back and forth as she licked and sucked Anika to ecstasy. She was nude as well and her soft, smooth caramel skin was covered with a thin layer of sweat. My mouth dropped open as I took in the erotic sight. I crossed my legs as I felt a delicious rush of pleasure deep within. I looked around to make sure the coast was clear, then I pressed against the doorjamb and continued to peek through the cracked door. "April, please," Anika moaned, her passion rising. April's fingers stroked and caressed Anika's firm thighs. I could see her tongue flicking and wriggling against Anika's swollen clit. "Damn, April! Do it!" Anika cried. "Faster, baby!" April's head swayed from side to side on the pillow as she licked the sweet flesh faster. She licked hard, never letting up on pleasing her lover. Her hands gripped Anika's ass and pulled her chocolate body closer. I could hear April's moans as she continued lapping Anika's wet pussy. "More, baby! I'm almost there!" Anika gripped the headboard tighter. She panted as she closed her eyes and let out a deep moan. Suddenly, Anika's back arched. "Ahhh!" she cried out as her entire body tensed up. "Baby, yes!" My body tightened as well as I watched Anika reach her peak. The beautiful brown goddess was in the throes of ecstasy and I loved that I was able to watch. As it would turn out, that image would be with me for a long time. Finally, Anika sagged against the headboard. She started to laugh as moved her body down until she lay on top of April. Resting fully on her lover, Anika bent down to April's lips. Anika whispered something I couldn't hear and both ladies giggled. Anika gently stroked April's face. Then she leaned in and kissed the girl gently. They kissed passionately for a few moments, then Anika moved to April's neck and kissed and bit her girlfriend's heated flesh, making April giggle and squirm. Anika continued soft kisses downward until she reached one of April's small breasts. She licked the soft skin and April squirmed in pleasure. Anika moved lower and lower, kissing and stroking, until she was positioned directly between April's outstretched legs. She bent in and kissed the inside of April's quivering thigh. "Oooh," April moaned. Her hands reached up and cupped her tiny breasts. April teased her nipples slowly as she wriggled on the bed. "Anika, please," she whispered. Anika gently rubbed and stroked April's thighs. "You want it, baby?" she teased. She planted more wet kisses on April's sizzling skin. "Yesssss," April groaned. Her body tensed in anticipation of Anika's wet tongue. April's nipples were taut and her back was arched. As I watched April's body trembling, I imagined that a roaring fire had been ignited inside of her and Anika's wet tongue was the only thing that could quench the blaze. "I love you so much, baby," Anika said as she leaned in and firmly swiped April's clit with her long, wet tongue. "Ahhhh!" April exclaimed. "Oh 'Nika! Baby, yes!" Anika moaned as she gently licked April's wetness. I barely saw the pink of April's pussy for Anika pressing her face deeper and deeper into the sweet juices. April cried out repeatedly as Anika continued drinking her lover's erotic essence. As their passion grew, Anika licked faster and faster. Her hands gripped April's body and pulled the caramel beauty closer to her mouth. I shuddered as I watched her lick and slurp all of April's sugary wetness. Then I saw Anika slide a slim finger inside April's pussy. As Anika rotated her wrist slowly, April cried out louder and nearly leapt off the bed. The girls continued to toss and turn all over the satin comforter. April's cries and moans rang in my ears and my own juices were flowing as I took in the erotic sight. I slipped my hand underneath my tank top, all the way up to my breast. I felt the hot, tight skin as I pinched my hardened nipple. I sucked in my breath as I felt electric shocks course through me. Suddenly April began to tremble uncontrollably. Watching her race closer and closer to orgasm made me wetter than I'd been in ages. My panties were drenched and I could smell my own arousal. I licked my lips, imagining I could taste April's essence on my own tongue. As April's tremors increased, her moans grew even louder. Anika coaxed her on with tender words as she furiously sucked and licked April's jewel. Sensing April was close to exploding, Anika added a second finger to her tight, wet pussy. Without even realizing it, I slid my hand inside my tight jeans, into my panties. I jumped as I touched my wetness. Moaning, I began to trace tiny circles over my own clit. Anika, baby, I love it!" April moaned. "Baby, I love you! I love you so much! More, baby, more!" Anika groaned as she quickened her pace, her tongue working April's clit at a breakneck speed. All of a sudden, April stiffened. "Anika!" she cried out. "I'm cumming! Now, baby, now!" She cried and moaned as Anika continued lapping up all of her girlfriend's juices. April's hair was sprawled across the pillow and her head rocked back and forth with the intense feelings. Anika held on tight to April's thighs until they finally stilled. Anika then crawled back up until she was again on top of April. The two women embraced and kissed warmly, sharing gentle declarations of love and affection. My heart melted at the sight. "Nikii! There you are!" I jumped at the voice behind me and yanked my hand out of my panties. I spun around and came face-to-face with Ms. Cole. "Oh, Ms. Cole. Hi. I was just looking for you," I said as I pulled the door shut. "Is anyone in there?" she asked. "No. It's empty," I said, hopefully loud enough so that the girls could hear. "Totally empty." I stretched my hand across the door. "So...you said you found my brushes?" ~~~ Once I went back to Joi and Karen's suite, I composed myself as best I could and went back to styling Amerie for the 5pm autograph signing. She sat in a chair at the vanity table and I was removing her earlier makeup so I could make a fresh application. Joi and Karen were in the other room deciding upon Amerie's outfits for the rest of the night. As I was digging through makeup case for my facial moisturizer, I heard my cell phone ring and I quickly pulled it out of my pocket. I smiled as I silently read a text message from my new friend, Krystal: The Makeup Artist Ch. 05 "Hey Nikii! I'm at LAX about to board for Tokyo. Loved meeting u :-) I'll call u when I land. TTYL babe! XO" I laughed. "Oh wow! Hey everybody," I called out. "I just got a text from Krystal. She's not in Japan yet, but she's on her way." Amerie smiled. "Good. I'm glad she's alright. She's a great makeup artist and she did me a huge favor coming out to help me yesterday. She's so cool." She thought for a moment. "And I noticed that the two of you seemed to hit it off right away." I smiled. "Yeah, she's great. She's really great to talk to." She fidgeted with her hands. "Do you think she's cute?" I smiled harder at the memory of Krystal's silky, light brown skin and how her reddish-brown hair gently caressed her shoulders. I thought about how we laid on the bed next to one another, and I remembered the exact moment when the scent of her freshly-showered skin imprinted itself in my brain. "Yes, she is. Krystal's a beautiful woman." "Did you know that she's...um..." "Gay?" Amerie's eyes grew wide. "You knew?" "Yes. We talked about it." I paused. "In fact, I date women too. Is that a problem?" "No. Not at all. It's just that...folks always told me that..." "That what?" She stared at her hands. "That it was wrong." Finally, she looked up at me. I looked her in the eye. "Well, what do you think? Not what other people think. Just you." She hesitated. "I'm not sure. But I've thought about it. I admit that I'm curious. But I wouldn't know what to do..." "Same as with anyone else you care about. You kiss. You hug. You touch. You stroke each other's hair, caress each other's bodies. You do all the things you want done to you." I grew moist at all of the possibilities, but I didn't want to scare her off. She interrupted my erotic thoughts. "Have you always been..." "I dated guys when I was younger. But I always liked women too." "Does that make you..." "Bi?" Amerie laughed. "Stop reading my mind!" I smiled as I pulled several eyeshadow pots out of my makeup case. "I used to be. But I prefer women now." She frowned. "People I know would kill me if they ever found out I was thinking about this." I stopped and stared directly at her. "First of all, you're a grown woman. And as a grown woman, you get to make those kinds of decisions for yourself. No one gets to live your life for you. In this country, you get to call all the shots." Amerie nodded. I continued. "Second, if you really don't want to, you don't have to. No one should force you to do anything you don't want to do." I dipped my brush in a pot of gold shadow and swirled it over her eyelids. She nodded again. "I can understand that." "Third, people have different comfort zones. What works for one person might not work for someone else. But if it's something you've thought about, you might want to think about exploring those thoughts and feelings. And you can just try it once. Try it to satisfy your curiosity. If you don't like it, that's ok too. But at least you won't still be wondering about it." She was silent for a moment. "That makes sense." Then she frowned. "I want to do it. I do. But who would I try it with? If I choose the wrong girl, I mean woman..." I smiled. "Oh, I'm sure someone will turn up. Someone kind. Someone considerate. Someone who'll take it slow. Someone who'll make it absolutely wonderful for you. And someone who'll keep your secret." She looked me in the eye. "Have anyone in mind?" I winked. "I just might." She looked at her hands again. "Nikii, I have a confession to make. Last night, when we met? Well, when I called about your references, I got some additional information too. I heard that you...you...you know..." Too bashful to say the words, she lowered her eyes. "So when I asked you about Krystal a few minutes ago, I already knew about you. I was just trying to feel you out. To see if you were...cool." I smiled. "And the verdict?" She paused. Then she smiled. "Well, as for now, I think-" Karen suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Excuse me, ladies? Amerie, Joi is pressing your outfit, but we need to check the hem once more. Can you come in here real quick?" Damn. So close. As Amerie rose from her chair, I shook my head and tossed my brush in my case. ~~~ Next on Amerie's schedule was a 5pm autograph signing at a local record store. Cross-promoting with the NBA, we chose one of the earlier outfits for her to wear. It was a vibrant, sunburst-yellow half-shirt with a popular team logo on the front. Pairing it with a skin-tight pair of jeans and a cute pair of gold sandals made her look absolutely fabulous. Joi decided to pull Amerie's lengthy tresses up into a cute ponytail. Her jet-black hair reverted to spiral curls that looked great with the casual outfit. Embracing her hair's natural state, Joi fluffed up her ponytail so that she looked cute and sporty. Once we arrived, the store was packed with her fans. Once the crowd caught sight of the dynamic diva, the entire room erupted in cheers. All of the kids, young adults, and even the parents went wild with Amerie and her adorable, sporty look. She signed tons of autographs and took numerous pictures with all of her fans. Time flew by, and just after 7pm, she signed the last autograph and we were once again on our way back to the hotel. Her final appearance of the night was for an event hosted by MTV. Because the ratings for the Video Music Awards were the highest ever, MTV was hosting a party to celebrate its success and thank everyone that was involved. To make a dramatic statement at the nighttime event, Joi dressed Amerie in a dazzling ivory minidress and four-inch heels. Tiny flecks of gold sparkled on the delicate fabric and matched the golden tones in her smooth, flawless skin. To complement the elegant dress, I gave her a dramatic look. I used smoky black and dark brown shades on her eyes and I gave her scarlet red lipstick to accentuate her bright smile. Once I was done, I quickly packed up all of my equipment, except for a few beauty essentials that I stuck in my purse. While Amerie was still getting ready, I took a few minutes to gather my makeup case, along with the rest of my equipment, and drop it off in my room. Just after 9pm, we were ready to leave so we all loaded into Amerie's limousine. Once we arrived, she immediately made the rounds, greeting all of the MTV brass. I sat at the bar, sipped on a cola and watched her mingle with the music executives. I could tell by their shy smiles that they were enchanted by her exotic beauty and charming personality. I smiled as I realized that she had the same effect on me. As I sat there, I was a little wistful. I'd been thinking about our earlier conversation since earlier, but I was pretty much out of options as to how to make anything happen. After about thirty minutes, still posted at the bar, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Joi standing behind me. She smiled as she handed me a small, white envelope. "Hey Nikii? If you want to leave, you can. We're not going to be here much longer so you can go ahead and go." "Ok. Sure. Thanks," I said as I tucked the envelope into my handbag. "I had a great time. And please tell Amerie that I wanted to say goodbye." "She wanted to say goodbye herself, but she's trying to finalize some new projects. But she wanted to thank you so much for all your help. You were great." She grinned. "And I hear there's a huge bonus in there for filling-in at the last minute. You go, girl!" I laughed as we hugged tight. We then exchanged numbers and promised to keep in touch. As I made my way back outside, I caught a glimpse of Amerie sitting in the VIP area. She gave me a brief wave and blew me a kiss. I smiled and waved back as I walked out of the club and into the cool, Vegas night. Standing outside, I was a bit sad about not seeing Amerie again but there wasn't anything I could do. I then asked the doorman to call me a taxi and headed back to the hotel. ~~~ As I walked into the lobby, I saw a familiar face at the front desk. "Hey, Monica!" I beamed. My luck was getting better all the time. I hurried over, hypnotized by her dark skin and pretty features. "Hi Ms. Clarke! How are you?" Monica stopped typing on the keyboard and winked, giving me a dazzling smile. "Great, thanks. And you?" I couldn't stop admiring the gorgeous beauty. I first met her Sunday morning when I checked into the hotel and was immediately attracted to her satiny-smooth dark brown skin and her luscious, curvy figure. Since I didn't think I'd ever see her again after that, I marveled at my good luck. "Just fine. But I'm curious. You're a makeup artist?" she asked. "Yes, I am." "Wow. I'm fascinated. That must be so interesting. I've always loved that kind of stuff." I couldn't resist. "If you'd like to get together to discuss it sometime..." She smiled. "Well, I'm about to go on break. Want to go have a quick drink?" ~~~ Ten minutes later, I sat across from Monica in the sports lounge. Because I hadn't seen her since we first met, I was glad that I now had a chance to fully admire this stunning creature. I was instantly spellbound by her smooth, mocha complexion. Perfectly groomed eyebrows framed her slanted brown eyes. Her full, sexy lips hinted at a bright smile. Her jet-black hair lay straight and sleek around her shoulders I especially loved her full, generous figure. Her supple, round breasts captivated me the moment I saw her. Even in her formal hotel uniform, I could still make out her generous thighs and calves. As we walked to the lounge, I took special note of her round, ample ass. I looked forward to getting to know this luscious beauty more intimately. Just then, a slender waitress with fiery-red hair came over. "Hi ladies." She took a closer look at the ebony goddess across from me. "Hey Monica," she smiled. "What can I get for you ladies tonight?" "Hey Luann, I'll just have a sprite. And you, Nikii?" "Umm...the same. Thanks." "Ok, ladies. I'll be right back." Luann turned and went to the bar to get our drinks. "Well, I'm on duty, so that's my excuse, but no alcohol for you?" Monica asked. "Nah. I'm not a big drinker." Monica slid her chair closer to me. "So...what are you into?" "What am I into? A lot of things." I sat back in my chair. "I'm a makeup artist. So I guess I'm into...beauty," I grinned. "I love beautiful women." "Well, you're certainly in the right industry," she said as she tucked her hair behind her ears. "When did you get started?" "Way back. I used to do hair and makeup for all my Barbie dolls. I had them all lined up on my mom's kitchen table just like a beauty salon!" We laughed and I noticed a cute twinkle in her eyes. I was officially smitten. "After I finished high school," I continued, "I studied graphic art in college for a while, but I ended up going to beauty school. Then I worked in a few hair salons. I just left the last one and finally went solo a few months ago." "Okaaay," she laughed. "I see that was the extra-speedy version. Next time, I need more detail please." I laughed and blushed. "You don't give up much, do you?" she joked. I laughed again. Just then, Luann brought our drinks. We clinked glasses and Monica took a long sip of her soda. Watching her full lips over the rim of the glass, I imagined them locked onto mine. Then onto my taut, chocolate nipples. I shivered at the thought. I tried changing the subject. "So what about you? What's your story?" "Well, I'm single. No children. I work the late shift here at the front desk. During the day, I go to school." She paused. "Was that brief enough for you?" she chided. "Funny. You've got jokes." She took another sip. "So how long are you in town for?" "Well, the job I was on today just ended. I guess I'll probably fly out tomorrow afternoon." "Sorry to hear that." She reached out and placed her hand over mine. She softly stroked my fingertips as she winked at me. "I would have liked to have gotten better acquainted." I was surprised at how forward she was, but was secretly relieved that I could finally express my attraction to this lovely woman. I stroked her hand, loving the feel of her soft, smooth skin. "Me too." We talked for a few more minutes and eventually exchanged numbers. Though I wasn't completely sure what would become of our attraction, I at least wanted to be able to talk to her again. Then Monica checked her watch. "Damn, Nikii. I have to get back to work." She reluctantly released my hand and slid her chair back from the table. "And for what it's worth, I really wish I had more time with you. I noticed you when you first walked in and I secretly hoped we'd have a chance to chat. And I'm glad we did. But for the record, it would have been nice to have a little more." Suddenly yearning to stroke her soft skin and press my heated body against her luscious figure, I sighed heavily. "Yes. It would have been very nice." ~~~ Later that night, after saying goodbye to Monica, I relaxed in my hotel room. I was up late editing my how-to book and DVD series. I made notes and worked on my outlines that would describe exactly how I wanted to showcase my makeup techniques for the general public. I also designed a few sample pages on my laptop computer. Lying in the huge, king-sized bed, I suddenly thought I could still smell Krystal's fragrance on the plush pillows. Smiling at how easily I was affected by beautiful black women, I continued working. After a few hours of work, however, my eyes grew heavier and heavier and I decided to give in. Yawning, I finally set the materials on the nightstand, clicked off the hotel lamp and snuggled into the soft, plush pillows. Just as I fell asleep, the hotel phone rang. Dazed, I glanced at the desk clock. It was nearly 2am. "Hello?" I answered, yawning. "Hi, Nikii?" "Yes, this is she." "Hey." The voice paused. "It's Amerie." I immediately perked up at the sound of the light, delicate voice. I sat up in bed and clicked on the lamp. She continued. "Nikii, I can't stop thinking about you. And about what we talked about." She paused. "Can we talk? I mean, can you come up so we can talk some more?" "Sure. Of course." "Thanks. Just come up to room 2907." I hung up and leaned back against the pillow, shocked at the new turn of events. Spying the extravagant fruit bowl on the table Monica had delivered to me earlier, I suddenly smiled. I quickly picked up the hotel phone and began to dial. "Room service? I'd like to place an order..." ~~~ Ten minutes later, I knocked on the door to Amerie's suite. She opened it and quickly ushered me in. Once inside, I turned around and we took a closer look at each other. I wore a basic white tank top and a tight denim skirt with sexy, gold high-heeled sandals. Though I was only 5'4", I had long legs that were as slender and toned as the rest of my body, so I loved to wear skirts and heels. I was also pleased that such simple, yet casual garments blended perfectly with my smooth, dark brown skin. I wore a bit of black eyeliner and midnight-black mascara, coupled with a touch of cranberry lipgloss. Also, before I left my room, I'd pulled my jet-black hair into a loose updo but several strands had slipped out and now fluttered around my face. When I looked at her, I was stunned. She wore a midnight-black satin robe, knotted at the waist. The soft fabric caressed her slim, lean figure seductively. Her full, jet-black tresses lay over her shoulders in cute, spiral curls. I saw that she had scrubbed her face clean of all the makeup, but her honey-brown skin remained clear and radiant. "Thanks for coming." "Sweetheart, thanks for inviting me," I whispered. "Come on. Let's relax a bit." I motioned her over to the brick-red, velvet chaise lounge, positioned against the edge of the bed. "Come. Let's sit. And talk." We sat next to each other on the chaise. "I know you're nervous," I began. "No, Nikii," she interrupted. "I've already thought about it. I know what I want. And it's you. You're so sweet to everyone. And so kind. Nikii, I know I want you." She leaned in and kissed me softly on my cheek, then near my earlobe. She drew back and looked me in the eye. I saw raw passion dancing in her dark brown pools. As we sat there, I grasped her hands in mine. Though her passion was racing, I wanted and needed to start slow. I lifted one of her hands and gently kissed the soft flesh. I turned it over and placed a soft kiss on her palm. Then I nipped each of her delicate fingers. She squirmed against me. "Nikii," she giggled. "That tickles!" I smiled as I gently kissed the inside of her arm, from her wrist all the way up to her shoulder. Continuing my kisses, I buried my face in her neck and inhaled her scent. I then planted tens of tiny kisses from the base of her neck up to just under her ears. I even tenderly bit and kissed her tiny earlobes. She squirmed underneath my ministrations. "Oh, Nikii," she sighed. "Nikii, please!" "I'm here, baby," I murmured as I covered her soft mouth with mine. I closed my eyes and tasted a faint, but delicious peppermint flavor. I gripped her hair and wound it through my fingers as I deepened my kisses. "More," I heard her moan. I pressed my lips tightly against hers and dipped my tongue into her sweet mouth. She slid her arms around me and we embraced tightly. Still kissing, I finally released her hair and reached for the tie on her satin robe. As I pulled it, I heard a sudden knock at the door. She looked at me questioningly. "That's for me," I said as I crept out of the bed. I went to the door and opened it. A handsome bellhop wheeled in his cart, removed two covered dishes and placed them on the table near the bed. After I peeked under the lids, I tipped him generously and let him out. I turned back to Amerie. I unbuttoned my skirt and let it slide to the floor. Her eyes were fixed on my glittery, ice-blue panties and I grinned mischievously. Then I removed my tank top, picked up my skirt and tossed the clothes on a chair next to the bed. Being naughty, I left my gold high-heels on. Her eyes widened at my nearly nude body. My dark nipples were rock hard and aching for attention. I felt a moist warmth deep between my legs, but I wanted Amerie's pleasure to come first. "I have a surprise for you," I sang. "Sit back on the bed, please." She rose from the chaise, crawled onto the bed and leaned back against the headboard. I grabbed both of the covered dishes from the table, placed them carefully on the bed, and sat down next to her. "The first course, Madame," I said as I lifted the first cover. She gasped in surprise. Underneath was a platter filled with delicious maraschino cherries. "And the second course." I uncovered the second platter, which was filled with ripe, juicy strawberries. "I thought we could use a late-night snack." She grinned as I picked up a red, ripe cherry by its stem. "Open wide," I teased. She stuck out her pink tongue and wiggled it. I dipped the cherry onto it and she bit it from its stem and slipped it into her mouth. "Mmmm," she moaned. I reached for another cherry. "Lie flat on your back," I said as I held the juicy piece of fruit out above her. She quickly scooted down on the bed and lay flat on the soft comforter. I undid the belt to her robe with my other hand. As the material parted, I was treated to the erotic sight of her lovely nude body. Her small, round breasts stood firm at attention. Her smooth stomach and hips gently sloped into long, lean legs and small, delicate feet. The dark triangle between her legs looked especially inviting. I fed her the cherry and she smiled in pleasure. Then I reached for one of the strawberries. Looking in her eyes, I rubbed the tasty treat against one of her taut nipples. "Oooh," she moaned as she felt the coolness against her warm skin. As I fed it to her, she licked her lips at the sweet morsel. The Makeup Artist Ch. 06 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. This fictitious parody is protected speech under Hustler Magazine, Inc., et. al. v. Jerry Falwell. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ Chapter 6: The Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger: Live in Las Vegas. ~~~ First thing Tuesday morning, I awoke to warm, golden sunlight streaming through my hotel window at The Palms in Las Vegas. Glancing at the nightstand, the alarm clock read just after 6am. Climbing out of the bed, my body ached a bit from the busyness of the past two days: Early Sunday, I flew into Vegas to style the international pop star Christina Milian for the MTV Video Music Awards. Due to a lucky turn of events, I also scored a lucrative job styling the R & B songstress Amerie for Monday. Now it was Tuesday and with Amerie's job complete, I was free to fly back home to Miami. Facing the windows, I did some light exercises to keep in shape, including a few yoga poses and a set of Pilates moves. As I exercised in the sunlight, the warmth of the sun on my rich, brown skin felt divine. After about an hour, and feeling much more energetic and radiant, I took a steaming hot shower. Afterward, while still wet, I applied a warm, coconut oil to my body to keep my milk chocolate skin silky smooth. Wrapping a soft, fluffy towel around my sweet-smelling body, I padded out of the bathroom barefoot and took a long look in the huge, full-length mirror next to the door. I loved my bright, expressive, brown eyes, cute nose and inviting smile. With a wicked grin, I undid the towel and admired my lovely frame. My satiny skin gleamed with the fragrant oil. My round breasts sat full and high on my chest. My stomach, complete with a slight pooch, sloped deliciously into my full, rounded hips. My long legs, firm thighs and toned calves also made me smile, but not as much as the smooth, dark triangle between my legs. Wrapping the towel back around me, I grabbed my hair and makeup cases and went back into the bathroom. I then styled my shoulder-length, black hair into loose waves that cascaded freely around my shoulders. I playfully shook it and grinned as the soft, tousled strands bounced and then fell neatly back into place. Then I applied my makeup. Wanting a soft, casual look, I added soft bronze and golden shades to brighten my eyes and a rich, berry color to make my lips and cheeks pop. Finally ready to get dressed, I slipped on a Victoria's Secret sheer black bra and panty set, then a light blue top with snug jeans and matching light-blue sandals. I loved how the tight denim showed off my curvy ass, thighs and calves. As I looked in the mirror, I loved how radiant I looked. Vegas seemed to be having a wonderful effect on me. Because I wasn't quite ready to book my flight home yet, I decided to head down to the hotel restaurant for a leisurely breakfast and then maybe hit a few shops before I decided to leave. Then I heard my cell phone ring. I quickly pulled it out of my handbag. "Hello?" "Hi Nikii! This is Saadia, your sorority sister! What's up, sweetie?" I first met Saadia Jeffries, Nicole Scherzinger's lead stylist, Sunday night at the VMAs while working with Christina. I saw her again on Monday while I was working with Amerie. I suddenly remembered that she left me a voicemail last night about a possible job styling Nicole today. Saadia definitely had my attention. Besides being my sorority sister, she was absolutely gorgeous. I loved beautiful women and the image of her light brown skin, soft curly hair and cute freckles danced in my mind. "Hey there, Soror! How's it goin'?" I asked. "Good, thanks. I'm sorry I'm calling you so early, but I've really liked your work over the past couple of days. So I was wondering...I need a makeup artist for Nicole tonight. Her regular girl's out sick unexpectedly. Are you interested?" Was she kidding? "Yes, I'm interested," I said, grabbing a pen and paper out of my handbag. "What's the job?" "Nicole's doing a special performance tonight here in Vegas. She'll be performing at the new Pussycat Doll Lounge, which is located in Caesar's Palace. She hits the stage right at midnight. You'll do her make up for a press conference beforehand, the performance itself and then an afterparty. As such, I'll need you from about 5pm 'till about 2am. And I'll make sure you get a really nice bonus for filling-in on such short notice. How's that sound?" Once we talked about the looks she wanted to achieve, set the terms and confirmed my fee, I quickly agreed. She let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks so much, Nikii. I was in a pinch, so you're really helping me out. I'm just sorry I called you so early. Were you asleep?" "Oh no. In fact, I just finished working out and now I'm starving. I was about to go downstairs and get some breakfast." "Oh! Well, it looks like I called just in time. Why don't I take you out? It'll be my treat for you coming to my rescue." I grinned. Rescuing beautiful damsels in distress seemed to be my specialty. "Ok, cool. And thanks. Breakfast sounds great." I looked over at my luggage and a few outfits I had strewn over one of the chairs. "Now I'm still at The Palms. I guess I need to check out of here by 11am..." "Oh, I got that. Since the Pussycat Doll Lounge is here at Caesar's, I'll just get you a room here. So go ahead, pack your things, check out now and just bring your stuff with you. I'll pick you up in a bit, and then we can go eat. After breakfast, I'll take you to your room and you can settle in and chill until tonight." I smiled. I could get used to this. "You're such a sweetheart. Thanks for taking such good care of me!" "You're my Soror. I'm gonna look out for my peeps!" she said. I could hear her smile though the phone and I was convinced that her freckles were twinkling. "Look, it's just after 7am now. I'll see you in about an hour." ~~~ Just after 8am, I called the hotel operator for a bellhop to help me with my luggage. A handsome gentleman came right up and soon we made our way to the front desk. When I walked up, I looked at the desk clerk and stopped dead in my tracks. A second later, a huge smile spread across my face. My new friend Monica was on duty. "Hey Monica!" When she looked up, her beautiful smile made my heart race. I loved her dark, flawless skin and her lush, curvy figure. A delicious tingle raced through me at the sight of her satiny brown cleavage peeking out of her white, button-down dress shirt. We'd first met Sunday morning when I checked in for Christina's job. She treated me to a "farewell" drink last night and we had a wonderful time. However, with her still on duty that night coupled with my original plan to fly out in the morning, I hadn't expected to see her again. Having her standing in front of me now was a wonderful surprise and I thanked the Universe for my good fortune. "Hi Ms. Clarke. How are you this morning? Did you get a good night's sleep?" she winked. "I'm fine. And yes I did, thanks!" I laughed. "How are you?" "Good." She looked over at the bellhop and frowned. "I see you have your luggage with you. I guess you're checking out today?" "Yeah, but I'm not leaving Vegas just yet. I just booked a job for tonight, so I'll be here for another day or so. But I'll be working at Caesar's so I still have to check out today." She nodded as she typed on her keyboard. "Well, I see here that everything's been taken care of by both Ms. Milian and Ms. Amerie. So you're all set," she smiled. "Oh, by the way...did you get the fruit basket I sent you yesterday?" She looked at me, her eyes dancing with merriment. I laughed. "That was you? Yeah, thanks! That was so sweet! I wish I could--" Just then my cell phone rang. As I checked the display, I gestured for Monica to give me a second. "Hello?" "Hey Nikii. It's Saadia. I'm so sorry, but I got hung up on a conference call and I still have to finish a few more details for Nicole's performance tonight. I'll be there in about 45 minutes. Is that ok?" I glanced at Monica. As I admired her luscious frame, I licked my lips. "Sure, it's fine. There's a lot to do here, so don't worry about me. Take all the time you need. I'll be here waiting for you. Now, I just checked out so I'm not in the room anymore." "Oh no! Damn, I'm sorry. Not only am I late, but I made you homeless too? Oh no!" Saadia giggled. I cracked up. "Girl, you're crazy! But seriously, I'll be in the lobby or maybe just wandering around, so just call me when you get here." "I'll be there as fast as I can, hon. Bye." Hanging up, I saw Monica looking directly at me. "So," she winked. "You need to kill some time?" I smiled as I checked my watch. "Looks like I've got about an hour..." "I work the late shift here, so I'm almost done now. I get off in about ten minutes." I couldn't resist. "Actually, you'll be getting off in about twenty minutes..." She grinned as she typed furiously on her keyboard. "Meet me in Room 307. I'm going to store your luggage somewhere safe." She handed me the slim keycard. "I'll be there in ten." I grabbed my overnight bag and hurried upstairs. Once inside the suite, I was impressed by the spacious and luxurious set of rooms. As I walked over to the bed, I caught my reflection in the mirror over the dresser. My fitted, light blue cami top was coupled with tight jeans that had an embroidered rose pattern down the leg. I winked at my reflection. "I'm such a ho," I laughed. "But she's gorgeous. And it'll be quick." I slipped into the bathroom to freshen up a bit. Then I changed into a sexy, hot pink camisole that I always kept in my overnight bag. Deciding against panties, I twirled around and admired myself in the bathroom mirror. I grinned at the pink silk that caressed my full breasts and thick thighs. Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door. I grabbed the hotel robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door, wrapped it around myself and walked out of the bathroom. Monica used her key to enter the suite. As she walked over to me, I opened the robe and shook my hips seductively. She let out a low whistle as she saw my near-naked body. "You're gorgeous," she whispered. "I've wanted you since I first saw you. Come here." I slipped my arms around her waist as we drew each other into a warm embrace. I closed my eyes and inhaled her intoxicating fragrance. "You smell delicious," I said softly as I leaned my head on her shoulder. "Thanks," she chuckled. "It's my new perfume. It's called 'I have a gorgeous woman in my room and she's making me horny as hell.'" I laughed. "You're silly." "And you're beautiful," she smiled. I reached up and stroked her soft, black hair. The dark strands slipped through my fingers like silk. "You know, we don't have much time." "Then hurry up," she smiled as she kicked off her shoes and socks. Now she's playing with me, I thought as I grinned and shook my head. Quickly, I started unbuttoning her white dress shirt while she removed her vest. A minute later, she let them both drop to the floor. Then she shrugged off her uniform pants and stood in front of me in only a navy-blue bra and panty set. The satiny brown skin on Monica's thick and sweet-looking body made me shiver in delight. Unable to wait any longer, I placed my hands in her hair as we leaned into each other. As our lips gently touched, I realized that this, our first kiss, was magical. Feeling her soft lips against mine and the delicious sensations coursing through me made my head spin. Hands busy, we rubbed and stroked each other's bodies and my pleasure mounted. Kiss after kiss drew us deeper into each other's essence as our dueling tongues set each other ablaze. She felt divine wrapped tightly in my arms and I swore I'd enjoy each and every second we had together. I felt her hands slip under my camisole to caress my back and I trembled at the sheer joy of having her so close to me. A moment later, she gripped my firm ass and I moaned softly against her full, sweet lips, luxuriating in her warm embrace. However, as much as I loved kissing her, I wanted and needed more. I cupped her bountiful breasts, still in her bra, gently in my hands. Loving the feel of her warm skin, I leaned in and planted soft, tender kisses on her heated globes. Her flesh tasted sweet on my tongue and I couldn't help but kiss her full breasts over and over. "Ooooh," she sighed as she wiggled in my arms. "More, baby, more." I reached around her, unclasped her bra and tossed it near the bed. I licked my lips at the sight of her stiff nipples. Powerless to resist, I took one of the peaks in my mouth. I groaned as I tasted her sweet chocolate. "Ohhh, yesss." Monica wrapped her fingers in my hair and pulled me in tight. "Yes, baby..." I sucked gently at first, nipping and kissing at the warm flesh. Moving from one generous breast to the other, I swirled my tongue around her nipples as she shivered in delight. After a few moments of giving her rigid nipples plenty of loving attention, I pulled back and admired her glistening skin. Her chest was heaving as she struggled to control her breathing. "Nikii, please," she whispered. I grabbed her breasts and went back in for another taste. This time, my passion had risen to a fever pitch and I sucked harder and harder. I was so enjoying the taste and feel of her sweetness in my mouth that I barely heard her moans increase in intensity. I pressed my face deeper into her warm cleavage as I licked and sucked with abandon. I began to smell the essence of her passion and my temperature rose even higher. Suddenly, she reached for the hem of my camisole and pulled it over my head, exposing my nude body. I then felt her hands all over me, touching and stroking my heated skin. "Ahhhh!" I sighed. I was in ecstasy as my sensitive skin was being teased to the breaking point. "I gotta taste you, baby," I whispered as I pulled her over to the bed. "Lie down, sweetheart." Obediently, Monica lay across the comforter in only her panties. As much as I loved her smooth, dark brown skin, I was more interested in the delicate triangle at the core of her body. "Open wide, honey," I said as I lay in between her thighs. As she spread her silky, brown legs, I took a deep whiff of her delicious, intimate scent. Suddenly inflamed, I snatched her panties off. "Animal," she giggled. I chuckled. "More like a cannibal." "You're gonna eat me, sweetie?" she teased. I looked up, watching her full breasts heaving and noting the sweet smile on her face. "Every drop, baby," I said as I hovered over her sweet mound. Her legs tensed in anticipation and I grinned at her excitement. Finally, I leaned in for the first lick. As the tip of my tongue connected with her precious jewel, the delicious taste of honey sent me straight to heaven. "Ohhh, damn," she groaned. "Get it, baby. Do it." Slowly, I licked and sucked on her pussy lips, teasing my chocolate beauty until she writhed on the bed. Her thick thighs closed around me, pinning me in her sizzling heat. All of a sudden, I slid my tongue deep into her wetness and she nearly leapt off the bed. "Ahhhh!" she cried. I thrust my tongue in and out at a record speed. As her juices flowed copiously into my waiting mouth, I dove in faster and harder, drinking her sweet essence. Overcome with passion, I barely felt Monica pulling at my arms. "Get up here," she commanded. "I want some of your sweet pussy too." Dazed, I lifted up and twisted around until we settled into a scorching sixty-nine. Once in position, I lowered my body and planted my pussy right on her lips. The initial contact between her lips and my clit was electric. "Oh fuck!" I exclaimed as her tongue went right to work. I felt her take long laps at my pussy as my body trembled in delight. "Yes, honey," I moaned as I went back into her juicy clit. Long moments passed as we sucked, licked and ate each other furiously. We held each other tightly as we bounced all around the bed. We humped against each other, trying desperately to bring the other to the most glorious climax ever. My mind was going wild with the most intensely delicious sensations I'd ever felt as we lapped at each other's sugary sweetness. I moaned as I felt her fingers trace tight circles around my sensitive clit. She rubbed and stroked me, lightly at first, then harder and harder until I screamed in delight. Then I felt her slowly slide a slim finger between my pussy lips, on a mission to hit deep inside of me. I wiggled around and ground my pussy harder into her face at the wonderful intrusion. She gently searched around and around until she finally found my sweet spot. "Baby!" I cried out as she sent me into another world. My breath was now coming in gasps, but I buried my head deeper into her honey, licking and sucking with abandon. Just when I thought I was almost over the edge, I jumped as I felt a finger slip into my dark rosebud. "Damn!" I screamed. "I love it, baby! That feels so good!" Monica moved both fingers rhythmically in and out as she continued her assault on my pussy. She drank deeply while palming my ass with her other hand. She sucked and slurped at my swollen clit until I was delirious. We rocked back and forth against each other, our excitement rising higher and higher until we were both on the brink of exploding in ecstasy. Suddenly realizing that we were on the tightest of time schedules, I focused all of my attention on making this beautiful woman cream. I used my tongue to stroke deeply inside her hot pussy. Needing her to cum soon, I finally used my fingers on her. As I licked her pink gem, my fingers worked her sweet clit. Back and forth, faster and faster I labored until I finally tasted the hot burst of liquid sugar I'd been craving ever since I first laid eyes on her. "Oh God, baby!" she screamed as her passion erupted. "I'm cumming!" Her hips rocked and rolled all over the bed as we tangled the sheets and knocked all the pillows off the bed. "I'm cumming, Nikii! Ohhhh, yesssss!" Her wild, savage passion inflamed me. I held her hips tightly, still drinking the sugary nectar that flowed from her sweet pussy. Though she continued to toss and turn underneath me, I couldn't believe that her lips remained locked on my pulsing clit. I suddenly realized that she was just as determined to make me cum and I hunched down against her, ready for my explosive climax. I felt the delicious wiggling and tickling on my pink jewel until I couldn't stand it anymore. In an instant, my passion built up to a feverish pitch. "Yesssss," I cried out as a violent orgasm swept through my body. "Yes, honey, yesss!" My mind burst into brilliant stars as my body exploded into a million pieces. I closed my eyes and all I could concentrate on was her wonderful, passionate tongue still teasing me to ecstasy. My head pounded and my senses were in overload as I continued to cry out. I nearly passed out from all the pleasurable sensations rushing through me. My orgasm seemed endless and I twisted and turned against her hot body. I rode out every wave of my intense climax as my juices flowed into her sweet mouth. Eventually our passion began to wane. Monica gently stroked my thighs as I came back to my senses. Finally, I lifted myself off her trembling body and settled down next to her. "Monica, Monica," I whispered. "My God, baby!" "Shhhh," she murmured. "Just relax, honey." We grabbed the comforter, which was now draped at the foot of the bed, pulled it over us and wrapped ourselves in each other's arms. The Makeup Artist Ch. 06 We lay there silently, still trying to catch our breath, but gently kissing and nipping at each other's lips. I could still taste my sweet honey on her lips and I kissed her harder and deeper. I suddenly started giggling as I realized how loud I had been. "What's so funny?" she asked. When I told her what I was laughing at, unable to resist, she joined me in my happiness and we hugged each other tight. As we continued to lie there, my cell phone rang. I slid out of the bed and went to answer it. "You have such a cute ass," Monica said, admiring my nude body. I smiled as I heard her chuckling behind me. I pulled my phone out of my handbag. "Hello?" "Hey, Nikii! It's Saadia. I'm on my way. I'll see you in about 15 minutes." She paused. "I hope you didn't get bored waiting for me?" she teased. Monica winked at me from the bed. I had to laugh. ~~~ "How are your waffles?" Saadia asked as she touched her napkin to her thin, delicate lips. My sorority sister and I sat across from each other in an elegant, yet cozy restaurant in Caesar's Palace. "Delicious," I winked at the gorgeous woman in front of me. "Very tasty." She was relaxing in her chair, finishing up a healthy fruit and cheese plate. As she picked up her champagne flute and sipped on one of the mimosas she'd ordered for us, she winked back at me. We had a good time laughing and giggling, getting to know each other by sharing some of our sorority pledge stories. Though I was trying my best to remain professional and friendly, Saadia's pretty face and beautiful figure kept urging me on to think very erotic thoughts. Saadia's face, golden bronze and dotted with cute freckles, had a distinct angelic quality that soothed me. She wore light makeup: just a bit of sable eyeshadow, black mascara and a touch of shimmery pink lipgloss, but the total effect was wondrous. Her rich auburn hair was again styled in tight, curly ringlets that gently skimmed her shoulders. She wore a tailored business suit that hugged her every curve; the soft material a rich, vibrant coral shade that looked divine against her smooth, bronze skin. Her long legs, clad in neutral-colored stockings, sloped into dainty feet in expensive high-heeled shoes that perfectly matched her suit. Still aflame from my earlier romp with Monica, my pulse raced a bit faster as I watched Saadia's lips. I shivered thinking about how wonderful they would feel kissing my smooth thighs and inching up to my now moist pussy. Fire was added to that flame as I watched her tongue peek out every so often as she took the last tiny bites of her meal. The innocent, yet erotic sight was almost too much to bear. Both of us being members of the prestigious Rho Sigma Tau Sorority, the most elite and most erotic African-American sorority in existence, meant two things: First, it meant that we were two of the hottest, sexiest and most passionate women on our respective college campuses. Second, it meant that we were always ready, willing and able to explore our passions with our fellow sorority sisters. But first we had to work. I took my focus off Saadia's lips and put it back onto her words as she began to speak. "I have your copy of Nicole's schedule for tonight right here." She reached into her briefcase next to her chair and handed me a neatly typed sheet of paper. "We're all going to meet this evening at the Pussycat Doll Lounge for rehearsal at 5pm. We start getting her dressed at 6pm for her press interviews that start at 7pm. There's a meet and greet with some of the hotel VIP's at 8pm. After that, she gets to chill until about 10:30pm. Then she has to get ready for the show." She took the last sip of her drink before she continued. "There'll be two costume changes so it'll take us some time to make sure she's fitted and fully prepped for everything. Then she performs at midnight. The afterparty starts at 2am and runs on into the night. Now because she'll be changing outfits several times tonight, I'll need a few different looks for her makeup. Can you handle that?" I nodded. I then asked about Nicole's wardrobe and we talked at length about what looks they wanted to achieve. We discussed a few more details and after agreeing on the terms, we completed the paperwork and signed the contract. Looking at my watch, it was just about 11am. Saadia checked her own watch. "Again, I'll need you to report to the Pussycat Doll Lounge at 5pm sharp. And if you want, you can even come earlier to hang out and get familiar with the place. I'll let the doormen know you're coming." I nodded again. She sat back in her chair, crossed her smooth, golden-bronze legs and stared at me. "So after I show you to your room, what are you going to do until five? Just chill?" She took a curly lock of her hair in her fingers and twirled it around. "You thinking about hanging out in bed?" she winked. Smiling, I shook my head. "I wish! Actually, I really need to go shopping. I've used so much product over the past two days that I need to replenish almost everything I have. I need to go to a department store, a beauty supply store and maybe an art store." "Do you have a car? A rental or anything?" "No, I was just going to take a taxi. But I thought about renting a car for the day." "Well, let's go to the front desk, then. We'll get you hooked up." She motioned for the waiter. I looked over the schedule again and made a few notes while she settled the bill. Then she rose from the table and extended her hand. "Shall we?" ~~~ Several hours later, Saadia and I relaxed in my new luxury suite at Caesar's Palace. The rooms were enormous, beautifully decorated and each had an awesome view of the Las Vegas Strip. I sat cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by tens of small packages, grinning like it was Christmas morning. I gleefully opened them all, removed the makeup and art products inside and set everything around me. I had my makeup case out and open and I was carefully organizing my products and placing them inside. "I'm glad you got everything you needed," Saadia said as she sat next to me on the edge of the bed. "And it was fun shopping with you. But I can't believe you actually shared some of your make-up secrets with me." "And if you tell anyone, you're in trouble." I teased. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do?" "This." I reached over and pinched her thigh. "Ouch! You're mean," she said as she rubbed the tender spot. I looked into her eyes. The bright, Vegas sunlight reflected in them and I loved the sparkles that danced within. Suddenly I was overtaken with emotion because of this beautiful, exotic woman. I leaned in close. "Thanks for everything." She leaned in closer. "It's my pleasure." Her soft, inviting lips hovered dangerously near mine. Just then a cell phone rang. "It's mine," she sighed as she slid off the bed and grabbed the phone from her handbag. Reluctantly, I went back to organizing my new purchases while she spoke quickly for a few moments. Then she hung up. "Nikii, I have to go. I have a few fires to put out before tonight's performance." "Saved by the bell," I teased. She grabbed her handbag and slung it over her shoulder. As an afterthought, she walked back over to the bed, reached out and gently stroked my hair. "Oh, I'm going to get back to you," she winked as she turned and headed toward the door. "I promise." ~~~ Just after 4:30pm, I left my suite after a short nap and a hot shower, and headed down to the Pussycat Dolls Lounge. As I waited for the two doormen to check my ID, I peeked behind them into the club. I smiled when I saw the vibrant colors and the sexy animal prints. Once the larger man spoke into his headset and verified my identity, they stepped aside and waved me in. The seductive music hit me first. The driving beats pulsed though me as I recognized the Pussycat Dolls' most famous song. As I silently sang along, I couldn't help but wiggle and gyrate my body a bit. The main performance room was dimly lit, but I could see that the lounge had been elaborately designed as a racy, cabaret-style nightclub. The entire space was decorated with a distinct burlesque feel that was very sexy and quite seductive. Vibrant reds, hot pinks and sultry leopard prints were everywhere -- from the walls to the chairs and even on pillows strewn around the room. I grinned as I saw the silver stripper poles set up around the room. As I looked around, I saw that in one corner was a circular staircase that reached to the ceiling; in another corner was an oversized swing hanging from the ceiling. I also saw a giant champagne glass positioned next to the main stage. As I walked toward the bar, I noticed a large, mirrored wall to the side of the lounge. I caught my reflection and smiled, loving what I saw. I had since changed into a short, peach-colored babydoll dress. The silky material sashayed around my pretty, brown thighs as I moved. I added a pair of sexy, open-toed matching heels, just two inches in height, and I was good to go. I wanted to be elegant and professional, but still sexy and a bit risqué. I thought I blended in perfectly with the erotic feel of the lounge. Several of the go-go dancers were already on stage practicing their routines. Watching their complicated dance steps coupled with several high kicks and full splits, I was instantly hooked. I was so mesmerized with the lustful sight that I set my makeup case down and gazed at them. Watching the gorgeous girls twist and turn to the suggestive music held me in place. However, one dancer in particular held my attention longer than the others. She had flawless, honey-brown skin and jet-black hair pulled into a long ponytail. She was long and lean, with an incredibly toned body. She wore a midnight-black corset, tied so tight that her full breasts were nearly bursting out. She also wore tiny, scarlet-red panties, cut so that the cute cheeks of her round ass peeked through. Of course, she wore patent leather, four-inch stilettos. I was absolutely outdone by her exotic beauty. When she caught me staring, I swore she winked at me. Feeling her style, I winked back. "They look great, don't they?" a masculine voice said behind me. I turned to see an adorable young man standing there. He was tall, slender and dressed casually in black workout gear. The cute dimples dotted on his smooth brown skin made me smile. "You must be Nikii. The new makeup girl." I smiled. "How did you know?" "You're the only one here that I don't know. And I know everybody," he laughed. He extended his hand. "I'm Julian. I'm Nicole's choreographer." "Nice to meet you. And yes, I'm Nikii. Nikii Clarke." "Welcome." We turned back toward the dancers. The honey-brown dancer I'd spotted earlier was doing a complicated back bend into a back handstand. Her long, toned legs looked simply luscious. "So how do you like the show so far?" he asked. "Great. Is that your choreography?" Julian shook his head. "No. They came up with that stuff on their own. I'll be starting my rehearsal in about fifteen minutes. Then you'll see what real dancing looks like," he winked. "Okaaaay!" I laughed. "Arrogant much?" "Girl, I'm the best. Why should I hide it?" I smiled. "Well, to your credit, I saw the Pussycat Dolls TV show that came on a while back. The one where y'all were looking for a new member? And I gotta admit: y'all were working it out. You guys worked hard, I'll give you that." "You saw the show?" he asked. I nodded. "Never missed an episode. It looked like fun." Julian softened up. "Fun? Honey, that shit was wild! All those cameras!" He paused. "By the way...how did I look?" "Fabulous!" I said. "Of course I did, darling. I'm the bomb!" We laughed as he linked his arm in mine. "Come on, Nikii. Let me show you around." ~~~ After a quick tour, Julian and I stood backstage in front of one of the dressing rooms. On the front of the door was a large gold star, decorated with vibrant gold glitter. "Nicole's going to be in this dressing room right here. She gets her own room tonight. All the other dancers share the big dressing room down the hall." Then he checked his watch. "Ok, girlie. It's almost five, so I'm going to get rehearsal started with the other girls. Nicole's usually on time, so she'll join us here shortly. Why don't you get your stuff set up now, so that right after rehearsal, you'll be ready to get started?" "Thanks, Julian! I really appreciate it." "Good luck," he waved as he headed toward the stage. Knocking first, but hearing no answer, I tentatively walked in. When I saw that the room was empty, I found a small space to set up. I opened my makeup case and started arranging my equipment on a vanity table near the back of the spacious room. A large mirror and a few chairs sat in front of the table. Several rolling racks filled with colorful, glittery outfits sat around the perimeter of the room. "I see you found everything ok," Saadia said as she strolled in. Following her was a young woman who carried a handful of see-through garment bags. "Yeah. Julian said I should come in and get set up. Was that ok?" I asked. Saadia nodded. I pointed at the garment bags in the young woman's hand. "Those are the outfits for tonight?" "Yeah, and Nicole should be here shortly. Like I said earlier, she's got a few outfits, so she'll need her makeup redone several times." The young woman hung the bags on one of the clothing racks near the door and Saadia flipped through them quickly. "Rebecca? Please make sure each of these outfits is pressed and ready to wear by 10pm. And when you see Serena, please tell her that she needs to be ready to go when Nicole gets out of rehearsal." Saadia paused. "And if you don't see Serena, please call her immediately." Saadia turned to me. "Serena is Nicole's hairstylist. She's the best that I've ever seen, but she has a tendency to go AWOL sometimes." Then Saadia's cell phone rang. Checking the display, she headed toward the door. "Nikii, I need to take this call in private. I'll be right back," she said. Before she walked out, Saadia turned back to me. "Oh, Nikii? This is Rebecca. She's our wardrobe girl. Rebecca? This is Nikii. Our fill-in makeup artist." Then she was out the door. Rebecca held out her hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you." She was a caramel-colored cutie, but she was only about nineteen, which made her definitely off-limits. Rebecca's sandy-brown hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail. She wore a cute yellow top, jeans and sneakers. I asked Rebecca to show me some of the garments. As she did so, I grabbed a pen and paper out of my makeup case and made a few notes so I could complement Nicole's outfits with the proper makeup. Once I was done, Rebecca took the clothes and left the room. With not much else to do, I rearranged my equipment and waited to see what would happen next. I didn't have to wait long. All of a sudden, I heard a light, cheerful voice behind me. "Hey there! I know you!" I turned and looked in the direction of the feminine voice and my heart nearly fluttered out of my chest. Nicole Scherzinger stood at the door. Sunglasses on and with one hand on her hip, she smiled at me. She had on a tiny, white sports bra that showed off her golden-hued, olive skin. The snug spandex material hugged her firm, round breasts beautifully. I also took in her loose, navy track pants that, to my dismay, hid her long, lean legs. I smiled at her cute tennis shoes and her navy baseball cap. She carried both a large handbag and a gym bag slung over one shoulder. As she walked in, she took off her sunglasses and cap and shook out her hair. As it settled, her dark hair fell in beautiful, loose, cascading waves around her shoulders. I admired her golden tanned skin and imagined my lips and tongue gently caressing her warm flesh. "Hey Miss Nicole!" I beamed. "How are you?" "Fine, girlie," she said as she sat her bags on a chair near the door. She came over and gave me a warm hug. "Thanks for helping out on such short notice. I saw your work on both Christina and Amerie and I'm extremely impressed." I couldn't stop smiling. "Thanks. And you're in good hands. I'll make sure you look absolutely gorgeous. You'll be well taken care of." "I hope so," she winked. "I've heard a lot about you. Your name is really getting around, Nikii." She leaned in close. "In fact, I'm looking forward to experiencing your 'special skills' firsthand!" Oh my God. Did she know--? Then she checked her watch. "Now, I have to go rehearse. I'll be back here in about an hour, at just about six. Then we can get started before my interviews at seven." "Sounds great. I'll see you then." She grabbed her bags and headed out toward the stage. As an afterthought, she turned back to me. "Actually, if you want to watch, you're more than welcome." I smiled as I realized I was the luckiest girl in the world. "Thanks. I'd love to." ~~~ As it turned out, I never got a chance to watch Nicole rehearse. Saadia came back into the dressing room followed by Serena, Nicole's hairstylist. Serena was a gorgeous, full-figured woman in her early forties. She wore a cream-colored silk blouse, which complemented her warm, light brown skin, and black slacks. Her cinnamon-colored hair, styled into beautiful twists, was pulled into an elaborate updo. Once we met, she gave me a bright smile that put me immediately at ease. Saadia, Serena and I had an impromptu meeting about Nicole's makeup and hair. By the time we finished deciding upon Nicole's looks for the night, the rehearsal was over and it was time to work. At that moment, 6pm on the dot, Nicole, now freshly showered, came back into the dressing room and sat at the vanity. Serena worked on Nicole's dark hair, styling it bone-straight and leaving the silky strands to cascade well down her back. Having already seen Nicole's dress, I knew just what colors to apply to make her beautiful skin glow. Working quickly, I applied neutral shades to Nicole's eyes but added a set of false eyelashes for a bit of flair. I also applied a dramatic, crimson-red lipcolor with a touch of clear gloss. "I wanted to keep your makeup simple, yet still elegant," I said as she looked in the mirror. "What do you think?" "I love it," she beamed. "You're very talented." She twisted around in her chair to look me directly in the eye. "And I look forward to seeing what other tricks you have up your sleeve," she winked. I grinned. She had no idea who she was messing with. A few moments later, Rebecca returned with a dazzling, crimson-red silk dress. The soft, flowy material was nipped gently at the waist to give her a gorgeous hourglass figure. Once I was finished, Nicole slipped into the gorgeous gown. As we were completing the final touch-ups, Robin Antin, the creator and founder of the Pussycat Dolls, walked in and quickly embraced Nicole. I was stunned to see Ms. Antin up close and in person. She was truly one of my idols. She had single-handedly created one of the most popular girl groups of this era and I was psyched to be so close to such a music mogul. I quickly introduced myself and told her about Nicole's makeup. She seemed to be pleased and I breathed a sigh of relief. We also talked with Saadia about the rest of Nicole's looks for the night and, again, Ms. Antin seemed pleased. Once Nicole was ready, Ms. Antin, Saadia, Serena and I accompanied her out to the Pussycat Dolls portion of the casino, where a small stage had been set up. In the middle of the stage sat a tall podium with several microphones attached. About a hundred people were waiting, including several members of the press. Tamara Jordan, Nicole's publicist, was already there, speaking to the reporters and finishing up the final details. The Makeup Artist Ch. 06 Once everything was ready, Ms. Antin took her place at the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began, "my name is Robin Antin, creator of The Pussycat Dolls, and I'm so excited to be here with you tonight. It's my pleasure to introduce a young lady who's very near and dear to my heart. I've known her for several years and, I have to say, since the first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was both incredibly talented and incredibly special. She's been a proud member of The Dolls and now she's set to perform a special show tonight at our very own Pussycat Dolls Lounge. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Nicole Scherzinger!" The crowd went wild with applause. Once Nicole took the stage, she did not disappoint. Her warm smile, coupled with a quick wit and keen intellect, made her a media darling. I stood in the background, thoroughly impressed with this Hawaiian beauty. Once Nicole completed her speech and answered the reporters' questions, Ms. Antin came back to the stage and concluded the press conference. Then it was time to style Nicole for a meet and greet with a select number of VIP's in one of the high roller lounges. To give Nicole a playful, yet stylish look, we changed her into a cute, silver minidress with swinging, metallic fringe. The lengthy layers of fringe reflected the lights perfectly and the short dress displayed her long, honey-colored legs. Silvery metallic high-heeled sandals completed the fun look. Serena kept Nicole's long hair bone-straight, but brushed it back, sprayed it with a glosser for extra sheen and added two diamond-studded hairclips for a fashionable touch. I quickly removed her makeup and applied a rose-colored eyeshadow to her almond-shaped eyes along with a bit of silver as a fun accent. I also used a flirty, pinkish gloss to her lips. As we made our way to the VIP area, every eye in the casino seemed to be on Nicole. Her natural beauty captivated everyone we came in contact with. As soon as she walked into the room, a very expensive and stylish VIP suite, everyone took notice of her gorgeous beauty. Once she was introduced to the high rollers inside, Nicole was as radiant as ever and charmed every single person in attendance. After the meet-and-greet, it was just after 9pm and we had until 10:30pm before we would start getting her ready for her performance at midnight. She retreated to her dressing room for some privacy while the rest of us waited in the other dressing room with the go-go dancers. After striking up a conversation with a couple of the ladies, I found out that they pretty much did their own makeup. After checking with Saadia to let her know that I could style them as well, she agreed and I used the wait time to do their makeup. There were five dancers in all, each one incredibly beautiful. The first four, ranging in color from the lightest buttermilk to the deepest ebony, spent just ten to fifteen minutes each in my chair. I applied their makeup quickly, yet carefully. Because the performance was a burlesque show, I used a vamp look for all of the girls. Seductive eyeshadow, dark eyeliner, full lashes and crimson lipstick were the tools I used to make each of them sexy and seductive. While I was making up the fourth dancer, I glanced up and was surprised to see the honey-colored dancer I'd seen earlier staring straight at me. She sat patiently in the corner of the room waiting for me to finish. She eyed me carefully, a slight smile on her face. As I continued working, every so often, she slyly winked at me. My temperature began to rise and I worked quickly to finish. Just as I was finishing up, Saadia came up behind me. "They look good, Nikii," she smiled. Thankfully, all four dancers told her that they were pleased with my work. I was ecstatic when they even asked me for a few tips and pointers. Finally, it was Honey-Brown's turn. She sauntered over to my chair and slid easily into the seat. "Hi. I'm Angel," she said as she extended a neatly manicured hand. "I'm Nikii. Nice to meet you." Her fingers were warm and silky soft. A delicious tingle shot through me at her touch. She sat back in the chair and seductively crossed her legs. She had since changed into a tight, royal-blue corset with tiny, matching panties, a black garter belt and thigh-high fishnets. Her sexy, black stockings made my heart race a bit faster. The sight of her royal-blue panties, decorated with miniature black satin bows, wasn't helping either. "So," she said. "What do you have in store for me?" "I'm thinking burlesque, which means dramatic eyes and even bolder lips. How's that sound?" Angel laughed as she pointed to her chest, her full breasts heaving in the tight corset. "As you can see, I definitely love drama!" she grinned. Glancing at her incredible body was bad enough, but keeping my eyes off her soft, honey-colored globes was proving to be quite difficult. I sighed as I took one of my brushes and began to work on her eyes. After only a minute, she held up her hand. "Wait," she said, squirming in her seat. "This corset is awfully tight." Angel called out to Rebecca who was fixing a hem on one of the other dancer's outfits. At Angel's voice, she stopped working and came right over. "Becky, I need to readjust this corset. It's way too tight, hon." Angel had a pleading look on her face. "Ok," Rebecca sighed. "Let's go to the bathroom real quick and I can loosen it up." "No, that's ok," Angel said quickly. "You keep working on the wardrobe. I'm sure Nikii can help me real quick." She looked up at me. "Would you be so kind as to help me loosen this corset?" she winked. Was she kidding? "Yeah, Nikii," Rebecca said, completely unaware. "Just go to the bathroom and loosen up the strings. But make sure the knots right at the top of the corset are tied tight so that they don't unloosen as she dances, ok?" "Sure," I said, not believing my incredible luck. "Come on," Angel said as she grabbed my hand. She quickly led me out of the room and down the hall to the ladies' staff restroom. Fortunately for us, it was empty. She pushed me into the last stall and locked the door. She slid her warm hands around my waist and drew me in close. "Guess what?" she whispered. "What?" "I saw you earlier this morning as you were walking through the casino. You were with Saadia, right?" I nodded but chided myself for not noticing such an enticing beauty. Angel leaned in to me, her lips dangerously close to my ear. "I said to myself, 'Angel, if you see that cutie again, don't let her out of your sight.'" She slid her hands underneath my short, babydoll dress and firmly gripped my ass. "Are you down?" I closed my eyes and inhaled her delicious scent. Her exotic fragrance set me on fire. I loved sweet, sexy and hot women and I needed this one desperately. I pressed my lips against her neck and kissed her softly. I felt her shiver and I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in tight. I continued the soft kisses upward until I reached her full lips. Kissing deeply, we lost ourselves in the erotic sensations, holding each other tightly. Several long, delicious moments later, I pulled back and looked into her sparkling eyes. "We don't have much time," I said as I tugged on her panties. She stepped back and smiled at me as she slid them down. Lucky for me, she had them on over her sexy fishnet stockings. I gasped as she stood there in all her honey-colored glory. I eyed her from head to toe. Her creamy, light brown breasts, still bound by the corset, were a beautiful complement to her luscious, honey mound, which was completely free of hair. Unable to wait not one moment longer, I tugged the corset down and her full breasts spilled free. I immediately covered her stiff nipples with soft kisses. She moaned and threw her head back. Her entire body shook as I tasted her soft, warm flesh. Her moans rang in my ears as I continued licking and sucking on and around her honey-gold bosom. She turned around and wiggled her tight ass at me. Raw heat coursed through me as I watched her cute tush shimmy and shake. She turned back around and took careful steps backward. When she got to the rear of the stall, she placed one stilettoed heel on the seat of the commode. "You like?" she winked. I stepped to her, gripped her jaw and kissed her sweet lips. As we kissed over and over, I ran my hands all over her thighs, loving the seductive feel of her stockings. Suddenly needing a taste of a sweet, wet pussy, I pulled back, licked my lips and sunk to my knees. I slid my hands around and gripped Angel's ass cheeks, drawing her right to my mouth. I pressed my lips to the smooth skin of her pussy and moaned deeply. My tongue slipped out and I gently licked the silky skin. "Ahhh," she sighed as she swayed against me. "Yes, baby." I licked lower and lower, inch by inch until I reached the delicious center of her core. With one foot on the seat, she was wide open for me. I could clearly see both her honey-brown, smooth, fleshy lips and the pretty pinkness inside. I immediately slid my tongue deep inside. Fuck, I thought. This girl is sweet as hell. "Oh God!" she screamed. "Shhhh," I giggled. "Keep it down, honey!" Angel put her hand over her mouth and groaned into her palm. Once she quieted down, I went back to laving her sweet gem with my anxious tongue. I licked and wiggled my tongue all around her juicy mound. She began to whimper as the powerful sensations began to hit her hard. I took one hand from her ass and used it to open her up even more. I went back inside, licking and kissing her slippery flesh. Her copious juices streamed down right into my waiting mouth. I held on to her ass with one hand as she writhed in my grip. With the other hand, I slid a finger into her pussy. She threw her head back and her body jumped at the sudden pressure. "Ooooh! Don't stop, Nikii! Don't stop!" Licking and sucking her sweet stickiness was driving me insane. Her wet, erotic scent connected with the passion deep inside of me. I was so excited that I took my other hand from her ass and shoved it down my panties. My fingers danced over my swollen clit, trying to time my climax with hers. "Yes, yes, yes," she whispered. "Oh God, yesssss!" With her wiggling, as difficult as it was, I kept my lips locked to her wet pussy. Moving my finger in and out of her, I found a sweet rhythm that matched the rhythm of my fingers on my own clit. "Fuck," she moaned. "I'm already ready to cum! Fuck! Fuck!" Her body tightened and I looked up to see her covering her mouth tightly, fighting back a scream. "Now, Nikii! Now!" The sudden burst of wetness that hit my tongue was absolutely divine. I swallowed and swallowed the unending juice flowing from her core. Groaning, my fingers raced faster over my clit until my own explosion claimed me. Lightheaded, I shook and moaned into her pussy, my entire body throbbing with delight. We both rode out our climaxes out until I'd swallowed her last drop. Suddenly remembering where we were, I quickly rose and embraced the honey-colored doll. "Ohhh," Angel moaned, still trembling. "That was wonderful. And quick," she giggled. "Thank you, Nikii." "Anytime, sweetheart. But let's get you cleaned up and ready to perform," I whispered. She nodded as she sagged against me. "But make sure I get your number, ok?" I laughed as I hugged her tight. Suddenly she grabbed my hand. She lifted it to her nose and sniffed. Groaning, she drew my damp fingers into her mouth. "Mmmmm. You're delicious. Make absolutely sure I get your number, baby!" I hugged her even tighter, trying not to pass out from the intensity. ~~~ Once we were back in the dressing room and I finished applying Angel's makeup, all of the go-go dancers went onstage to perform for the crowd while Nicole was getting ready. Then Saadia called us into Nicole's dressing room at about 10:30pm and we went right to work. Rebecca fit Nicole into a hot-pink and black tightly-fitting bustier with a matching garter belt. The sexy set was dotted with tiny ribbons and black lace trim. Tiny black tap pants and fishnet stockings finished her sexy look. Serena gave her midnight-black hair full, bouncy, shiny curls that perfectly complemented her outfit. To match the dramatic look of her outfit and her hair, I created a sexy, vamp look for Nicole. I used smoky black shadow along with black eyeliner and mascara on her eyes and gave her a deep pink lip color. Watching her look in the mirror and purse her pretty lips gave me a delicious shiver. All too soon, it was 11:55pm. The beautiful go-go dancers excited the crowd into a fever pitch and the loud cheers were almost deafening. Standing just backstage, Nicole carefully watched the crowd. Then she shook off her nerves as she prepared to go on. Then she turned and saw me watching her. As the MC announced her name, she winked and ran out to the stage for her first number. I stood frozen watching her lithe body move rhythmically to the hip-hop beats. The crowd followed her every movement as she rocked the house with her powerful singing and seductive dance moves. The go-go girls were now her backup dancers and the routines they performed were incredible. She performed several numbers before running backstage for her costume change. Rebecca quickly fit her into an insanely tight, jet-black metallic bodysuit, complete with wild, thigh-high, black patent leather boots. Serena pulled just the front and crown of her hair into a loose ponytail, leaving the back to flow freely. I decided that a darker, but still sexy look was needed. As fast as I could, I applied darker shades to her eyes and gave her a brick-red lipcolor with a sexy, red lipgloss. Once we were done, she ran back on stage and performed another set. Again, she had everyone in the place on their feet as she sang and danced her heart out. Finally, just after 2am, she performed her final number, took her final bows and left the stage. Dripping wet with sweat, she jogged toward me, her chest heaving. Rebecca immediately handed her a towel. "How did I do?" Nicole asked me, panting, as she wiped her face. "Wonderful," I whispered. She winked as she pinched my ass. Then she ran to the back. I stood there stunned. I glanced at Rebecca but I realized that she hadn't seen anything when she looked at me questioningly. I just shook my head. Nicole showered quickly, then retired to her dressing room alone for about fifteen minutes. Then we entered to give her the final look for the night. Because the afterparty was scheduled in one of the fantasy suites, we wanted Nicole's last look to be electrifying. As such, Rebecca pulled out a gorgeous, gold-flecked halter minidress. Once Nicole slipped into the glittery dress, we added gold, four-inch heels to complete the look. Serena released Nicole's half-ponytail, letting her dark tresses flow freely. Then she quickly curled and fluffed Nicole's hair until it was big and full, and had plenty of volume. Then it was my turn. I cleaned Nicole's face and added deep gold and bronze tones to her eyes, cheeks and lips. When I was done, she looked absolutely fabulous. "Thanks, Nikii," she whispered as I finished her look. "I've really loved your work tonight. I'm very satisfied." She rose from her chair to give me a hug and a soft peck on my cheek. "Make sure you see Saadia. She has your check. And a special announcement," she winked. "Have a great night." She grabbed an evening bag and left the dressing room. A few minutes later, as I was packing up my equipment, I heard a very familiar and very sexy voice behind me. "Nikii?" I turned to see Saadia smiling behind me. "Here's your check for the night." She handed me a small envelope. "And you should be very happy with your bonus." She stared at me for a moment. "You know, Nikii? I'm really impressed with you. You do really good work, especially under such extreme time constraints. I predict that you're going to have a long career in this business." I blushed. "Thanks!" I glanced at the check, then slipped it into my handbag. "I had a great time. And if you ever need me again, you have my number so just call." I grabbed my makeup case and slid my handbag over my shoulder. "I'm going to head back to my room to get some rest. I'll probably catch a flight out early in the morning, so it was great hanging out with you. You guys have a good time tonight, ok?" Saadia reached out and took my hand in hers. "Actually, Nikii...Nicole and I were wondering. She just agreed to perform here for the rest of the week to promote her new album. If you can stay, we can use you from tomorrow all the way through to Saturday. And because it's such short notice, I can offer you double your usual rate for each night. How's that sound?" I almost said yes right on the spot. But, thankfully, I had the good sense to work out a few details first. Once we were set, I happily agreed. However, I suddenly remembered what Nicole said earlier. "Saadia, Nicole said you had a special announcement for me? Was that it?" She grinned as she stepped close to me. "Actually, that's the icing on the cake. To celebrate our work this week, if everything goes well, Nicole's going to be throwing a private party on Sunday night. Invitation only." Saadia leaned in close to my ear. "And your name will definitely be on that list. And trust me. It will be a private affair." I chuckled. I couldn't believe that I was actually in Sin City having the time of my life styling one of the hottest singers in the business. Though the upcoming week promised to be both fun and profitable, Sunday night couldn't come fast enough. ~~~ Unfortunately, all thoughts of having a good time in Las Vegas faded quickly with the extreme workload we were subjected to. I spent the next several nights working harder than I'd ever worked before. Nicole seemed to have hundreds of outfits and she needed almost a different makeup look for each one. Each night, Nicole's schedule was even busier than the night before. Between the numerous interviews, meet and greets, rehearsals and performances, we were all tremendously busy. During the day, it was all I could do to grab a few hours of sleep. Though Saadia paid me in full each night, I only had enough energy to shop for more makeup and accessories before I retired back to the room for a few hours of shut-eye. One of the silver linings, however, was that as I got to know her, Nicole began to open up to me more and more. Every night, without fail, while I made her up, she entertained me with countless stories of how she worked her way up in the music industry. She told me about the endless auditions, castings and rehearsals she had to endure until she finally got a break. After a lot of hard work, she was chosen to participate in a new TV singing competition, called Popstars. Once she survived the weekly eliminations and was ultimately chosen for the new girl group, Eden's Crush, she was ready for instant stardom. She found that she truly enjoyed the music, the dancing and the attention. She also grew to love her fellow group members. However, months after the show aired, interest in the group died down and eventually ended. The group disbanded soon after and mega-stardom eluded her yet again. However, though she was saddened, Nicole told me that she never gave up on her dreams and went right back to auditioning. She eventually told me the story about meeting Robin Antin, the founder of The Pussycat Dolls. Once she auditioned for Robin, Nicole told me that her life changed instantly. As she opened up to me, I was awed at Nicole's determination and I loved her strength and sense of purpose. I was so taken with her that I even flirted a bit. Ever the professional, Nicole flirted back and winked at me often but never took it further. The Makeup Artist Ch. 07 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. This fictitious parody is protected speech under Hustler Magazine, Inc., et. al. v. Jerry Falwell. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ Chapter 7: Alicia Keys models in Miami. ~~~ It was so good to be back home in Miami. I stepped into my condo in South Beach's famed ICON Building and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. What started as a one-day job in Las Vegas turned into over a week, and it was one of the most enjoyable weeks I'd had. Doing makeup for Christina Milian, Amerie and Nicole Scherzinger turned out to be some of the most incredible days of my life. I had a wonderful time hanging out with three of the most beautiful and most recognized Black starlets in the business, but I was pretty exhausted from working and needed a bit of rest. After the doorman took my luggage to the bedroom, I bid him goodbye with a generous tip. Still holding a stack of letters that I'd gathered from the front desk, I went into the kitchen for a tall glass of apple juice. Sipping the sweet, cool liquid, I went out to my spacious balcony to read the mail and enjoy the peace and serenity of the Miami sunset. Since working in Miami with Gabrielle Union, I discovered that I really loved this city. As such, after only a short period of time, I decided to relocate here. Thankfully, I'd earned enough from that job and others, to start looking for a permanent home in the Magic City. However, for convenience, I decided to lease a condo until I found the perfect place to live. After careful research and negotiation, the ICON Building was the perfect choice. The breathtaking view of the Miami skyline sold me immediately. In addition, tonight, just as when I first moved in, a grand mix of colors danced across the skyline. I loved the cool blues, hot pinks and vibrant oranges that wafted across the sky. I heard the gentle roar of the ocean and smelled the tang of the salt water in the air. I took a deep breath and relaxed, ever so grateful to be home. Settling into my plush lounge chair on the balcony, I flipped lazily through the envelopes in my lap. Then I saw it: The correspondence I'd been waiting on. It was in a brightly-colored pink envelope, a definite representation of the wild personality who sent it. Excitedly, I ripped it open, anxious to see what decision had been made. I swiftly read the bright pink stationery. "Yessss!" I shouted. "I'm in! Heyyyyy!" ~~~ Señora Françesca Torres was a world-renowned makeup artist based right here in Miami. Her works of art, usually beautiful African-American models and celebrities, were prominently displayed in fashion magazines throughout the world. Her Afro-Cuban roots were clearly evident in her appearance. Her long, curly, reddish-brown hair, wild and tousled, her smooth and creamy soft olive skin, her rapid-fire speech and her seductive Cuban accent were all unmistakable clues to her rich heritage. She was also a true beauty. She was statuesque; standing a full six feet in height yet was extremely shapely. Her curvy, hourglass figure was an absolute dream. She had full, round breasts that sloped into a taut stomach and thick, sultry hips. Señora Torres was known for her makeup artistry. No one else that I'd modeled myself after had such a passion for the beauty of women of color. I first studied Señora Torres back in high school. In fact, her work was one of the main reasons why I picked this profession. Her understanding of ethnic skin, particularly darker skin tones, really resonated with me. According to the letter I now held in my hands, I was chosen to participate in one of her exclusive makeup artistry training sessions. Not only that, the event would serve as a soft launch of her new cosmetics line, Spanish Rose. I'd gotten the invitation to attend over a month ago and was ecstatic that a solo artist as new as I was had even been invited. I immediately submitted my RSVP along with my payment and waited expectantly for an answer. Her classes were only held twice a year, and they filled up immediately. However, I could now rejoice because I'd actually gotten in. This exclusive class was for one day only. The class would meet this Thursday, with a three-hour session in the morning, a break for lunch and then a three-hour session in the afternoon. Since it was already Monday evening, I only had a couple of days to prepare. Since I had been out of town longer than expected, my mind swirled with a list of all the tasks I had to complete before the class. First I had meetings scheduled on Wednesday with my lawyer and my accountant about the recent work I'd done as well as my upcoming projects. To be fully prepared, I'd have to organize and make copies of all of the contracts for the work I'd done in Vegas. Then I'd have to sort through and copy all of my receipts. Finally, I'd have to print out the production notes I'd made on my upcoming book and DVD series, along with the sample pages and packaging designs. I also had a number of other tasks to complete. I had to clean and dry my brushes, replace all of the product I was low on, clean and organize my makeup case, update my portfolio with all of my Vegas pictures, brush up on a few techniques... Just then, I heard the light chime of my cell phone. Picking it up, I smiled. It was a text message from Fran, who I'd met a few weeks ago on the Gabrielle Union shoot. She was checking to see if I was back in town and if I was, did I want to hang out. I grinned as I pictured the petite, brown beauty. I licked my lips at the thought of her tasty, wet pussy. Work could wait until tomorrow. ~~~ Thursday morning, I found myself seated in an elaborate hotel conference room. The Shore Club was one of South Beach's most luxurious properties, and I was extremely excited to be there. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you so much for coming today." A sexy, honey-brown woman addressed the small group of us seated in the room. "My name is Kayla Donovan, and I'm Señora Torres' assistant. Welcome to her class. Thank you so much for coming!" She beamed at our applause. "She'll begin the class at 9am sharp. Until then, please feel free to mingle amongst yourselves. Also, please enjoy the refreshments in the back of the room. Thank you." I looked around, pleased to see all the people present. There were about twenty of us seated in the spacious conference room. As we walked in, at the far end of the room, a large stage had been constructed, and a large mirror sat at its rear. Also on the stage sat a podium with a microphone attached to it. The front of the stage was connected to a long runway that led down the middle of the room and into the audience. Also, two large video screens were set up on either side of the stage. I noticed a number of camera operators setting up the cables and checking the video, audio and lighting equipment. In the room, to the right, were three long tables. On each table were several individual makeup cases. Each case was open and brimming with various beauty products. The rest of the room consisted of several rows of chairs along with two refreshment tables at the back, providing us with a light, continental breakfast. After Kayla's welcome speech, I rose to grab a bite to eat. Filling my plate with fresh fruit and a couple of hot, flaky croissants, I chatted briefly with some of the other participants. I found that most of them were as excited as I was to finally have a chance to learn the art of professional makeup application from Señora Torres. A few minutes later, I glanced at the clock. It was just before nine. As I took my seat, Kayla walked up and sat next to me. I was immediately enchanted with her bright smile. "Hi. Nikii Clarke?" "Yes?" I couldn't help but smile at the gorgeous creature. She extended her hand. "Hi. I'm Kayla Donovan. Señora Torres wanted me to welcome you personally. We've seen your work. You're pretty amazing to be such a new artist." Kayla had a warm and inviting smile that put me instantly at ease. Her jet-black hair fell in wild ringlets that complemented her rich, honey-brown skin. The soft spirals caressed her face, framing her almond-shaped eyes perfectly. Her cute, pert nose and smooth skin made me smile, but I decided to focus back on her full, juicy lips. As we shook hands, touching her smooth and silky brown skin gave me a delicious shiver. "Well, thanks for the invitation," I said. "As soon as I got it, I filled it out and sent it back immediately!" We both laughed. "I wasn't sure if I'd gotten in, but I'm definitely glad I'm here now." She shook her head. "Oh no. You were fine. Rose Grandon from Essence magazine gave us your name. Constance Sharpe called us too. They both said you have natural talent." Her voice lowered. "Actually, I heard you were fantastic on the Gabrielle Union shoot." I flashed back to my conversation with Rose in the Las Vegas airport. That's what she was talking about? She'd referred me for this class? I grinned, pleased at my good luck. However, I paused for a moment. Rose was only commenting on my makeup skills, right? She couldn't have known about "my other skills," could she? Then Kayla eyed me up and down and winked at me. Wait. Did Gabrielle tell Rose about me? Did Fran? I sighed and shook my head. If one more person spilled my personal tea– Just then, I heard the first few bars of a popular Latin song come through the speakers. Kayla jumped up. "Uh oh. I have to go. We're ready to get started. It was nice meeting you. I'll talk to you later," she said as she hurried toward the stage. A few moments later, the entire room darkened. The Latin music grew louder, and a forceful guitar solo pulsated from the speakers. All of a sudden, wafts of smoke rose from the back of the room. I turned toward the back just in time to see the doors fly open. Then two by two, twenty of the most incredibly beautiful women of color emerged through the doors. Each woman carried an elaborate hand-held fan, made out of hot-pink ostrich feathers, and waved it wildly. Their complexions ranged from the lightest golden brown to the richest expresso. The slender and svelte models were as gorgeous and regal as the lush and curvy ones. Each model wore a hot-pink cropped halter top and matching tap pants. Gold sequins trimmed the silky material. Each wore gold high-heeled shoes that were at least four inches in height. Their makeup was flawless, and each woman's hair was styled beautifully. Their procession continued up the middle of the aisle all the way to the runway. Walking up the length of the runway, the ladies continued strutting toward the stage. Once they all hit the stage, they gracefully fluttered across and took various positions on the raised platform. Finally, in unison with the musical crescendo, a wildly dressed figure entered from the doors and strutted down to the middle of the runway. Señora Françesca Torres, in all her glory, seemed to glide straight up the runway to the stage. Her long, curly reddish-brown hair was wild and tousled as usual. She wore a vibrant orange sundress that fit every luscious curve on her body. Her full breasts, nearly bursting out, were accentuated with a bit of delicate, orange lace trim on the bodice of the dress. Several antique gold bangles adorned her slender wrists, and four-inch stilettos decorated her tiny feet. Grabbing the microphone, her voice boomed. "Señors, Señoras y Señoritas! Bienvenido! Welcome!" A burst of applause erupted around the room. I, too, was caught up, clapping wildly. She continued. "Gracias! Gracias! Me llamo... Françesca Torres! And today I am going to teach you about...beauty!" Her hand extended upward into a grand gesture. We began clapping again, caught up in the festive atmosphere. She threw her head back and laughed heartily. The grand spectacle was mesmerizing. She extended her hand, with a grand flourish, toward the young models on the stage. "And please welcome mi Rose Petals!" We clapped wildly as the lovely ladies took a bow. Señora Torres continued her introduction in a delicious blend of English and Spanish. She quickly regaled us with tales of the photo shoots she'd done and the celebrities she'd worked on. Then she paused. "Enough about me. Let's get on with the class! Primero, I need a volunteer." She looked around the room. "You! You there in the red! Señorita! Bella!" Huh? I looked around. Me? "Yes, you!" Françesca waved me up. "Let's hear it for the pretty lady in red!" I heard the wild applause as I tentatively rose to my feet and made my way up to the stage. I relaxed, however, once I saw my reflection in the large mirror behind the stage. Thankfully, I knew I looked great. I wore a scarlet red short-sleeved wrap dress, cinched tightly around my slender waist. The soft jersey material swung freely, and the hem fell just at my mid-thigh. I was also grateful that I wore my secret weapon: A pair of black patent leather peep-toe pumps. The extra inches of height not only gave me a more regal look but also made my calves look fantastic. "Sit here, Chica," Señora Torres said as a member of the hotel staff placed a chair in the middle of the stage. "¿Como se llama usted? What is your name?" "Nikii. Nikii Clarke." "Señorita Clarke! Welcome!" She addressed the group. "I'm introducing my new line of makeup, and Señorita Clarke is my model today. The line is called Spanish Rose by Françesca Torres. Each of you will receive a sample of the line to use throughout the duration of the class, and it will be yours to keep." She paused. "Now, I shall work my magic on this Bella Chica!" I sat perfectly still as she quickly removed my makeup with one of her new products. The rose fragrances swirled and tickled my nose delightfully. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "Ahhh, Señorita Clarke likes it," she teased. All I could do was blush. Then she quickly blended a set of marvelous golds and soft browns and deftly added them to my eyes, cheeks and lips. I noticed that while she held the brushes, her pinky finger kept brushing against the side of my face, stroking it gently. I hoped that it was on purpose, and I hoped that no one else noticed. After only a few minutes, she stepped back. "He lo aquí! Here it is!" she exclaimed. The audience oohed and ahhed at my transformation. She handed me a small mirror. When I looked at my reflection, I gasped. The change was incredibly dramatic. I instantly looked more sophisticated and more polished. Now I knew I had skills, but this woman was truly an artist. "You like?" she whispered. "It's wonderful." "Gracias, Señorita Clarke. You can take your seat. Adiós Bella Chica! Everyone, give her a round of applause for being such a good sport and such a beautiful model!" As I went back to my seat, Kayla came to the microphone and announced a short break. Quickly, and seemingly out of nowhere, the hotel staff entered and changed the setup of the room. In the middle of the room, just at the foot of the runway, they arranged twenty chairs into a tight circle. Outside of that circle, they placed another twenty chairs in a slightly larger circle. The double circle of chairs took up most of the center of the room. Once everything was ready, the real program began. First, Kayla instructed us to take a makeup case filled with Señora Torres' beauty products from the tables located on the right side of the room. Then we were directed to take seats in the outer circle of chairs. At that point, Señora Torres announced "Here come your models!" At that moment, the twenty "Rose Petals" reappeared from the back of the room. Kayla informed us that the models had been pre-assigned to us by a number on the back of our makeup cases. Turning mine around, I chuckled. I had lucky number seven. Just then, an incredible 5'9" beauty strolled over to me. "I have number seven. Are you mine?" she said saucily. She shouldn't play with me like that. "Yes," I said. "I'm Nikii. Nikii Clarke." "Yes. I know who you are. I'm Dayanna. Dayanna Lewis." Her skin, the color of rich milk chocolate, absolutely gleamed. Her long, dark hair lay sleek and straight down her back. Dayanna's curvy figure was neatly dressed in a gold silk top and a pair of fitted white pants that clung to her lusciously full hips and thighs. As I admired the chocolate beauty, her fragrance wafted into my nostrils. I immediately recognized her scent as the latest offering from a mega popstar. Then Kayla instructed our models to take a seat in the inner circle of chairs, and turn them around so that the models sat directly in front of us. Once everyone was situated, Señora Torres began the instruction. ~~~ Over two hours later, I was impressed with how much I'd learned. Dayanna looked gorgeous in the new makeup I applied to her pretty face. Her soft, brown skin glowed with the satiny browns, regal coppers and rich golds I applied to her eyes. I also used a soft berry blush on her high cheekbones and a matching lipstick on her full, kissable lips. Señora Torres was a patient instructor, walking around and giving private instruction and tips to each of the participants. And every time she instructed me personally, she rested her soft hands on my shoulders, squeezing them gently. Once the morning session was done, Señora Torres called for the lunch break. "And make sure you come back after lunch!" she announced. "I have a special surprise at the end of our class!" Suddenly famished, I remembered that there was an upscale restaurant on the first floor. As I was about to leave, Señora Torres and Kayla stopped me to chat for a moment. I quickly grabbed my newly updated photo book and let them flip through it. Both of them were impressed with my work, especially with what I'd just done in Las Vegas. Señora Torres fawned over my work. "Muy buena, Señorita Clarke. I'm very, very impressed. I look forward to working with you in the future." "Gracias Señora Torres," I beamed. "I've loved every minute so far." "Well, we've taken up enough of your time. Enjoy your lunch, Bella Chica!" she replied. She and Kayla left with a wave. As I headed downstairs, I heard a light voice call my name. "Nikii?" I turned. It was Dayanna. My heart pounded at her exquisite beauty. "Hey girl!" she beamed. "Hey Dayanna." "You did an awesome job on my makeup. I love it a lot." "Thanks." "Hey, are you busy? Want to have lunch together?" Just like that? "Sure." Ten minutes later, Dayanna and I were seated at the bar in the Shore Club waiting for a table. In that short span of time, I learned that she was originally from Indianapolis and that she'd been modeling for a little over four years. Finally, the Maître d' came over and showed us to our table. As I walked behind her, I watched Dayanna's full, plump ass wiggle in front of me. I smiled as I imagined my lips and tongue licking and caressing her soft, dark skin. Once we were seated, it only took a few minutes for the waiter to come and take our orders. As he scurried away, she leaned in and looked me straight in the eye. "Nikii, I'm not really hungry," she confessed. "Or at least not for food." She grabbed my hand. "Are you game for some fun?" I nodded. She was moving fast, but I was definitely game. She motioned for the waiter. "Excuse me, sir? Please send our order up to Room 507. Thanks!" I was floored. "You have a room here?" The Makeup Artist Ch. 07 She winked. "Sure do. I was flown in last night to model for Señora Torres. Come with me." We raced up to her suite. We barely got into the room before she pulled my hand and dragged me to the bed. As we lay down, she grabbed the back of my neck, pulled me toward her and kissed me violently. Her tongue went deep into my mouth, and I began to tremble. Loving her extreme passion, I needed to see her naked body. "Get undressed," I moaned. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Dayanna jumped up, opened the door for the waiter and impatiently hurried him inside. Once he set up our meal, she quickly ushered him out. Then she quickly slid back onto the bed. She ripped off her clothes until she was completely nude and reached for me. She slid her hand underneath my wrap dress and went straight for my panties. As her fingers slid inside and hit my clit, I grabbed the tie on my wrap dress and yanked it unloose. Underneath, I wore a gold bra and panty set, complete with a matching garter belt. She slid off my undergarments and marveled at my body. "Nice, baby. Very nice," she whispered in my ear, nipping my sensitive skin. She reached up and grabbed a black velvet bag from atop the nightstand. She slowly removed a black harness with a long, black dildo attached. My pussy jumped at the sight of the dark intruder. "I saw that," she said. "Why did you jump? Is it because you haven't been fucked in a while?" she teased. I drew in my breath sharply and shook my head. It'd been ages since I'd been dicked down. "Good," she said as she strapped up. "Now lie back, and take this fucking like a good little girl." Her aggressiveness set me on fire as I obeyed her command. I spread my legs wide as she leaned into my pussy and took a long lick. I trembled at the ticklish sensation. She licked harder, savoring every drop, until I nearly erupted right then and there. Then she slowly crawled up the bed until she was hovering right over me. She lowered her body just until we were barely touching, with the tip of her dick right at the entrance of my wet slit. She teased me, slipping it in an inch, and then out. She repeated the movements as I bucked my hips toward her, trying to get her stiff cock inside. She kept up the taunting until I cried out. Then suddenly, she impaled me. "Oh fuck me," I screamed. She slid her arms around me and took me fully. I wrapped my legs tightly around her waist as she bucked against me, her dick driving faster and harder into me. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, and I felt the sweat on her back as she pounded me senseless. Tears slipped out of the corner of my eyes when I realized it had been way too long since I'd been fucked. Though I loved and preferred oral play, there were times when I needed the discipline of a good stiff pounding. This turned out to be one of those times. I lie there helplessly as her hips thrust against me, her dick plunging into me at a rapid pace. Beads of sweat dripped from my body as her rhythm increased. Her stiff, black dick inched closer and closer to my G-spot. "Deeper, baby," I moaned. "Deeper!" She plunged even harder as she kissed and sucked my neck. Then I looked deep into her eyes. The raw passion that was reflected there upped the intensity even more. Suddenly overwhelmed, I rained kisses all over her face as she continued her assault on my pussy. My body tensed, and I arched into her, reading myself for the explosive climax that was just heartbeats away. She leaned down as she continued stroking me and drew my stiff nipple into her mouth. "Dayanna!" I shrieked. "Oh God, Dayanna!" I hunkered against her as she continued ravishing my body. Suddenly she hit my sweet spot, and I went insane. "Oh my God!" I screamed. I literally saw stars as I exploded. I cried out, sure the entire hotel could hear me. I rode the delicious waves of ecstasy, needing and wanting every bit of the immense pleasure she was giving me. She continued her delicious thrusting until I could only lie there, limp and exhausted. Finally she slowed down and eventually stopped. I lie there panting as she slowly pulled out. "You're so sweet," she whispered as she licked my neck. "Such a good girl!" Then I remembered who I was and what my talents were. Not to be outdone, I was determined to turn this sweet bitch out. "Now your turn," I said as I unhooked her harness. "You'd better be ready for this tongue lashing you're about to get." Her eyes widened as I flipped her onto her back. She opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her. "Hush," I said. "You want to be in control? Well, your time has passed. Now you're gonna lie back, and take it!" I pressed my lips to hers, putting a halt to any of her protests. Soon, she gave up and surrendered to my passionate kisses. Relinquishing control, she lay there open for me. I moved my mouth and tongue lower and nipped at her neck. As I did so, I grabbed her breasts and pushed them together. Then I bent my head and licked from one nipple to the other as she squirmed on the bed. After teasing her, I licked lower and lower, teasing the soft skin underneath her breasts, then on to her stomach. Finally, I spread her legs and took a long lick of her heated pussy. Her sweet taste lingered on my eager tongue. Delighted, I licked again. "Oh yes," she sighed. "Yes, Nikii! Yes!" I slurped the sweet juices from her pussy as fast as I could. Knowing she was already close, I wanted to bring her off as quickly as I could. Grabbing her hips to hold her steady, I licked hard and fast. "Oh, oh, oh!" she screamed. "Oh God, yessss!" Her words turned into whimpers and moans as her passion sent her body into overload. Quickly, I slid two fingers deep inside her pussy and pressed upward. "Fuck me, Nikii! Fuck me!" she cried. Her hips wriggled around so much that I could barely hang on. I felt her legs twitch and shake and I knew that she was almost over the edge. I pumped my fingers harder as I sped up my tongue strokes. Suddenly, she was there. "Fuck! I'm cumming! Oh God! Now!" Pure, sweet, sugary liquid flowed from her core onto my fingers, lips and tongue. I slurped up every drop. "Ohhhh," she sighed as her passion ebbed. She pulled me up and wrapped her arms around me, her body still trembling. "God that was great! I loved it!" I kissed her gently on the lips. Then I kissed her again. "So did I, honey. So did I." ~~~ "Welcome back from lunch, everyone!" Señora Torres announced. She had changed from the orange sundress into a sky blue flowy top, black leggings and black sandals. "Let's continue with the class." I was still trembling at Dayanna's manhandling of me, but I struggled to get back to work. The Rose Petals came out in black silk robes, tightly knotted at the waist and black high-heeled shoes. Once they were seated before us, Señora Torres launched into another set of makeup tips and tricks that allowed us to make the ladies look even lovelier than before. Before I knew it, another hour had passed. I was impressed at my newly found skill due to Señora Torres' expert instruction. Over the course of the hour, I experimented on Dayanna's rich brown skin with pinks, purples, browns and even a bit of vibrant orange. I enjoyed applying the beautiful makeup to Dayanna and each look I gave her looked ravishing. Before long, Señora Torres called us all to attention. "Now for the final two hours," she announced, "we're going to learn something special." She took a dramatic pause as she looked around the room. "Today, I will teach you the art of...body painting!" My eyes widened. I was truly in heaven. Actually touching such beautiful bodies? Was she serious? Just then, each of the Rose Petals stood and undid their robes. Slipping them off, every single model wore a hot pink bikini swimsuit. Exquisite crystal beading outlined each piece. My heart fluttered when I noticed that Dayanna's large breasts threatened to spill over the cups of her bra. The shiny crystal beads sparkled against her smooth, dark skin. "Many times as makeup artists, you'll be called to do something more dramatic than normal makeup application," Señora Torres said. "After today, you'll be able to command greater fees and greater respect with these body painting and body artistry techniques in your repertoire." Señora Torres moved next to one of the participants, picked up one of the makeup cases she'd given us and held it up. "Now those of you who are new to body painting, please use the pack of stencils I've developed that's been included in your makeup kit. Those of you who are more comfortable with drawing freehand may do so instead." She set the makeup case down and moved back into the center of our circle. "First, we're going to start with drawing simple circles. Take the gold shadow in the two-ounce pot and start with the face. Use brush number two and start with the model's right cheek first. Everyone watch me." She dipped the flat brush in the gold shadow and with the flick of her wrist, drew a tiny circle on her model's bare skin. One of the camera operators zoomed in on her work, which popped up on the large screens. Señora Torres stood back and looked at us. "Now you try. And draw different sizes of circles. Varying the size gives you more options. Make them as large and as small as you can." Dayanna winked at me as I carefully outlined a small circle on her cheek. In that instant, my mind flashed back on her fucking me into oblivion. I shook my head to clear the image and, my hands trembling, I filled in the tiny gold sphere with two swirls of my brush. Señora Torres then moved on to other easy symbols, such as triangles, squares and rectangles. We all practiced the techniques on the beautiful models, giggling at the cute designs. "Now, all of the models, please stand," Señora Torres said. "We're going to try some body art." When the models stood, I nearly passed out at their nearly nude, gorgeous brown figures. "Now, let's try a heart." Señora Torres dipped her brush into the red shadow and outlined a heart on her model's stomach. Once Dayanna stood, I copied Señora Torres' movement and drew a heart on Dayanna's firm stomach. She giggled at the ticklish sensation of my brushstrokes as I smiled at the sexy brand I'd just placed on her. "Ok. Let's try something more complicated," Señora Torres instructed. "Try a diamond. Just use the triangle technique that I showed you earlier and add another one to make a diamond. Then fill it in. And this time, use the silver shadow. Then use the white shadow as an accent." Within a few seconds, Dayanna's chocolate skin had a brilliantly painted diamond. "Now let's do squiggles," Señora Torres announced. "Now, drawing a bunch of squiggles does sound a bit childlike, but just wait. Squiggles are the basis of many other shapes, such as elaborate dragons and serpents. Now you try." I followed her instructions and played on Dayanna's skin. She giggled as I swirled the brush over her skin. "Now, let's wipe off all of the makeup and try a few more techniques." Señora Torres grabbed her brush again. "For the final hour, we'll just freestyle some designs. Treating the face and body like a blank canvas is my favorite technique. Just do some freehand art on your living canvas," she smiled. "Yes, Nikii," Dayanna whispered. "Feel free to use my body any way you like!" She needn't tease me like that. Especially not now. "And remember," Señora Torres added, "every one of your makeup designs can be accented with crystals, beads, glitter, feathers and other materials. Just use standard eyelash glue to affix such accessories to the body." Dayanna was a great sport as I decorated her face and body with the most avant-garde designs and images. As the time wound down, Señora Torres was kind enough to let us take pictures of our own designs. Thankfully, my digital cameral always traveled with me since, whenever possible, I took photos of my own work. Though I always got copies of the pictures from my clients, I liked to keep my own collection of my artistry. Dayanna was gracious enough to not only give me permission to photograph her, but she even signed one of my quick and dirty release forms. Her signed release allowed me to use the pictures commercially as long as I gave her reasonable compensation. Soon Señora Torres called us all to attention. "Thank you so much for your participation. Now we'll take one more intermission. Please take a few moments to gather your belongings and pack up your equipment. Also, be sure to check the inside of your makeup kit to find an evaluation form. Please fill it out and leave it in the basket on the side table. When we come back...we'll have the grand finale!" As we all packed up our equipment, I thanked Dayanna with a warm hug. "Thank you so much! You were the best model here." I pulled back and looked directly into her eyes. "Actually, you were one of the best ever," I whispered. She smiled and gently touched my cheek. "You're very talented, Nikii," she winked. "I wish you the best of luck." Then she scurried to the back to prepare for the finale. The hotel staff came back into the room and removed the double circles of chairs. They also cleaned up the loose makeup that had fallen on the chairs and to the floor, straightened up the room and made everything nice and neat again. A few moments later, once everyone was settled, the room darkened and Señora Torres walked out to the front of the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you again for your participation. Please sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!" Suddenly, wafts of gray smoke surrounded her ankles. All at once, the smoke became very thick and engulfed her completely. After only a minute, the smoke dissipated and Señora Torres had seemingly vanished into thin air. We all clapped and cheered loudly. As up-tempo Latin music boomed through the speakers, we were treated to an elaborate fashion show with the Rose Petals. Each of the women wore a beautifully designed outfit, and each had impeccable makeup. I clapped wildly at all of the stunning models. All too soon, the fashion show looked as if it were ending. As the models took their final pass across the stage and down the runway, a hooded figure was last in line. The person was cloaked in a long, dramatic, black satin cape. The figure twirled and spun in the center of the stage. Finally, with a grand gesture, the figure threw back the hood. My breath caught. Right in front of us, stood the amazingly talented Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys, one of the greatest songstresses of our time, was absolutely stunning. Her hair, jet black and shiny, fell in beautiful waves that fanned her face and draped over her shoulders. Dark red glitter had been applied to her eyelids, and her lips were decorated with a crimson-red lipstick. Her smooth, light skin was simply flawless. Then she unsnapped the front of her cape and I gasped. Alicia wore a sparkly crimson dress, draped off one shoulder, that gently skimmed her ankles. The brilliantly sequined material looked radiant against her smooth skin. She pranced across the stage, as dramatic as I'd ever seen her. We all went crazy, clapping and cheering for the Grammy-winning singer and musician. As Alicia took her final bow, the twenty Rose Petals gathered around her on the stage. Señora Torres then appeared and took Alicia's hand. Both women took a grand bow. Señora Torres spoke into her microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen! Presenting Ms. Alicia Keys!" We again went wild with applause. Alicia took another bow and one of the Rose Petals, a light brown beauty, handed Alicia a microphone. "Thank you so much!" she said. "I want all of you to know that I love and appreciate all the support you've given me over the years." Then she turned to Señora Torres. "This woman, Señora Torres, means so much to me. Not only does she make ethnic women more beautiful and more elegant, she's also a philanthropist and a humanitarian. She donates to numerous charities all over the world. Señora Torres truly is a special individual." "We have one last surprise for all of you," Señora Torres announced as one of the Rose Petals brought a small fishbowl to the stage. "Each of your pre-assigned numbers has been entered into a raffle for tonight's grand prize." Grand prize? I didn't see or hear anything about a grand prize. Señora Torres paused for dramatic effect. "Two lucky winners selected tonight will win...dinner tonight...with myself and Alicia Keys!" I almost fell out of my chair. I was number seven. Would I get lucky tonight? Reaching into the bowl, Señora Torres pulled out a small piece of paper. "The first lucky winner is...number fifteen! Number fifteen!" A shriek rang out across the room. An older woman ran up to the stage and hugged both Señora Torres and Alicia. The pretty woman whispered in Señora Torres' ear. Señora Torres embraced the woman again, then spoke into her microphone. "Congratulations to Emily Stewart! Everyone, let's hear it for Emily!" After our applause died down, Señora Torres reached into the bowl again. "And now for the final winner. The second person who will join me and Alicia Keys for dinner tonight is..." My hands clenched and my heart pounded. Seven. Seven. Please call number seven! Señora Torres paused. "The winner is...number four! Number four!" A young man leapt out of his chair and ran up to the stage. We clapped as he hugged Alicia and Señora Torres. Then he whispered in Señora Torres' ear. "Everyone," she announced, "let's hear it for Aaron!" Damn. I'd have loved to join them. Wistfully, I wished both Emily and Aaron a silent congratulations. Señora Torres said her final thanks and goodbyes and wished us well in our careers. She and Alicia linked arm-in-arm and left the stage, with the Rose Petals close behind. Dayanna waved at me as she followed the procession off the stage. Smiling, I waved back. She had been simply fantastic. The program regrettably over, I carefully collected my belongings as I rose to leave. Holding my old makeup case in my hand, while tucking the new case underneath my arm, caused a dilemma. Trying to balance both cases, my purse and my backpack was proving to be a challenge. "Need some help?" I looked around. Kayla reached from behind me and grabbed one of the cases. "I got it," she smiled. "Don't worry." She set the case down in one of the chairs next to us. "Why don't we sit for a moment?" We both sat down. Then she smiled at me. "So how are you?" she asked. "Oh, I'm fine. I got to play in makeup all day," I smiled. "The real question is how are you? You must be worn out!" "A little," she laughed. "But I'm good. Well, almost. I am exhausted!" "Oh, you poor thing!" I said. "Well for what it's worth, you all did a fantastic job. I loved everything!" "Thanks! That means a lot. So now that class is over, are you free, or do you have plans tonight?" "No, no plans. Well, nothing except going home to chill." "Well," she said, "would you like to come to dinner with us? The restaurant's just within walking distance, and we have a private room reserved for all of us." I frowned. "But I didn't win the drawing..." Kayla chuckled. "Did you really think you weren't coming? You're the newest star in this business!" She looked me up and down. "Señora Torres and I have so much to teach you..." she trailed off as she lightly pinched my thigh. "And Alicia does too." Then she paused. "You think you're ready for all of us?" I grinned. She had no idea. ~~~ Dinner with Alicia and Señora Torres was wonderful. We all met at a swank restaurant located right on South Beach. Though we were seated in a VIP room on the second floor, the room had a large picture window with a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean. The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was filled with a wonderful blend of colors. The Makeup Artist Ch. 07 I was pleased to see that several members of Alicia's team joined us. Alicia's manager, Troy Ross, and her hair stylist, Vance Jordan were both incredibly handsome men; each tall and regal with rich, brown skin. Alicia's personal assistant, Robin Hill, was a lush and curvy beauty with a dazzling white smile. I also met Alicia's lead stylist Shannon Kingston. Shannon, a stunning, tall beauty with blonde streaks in her auburn hair, surprised me with her equally stunning Australian accent. Everyone was very friendly and engaging, especially Alicia. She entertained us with stories of her recent pilgrimage to Egypt. I was enthralled listening to her passionately describe the natural beauty of the great pyramids. Hearing her describe the majestic stonework and seeing the excited gleam in her eyes made me excited about taking such a trip myself. Soon we finished our meal, and I thanked everyone for their graciousness. As I was leaving, Kayla stopped me again. "Nikii, I've really enjoyed your company. We all did. A small group of us are going to Señora Torres' studio. Would you like to come?" "I'd love to come. I wouldn't miss it." "The studio's here in South Beach, right off Collins Avenue at 16th." "Oh, yeah. I heard her studio was in that area. What's the address?" As she spoke, I typed the address into my new iPhone. Plotting out the directions, I told Kayla I'd see them shortly. Ten minutes later, I pulled up in front of a small, yet elegant storefront. As I parked and walked in, Shannon was in the front room. "Nikii Baby!" she exclaimed, her clipped Australian accent in full effect. "Glad you could make it." "I am too," I smiled. "Y'all are really fun to hang around." "Yeah. All of us 'ave been together for years. Five at least." "I'm jealous." "Don't be. It's a lot of work. Hardly any free time a'all." Shannon and I stood there chatting for a few more moments when I heard someone call my name "Hey Nikii!" Vance called out to me as he walked toward us with Alicia in tow. He was just about to ask me something when, at that same moment, Señora Torres came out of the back with a tray of drinks. "Ok everyone. Grab a glass for a toast." "Champagne? How nice," I smiled as I took a glass. "Thanks!" As I admired the ripe strawberry at the bottom of my champagne glass, I looked over to see several trays of fresh fruit on a table near the back of the room. Pineapple slices, strawberries and cherries lay on glass platters on the elaborately dressed table. As I looked at the fruit, a wicked thought of my tryst with Amerie in Las Vegas raced through my mind. The thought of her soft, nude body and my head between her legs made me blush. "E'rything alright, mate?" Shannon asked. "Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. I was just..." Thankfully Señora Torres began to speak. "Everyone? I propose a toast. Here's to Alicia and her wonderful team. May her upcoming album give them all the success in the world! Cheers!" We all clinked glasses and I took a sip of the cool liquid. Absolutely delicious. Señora Torres continued. "Please help yourselves to the light dessert I've prepared for you. There's plenty of food and drink, so enjoy!" As we all mingled, I started chatting with Alicia's manager Troy. He and I were getting along great. He impressed me with all the events he'd scheduled for Alicia lately, and he made me laugh with stories of some of their less than professional moments. As we joked, I noticed that Alicia was at the other end of the room with Señora Torres, Kayla, Shannon, Robin and Vance. Breaking away from her group, Alicia walked over to Troy and I. She wrapped one arm around him and the other around me. Then she leaned her head on my shoulder. "Hey Nikii! How are you?" Her soft skin touching mine sent electric shocks through me. "I'm great. You?" "I'm good. Listen. I've really liked your work today. And I've heard so much about you," she winked. I shook my head. This was too much. Alicia continued. "I'm on my way to New York. I have a busy day scheduled tomorrow. First, I'm shooting a feature for Ebony magazine. Then I'm doing promotion for my new album. After that, I have some charity events. Finally, I'm attending the premiere for my new movie. Señora Torres is coming along to be my makeup artist. Now Kayla's coming with her, but she's going to need another assistant. Are you interested?" I nearly said yes right on the spot. Thankfully, Troy was standing right there, so we negotiated as a threesome. As we ironed out the details, I found out that there would be several events that I could style Alicia for. We ultimately agreed upon a killer fee that would set me up for quite a while. Alicia perked up. "Great! That settles it. You're officially mine for the next two days!" I grinned as Alicia winked and hugged me tight. ~~~ "Ladies and gentlemen, we're preparing for takeoff." The friendly voice booming from the speakers set me at ease. Flying always made me a bit nervous, but the comfort of Alicia's chartered flight on a private jet was hard to ignore. The interior of the spacious, luxurious plane was unlike any other I'd ever seen. No expense had been spared to make the jet lavish and elegant yet still relaxed and comfortable. The entire front cabin was decorated solely in a soft cream color. From the plush leather seats, to the walls, to the overhead compartments, cream was the dominant shade. Elaborate gold fixtures and polished wood grain trim also adorned the cabin. There was even an expensive hand-woven rug down the center aisle. As for the seating arrangements, the front of the cabin had five rows, where each row had two plush seats on each side. Toward the back of the cabin were two couches, one on each side, each decorated with cream-colored pillows. A plasma screen TV, along with a DVD/CD player and the requisite speakers, were installed in the wall console at the rear. Just behind the front cabin was a hot galley where one of the flight attendants prepared a light snack for us. At the very rear of the plane, I was told, was a door that led to a private stateroom for Alicia. As I relaxed in a seat in one of the back rows of chairs, I again heard the pilot's voice over the loudspeaker. "We are scheduled to arrive in New York City at approximately 11:30pm Eastern Standard Time." After a few additional pre-flight instructions, we were cleared for takeoff. Once we were in the air, everyone went to his or her own work: Alicia was in the back bedroom alone, resting. Troy sat near the cockpit while he worked in order to stay close to the action. As he worked, he scribbled notes onto a legal pad and made notes into a mini recorder. Robin napped in her seat next to Kayla. However, I sat quietly, watching and taking notes as Vance, Shannon and Señora Torres sat on the back couches and discussed Alicia's upcoming schedule: Once we landed late tonight and got to the hotel, Alicia would do three nighttime radio interviews before going to bed. Then first thing in the morning, at 6:30am, she was to arrive at the Ebony magazine shoot. She'd take the photos while conducting a few interviews in between. When she was done, she had a break until about 3pm when she'd head over to a local record store for an album signing. That afternoon, by 4pm, she would appear at a charity event. Then at 4:30pm, she was off to a hospital to meet with children in the pediatric ward. Back at the hotel by 5pm, we'd then style her for her evening events. At 7pm, she'd arrive on the red carpet for her new movie premiere. Once she left the premiere party at about midnight, since it would be Friday night, she would make appearances at two or three clubs before the night was done. Because Alicia wanted a stylish appearance for each of the events in her busy day, Señora Torres had many ideas for Alicia's many looks. She, Vance and Shannon discussed all of Alicia's clothing changes and came up with a master list of her looks. Then they coordinated the hair and makeup that she'd need. I listened intently, making mental notes about what I had in my own case and how it would fit into the overall job. The style meeting lasted for over an hour. Once we were done, everyone else went to his or her own work. Wanting to be thorough, I checked the notes I'd made and filled in the gaps. Then I decided to settle in for a quick nap. After about thirty minutes of relative silence, the intercom buzzed. The loud noise woke me from my slumber. Then Alicia's sexy, husky voice came over the speaker. "Nikii, can you come back here for a second?" Still a bit groggy, I rose from my seat. I felt the heat of everyone's eyes on me as I walked to the back of the plane. Though it made me uncomfortable to have everyone staring at me, I was glad that Alicia wanted to see me privately. When I got to the back, I knocked softly on the door. "Come in." When I walked in, I was greeted with the sight of Alicia sitting up in bed. She was lying on top of the comforter, wearing a black jacquard silk robe. Her wavy hair was down and softly skimmed her shoulders. Continuing my gaze downward, I grew warm when I saw flashes of her modest cleavage peeking from underneath. Then I admired her long, slender legs, amazed that they looked so fantastic. She had several file folders stacked on the night table next to her and one in her hand. She wore a pair of dark-rimmed glasses, and I was struck that she looked cute, sexy and studious all at the same time. As I walked in, Alicia looked up from her papers. "Hey Nikii," she said in that husky voice. "Come. Have a seat." Instead of directing me to the chair across the room, she patted the space next to her on the bed. As I eased down beside her, she set the folder in her hand on top of the others on the nightstand. Then she turned and looked me up and down. "I've heard about you," she smiled. "A few of your...um...clients have been talking you up." I blushed, but I wasn't going to make a move unless I was sure. "Well, makeup is my life. I love working with talented women." She gave me a wry smile. "Yes, you're a great makeup artist. One of the best new talents I've seen. But, girl, you know I'm not talking about putting on blush and lipstick..." Then she placed her hand on my thigh and squeezed gently. That was my cue. I was going to go all out for this beautiful woman. Then I noticed a beautiful tea set on an antique silver tray. It sat on the nightstand at my side of the bed. She caught my glance. "I need the tea for my throat. Singing can be murder on the vocal cords." As I looked more closely at the other items on the tray, I couldn't help but laugh. She shot me a puzzled look. "What's so funny?" "The honey," I said, gazing at the small squeeze bottle filled with the sweet, sticky substance. "You know, there are so many interesting things that I could do with honey..." She laughed, her low voice sending delicious shivers all through me. "Do your thing, mama!" That was all I needed to hear. I reached over and grabbed the tie on her robe. Then I looked up at her. She winked. I pulled the tie ever so slowly. Once undone, I reached out and gently separated the silky folds of fabric. I gasped at the beautiful sight I uncovered. Alicia was completely nude underneath. The expanse of her smooth buttermilk skin lit a fire in me. Her warm, soft breasts looked delicious, capped with stiff dark brown nipples. Her sexy, curvy hips gently flared into her silky, smooth thighs. I looked lower to see a tiny swipe of soft, dark hair covering the honey mound between her legs. "Take off your clothes," she ordered. Thankfully, before the flight, I had time to run back to my apartment to pack and change clothes. As such, I now wore a simple black and white nylon tracksuit along with white sneakers. I rose from the bed, quickly unzipped the jacket and threw it off. Next went my white tank top. Then as I kicked off my shoes and socks, I slid the track pants down too. With only a soft-pink bra and panties covering my body, I crawled back on the bed next to her. Alicia reached over and around me and unfastened my bra. As the material fell away, her hands covered my breasts and caressed them gently. She used her slim fingers to tease my hardened peaks. Then she bent her head and sucked my nipple deep into her mouth. I sighed at the intense pleasure. She licked and kissed my full breasts until I cried out in ecstasy. Needing to taste her, I moved forward until my lips touched hers. Closing my eyes, I kissed her softly at first, then increasing the intensity as my passion rose. She slid her hands into my panties as I kissed from her neck to her lips. I trembled as I felt her fingers teasing my clit. I moaned into her neck as she rubbed and stroked my most intimate spot. After endless moments of pleasuring each other, I pulled away, reaching for the bottle of honey. I twist it open, turned it over and held it dangerously above her breasts. "Do it, Nikii," she whispered. I hesitated for a second, teasing her. Then I squeezed the bottle gently and watched a stream of golden sweetness flow from the spout onto her buttermilk skin. I bent my head down to her erect nipple and drew it into my mouth. "Mmmmm," I moaned as I sucked the peak deeply. The sugary taste nearly made me come undone. I swirled my tongue all in the honeyed concoction. "Ohhhh! Oh, that feels so good," she said as she squirmed on the bed. "More, Nikii! More!" I grabbed both of her breasts and licked between them. I licked and sucked all over the soft skin as I manipulated her globes in my eager hands. I groaned at the sweet taste and dove in for more. Finally, I released her breasts and licked lower and lower. Taking the honey again, I squeezed more of the thick liquid all over her stomach. Again, I buried my face in her softness and licked for all I was worth. As my mouth, lips and tongue worked together to bring her the utmost joy, I used my hands to rub and stroke her body. "Ooooh Nikii. Nikii baby! Oh my God!" Her head twisted from side to side on the pillow. Then she slid her hands in my hair and steadied my movements. Her moans rang in my ears as I devoured her sweet flesh. Then she pushed my head lower and spread her legs wide. "Please," she moaned. "Please, baby?" I took the bottle one last time. Squeezing gently, I released more of the honey onto her inner thighs. I admired the golden crisscrossed lines for a moment. Then I plunged right in. At the first touch of my tongue onto her wet pussy, her back arched off the bed. "Oh yes!" she cried. I licked the honey slowly, enjoying every bit. I made soft, gentle licks all over her pussy lips. Avoiding her clit, I stroked up one side of her pussy and down the other. Her intimate fragrance wafted into my nostrils, and it urged me on even more. I pulled back for a moment and admired her pinkness. Her lips were open like a delicate flower, complete with a tiny bud that beckoned to me. I used my hand to open her up even more. Her pink gem glistened with her excitement. "Nikii," she whined. "Please don't make me wait!" Needing to satisfy this glorious angel, I made a gentle flick of my tongue onto her pussy. She writhed on the bed, arching toward me for more. I flicked again. And again. Soon I was licking her clit furiously. Her sweet taste rolled over my tongue. "Oooooh!" she cried. "Oh God! Oh! Oh! Ohhhh!" She grasped my head even tighter and ground her pussy into my mouth. More and more of her juices flowed onto my tongue. For every drop I consumed, another two were ready to take its place. Her wetness increased and flowed all over my lips and chin. Loving the slipperiness, I swirled my tongue faster and harder. She began to pant and heave as I felt her racing closer to her climax. As I licked, her body twisted and turned, tangling the sheets. I felt her body tensing, and I knew she was close. Finally, I licked my index finger and slid it smoothly into her pussy. She nearly leapt off the bed as I slid it in and out. "Oh Nikii," she shrieked as I slid in a second finger. "I'm gonna cum! Now!" I urged her on as I kept up the rapid pace of my fingers and tongue. "Do it, Alicia! Right in my mouth! Right on my tongue, baby! Do it!" Suddenly I tasted a spurt of hot, sweet liquid. The liquid increased as she exploded into orgasmic ecstasy. Her cries and moans were uncontrollable as she rode out the waves of her intense climax. I kept up my movements until she finally released my head and let her arms flail to her sides. "Oh baby," she panted. "Damn, baby that was awesome!" She eventually calmed down but still struggled to catch her breath. "Oh my goodness! That was wonderful." Her body continued to shake as she held out her arms to me. "Nikii, I'm so glad you're here." I fell into her arms as she hugged me tight. Then she whispered in my ear. "I'm gonna want some more of that tonight before I go to bed! And some more tomorrow!" I grinned. I most certainly could take care of her anytime she wanted. Then she yawned. "But right now, I'm going to bed." "Then I'll catch up with you later," I winked. "Sweet dreams!" I slipped out of the room and quietly made my way to the empty row behind Shannon. Thankfully, everyone was sleeping and no one noticed when I sat down. I took my seat and, worn out, promptly fell asleep. ~~~ All of a sudden, I felt something shaking me. "Nikii? Nikii?" "Hmm?" I opened my eyes and was shocked to see Shannon sitting right next to me. When had she moved, and why hadn't I noticed? "Are you ok?" Shannon's accent and her hand on my knee sent a shiver through me. "Yes, I'm fine." Groggy, I stretched my arms out to their full length. "We're about to land. You should put your seatbelt on." "Oh, ok," I yawned. She looked at me for a long moment. "Hard work?" she whispered. "Excuse me?" "I said, hard work, that one. She's insatiable, 'eh?" I just stared at her. Certainly she couldn't be– She laughed. "Nikii, you really need to loosen up. You'll have a much better time if you relax." "Shannon–" "You certainly don't think you're the first piece, do you?" she snorted. "Frankly, I'm surprised at your behavior. I actually thought you were a professional. And to think I kinda liked you." I was taken aback at her forwardness. "Shannon–" Just then, the pilot's voice came on over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, we're preparing our final descent into JFK airport..." I shot an evil glare at Shannon as she went to take a seat in another row. However, thoughts of Shannon faded as we began our descent into New York. Once we landed, we were shuttled to the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan. The staff quickly and courteously checked us all in. I was originally scheduled to bunk with Kayla; however, remembering Alicia's words, I decided to pay for a suite of my own. Privacy was first and foremost in my mind. A bit later, lying in my bed, I was too stressed out over Shannon's comments to make my usual nighttime notes on my upcoming projects. However, I didn't want to be unprepared for the morning shoot, so I went ahead and forced myself check the contents of my makeup case against my notes from the style meeting. As it turned out, I had all of the required equipment, so I was all set for the morning. However, I was too outdone to make my notes on my own projects. I was still working on my upcoming book and DVD series, so I could have used the time to make some progress, but I was still too frazzled. Needing a fun distraction, I grabbed my phone and sent a text to the one person who knew me better than anyone: "Hey Sam! I'm back in NYC. Call me!" A little more relaxed, I settled back into the pile of plush pillows. Then my phone rang. The Makeup Artist Ch. 08 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. This fictitious parody is protected speech under Hustler Magazine, Inc., et. al. v. Jerry Falwell. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ Chapter 8: Kimora Lee Simmons investigates the rumors. ~~~ As I stood at the ticketing counter in JFK airport waiting for the airline agent to complete my transaction, my entire body tingled as I thought about what just happened. I was in New York City and the gorgeous fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons had just set an appointment with me to check out my work. I had no idea whether she'd actually book me, but at least we'd get a chance to meet. Getting the opportunity to consult with such a driven, successful and passionate woman was almost too much. I loved confident and glamorous businesswomen, and to see one so beautiful and so accomplished, up close, was a dream come true. While the ticketing agent typed furiously on her keyboard, rescheduling my flight back to Miami to two days later, I chuckled at the test Kimora just put me through: About fifteen minutes prior, I was at the gate waiting to fly back home to Miami. I had just styled Alicia Keys in Manhattan for a long day of promotion for her new movie and album. While I sat there waiting for my flight, Kimora called my cell phone anonymously to get a list of my makeup artistry services and a quote for my rates. I gave her all the information and carefully explained my fee structure. She then had one of her assistants call, in full KLS diva mode, to see if I'd raise my rates based on her "celebrity" status. I didn't bite. I gave her assistant the exact same information. Though human nature tempted me, artificially inflating my rates just wasn't me. Besides, I gave such great service that I often earned substantial tips. When Kimora called me back, she revealed that she had, in fact, been the anonymous caller from earlier, and that she was impressed with my honesty. As it turned out, she was so glad that I didn't try to gouge her assistant, that she set an appointment to meet me the very next day. Fortunately for me, those three phone calls turned out to be the ultimate win-win situation! Since Kimora was based in NYC, I decided to rebook my flight home for two days later. Thinking about her unforgettable style and her incredible body, I hoped I'd be able to do great, profitable work for a fabulous client and have a bit of hot and sexy fun too. But first, I needed a place to stay. Smiling, I knew just what to do. After I got my new ticket and my luggage from the airline agent, I set off for the rental car area to hire a car service for a ride back to Manhattan. I noticed an airport transportation sign and headed in the direction of the counter. As I got closer, I saw a couple of customers already waiting. I hurried to the back of the line and patiently waited for my turn. As I stood there, I watched the three rental agents behind the counter that were helping the customers. I smiled at the kindly, older woman, then nodded at the young gentleman on the phone. But when I saw the third rental agent, I gasped. The woman was gorgeous. She had silky smooth medium brown skin, the color of soft, rich caramel. Her lengthy dark hair was done up in a full, high ponytail. She wore a white silk v-neck blouse with a cute (and tight) cherry red sweater vest. The soft material caressed her ample cleavage and I licked my lips at the sight of brown skin peeking from the v-neck. I sent up a silent request to the Universe that she'd be the one to wait on me. As the patrons in front of me moved ahead and were waited on, I thought I saw her wink at me. Taking a chance, I smiled and winked back. Finally, I made it to the front of the line. The gorgeous woman finished up with the last customer, then waved me ahead. "Thanks Universe," I whispered as I walked to her. "Hi there," she said with a warm smile. "My name is Chantal. How can I help you?" "Hi. I'm not sure if I'm in the right place. I need a car service back to Manhattan, please." "Certainly. Can I have your name please?" "Nikii. Nikii Clarke. Clarke with an 'e.'" She typed on her keyboard. I watched her slim, brown fingers. I shivered as I imagined them deep inside me, teasing me to the ultimate ecstasy. "Down, girl," I mumbled as I chided myself. "Well, Ms. Clarke, with an 'e,'" she smiled, "I have a car service that's available. Sapphire Rose Transportation. Are you familiar with them?" I shook my head. "No, I'm not." "Well, they're great," she said. "I recommend them highly. I know the owner personally, so they'll take care of you." "Thanks. I always appreciate extra attention." Chantal winked. "We're certainly here to please." I caught her saucy wink. I flushed as my entire body grew warm. She took my license, credit card and other information and typed in my reservation. Then she called the agency to make the arrangements. While I waited, I looked at her slim, brown fingers. It took me a minute to notice what was missing. "No ring," I whispered. "Good sign." She held the phone away from her ear and looked up. "Excuse me?" "Nothing," I smiled. Chantal gave me a wry smile and went back to finish my reservation. Once all of the arrangements were made, she printed out a confirmation and handed my license and credit card back to me. "You're all set," she said. "A black Lincoln Town Car will be right outside within ten minutes. In the meantime, you can wait over there." She pointed toward the waiting area facing the windows near the door. I looked outside. The sun had set and the brilliant stars lit up the night sky. "Thanks. But before I go, tell me more about, what is it, Sapphire Rose Transportation?" "Yes. The owner is Mischa Konstantinov. She's a friend of mine from school." "Mischa Konstantinov? She's Russian?" Chantal nodded. "African -- Ethiopian, I think -- and Russian." My curiosity was piqued. This Mischa woman sounded beautiful and exotic. "She runs a thriving transportation business." Chantal added. Then she leaned in close. "And she's a beast on the road. She'll get you where you need to go in no time." "Thanks," I laughed. "And thanks for being such a big help." "Well, it was very nice meeting you, Ms. Clarke with an 'e,'" she said as she handed me her business card. "I hope you enjoy your stay in New York. And if you need any other assistance while you're here, don't hesitate to call us again." I glanced at the card, making a mental note of the number, then slid the card inside my purse. "Thanks, Chantal." She looked down at my bags. "Oh, let me get a skycap to help you with your luggage." She waved over a strapping, young man. I smiled as the handsome skycap gathered my bags. As we started to walk away, I turned back to her. "You've been a big help. And if I need anything, I'll most definitely give you a call. And who knows? Maybe we'll meet again." "I have a feeling we will," she smirked as she waved goodbye. As I stood in the waiting area looking out the window for my driver, I pulled out my phone, quickly dialed a number that I knew by heart and left a brief message: "Hey Sam! It's Nikii. I'm still in NYC! Where can I crash? Call me..." Five minutes later, my phone rang and I answered quickly. "Hello?" "Nikii!" the soft voice exclaimed. "Hey Samantha! How are you?" "I'm good. I'm glad I didn't miss seeing you! You're still in town, right?" she asked. "Yes. My plans changed and I scored a big meeting tomorrow morning!" "Oooh! Congratulations!" she beamed. "Thanks. I'm at the airport. I was about to fly back to Miami. But I just got a car and I'm on my way back to Manhattan." "Good," she said. "You'll stay here, so get your ass over here now. I'll be looking out for you." "Thanks, hon. See you soon," I said, hanging up. On a whim, I walked outside to enjoy the warm New York night air. As I stood there, a jet-black Lincoln Town Car pulled up in front of me at the curb and a gorgeous woman hopped out. She had soft, light brown skin and long, dark, wavy hair that flowed from underneath a limo driver's cap. "Ms. Clarke?" "Yes?" She held out her hand. "Privet! Dobriy Vecher! I'm Mischa, with Sapphire Rose Transportation," she said with a thick Eastern European accent. "I'm at your service." While I loved the feel of her soft, silky hand, I really loved her firm, confident grip. "Nice to meet you. And the Russian? What did you just say? At the beginning?" She laughed. "I said 'Hi and Good Evening.'" She looked at my luggage. "Where can I take you?" "I'm going to Manhattan. Trump Tower. The hotel in midtown. At Columbus Circle, Central Park and Broadway." Mischa quickly grabbed my bags. "I know exactly where that is." Her thick, sexy voice continued to seep right into my consciousness. "And, by the way, I love your accent," I said. "My dad is Russian. And Jewish. My mom is Ethiopian. I think I got the best of both worlds." "Wow," I whispered as I eyed her slim, fit body. "You sure did." Though she was dressed in a dark blue uniform, her figure was noticeable underneath her clothes. I licked my lips at her beautiful face, hair, skin and figure. After Mischa put my bags in the trunk, she turned to me. "I know the rental agent, Chantal," she said in her beautifully raw accent. "I heard. She said you were a great driver. And she said that you'd take good care of me." "I will. I promise," she said with a wicked grin. I smiled back. Things were going to get wild now. Once I was settled in the back seat, she hopped in and pulled off. She was careful and cautious at first, but we quickly picked up speed once we got to the expressway. Too much speed, in my opinion. Suddenly, she swerved to avoid a car that had veered in front of us. "Bljad'! Whore!" I began to get nervous. "Don't worry," she said, glancing at me in the rear view mirror. "I just get a bit...how do you say...excited?" I laughed, but remained cautious. "I trust you," I said. "But I have to admit, you're a bit too pretty to be such a beast on the road." We drove in silence for a few minutes, then she looked at me in the mirror again. "So," she asked, "why are you in New York? Work?" "Yes. I'm having a business meeting." "With whom?" I was silent. "You aren't gonna keep secrets from me now, are you?" she chuckled. "I thought we were better than that?" A wicked smile spread across my face. "You know...we Russians have a way of finding out secrets..." "Whatever," I said as I rolled my eyes in mock disgust. "Since you're all in my business...it's with Kimora Lee Simmons." "Mrs. Simmons?" Mischa said, her voice rising an octave. "The fashion girl?" "Yes. Her." "I drove her last month. Long legs, that one." I smiled. Thinking of Kimora's long, lean and luscious legs started a deep tingle between my own legs. "Yeah," I whispered. She was silent for a few moments before speaking again. "Ti takaya prelesnaya," she said. "You a Rozovuy?" Huh? "Excuse me?" She laughed. "I said, 'You are so cute.' And I asked if you are a Rozovuy?' Means you like girls. A lesbian, no?" I smiled. "Yes. Da." She laughed. "I teach you more Russian very soon. In my bed, da?" Then her cell phone rang. She clicked into her earpiece, listened for a few seconds, then launched into a spirited conversation with the caller in Russian. "Mne nasrát', chto ty dúmaesh! (I don't give a shit what you think!) I'll be back when I'm ready!" She listened for a few more moments. "Vali otsjúda! (Fuck off!)" Again, I had no idea what she was saying, but I was sure it involved more than a few curse words. She clicked off the phone, then looked in the rear view mirror. "I'm sorry. I own the company. Sometimes I have to settle disputes." We rode in silence for a few moments. Then she spoke. "I have a confession to make. After you left the desk, Chantal called me back and said that you were a gorgeous woman that needed a ride back to the city. And that I should come myself." She winked. "I'm glad I did." I blushed. "I'm glad you did too." "Interested?" Interested? Just like that? "Ummm," I stammered. "Don't worry. Sometimes I'm too direct. I'll give you time to think about it," she said confidently. Forty minutes later, the car service pulled up in front of Trump Tower in Manhattan. As Mischa let me out, a slim bellhop grabbed my luggage. "Is Samantha Reynolds here tonight?" I asked the handsome gentleman. "Yes, Ms. Clarke. She's expecting you." I looked up, surprised he knew my name. He read my expression and smiled. "Ms. Reynolds told me to look out for a gorgeous woman who'd ask for her directly." He eyed me seductively. "It was definitely an understatement," he winked. I blushed. "Ms. Reynolds is inside. I'll radio her and let her know you're coming," he said as he took my bags and went inside. I turned to Mischa. "I had a good time. Thanks for the ride." "Anytime." Her thick, dark hair gleamed under the bright lights outside the hotel. I couldn't leave her quite yet. "Actually...I need a car tomorrow..." "What time, Mat'?" I frowned. "Mat'?" She grinned. "It means "Hot mama." I suddenly grew warm. "Um, 10:30. In the morning. I have a meeting at 11." I'll be here." She leaned over and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "Dobroy Nochi. Good night, Króshka. I'll see you in the morning." "Króshka?" She leaned in close. "It means Baby." She kissed me again, then quickly hopped into her car and pulled off. I rubbed my cheek as I watched her leave. Coming back to my senses, I walked inside, through the beautiful gilded walkway, toward the smiling brown face at the front desk. Samantha sprinted from behind the desk to hug me hard. "Nikii!" she exclaimed. "Samantha!" I cried. "What's up, Cousin?" "Nothing much, hon!" She hugged me again. "Damn!" I looked around, stunned at the luxurious opulence of the hotel. "I have to admit, Cuz. I love your damned job!" We laughed as we hugged again. She sighed. "Well, I love it too! Being the Executive Vice President of Guest Relations at Trump Tower is a bitch sometimes. But the perks are incredible." ~~~ Less than ten minutes later, we were chilling in Samantha's suite. Both of us were lying on the bed eating a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips and watching TV. As we lay there, she flipped through my photo book. "These shots are awesome, Cuz!" I'm so impressed!" She flipped to my new pictures. "And you just did these in the past week?" "Yep." "Cool!" "So how's your dad?" I asked. She looked up. "Why don't you just call your uncle and ask him yourself?" "Smartass," I clipped. "So," I asked. "What's it like to work here? Is 'he' a fair boss?" "Pretty much like anywhere else. Some good days, some bad days. But the experience can't be matched. I'm getting hands-on experience daily in one of the best hotels in the world." "What I'm waiting for," I chided, "is for you to open up your own hotel. Your own spa, even." "Believe me, Cuz, I'm definitely taking notes. One day soon." She picked up the bag of chips and reached in, taking a handful. "And I'm gonna hire you to coordinate the spa makeovers." "Of course I will." I laughed. "And I want my percentage ownership interest in the business too." She giggled. "How much do you want?" "My usual. One percent." Her head jerked up. "Why so low?" "I'm not trying to gouge you. You're my blood. We're family. One percent is fine." Then I paused. "But I do want free spa services for me and a guest for life." She burst out laughing. "For life? Damn, cuz. For you and your 'girlfriends'?" She laughed even harder. "And you say you're not trying to gouge me? Shit, your ass'll be there every damned weekend. Eating me out of house and home. Well, house and spa." We laughed. Then she got serious. "But I'm telling you right now. You're not turning my spa into a brothel." "What?" I had the nerve to act surprised. "Don't even try it! You know what I mean. You like girls. I do too. That's cool." She grabbed more chips out of the bag. "But you've not had a shortage of girlfriends since you came out. And now the grapevine is buzzing about you and certain celebrities." "What?" My eyes widened. "Yes. So, again, you're not turning my hotel into a bordello. And that's final!" We laughed, but an idea started forming in my mind. An exclusive resort where women can relax and be free? Free to explore themselves and each other with the strictest of privacy? Cuz had just set my mind racing on a whole new track. "I'm not playing, Nikii. I see your thoughts moving!" I burst out laughing and hugged my younger cousin. "I promise I'll be good." She looked at me sideways. I think we both knew I was lying my ass off. ~~~ The next morning, I awoke, bathed and dressed quickly. Because I was so excited to meet Kimora, I barely slept. Needing some caffeine, I ordered a carafe of hazelnut-favored coffee from room service. Once I was fully awake, I carefully applied my makeup and checked my outfit. Feeling good about my appearance, I packed my makeup case and readied my portfolio. A few minutes later, the front desk called to say my car from Sapphire Rose Transportation had arrived ready. I hurried downstairs and was quickly ushered outside. "Good morning, Madame," Mischa said as she opened the rear door of the Lincoln Town Car. "How did you sleep?" "Good, thanks." I smelled her perfume as I slid into the seat. Her soft, fresh scent immediately made me tingle. "Please take me to 512 7th Avenue. At 7th and West 38th. The Navarre Building." I settled into the back of the car as Mischa slid into the driver's seat and prepared to deliver me to the Baby Phat corporate offices. My meeting with Kimora was at 11am sharp and my nerves were on edge. Just as she was about to shift into gear, my cell phone chimed. The number was unfamiliar, but it was definitely a New York exchange. My stomach sunk. I hoped that it wasn't Kimora calling to cancel. I tapped on the headrest to keep her from pulling off. "Hello. This is Nikii." I could feel my heart pounding. A seductive voice came on the line. "Hi. This is Malia. Malia Lowe. I'm one of the stylists for Kimora Lee Simmons. We spoke yesterday, remember? How are you today?" "Yes, Ms. Lowe. I remember. I'm just fine, thanks. And you?" "Great! But Kimora's schedule is really tight today. I'm going to have to push your meeting back a bit." Anything but cancel, I thought. Time for my backup plan. A pre-emptive strike, of sorts. I needed to get her attention. "Well, Malia," I interrupted, "How about this? I'm staying at the Trump Tower while I'm in New York. Maybe Mrs. Simmons would like to meet me here? We can either have a quick lunch in the hotel restaurant, or we can have room service in my suite. That way, I can at least treat her to lunch for being gracious enough to even meet with such a new beauty professional." I stopped talking and held my breath. I sensed her smile through the phone. "Well that sounds nice. Very generous. Please hold for a moment." She wasn't even gone a full minute. "I'm back, Nikii. Kimora thinks that's a fabulous idea. We'll already be on that side of town, so we'll meet you there at about 1:30pm." "Oh. You're joining us?" I was so wrapped up in Kimora that I barely noticed the soft voice I was speaking to. Was she down? Her seductive reply left no doubt in my mind. The Makeup Artist Ch. 08.5 The following is a fictional parody, not approved of, nor authorized by, the celebrities named. None of the events are true. This fictitious parody is protected speech under Hustler Magazine, Inc., et. al. v. Jerry Falwell. No harm is intended toward the celebrities named. Furthermore, publication of any and all trademarks contained herein are not authorized by, associated with, nor sponsored by the trademark owners. ~~~ The Makeup Artist by Stephanie Rose (A sexy makeup artist loves her celebrity clients.) ~~~ Chapter 8.5: Beyoncé Knowles apologizes to Janet Jackson. ~~~ "All right everyone! Ms. Jackson doesn't have all day! Lunch time's over, so let's get back to rehearsal!" Facing the mirrored wall in the spacious dance studio, Danté Zane watched as twelve scantily-clad dancers slowly lined up behind him. Noticing their sluggish pace, he clapped his hands soundly. "Come on, people! Let's go, let's go! Chop, chop!" Danté watched as the dancers perked up only slightly as they began to stretch their lithe and toned limbs. He even noticed a few of them yawning. Then he looked around the spacious practice room and noticed Janet's other team members working diligently on the sidelines. He noticed Krystal Pennington, Janet's lead makeup artist, sketching various looks on a large sheet of paper while talking with Melinda Paul and Ramón Luiz, Janet's hairstylists. Also, Janet's wardrobe coordinator, Sophia Duvalier, was busy consulting with the sewers and the tailors about Janet's new costumes. He even noticed the small group of musicians in the very back of the room quietly reviewing their sheet music. Danté quickly realized that out of all of the people in the room, his dancers were the working the least. Irritated, he turned around and faced Janet's dance team. "All right everyone," he began sharply, "I already showed you the first part of the routine before we broke for lunch. Now while Janet finishes up her meeting in the office upstairs, let me show you the second part, okay?" "Sure, Danté," a light, feminine voice called out. Janet's dance team captain, Caprice Bristow, a fit, dark-chocolate colored beauty with long, black hair pulled into a low ponytail, then turned to the rest of the group. "Let's get it together, y'all," she said. "Come on now, let's go." "Thanks, Caprice." He looked around. "Okay. Let's get in position." The rest of the dancers nodded listlessly and moved into a V-formation. As a further distraction, the bright, sizzling-hot Atlanta sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making them that much more lazy and lethargic. Danté spun around, scowling. "Alright, y'all. I know we've been at this since seven this morning. And it's now," he glanced at the clock, "it's now almost one. But we still have a lot more routines to cover. And as the lead choreographer, Janet's looking for me to make sure y'all are on point. So let's get it together, please?" Just then, a light voice rang out. "Danté? Let me talk to them for a moment, okay?" Everyone turned to see the slim, Grammy award-winning, caramel-colored goddess standing in the doorway. "Of course, Janet," Danté said, stepping back graciously. "The floor is yours." He turned to the dancers. "Everybody, listen up!" Dressed in a navy-blue sweatshirt cut just below her firm, rounded breasts, Janet's taut midsection was on full display. Her delicious honeyed-caramel skin looked absolutely soft and silky. Her long, dark hair was pulled up into a girlishly-cute top ponytail, but the gorgeous beauty before them was all woman. Though she wore minimal makeup, her sparkling eyes and bright smile were all the enhancements she needed. She'd added a light coat of mascara and a light gloss on her lips, but her natural beauty could have easily allowed her to go barefaced and have the exact same exotic allure. Her gray sweatpants were loose and baggy, but they couldn't hide her sturdy back, which gently swayed into her tight, rounded tush. As she moved, everyone in the room paused to admire her graceful, fluid gait. "Hey everybody," she said softly as she walked to the center of the room. "Hey," they whispered in unison, visibly star-struck. "I know y'all are tired," she said. "But I need to make sure this choreography is tight for the tour. So bear with me, okay?" Everyone nodded, visibly perked up with excitement of seeing their favorite musical icon, even though it'd only been an hour since they'd seen her last. "Ok," Janet smiled as she took her place in front of the mirror, right next to Danté. "Let's start back with the old school medley, where we left off before lunch. The first part of, 'What Have You Done For Me Lately,' okay?" Danté nodded and motioned to the young woman standing across the room at the CD player. The assistant cued up the music, and in an instant, the hard drums began, followed by the slick keyboard. Danté raised his hand. "One, two...one, two, three, hit it!" On cue, they launched into the routine. Bodies gyrating, they glided across the floor in intricate formations, rolling in time with the pounding beats. Their fit, trim and incredibly sexy bodies, now glistening with a thin sheen of sweat, pumped and rocked all over the floor. Janet lost herself in the rhythm, her body following the intricate choreography, but still giving her own personal flair to the moves. Her dark hair whipped around her face, but she was too in tune with the music to notice. She rolled her hips and waist, grinding her body into the space she occupied. Her lithe and toned arms and legs followed suit, making her entire body a sensuous, sensual entity whose sole purpose was to entice and coax the audience into an erotic frenzy. All of the other people in the room were struck silent with the erotic display. And while all of the dancers kept up with Janet's seductive moves, the entire room couldn't help but be focused only on her. All they could see was her pretty face, now fixed with a steely resolve, her skin, now gleaming with a thin sheen of sweat, her rolling hips and her tight ass and thighs. Then all of the dancers split into pairs and their bodies began to twist and wind around each other. Sweat began to drop from their lithe bodies as they snaked around each other, creating a steamy-hot, sensuous rhythm. All of a sudden, they began a series of sharp, precise moves. The dancers struggled to keep up with Janet's brusque, military-style. Dancing for several minutes, the group finally reached the bridge of the song. Danté held up his hand. "Now, right here, Jan, on this beat, I want to add in a new move: a hip roll. Like this." He rolled his midsection in luscious, tight circles for four beats, then extended his leg to the side and dropped down; continuing the seductive rolls low, almost down to the floor. "Try that," he said, standing upright and wiping the sweat from his brow. With intricate precision, she duplicated his movements, rolling her hips seductively, then extended her leg and dropped her body, rolling her hips. "Yeah, Jan," he said. "Just like that. Looking good!" She stood up, a curious look on her face. "Okay, everybody!" Danté called out. "The rest of y'all try that hip roll too. One, two...one, two, three, hit it!" On cue, the dancers imitated Danté's move, gyrating their hips to the beat of the music. "Wait! Stop, stop!" Janet shouted, her irritation rising quickly. "That hip roll looks familiar." A blush creeped up Danté's pecan-brown face. "Um..." She snapped her fingers. "Oh my God! That's Beyoncé's hip roll! From the Single Ladies video!" Janet's caramel skin turned bright crimson. "Why in the hell would I want to do her move?" she exploded. "You like her stuff," he said, incredulous. "You were just telling me last week how much you loved that video." She shook her head. "Not since all that shit she was talking about me, I don't!" Danté frowned at her outburst. "Jan, I don't understand." "Yeah, Jan," Krystal interjected. "Remember when I told you about my friend Nikii Clarke? She was Beyoncé's makeup artist for her Madison Square Garden concert? She said Bey was fantastic to work for. A real doll." Janet spun around and glared hard at Krystal. At the steely glare, Krystal immediately stopped talking and began to fiddle with her sketchpad. Regaining control, Janet took a deep breath. "About Beyoncé. Well, there was this interview she did. An interview she just did. And I don't know how my name even came up, but she took it upon herself to infer that her family was better than mine. That she grew up middle class and we didn't. That her parents raised her better than my parents did us. I mean, can you believe that shit?" "Janet –" "And on top of that," she continued, her eyes blazing, "Miss Queen Bey's been calling me every day since the article came out. I guess she's trying to apologize." Janet rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm not taking any of her calls." "Janet –" She grew more agitated. "I mean, first of all, you shouldn't say shit like that anyway. I didn't do anything to her! But if you are going to talk shit about someone, at least be woman enough to stand by what you say. Don't come crawling on your hands and knees after the fact." "I had no idea." "Look, Danté," she said, angrily pacing the floor. "Forget all that other shit. The bottom line is that I pay you good money to come up with original moves. I don't pay you to steal routines from other people!" "Again, I'm sorry, Jan. Really." A pained expression crossed her face. "But Danté, how could you?" "I thought it'd be an homage to one of your favorite artists," he said, a weak smile on his face. She walked right up to him until there was just a scant inch of space between their bodies. She put her finger in his face. "Look. Until she apologizes for all that trash she was talking about me and my family, I don't want to hear a thing about her! Understand?" He nodded. "Yes, Janet. Sure." He put his hand on her shoulder. "And again, I'm sorry." She nodded absently, then turned to the group. "And that goes for the rest of you," she called out. "No more Beyoncé. In fact, I don't even want to hear her name. Understand?" The dancers, frozen in place and tension registered all over their bodies, just nodded. "Alright," she snapped. "Let's get back to work." She pointed to the girl in the corner. "Cue the music!" The music started again and they launched back into the spirited dance routine. As they danced, a young, thin woman, Ivy Parker, suddenly appeared in the doorway. She held up a cherry-red BlackBerry phone. "Excuse me, Ms. Jackson?" Janet continued dancing, oblivious to the voice. "Excuse me? Ms. Jackson?" Ivy said more loudly, still waving the phone. Janet's head whipped around. "Yes?" she called out over the music. "You have a phone call." "From?" "Beyoncé Knowles." As if on cue, the music stopped and everyone stared at Janet. Her anger rose again. Her eyes closed into slits and her cheeks turned bright red. "Her again? Well, tell her, yet again," she spat, "that I'm not interested in talking. Then just hang up on her!" Ivy blanched. Then she quickly recovered, put the phone back up to her ear and left the room. Janet sighed. Then she pointed to Danté. "Let's get back to work people, okay?" ~~~ Audra Cunningham set the phone down on the receiver and looked up at the slim, but curvy woman standing over her. "I'm sorry, Bey. She still won't take your call." Beyoncé tossed her sandy-brown hair back over her shoulder and sighed. "This is harder than I thought." She looked out of the hotel window and stared at the rainy London skyline. The gray, grim colors matched her mood. Audra looked at her. "Why is this so important, Bey? I mean, you keep trying to call her to apologize about the magazine article. And she keeps rejecting your calls. Maybe we should just give up? I mean, why even bother anymore?" Beyoncé shook her head. "I have to keep trying." Audra looked at her boss. She was used to seeing Beyoncé focused, but now, this was a woman on a mission. As one of Beyoncé's many personal assistants, she knew how tightly scheduled her rehearsals, interviews, photo shoots and performances were. However, Beyoncé's number-one focus this day, and for several days now, was getting in contact with Janet Jackson. "This is really important to me, Audra. So I need you to keep trying to reach her." Audra nodded, realizing that she had an important job to do, but today, as she was most days, she was constantly distracted by Beyoncé's natural beauty. The soft-spoken, yet insanely famous entertainer wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, but the end effect was stunning. First, Beyoncé's long hair had been styled with soft, gentle waves. With a gentle lift at her crown, the lengthy tresses skimmed down past her shoulders and tumbled down her back. Her makeup was just as simple and just as dramatic. She wore soft rose shades on her eyes, complete with dark eyeliner to give her eyes a smoky look. Her cheeks had been given a soft rosy tone, and her lips featured a stunning coral gloss. All of the elements combined together to give her face an undeniable beauty. She wore a modest, light-gray T-shirt that pressed tightly against her rounded breasts. The thin material did little to hide the thick nipples that lie beneath. Her light-colored jeans were extra tight, showing off her beautifully curvy hips and thighs. Though she was a small woman, her body was well-rounded, ripe and ready to devour. Audra shook her head, trying desperately to refocus on the job at hand. She decided to delicately try to prolong their conversation. "I don't mean to pry," she asked, "but why is this so important?" Beyoncé sighed. "Remember Inauguration Night? When I sang for President Obama and First Lady Michelle? As I stood there, I realized that things really do have to change, and change for the better. Especially in the entertainment industry." She grew more animated, using her hands to make her point. "I mean, there aren't too many of us black female artists. So we need to stick together. We've got to stick together. Which means that we can't let words get between us. Which means that I have to explain to her what I meant. And tell her that I didn't mean any harm." Beyoncé continued to stare out the window, deep in thought. Then she snapped her fingers. "Okay, Audra. Time for another approach." Audra picked up her pad and pencil "What do you need?" Beyoncé put her hand on her lusciously curved hip, and stroked her chin. "I need you to do a complete profile on Janet. Her favorite foods, her favorite flowers, her favorite colors, the works. And do it quickly. I need to put this plan in motion tonight." "Pretty sneaky, boss," Audra laughed. "But what exactly do you plan to do?" Beyoncé laughed, tossing her long, sandy-brown hair behind her. "I'm going to get my point across, that's what!" ~~~ Later that evening, Janet lounged in the back of her jet-black luxury SUV. Exhausted from the vigorous rehearsal, she leaned her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes and tried to relax. However, her anger began to rise at Dante's betrayal. "I can't believe he did that to me," she said, gritting her teeth. But she couldn't help but admire Beyoncé, the 'Golden Goddess,' as she called her. As pissed as she was, Janet was always amazed at the girl's rise to stardom. "Though I was much younger than her when I got started, I remember being that age," she said, thinking about when she first saw the first Destiny's Child video years ago. "They looked so damned young!" Janet stared out the window at the Atlanta night skyline rushing by. "Beyoncé's what, in her mid-twenties now?" she chuckled. "Hell, she's had a lifetime career already. Just like I did. Shit, I remember touring before I even knew what 'touring' was." She began to grow angry again at Dante's betrayal. However, she thought about the rounded breasts and thick thighs she'd seen in Beyoncé's latest video. "That girl's body is nice, though" Janet smiled. Just then, a male voice rang out from the front of the car. "We're here." She looked out the side window and was surprised they'd made it home so quickly. He pulled up the driveway and right to the front door. He quickly jumped out, ran around, opened her door, and helped her out. "Thanks," she said yawning. As the young man grabbed her bags, Janet walked inside. Drowsy, she passed through her spacious foyer, heading to her bedroom. She passed by a bouquet of white roses, then a vase filled with pink tulips, then a collection of deep purple orchids. Suddenly, she looked around and gasped in surprise. Her vast foyer, normally empty, had been filled to the ceiling with a, enormous selection of exquisite floral arrangements. To the left, sat huge bouquets of pink, white and yellow roses. To the right, numerous vases of brightly-colored tulips lined the room. Janet also admired the calla lilies, snapdragons, hydrangea, peonies and gardenia that filled the room. "Luisa?" Janet called out. "Luisa what is all of this?" A slim, pretty Cuban woman hurried into the room. "Que, Ms. Jackson? Janet pointed around the room. "What's all of this?" "Sí. It's a delivery." "From who?" "There's a card right there," Luisa said, pointing to the largest bouquet. "But I didn't look at it," she said in her clipped Cuban accent. Janet smiled, her high cheekbones making her face simply adorable, as she plucked the card out of the bouquet. She read it slowly, then she blanched. She repeated the neatly printed words out loud: "I really think we should talk. Bey." Janet blinked. Then, in an instant, she waved her hands toward the grand display of affection. "Luisa? Get all of this out of here! Right this instant!" ~~~ Seated at the desk in the lavish hotel room, Audra looked up from her laptop. "Bey? I just checked the florist's website. I see that the flowers and candy were delivered, but I haven't heard anything from Janet or any of her reps." Still in London, Beyoncé lay on the chaise lounge flipping through a thick copy of her latest movie script. "Call her again, please." She waited as Audra tried to place the call to Janet's assistant. Again, she was shot down cold. Audra sighed as she snapped her cell phone shut. "Ok, Bey. What now?" Beyoncé sat, eyes closed for several long moments. Then suddenly, she opened her eyes. "Okay, Audra. Time for Plan B." ~~~ The next morning, Janet sat in her breakfast nook, hunched over her laptop, sipping on a hot cup of herbal tea. Her muscles were sore from the previous day's rehearsal, but there was still more work to do, so she relaxed as much as she could. She lifted her head when she heard her phone rang. "Hello?" "Hi Janet. It's me, Ivy. How's it going?" Janet smiled. "Good, Ivy. What's up?" "Well," the young woman said coyly, "I just got a call from your attorneys. They just got off the phone with the legal team over at the Style Network." She paused dramatically. "It looks like they've come to an agreement about your new TV show!" Janet perked up. "Great!" The Style Network had begun a new department that specifically handled celebrity reality shows. They'd recently offered Kimora Lee Simmons a lucrative deal, which proved to be a smart business move. Kimora's reality show, now in its third season, regularly attracted new viewers and, even better, new advertising dollars. This deal made Kimora more money than any of them had originally hoped. However, Janet's new deal was worth several times that. The hook was that this show would take the viewers backstage on Janet's new concert tour, giving the audience all of the behind-the-scenes action. It was unlike any show of its kind, and with Janet's popularity and veteran concert experiences, the new six-part special, Janet Jackson: Behind the Veil, promised to bring in millions of advertising dollars to the network and to Janet herself. The Makeup Artist Ch. 08.5 Ivy continued. "I'm calling because your lawyers are sending over a copy of the contract. It should be there this morning by courier." Janet glanced at the clock. It was just after eight and her rehearsal wasn't scheduled until ten. "So, the documents should be here shortly, then, right?" Janet asked. "Sure. They should be there any minute." "Okay. Good." Then the doorbell rang. "Okay, Ivy. That's the door. I guess they're here already. I'll call you back later." She clicked off the phone, slid it into the back pocket of her tight, denim shorts and headed out of the kitchen and toward the front door. When she got there, Luisa already had the door open and was speaking to a young man in the crisp delivery uniform. "It's okay, Luisa," Janet called out, hurrying toward the door. "I've got it. It should be my delivery." "Sí, Senorita," Luisa said as she stepped aside. Janet reached the doorway and smiled at the young deliveryman. "Good morning. You have my package?" "Yes, it's right here," he said, pointing behind him. She followed his gaze, then she gasped. Behind the young man was a gigantic wooden crate, about six feet tall and three feet wide. The huge crate took up the entire space on her narrow concrete walkway. "Those aren't my documents," she frowned. "Documents, Ma'am?" "Yes. I'm expecting a set of papers from my law firm." "I don't have that package, Ma'am," he answered. "This is from," he glanced at his clipboard, "Beyoncé Knowles. Will you accept it?" Janet was taken aback. "Well...what's in it?" He glanced back. "I really can't say, Ma'am. I have no idea." She took a deep breath. "All right. Sure. Fine." He handed her the clipboard and she signed the packing slip with a distinctive flair. Then he stepped back to the crate and lifted a thin, metal cord at the top of the large box. "Now, when you want to open this crate, all you do is pull this cord. But stand clear, because the front of the crate will come right off." She nodded, and stepped aside as he set the clipboard onto the pavement, then wheeled the crate into her spacious foyer. "Thanks. Thanks a lot," she smiled once he'd gotten the large box situated in the middle of her foyer. "Thank you, Ma'am," he said, tipping his hat to her. As he walked back outside and retrieved his clipboard, he turned back to her. "And by the way, I loved your last album!" "Thanks," she blushed, then shut the door behind him. "So. I wonder what this is?" Janet mumbled, as she studied the large crate. Luisa shook her head. Janet reached for the cord, then held it in her hand for a long moment. Then she pulled it hard. The front panel of the crate disengaged instantly and she quickly jumped to the side before it crashed to the ground. When she looked inside, she gasped. Stuffed tightly inside the crate was a plush, snow-white, life-sized teddy bear. Standing a full six feet tall, the oversized plush bear filled the entire space. She stared at it for a moment, speechless. Then she noticed a glittery silver bow tied around its neck. She also saw that nestled in the crook of one of its arms was a bouquet of pink roses. Wrapped around its other wrist was a silver ribbon. Clipped to the ribbon was a small envelope. Janet unclipped the envelope from the ribbon and opened it. She smiled as she read the neatly printed words: "Can we at least talk? Bey." Looking at the enormous stuffed animal, Janet continued smiling as she shook her head. Then she began to giggle. Soon, she was laughing loud, from deep within her heart. In an instant, she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed quickly. The feminine voice barely answered before Janet began to speak. "Hi, Ivy? It's Jan. Listen...do me a favor? Get me Beyoncé's assistant on the phone..." ~~~ Beyoncé lay in the large bed in the back cabin of the private jet. She tried to concentrate on reading the script and learning her lines, but she kept replaying the conversation she'd had with Janet Jackson just a few hours earlier. "So she wants to meet, huh?" Beyoncé mused as she flipped through the pages of the thick script. She tried to keep her attention on her work at hand, but her thoughts began to drift to her musical idol. With several hours until she landed in Atlanta, Beyoncé reflected back on when she first noticed her attraction to the icon, Janet Jackson. "I loved all her videos, especially What Have You Done For Me Lately," Beyoncé mused. "But the one that did it, was that Pleasure Principle video," she smiled. "Those tight black jeans on that firm, tight booty? Mmmmm." She shifted on the bed as her nipples stiffened at the thought. Unable to concentrate any longer, she tossed the script to the side and leaned back against the pillow. Dressed in a peach-colored silk nightshirt that kissed her thighs, she trailed her hand over her body. As she thought more and more about her crush, her fingers ended up atop her rapidly-hardening nipples. "Ohhhh," she said as her body began to respond to her teasing, "Janet's been looking great lately. Nice and slim, but curvy all at the same time. She's so very sexy to me." Her body began to react even more, with her erotic core beginning to pulsate in a rhythm she knew very well. She also noticed that her sweet and sticky juices had started to flow. "Oh, Janet," she sighed as she pinched her thick nipples. "I can't wait to see you. To be next to you. To really show you exactly what you do to me!" Unable to resist the insistent throbbing deep between her legs, Beyoncé slid her slim fingers into her panties. When she touched the moistened skin, she moaned gently. "Ohhh," she said, arching her back as even more wetness pooled beneath her. "God, that feels good!" She began to rub her swollen clit slowly, but picked up speed as her passion rose. "Jan," she groaned. "Oh, Jan!" Her fingers were wet and sticky with the passionate juices that flowed from her erotic core. "Ooooh," she sighed as her breathing quickened. She concentrated tight circles on her throbbing clit, loving the exotic feelings washing over her. Growing more excited, she settled her body into the soft sheets and began to rock her hips in time with her fingers. "Ahhhh," she sighed as erotic shocks started dancing through her body. Her breathing quickened and she began to pant with her rising passion. "Janet! Oh, Janet," she moaned, suddenly imagining Janet's tongue in place of her busy fingers. "Lick me, please! Oh God, eat me, baby!" Needing to increase her arousal, she slid a finger from her other hand deep inside of her. "Yessss, Janet" she cried as she continued tickling and teasing her clit. Soon, she added another finger inside of her. "Oooooh, baby" she moaned at the second delicious intrusion. Her ass began to bounce on the bed as her fingers slid in and out of her tightening pussy. Harder and harder she worked, trying desperately to reach her elusive climax, twirling her fingers over her swollen clit as she pumped more fingers in and out. Finally, her body could take no more teasing and gave her what she'd been searching so desperately for. "Oh, oh, oh," she exclaimed. "I'm cumming! Janet, I'm cumming! Yes! Yes, yes, now!" She arched her back as her body rocked back and forth on the bed. Bright lights exploded in her eyes as her powerful orgasm overtook her senses. Still rubbing and stroking her clit, her fingers were now drenched with her liquid passion. "Oh yes!" she cried, riding the waves of her climax. Eventually, her passion began to wane. Sitting up, she withdrew her wet fingers from her sensitive mound. Ever so naughty, she quickly slipped the damp digits into her waiting mouth. "Mmmm, tasty!" she giggled as she bell back against the bed. "Oh Jan," she moaned as she snuggled against her pillow. "When will I be able to show you how I really feel?" ~~~ Standing in her lavish bedroom, Janet stood at the mirror. She'd decided upon a modest, oversized jet-black silk tunic and a pair of wide-legged black slacks. Black ballet slippers completed her demure look. She'd pulled her dark hair off her face, secured the back with an ornate hairclip and let the rest flow freely over her shoulders. She completed her casual look with gold and bronze eyeshadow and blush, and a glittery, reddish-gold lipgloss. "Looking good, girlie," she said to her reflection. As she turned around, she heard the bells chime at the front gate. A couple of seconds passed, and Luisa's voice came over the house intercom. "Beyonce Knowles is here to see you." "Buzz her in." Janet walked to the window and waited an agonizing several minutes while the black SUV drove up to the front door. Watching intently, she licked her lips at the sight of Beyoncé's driver helping her out of the stretch limo. Beyonce wore an ivory off-the-shoulder knit minidress with a gold belt cinching her tiny waist. Her sandy-brown hair was long, tousled and free and kissed her back and shoulders. Janet strained to see, but she eventually caught sight of Beyoncé's gold, high-heeled sandals. She even caught a glimpse of her perfectly-manicured crimson-colored toes. As Janet admired Beyoncé's golden skin and her long, luscious legs, a deep tingle began between her legs. She smiled as she watched Luisa let her into the house. "So, Miss Queen Bey," Janet mused, "what do you have in store for me tonight?" ~~~ "So," Janet said as she reached forward and picked up her champagne glass, "what do you really want to talk about?" Janet was seated in her vast living room on her plush sofa, with Beyoncé sitting right next to her. "Are you trying to apologize for what you said about me?" she winked. "Actually, no." Beyoncé said, taking a sip of the cool, amber liquor. "I wasn't trying to apologize." Janet nearly dropped her glass. "Excuse me?" "I stand behind what I said." A heat began at the base of Janet's neck and threatened to consume her. "You mean, you meant all of that garbage? You meant that trash you talked about my family?" Beyonce stiffened. "Well, I'm entitled to my opinion. And I expect that you probably disagree. I understand that. But," she said, softening, "I didn't have the right to say it publicly. I should have just kept quiet. That's what I'm apologizing for." Janet rolled her eyes and took a sip from her glass. "Semantics. I thought that'd be beneath you." "No matter what I said, or what I meant, I'm trying to make peace here. Can't I get a little credit for that?" Janet snorted. "You know," Beyoncé said, changing the subject as she took another sip, "we're more alike than different." Janet tilted her head. "How so?" "Well, first, we love music. Deeply. And completely." Janet grinned. "Of course." "And we both work hard as we can." Janet nodded. "Often to the point of exhaustion." Beyoncé sighed as she set her nearly-full glass down on Janet's glass coffee table. "True." "And we both go up and down in weight," Janet grinned as she took another sip. "Oh, don't I love food!" Beyoncé laughed. Janet put her hand on Beyoncé's knee and squeezed it gently. "And we both refuse to settle for anything other than the best." "Speaking of the best," Beyoncé said, enjoying Janet's touch as she settled back even further into the plush cushions, "wanna know my favorite concert of yours?" "Yeah. I do." "It's when you were in Hawaii. That concert was classic! You were so fierce! I loved your outfit changes. You were so sexy!" Janet blushed and dropped her gaze. "Really?" "Of course," Beyoncé grinned. "I even bought two copies of that DVD. I keep one at home, and I take the other one with me on the road. I mean, you're such a sexy woman!" Then Beyoncé's voice lowered. "God, you're a sexy woman." Her hand still on Beyoncé's knee, Janet began to stroke Beyoncé's golden skin, inching up even higher on her leg. "Me? Well, what about how great you looked at your concert in Madison Square Garden last summer?" Beyoncé sat up straight. "You were there? I didn't see you!" Janet shrugged. "I tried to come backstage right after you were done, just to say 'Hi,' but your lead stylist said you couldn't be disturbed." Beyoncé frowned. "Really?" Then she flashed on the instructions she'd always given Sandee after a performance: To lock the door and let no one in for twenty minutes. "Yeah," she blushed. "I was occupied. Sorry." Taking another sip from her glass, Janet slid back onto the couch. "Well your dancing was on point! And you looked great too. I mean, your outfits were dope, your hair was slammin' and your makeup was perfect!" Beyoncé smiled. "My regular hairdresser, James King, did my hair. But that night, I had an awesome makeup artist. She was a replacement for my regular girl. Her name's Nikii Clarke. She's a freelancer. You should really check her out." Janet thought for a moment. "Nikii Clarke? I've heard that name before." Beyoncé flashed on the special services Nikii provided to her. She shivered as she remembered how eagerly Nikii tongued her swollen clit. In only minutes, Nikii had her exploding in the ultimate pleasure. The quick orgasm Nikii gave her was definitely one of the best. "You should really check her out," Beyoncé winked as she set her glass down and pulled out her cell phone. "In fact, here's her number." Janet looked at the display and made a mental note of the number. "Nikii Clarke, huh?" Then she snapped her fingers. "Oh yeah! One of my dancers, Krystal Pennington recommended her to me. Said she was an outstanding makeup artist." "She's right, so definitely take her up on it," Beyoncé said, shivering at the explosive orgasm Nikii had given her right after that concert. "You'll never forget it!" Janet nodded. "I'll do that." They were both quiet for a few moments, each one feeling a gentle increase in the energy flowing between them. Janet tossed her dark hair back and cleared her throat. "Well, anyway, as long as we're coming clean, I have to admit. I loved your Single Ladies video!" Beyoncé beamed. "Yeah?" "Yeah," Janet smiled as she took another sip of her champagne. "How long did it take you to learn that?" "Just a couple of days." "Really? That looked like a complicated routine. Plus, didn't you have to do it all at once? In one take? That's impressive!" Beyoncé blushed. "Thanks. It's just that, well, we had a tight schedule. I had to learn it fast." "Don't I know about tight schedules," Janet laughed, as she sat back on the couch. "It seems like the entire 80s and 90s went by in a blur." Beyoncé smiled. "I know. I used to study your moves all throughout the 80s and 90s. I can do almost every routine of yours, you know?" "Really? Thanks!" Janet said, her words slurring slightly as she began to really feel the effects of the alcohol. "But you do well too." Boldly, she leaned forward. "Wanna know my favorite move of yours?" Beyoncé nodded. "Sure." "I just love that hip roll! In the Single Ladies video." "Yeah, I get that a lot!" Beyoncé laughed. "Everyone loves that move!" "Wanna see me do it?" Janet asked. "My choreographer just taught it to me." "Sure. Go for it." Janet downed the last bit of liquor in her glass, set the glass on the coffee table and stood up. As if on cue, she started gyrating her hips. Feeling bold and confident, she rolled her luscious hips in beat with the internal rhythm deep inside her. "Get it, girl!" Beyoncé laughed. "And with no music too! Impressive!" "Ahhh, yeah," Janet said, bending low and feeling the moves. "I've got it now!" As Beyoncé watched Janet, a raw heat began to rise in her. "I guess it's now or never," Beyoncé whispered. "Well, you've almost got it," Beyoncé said, rising up off the couch. She moved right behind Janet. "But you need to do it like this." Beyoncé put her hands on Janet's hips and gently moved them in a slow circular motion. "It's like this, baby," Beyoncé cooed behind her, right in her ear. A carnal heat suddenly rushed through Janet. She closed her eyes as she felt her body tingling. Her nipples hardened at Beyoncé's touch and at the soft whispering in her ear. Beyoncé stroked Janet's rounded hips as she guided them in tight circles. "Just like that, baby," she whispered. "Just like that." A soft moan escaped Janet's lips. "Ohhh." "You want more, baby?" "Yesss! Please!" Beyoncé slid her hands underneath Janet's tunic until they were just below Janet's firm breasts. "Can I touch 'em, baby?" Beyoncé murmured. "Oh God, yes!" Beyoncé slid her hands up and cupped Janet's round globes. She squeezed softly, then palmed the taut flesh in her hands. "So beautiful, honey," she whispered. "You are so beautiful," she said, flicking out her tongue to lick Janet's neck. Janet's head began to spin. She put her hands over Beyoncé's and guided them in tight circles on her breasts. "Ohhh," that feels good," Janet moaned. "Just like that, baby! Just like that!" Beyoncé swirled her tongue all over Janet's neck and behind her ears as she continued teasing Janet's breasts. As she did so, she pressed Janet's body back against her own, molding her frame into Janet's. Ever naughty, Beyoncé removed one hand from Janet's breast and used it to unclip Janet's hair. Janet sighed as the thick, dark strands fell free around her neck and shoulders. "Ohhh," Janet whispered. Beyoncé ran her hands through Janet's hair. "You're so gorgeous, baby," Beyoncé sighed. Then she quickly placed her hands back on Janet's breasts and squeezed them over and over, even running her thumbs over the stiff nipples. In a bold move, Beyoncé slid her hand down the front of Janet's slacks. "You know, I've thought about this for a while now," Beyoncé cooed in Janet's ear. "You were always so sexy to me." Unable to speak, Janet shivered as Beyoncé's fingers made contact with her panties. "Look at you! You're so wet," Beyoncé teased as she stroked the soft fabric. "Do I excite you?" Janet sighed. "Baby, please!" "Please what?" Beyoncé asked innocently, her fingers now wiggling their way into Janet's panties. She worked the silky material until it was out of the way. With a quick flick of her wrist, Beyoncé's fingers touched Janet's swollen clit. "Yesss!" Janet exclaimed. "Oh God, yes!" Beyoncé rotated her wrist while she kept her fingers locked onto Janet's pussy. "Like that baby?" she cooed as she stroked the damp skin. Janet threw her head back. "More, please! Oh God, give me more!" "No, Chica," Beyoncé chuckled. "We're gonna take this nice and slow." She skillfully worked her fingers in small circles on Janet's clit. Janet's hips began to rotate in time with Beyoncé's gentle stroking. Though her passion was rising slow and steady, Janet knew that she'd soon need the ultimate release. Suddenly needing more, Beyoncé dropped to her knees. She reached up to Janet's midsection, wrapped her fingers around the waistband of her slacks, and pulled down. Janet's curvy ass, thighs and legs were fully exposed, her brown skin gleaming. Beyoncé turned her around and found herself face-to-face with Janet's bare mound. "Ooooh, baby," Beyoncé cooed. "You're bare. That's so sexy, baby!" Janet reached up and yanked off her top as Beyoncé slid out of her minidress. In only seconds, they were undressed and staring at each other's nude body; Janet enthralled with Beyoncé's golden-hued body and Beyoncé loving Janet's luminous caramel skin. "You are so gorgeous," Beyoncé said as she gripped Janet's thighs. Beyoncé moved forward and pressed her lips to Janet's heated flesh. "Ooooh," Janet cried at the electric touch. She closed her eyes again as she felt Beyoncé's tongue swirl around her taut skin. Quickly overheating, Beyoncé nudged Janet's thighs apart and dove into her juicy wet pussy, licking and sucking the sugary wetness that flowed copiously. The Makeup Artist Ch. 08.5 "Ohhh," Janet sighed, still standing on rapidly-wobbling legs. "Oh yesss!" Beyoncé looked up for a moment, grinned at Janet's closed eyes and open mouth, then went back down to enjoy more of Janet's juicy, wet slit. Janet lost herself in the delicious licking and sucking that Beyoncé was doing to her heated quim. "Ooooh, honey," Janet sighed. "Ooooh, that feels so good!" Janet's rounded hips bucked faster, then faster, as Beyoncé upped her tongue strokes on her sensitive clit. Sweat beaded on Janet's skin, giving her silken skin a delightful sheen. "God, Bey! Oh my God!" Janet cried. "Don't stop! Please don't stop!" "Come on, honey," Beyoncé moaned into Janet's wet slit. "Cum for me! Cum for me, baby!" "Ahhhh," Janet sighed as the erotic sensations intensified. Her body was blazing hot, but shivering as if she were freezing. Her senses were on overload at the Golden Goddess below her, teasing her to ecstasy. Beyoncé used her fingers to open Janet's pussy even more. She admired the luscious pinkness, then planted soft, gentle kisses on the damp flesh. "Yesss," Janet hissed as her passion rose even higher. "Right there, baby! Right there!" Beyoncé continued flicking her tongue over the swollen pussy lips, up into Janet's pussy and back down to her clit. "Come on, Jan! Give me that juice! Give me that cum! Right in my mouth, baby!" "Ooooh," Janet cried as she got even closer. "Oh, that's it! That's it, baby!" Beyoncé licked her fingers and slid a slender digit deep into Janet's tight pussy. She wiggled it around for a moment; then pumped it in and out, in time with her wicked tongue strokes. Janet jumped as she felt the double sensations. In an instant, her body began to peak. "Oh, Bey! I'm about to cum!" Janet shouted, her back arching. "I'm about to cum! Oh God, now!" Beyoncé held on tightly to Janet's hips as her iconic lover writhed and moaned in pure ecstasy. "Come on, baby," Beyoncé urged as she licked harder and faster, trying to draw out the goddess' orgasm. "Give it to me!" Janet pinched her taut nipples and squeezed the supple flesh, moaning even louder. Finally, Janet rode out her climax and collapsed onto the couch, panting. Before Janet knew it, Beyoncé began to lick and suck Janet's pussy into a second orgasm. "Oh God!" Janet cried. "God, what are you doing to me!" Beyoncé steadied herself and dove even deeper into Janet's sugary wetness. Her sandy-brown hair was splayed over Janet's thighs as she licked and teased Janet into orgasm number two. "Cum, Jan! Cum right now!" "Yes, Bey!" Janet screamed. "Now! I'm cumming again! Now! Now! Right now!" Janet's body nearly leapt up off of the couch as she moaned loudly. Her slender body began to shiver and shake as sticky-sweet juices flowed into Beyoncé's mouth. "Oooh, baby," Beyoncé whispered. "You taste divine!" Finally, Janet stopped wriggling and just lay still. However, she was still panting, her body still tingling with pure ecstasy. "Did you like that, baby?" Beyoncé whispered. "I think you did, honey! You looked so beautiful when you came!" "Ohhhh," Janet moaned. "Oh God, that was sooo good!" Janet opened her eyes to see Beyoncé squirming, her hand on her silken mound, all composure having suddenly disappeared. "I need to cum bad!" Beyoncé groaned, sitting up on her heels. "Janet, baby, please!" "All right, honey, your turn now," Janet purred. "Lay back right here," she said, patting the space next to her on the couch. "And spread your legs wide!" Beyoncé barely had a chance to rise up from the floor and sit down before Janet pounced. Janet grabbed Beyoncé's hair and pulled her forward. "I want you so bad, baby," Janet moaned as she pressed her lips against Beyoncé's. With no hesitation, Beyoncé kissed back. Janet found that she was ecstatic that Beyoncé' lips worked so passionately against hers. The iconic twosome lost themselves in each other's warmth and passion. Then Janet lowered her head began to suck hard on Beyoncé's honey-colored nipples. "Ooooh," Beyoncé sighed, her back arching. "I love it, baby! I love it!" Janet's swirled her tongue over and around the turgid peaks. Wanting to increase the passion between them, Janet playfully nipped her stiff nipples with her teeth. Beyoncé sucked in her breath at the sharp sensations coursing through her body. "Cannibal," she teased. Janet grinned as she went back to flicking her tongue all over Beyoncé's soft, smooth skin. Finally, after much teasing, Janet settled herself between Beyoncé's outstretched legs. Janet leaned in and swiped her eager tongue onto Beyoncé's moist pussy. Then she plunged it deep inside. "Oh God, yes!" Beyoncé groaned as she felt Janet's tongue slide deep into her pussy. Beyoncé immediately began to rock back and forth, trying to get even more of Janet's tongue into her wetness. "Ahhhh," Beyoncé sighed as she settled back onto the soft pillows. "Your tongue feels so good, baby!" Janet buried her face deeper into Beyoncé's silken mound. She lapped up more of the sweet juices the flowed copiously from deep within Beyoncé's pussy. "You taste marvelous, honey," Janet purred around Beyoncé's pussy lips. "So good! So, so good!" Beyoncé rocked her hips in a wicked rhythm, trying to keep up with Janet's eager tongue. "You're so beautiful," Janet moaned, enjoying her perfect view of Beyoncé's juicy, wet pussy. "So fuckin' gorgeous!" Beyoncé's body eagerly sought release. She worked her hips up and down, ecstatic that Janet's tongue was so busy working on her clit. Then Beyoncé stiffened, her body going into overdrive. "Ohhhhh," she moaned. "Now, Jan! Now!" "Get it, girl!" Janet said, urging her on. "Get it, baby!" "Yessss!" Beyoncé screamed as her orgasm overtook her entire body. "I'm cumming, Jan! Oh my God, I'm cumming!" As Beyoncé's sweet nectar flowed into her mouth, Janet's slurped it right up. "Oh, fuck! You're so sweet," Janet cried, "More, baby! Give me more of that sweet juice!" Then, just as Beyoncé's passion began to wane, Janet began licking Beyoncé's pussy even faster, sending her into another climax. Then another. And another. All the while, Janet kept her fingers busy. She inserted two fingers into Beyoncé, setting off another round of electric orgasms. Janet found that her face nearly became drenched with all of the liquid honey that flowed from Beyoncé's erotic core. Beyoncé eagerly rode out one climax after another. She excitedly bounced her hips, thrilled and exhilarated that so many orgasms were bursting through her body. Beyoncé's voice became hoarse as she screamed and cried out her passion over and over. She was totally outdone that her musical idol was pleasing her so fully and completely. Finally, Beyoncé's body went limp and collapsed back onto the couch. Rolling over onto her side, she moaned into the cushion, her body still tingling and throbbing. Janet rose from the floor, sat next to Beyoncé, and wrapped her arms tightly around her new lover. "Are you okay, baby?" Janet asked gently. All Beyoncé could do was nod. After a moment, she started to speak. "My ears are ringing!" Janet laughed as she stroked Beyoncé's hair. "Then it must have been good, huh?" As they lay intertwined, Beyoncé sighed in complete satisfaction. "So. Have we buried the hatched? I mean, are we friends now?" Janet smiled as she pulled her Golden Goddess closer. "Always, baby! Always!" "Good," Beyoncé whispered as she leaned in even closer and gently kissed Janet's lips. "Then, let's move this upstairs, Jan. I have so much more that I need to show you..." © 2009 Stephanie Rose Entertainment. All rights reserved. The Makeup Artist Ch. 08 "I'm absolutely joining you two. I wouldn't miss it," she cooed. Thanking her, I hung up. Jumping out of the car, I leaned into the driver's side window and told Mischa that my plans had changed. "Fine, Milaya moya," she smiled. "That means 'My sweet.'" I blushed, then I frowned. "Mischa? I'm sorry that work's getting in the way, but I really want to see you again." "Then just call me when you need me. But for now, go handle your business," she winked. Without another word, she sped off. I looked wistfully at the car as she pulled off, wondering if I'd ever see my Russian beauty again. I was also a bit miffed that she'd leave so quickly. However, I had to get back to work. I needed to get ready for one of the most important meetings of my life. And Samantha was going to help me do it. ~~~ At just before 1:30pm, Samantha and I put the finishing touches on her suite. Knowing Kimora loved soft romantic colors, especially pink, I picked up a few items at a craft store near the hotel. We decorated the room with pink and red candles. Their delicate rose scent left an aromatic fragrance without overpowering the room. I also bought a few gold and silver beads and other accents. I placed them around the room for a more sensuous vibe. I even picked up a gold faux-fur throw for the bed. I hoped its sexy and sensual feel would create the perfect ambiance. Samantha willingly agreed to help, but even as we finished, she wasn't convinced. "Hey Cuz? One thing I'm confused about. How do you know she won't want to eat in the hotel restaurant? Or somewhere else? How are you so sure she's coming up here?" "First, I really don't know for sure," I admitted. "But I figure that she'd at least want to meet me, if just to see what all the fuss is about. Second, I'm sure she's very discreet. Neither of us wants to get snapped by the paparazzi today, so it would be best to meet in private. And third, this is a gorgeous suite, compliments of my favorite cousin. How could she resist?" I joked. Samantha frowned. "You're gonna turn my hotel into a brothel, aren't you?" I grinned. I couldn't even lie to her. ~~~ The hotel phone rang promptly at 1:30pm. My hands shook as I answered. "Yes?" "Ms. Clarke? This is Todd at the front desk. Mrs. Simmons and Ms. Lowe are here to see you." "Thanks. Please send them up." In the past few hours, I kept my mind busy with organizing just how to make the perfect impression on one of my biggest fashion and business idols. But now, with only minutes left, my nerves were nearly frazzled. I had to gain my composure, and do it quick. I took one last look in the full-length mirror to check myself out. I immediately relaxed when I saw how great I looked and how much care I put into my appearance. My shoulder-length hair was jet-black, shiny and healthy-looking. I used a hot curler to give myself full, soft bouncy curls that swayed freely past my shoulders. I wore a deep-brown silk wrap dress that caressed my every curve. The rich chocolate material looked exquisite against my skin and fit me perfectly. And the best part? As with most wrap dresses, this one would be a cinch to remove. And a quick removal would be critical because, underneath, I had a special surprise in store for Mrs. Simmons and Ms. Lowe. My pièce de résistance, I chuckled. They'd never see it coming. After several more agonizing moments, I heard a soft knock. Here goes, I mused as I opened the door to the suite. A wide smile broke out onto my face at the two gorgeous women standing before me. I ushered them in graciously. The lovely Malia Lowe entered first. Malia's satiny dark brown skin was luminous and I had a sudden urge to stroke it gently to feel her warm skin underneath my fingertips. Looking at her features, I guessed immediately that she had a distinct African heritage. Her grace, style and beauty reminded me of the lovely model Iman. Malia was about 5'9", with a tight, curvy frame. Her long, thick black hair had been plaited back into tiny microbraids that swayed with her every step. She wore a thin, tan sundress that hit just above her knee. Staring at her silky mocha skin, my nipples immediately hardened. Feeling the soft silk of my dress brush against my newly-hardened peaks gave me a delicious thrill. But the best was yet to come. In walked the famed Kimora Lee Simmons. All 6'4" of her. Holding a jeweled cell phone and chatting animatedly, she was in full-on mogul mode. And I was starstruck. Luxury and opulence seemed to ooze from her every pore. Clad in a deep-gold, silk brocade top and a dark denim miniskirt, Kimora's soft, light brown skin shone like a high-priced gemstone. A stylishly-hot pair of leopard-print stilettos perfectly accentuated her fashionable style. Her wild mass of jet-black wavy hair gave her a dramatic, extravagant flair. Expensive jewelry, made up of feminine gold bracelets and glittering diamonds, adorned her neck, fingers and wrists. An oversized, pink snakeskin designer handbag, slung over one shoulder, completed her bold look. She continued chatting on her phone as she stood tall and regal in the middle of the room. I grew warmer as I admired her tight, trim figure. I started with her warm, sultry dark eyes and her bright, dazzling smile, then continued down to her long, lean neck that sloped beautifully into strong shoulders. I noticed that her top was open, and I caught a flash of black lace around her creamy, round breasts. As I gazed lower, I smiled as I took in her miniskirt. I secretly hoped she'd wear one and I was gleeful that she did. First, because I needed to look at her long, trim legs. Second, because if all went as planned, I needed easy access to the insanely expensive, pink Hope diamond deep between her thighs. Regaining my composure, I introduced myself and offered them a seat at the dining room table. Kimora looked at me silently for a few beats. "You're cute," she admitted. "And I've heard quite a bit about you. All of which has yet to be proven. But you're definitely cute," she smiled. Just then, we heard a knock at the door. The handsome bellhop arrived with our room service order and we settled in for a quick lunch. Since I was positive she'd stayed here before, I begged Samantha to look up Kimora's file to see what she usually ordered. Risking her job, Samantha went all out to help me impress the fashion icon. The bellhop ushered in a rolling cart filled with all of Kimora's favorite foods, with everything hot and ready to eat. A tray of her favorite drinks followed closely behind. While we were getting comfortable, I noticed that Kimora was strangely silent. I'd seen her TV show and I knew she was quite outspoken. I was a bit nervous about her reticence, so I made sure to ask if she was ok and if she needed anything. She politely declined and went back into her own world. After a few moments, however, once she realized how hard I was working to impress her, she loosened up over the meal and began to relax. She was still a bit guarded, though. But I could hardly blame her. She didn't know me at all, so I didn't think she'd reveal too much, too soon. Thankfully, during our lunch, Malia did most of the talking. I found out that she was from Somalia, the same country as the model Iman. Malia was very open about her heritage and her experiences of growing up in such a beautiful African country. I enjoyed her stories about her birthplace and was enthralled by the beauty and elegance of her country. After twenty minutes or so, Kimora set her knife and fork down and pushed her chair back a bit. "Alright," she said as she picked up her napkin. Then she delicately wiped the corners of her mouth. As a result, my focusing on her beautifully full lips was inevitable. However, her clipped voice quickly brought me back to reality. "Ok, Nikii. Let's get down to business, because I really don't have much time. Now, I've heard a lot about your talent. So I want you to show me what you can do. What you can really do. But on Malia first." What? "Excuse me?" I stuttered. "Show me how good you are," Kimora said as she leaned back in her chair, eyes intently on me. Right here with Malia first? She wants me to do Malia first, right here? Right in front of her? She's wild as hell. My kinda girl, I chuckled. "I'm dying to see your makeup techniques," Kimora added. Makeup? Oh, right. I shook my head. I'm a horny-ass dog, I chuckled. "Come this way, Ms. Lowe." I ushered Malia to a plush chair I'd set in front of a large vanity table. The vanity's attached mirror was large enough for all of us to see our reflections. I handed Kimora my updated photo book. "Mrs. Simmons, while you're waiting, please check out these pictures of my work." Thankfully, Alicia Keys' photographer emailed me the pictures from her photo shoot. When I got to the hotel and met up with Sam, I immediately emailed them to her and she got me color prints to add to my photo book. I hoped that Kimora would love the new looks. Malia gingerly took a seat at the vanity as I quickly grabbed one of my makeup brushes. Thankfully, I'd already set out a few eyeshadows and lipsticks just in case Kimora wanted to assess my supplies and equipment. Kimora pulled her chair over, sat directly behind me and watched me as I worked I quickly removed Malia's makeup so I could start with a clean canvass. Next, I applied a bit of primer and moisturizer to protect her face, then I started on her foundation. I explained each step so that Kimora could be sure that I knew my craft. Once I gave Malia's silky-smooth mocha skin its base, I decided to use rich, regal colors to complement her gorgeous face and features. I started with a soft lavender just underneath her eyebrows and worked my way to a rich violet shade for her eyelids. A few swipes of black eyeliner and black mascara gave her eyes a dramatic look. Then I applied a deep, rich plum to her cheeks, mirrored the color on her lips and added just a hint of lipgloss to finish her look. Every so often, I noticed Kimora studying me carefully. I saw her eyebrows lift as she watched my body move. As I felt my attraction to her rise, I made sure to put an extra twist in my hips for her enjoyment. "How's this?" I asked when I finished. Malia peered in the mirror. "Wow." She turned to Kimora. "I like it. I haven't worn plum shades in a while. I tend to stick to golds and browns." She turned to and fro, admiring her reflection. "But I like it. It makes my skin pop." She touched my hand and sparks shot through me. "I really love it, Nikii," she whispered as she stroked my skin. My nipples tightened again and a deep throbbing began between my legs. Kimora just nodded at my work. "Ok. Pretty good. But show me what else you've got." I got somewhat nervous at her abruptness. Then I saw her sly wink. I relaxed a bit. I quickly removed the makeup and started all over again, this time with rich golds and subtle browns that Malia was used to. I first used deep chocolate shades to even out her base. I then added lush golden tones on her eyes, cheeks and lips to give her an opulent and elegant look. "Ok. What about this?" I asked as Malia looked in the mirror. "I love it," Malia said. "So rich and gorgeous." She looked at Kimora. "What do you think, KiKi?" Again, Kimora nodded. "Good. But there's something else I need to see." I looked up to see Kimora staring at me in the mirror. Then she winked. Feeling the palpable erotic tension, I knew just what was coming next. "Nikii," she whispered. "Do her." I needed no further instruction. I reached out, gently took Malia's hand in mine and led her over to the bed. Malia stood at the foot of the bed and winked at me. Then, in one fell swoop, she reached for the hem of her minidress and pulled it up and over her body and tossed it on the floor. Malia's dark, nude body gleamed with excitement. Her thick, rigid nipples sat high on her chest. Her gentle curves sloped into a slender waist and rounded hips. Her long, lean legs called to me, begging me to lick and suck the taut, delicate skin. Catlike, she slid onto the bed, turned over onto her back, opened her legs wide and closed her eyes. I quickly stripped naked and lay next to her on top of the faux-fur fabric on the bed. As I drew her into an erotic embrace, my lips were immediately drawn to her long, regal neck. I kissed and nipped at the perfumed flesh until her scent became a part of me. I licked long strokes from her neck to her earlobe and back again. My tongue wiggled against her skin until she squirmed in delight. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kimora slide her chair over to the bed and put a foot up on the night table. Then she slipped her hand into her blouse. A second later, her other hand slid underneath her miniskirt. I low moan escaped her lips and her eyes closed into slits. I smiled as her fingers moved busily inside her soft pink panties. Inflamed, I went back to Malia's soft, smooth skin. I kissed and caressed her neck, then made my way down to her shoulders. I slowly laved her heated flesh until she began to lose control. "Ahhhh, Nikii!" Malia cried. "That feels so good. More, baby! More!" Then I leaned lower, drawn to the raised peaks of her perfect breasts. I grasped them in both hands and rubbed and stroked her firm flesh. I felt her heart pounding as I leaned down and pressed my face against her chest. I kissed the place where her heart was, then trailed a line of kisses from that spot to the tip of her right breast. "Nikii," Malia wailed. "Please!" My tongue worked delicate circles around the stiff peak. "Ohhhhh!" Malia wriggled in my grasp. Needing much more, I licked and teased the skin on her taut stomach, working my way to her luscious hips. I kissed her all over, loving the way she squirmed on the bed. Then I reached her erotic core. She had silky smooth skin at the juncture between her legs. She spread her legs and I gazed at the pretty brown lips and the candy-pink flesh deep inside this exotic beauty. I leaned in and kissed her mound. Then I kissed again. And again. Her silky skin felt like heaven. "Ooooh," she sighed. "Eat me, baby! Please!" I used my fingers to gently spread her open. Her intimate fragrance went straight to my brain, setting me on fire. I drew closer and gently kissed the soft, chocolate lips. Then my tongue, on its own mind, slipped out of my mouth and into her sugary wetness. "Yesss!" she cried as I licked with gentle and sure strokes. "That's it, honey!" I buried my face in her honey and drank deeply. I could hear Kimora's faint moans as she continued pleasuring herself. The erotic sounds rang in my ears and urged me on to greater passions. I laved Malia's tender flesh over and over, sending her into an erotic frenzy. "Make me cum, Nikii," she moaned as she twisted and turned on the fur throw. Her hands clutched the sheets underneath and her arms and legs were tense with passion. I licked my fingers and slid them inside the sticky wetness. "Ohhh!" Malia said as she nearly leapt off the bed. "Ohhh yesss!" I licked harder, more determined than ever to bring this chocolate beauty to a delicious orgasm. Malia began to tremble. "Oh, Nikii!" Her body tensed as she raced toward an explosive climax. "More, baby! More!" Malia's grip tightened in my hair as I licked her pink gem in record speed. I lapped faster and faster as more of her perfumed essence seeped from her core and onto my tongue. Then Malia let out a long wail. "Ahhhhhh!" She shuddered as her body twisted and turned on the bed. Right next to me, I heard a deep moan come from Kimora's lips. Finally, Malia began to calm down. "Ooooh," she sighed. "Oh my goodness!" Unable to resist this African queen, I kissed her gently on the lips. After a second, she kissed back. Then I heard Kimora clearing her throat. I looked up to see her standing near the bed. She'd readjusted her clothes and had a wicked smile on her lips. She gazed at us for a moment. Then she licked her lips. "Very nice, Nikii. Very nice." She chuckled softly. "I'm impressed." Then she reached down, stroked Malia's tiny braids and spoke softly. "How was it, Mali?" Malia closed her eyes and sighed. "Incredible," she purred. Then Malia opened her eyes and turned to me. "Nikii's very talented," she said as her eyes twinkled. I blushed at the compliment. Kimora reached out and wound her fingers in my hair. "Make me cum again," she whispered as she pulled me toward the edge of the bed and ground my face into her shaven pussy. "Ahhh," Kimora sighed as my tongue made contact with her sensitive clit. "Yessss!" I was on my hands and knees at the edge of the bed, hanging on for dear life as she gripped my hair and directed my movements. Though pain shot through me, the taste and feel of her on my lips made up for the temporary discomfort. "Nikii, yes!" she cried as I flicked my eager tongue back and forth on her plump pussy lips. I smacked my lips on her soft, shaved skin, sending sharp thrills through her entire body. Feeling her legs tense, I drank more deeply, loving her tangy taste of her thick, sticky passion. I loved the raw essence of such a beautiful, exotic woman and I wanted more. So much more. I slid my hands underneath her ass and gripped tightly. Then, with a force of strength abnormal to me, I yanked her body forward and slid my tongue in even more deeply into her heated depths. "Oh fuck!" she screamed. "Deeper, Nikii! Deeper!" Her moans increased and her thighs tightened around my head, nearly trapping me in her sweet and syrupy elixir. I thrust my in and out, then swirled it around her turgid clit. Her sweetness imprinted itself deep inside of me as I lapped even harder. Then I drew back a bit, pointed my tongue and flicked it back and forth over the entire expanse of her pussy. Her soft, light brown skin glistened as I worked my magic all over her. She continually cried out in her excitement. Malia stroked her hair, cooing and urging her closer to her completion. Meanwhile, needing a taste of her dark rosebud, I took my fingers and spread her even wider. Then I took a long lick from the very bottom to the very top of her nether region. Then I went back down and wiggled my tongue right at her ass. "Yes!" Kimora nearly leapt off the bed in ecstasy. "Lick my ass! Oh God, yes!" Keeping her spread open with my fingers, I took long, luscious laps at her entire erotic essence. I teased her everywhere: from her sensitive clit to the dark region between her firm ass cheeks. Returning to her sweet clit, over and over again I licked and sucked that sweet, special jewel until she was insane with passion. I moved faster until I built up such a strong rhythm of tongue strokes that she began to twist and contort uncontrollably. "I'm cumming! Oh my God, Nikii! I'm cumming!" With a wicked grin, I slid my middle finger deep inside, searching desperately for her sweet spot. I pushed micro-inches at a time, looking for the signal that I'd hit my mark. After several gentle attempts, I finally reached the soft, spongy flesh deep inside her. "Shit!" Kimora cried. "Oh fuck!" "Got it," I murmured into her wet depths. I rotated my finger inside of her as I doubled up on my tongue-lashing. Then her back arched and I knew she was done. "Yesss!" she screamed as her climax hit hard. The bursts of liquid sweetness were hot on my tongue. I kept drinking the sugary nectar until she stopped shivering. I sat up on the bed, not sure of what would happen next. Several minutes passed as she lay there panting. "Oooooh," she purred as she began to move. Finally, she began to regain her composure. She rose up and sat against the headboard. Then she smiled at me. "Good," she murmured. "Very good." Then she glanced at her watch. "But I have to get going." she said as she quickly put on her clothes. The Makeup Artist Ch. 08 As Malia crawled out of bed and began to dress, Kimora strode across the room and picked up her large, pink, ostrich skin designer handbag. "And, by the way, Nikii, I did check out your portfolio. It's pretty good." She paused. "For a rookie." Kimora winked at me, then she chuckled. Now more relaxed after our tensions had been relieved, we all shared a laugh at her joke. Calming down, she then got serious. "But, Nikii, on the real? I've been in the fashion industry for a long time. And I've had my makeup done a million times. So trust me when I say that you have some natural talent." She opened her handbag and dug around in it. After a moment, she looked up. "But one thing's missing. You know what it is?" "More experience?" I said as I finally rose from the bed and slipped on a plush robe. Kimora smiled. "Yes. But no. Actually, you're missing an important technique: Airbrush makeup," she said as she kept fishing around for something in her oversized handbag. "Keep one thing in mind, Nikii: Every celeb I know wants the newest and the latest. Traditional makeup techniques are fine for a rookie, but I promise you, if you learn how to airbrush, you can triple your rates easily." My ears perked up at the word "triple." Kimora finally pulled her pink Swarovski crystal-encrusted BlackBerry out of her handbag, then she turned back to me. "Have you heard of airbrushing?" I nodded. I'd seen some late-night infomercials about the technique. I'd also heard that makeup artists in Hollywood have been airbrushing their clients for years. Airbrushing involved pouring a tiny amount of liquid foundation into the reservoir of a small airbrush machine. Once the machine's compressor was turned on, the makeup artist would then activate the airbrush, which would gently spray the foundation across the client's face. The entire process took half the time of normal makeup application, and the coverage from airbrushing was said to be virtually flawless. Kimora, speaking quickly as she worked her BlackBerry, broke my reverie. "I'm sending a text message to my airbrush machine sales rep, Vivienne Rothschild. I've worked with Viv a long time." Kimora typed furiously for a few seconds. "What's your number, Nikii?" I gave it to her as she continued typing. "Ok. It's done," she said as she finished typing. Then she went over to the mirror over the vanity and checked her appearance. Kimora smoothed back her hair, adjusted her clothes, then smiled brilliantly into the mirror. My heart melted at the sight. She turned back to me. "Ok, Nikii. Viv will give you a call soon. When she does, I want you to set up a consultation." Then she paused. "Well, what I really want you to do is go ahead and purchase a machine. And when you buy one, Viv'll give you a few training sessions." I nodded as Malia gathered the last of her and Kimora's things and went to stand by the door. Kimora followed her, then stopped in mid-stride. She thought for a moment. "Listen. I'll tell you what: I'm going to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks for a special event. It's a huge tribute to a mega-superstar. If you're up on airbrushing by then, maybe I can use you for my team? It'll be a huge event, with lots of industry people, so you can learn a lot. Think about it, ok?" She slung her handbag over her shoulder and went to the door. "Make sure Malia has all your contact info. Text her later if you need to. And if you meet with Viv, she'll give me a call and let me know if you're up to speed. If you're good enough, Malia'll get back to you about the event, capiche?" "Capiche," I smiled. Kimora reached for the doorknob. "Oh yeah, as for today? You did well. Very well. But you're new, so you don't get a crack at me just yet. But maybe when you get to L.A....?" I smiled. Maybe I wouldn't get a taste today, but I knew she was definitely intrigued. "It's your call, Mrs. Simmons. Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet you both. Thanks again!" She gave me a quick wave; then they were off. I stood there for a moment, clutching my robe shut, staring at the door. Then it hit me: I have a shot at styling Kimora in L.A.? From just this one meeting? "Whoo Hoo!" I shouted as I ran and leapt onto the bed. I rolled around in glee for a moment, tangling myself in the still-wet sheets. As I inhaled Malia's intimate scent, I had to smile. Life was definitely good. Definitely ~~~ "Congratulations, Nikii! Sounds like everything went well!" Sam and I sat on the bed as she popped open a bottle of Dom Pérignon. I held the thin, delicate champagne flutes as she poured generously. "I propose a toast," she said as she took her glass. "To the most talented makeup artist in the biz!" "I'll take that," I laughed as we clinked glasses. "And to you, the most wonderful cousin in the world!" "That I am," she smiled. We clinked again, then sipped the cool liquid and sat in silence for a few moments. I had showered and was wrapped comfortably in one of the thick, fluffy hotel robes. Sam was still in her work clothes, but relaxed beside me on the bed. She turned and looked at me. "Cuz," she said, "I'm glad to see you with a smile on your face. A genuine smile. In fact, I haven't seen you this happy since..." She looked down as she trailed off. I looked up. "Since when?" "Nevermind." I looked at her curiously. "No. Go ahead." She paused. "Since Giovanna." At the mention of that name, a piercing pain shot through my heart. I suddenly realized that hadn't thought about Giovanna in ages. Since that awful breakup with my African-French beauty, my life had been going quite well. As I stared at Sam, anger rose in me. Today had been a perfect day. The last few months had been perfect. How dare she bring up-- "Nuh uh," she warned. "I see you thinking. Come on. Let's celebrate." She reached around me, grabbed my glass, refilled it, and handed it to me. Suddenly fatigued, I declined. "No thanks, Cuz. I'm not in the mood." She tried to hand me the glass again. "Nikii, please?" I got out of the bed and headed toward the bathroom. "Sam? I'm tired. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. Anyway, did you book my flight back to Miami?" Samantha sighed. "First thing in the morning." "Thanks. But like I said, I'm exhausted." "So you're ready to run again," she tossed as I stepped into the bathroom. "You're still not ready to face it, are you?" My head started to throb as I turned on the bathroom faucet. I splashed cold water on my face and dried off with a towel. "Face what?" "Face how depressed you've been since Gia. You'd been moping around, and--" "And what?" I said as I stormed back into the living room. I stood over Sam. "And what?" Sam jumped up. "And I wanted to help you! Damn, Nikii, I've tried to help you. I've tried to do everything I could to help you! Hell, I even talked to Charlene about you." Charlene? My best friend and former boss, Charlene? The Charlene who recommended me to Beyonce? Is that how she got all of this started months ago? Did Charlene really spread the fact that I'm gay to all my favorite celebrities? I looked right at Sam. "You talked to her about what?" She just shook her head. "Talked to her about what?" I repeated. "About getting you out to meet someone new." "And what did she say?" "She said she'd help. She said she knew just the thing to get you out of your...funk." My mind swirled at the thought that Charlene had set me up from the beginning. "What the hell are you doing going behind my back?" I growled as I got right in her face. "Sam? Answer me! What else did Charlene say? What else did the two of you cook up!" Sam quickly backed up and took a seat at on the chaise lounge. "Nothing. I haven't talked to her since then. It's been months. And I only called her 'cuz I was so worried about how depressed you'd been. I didn't mean any harm," she said, her voice softening. "I'm sorry, Cuz." I folded my arms and just stared at her. The thought that Charlene set me up was too much. "I need to think. I need some time alone." "Nikii--" "Please?" She nodded and went toward the door. "Again, I'm sorry," she said. "Good night, Sam" I said as I went into the bathroom and closed the door. Struggling to keep my emotions in check, I leaned against the door and listened until Sam had left the suite. The swirl of emotions inside of me finally let loose, and tears slipped down my face at the thought of Giovanna, the former love of my life. ~~~ "Ring! Ring!" Groggy, I opened my eyes at the insistent ringing. "What the hell..." I looked around. I was still on the bathroom floor, wrapped in my robe and curled up into a little ball. "Is that ringing in my head?" I whispered as I stretched my limbs. The ringing was incessant as I struggled to reorient myself to my surroundings. I suddenly realized that the ringing was coming from my robe. I reached into the pocket and pulled out my cell phone. "How did that get in there?" I wondered as I checked the display. However, when I saw the programmed name that was attached to the number, I gasped. It was Krystal. I quickly answered. "Hello?" I said, breathless. "Hey, stranger!" I smiled at the light, cute voice on the other end. Krystal Pennington was my new, but long-lost girlcrush. We met back when I was in Las Vegas styling Christina Milian. We spent a wonderful night just talking, but she was soon on a plane to Japan to style Janet Jackson. When we first met, I was immediately taken with the slender, toffee-colored beauty. I had to admit that it'd been ages since I was so physically, mentally and emotionally attracted to a woman. I loved how upfront she was with her love of women. I also loved when she explained how free and noncommittal she could be. She was, in fact, quite liberal with her female love. As we talked that night, I was completely enthralled with this beauty. However our schedules just hadn't meshed yet. Last I heard from her was a text message that next day while I was styling Amerie. Since then, I'd been on a week-long job with Nicole Scherzinger and then on an overnight job with Alicia Keys. We'd both been busy, so I wasn't tripping that we hadn't talked. In fact, all my feelings suddenly rushed back and I was ecstatic to hear from her. "Krystal!" I said as I straightened up and sat with my back against the bathroom door. "How are you?" "I'm fine, Nikii!" she laughed. "It's so good to hear your voice again! It's been ages!" I pictured her sweet, sugary, toffee-colored skin and her tight and toned body. My nipples hardened underneath my robe and I knew my attraction to her hadn't waned at all. "I know! But anyway, I'm great." And then, in my excitement, it just slipped out. "And I'm dying to see you." Suddenly, I grimaced. We'd basically only just met and here I was, acting as if she were already my girlfriend. It was just that I'd connected with her so quickly that I couldn't wait to be around her again. "Me too. Well, where are you? Back in Miami?" "No, I'm in New York finishing a consultation with Kimora." "Kimora?" she squealed. "Kimora Lee Simmons? You go, girl!" I blushed. "Thanks. But later for that. When can I see you? Even though it hasn't been that long...it's been too long!" I smiled at my lame joke. Silence. "Well..." That pause wasn't encouraging as I knew what our business could be like: Long hours on the road, away from family and friends. However, not wanting to appear clingy, I tried another approach. "Nevermind. Where are you?" She sighed. "Guess?" "Ummm...I don't know," I laughed. "Surprise me." "I'm in Spain," she said, her voice low. Spain? Damn. Keep cool, Nikii. Stay in control. "What's in Spain?" I stuttered. Shit. "The next leg of Janet's tour." "Next leg?" I frowned. Breathe, Nikii. "How much longer will you be out of the country?" She paused. "Well, we're in Spain now, then France and then Italy. Then a whole bunch more European dates after that.." My stomach dropped at her non-answer. I needed her to be direct. "Which means?" "Three more months." As my heart skipped a beat, I realized I was still on the bathroom floor, and the tiles had suddenly turned ice cold. Still holding the phone, I stood up, walked out of the bathroom and climbed onto the bed. I curled into a ball again, trying to get warm, as my mind raced. "Oh really?" Her voice lowered. "Yeah, really." Nonchalant always worked for me in situations like this. "Well, you know how this business is. Constant travel. And at a moment's notice. That's the life we have, Krystal. But it's no big deal. We'll just see each other whenever." It was now her turn to stutter. "No big deal?" Oh shit. "Krystal..." "No, Nikii. Besides, I think you're breaking up. We're in Barcelona and the reception here is awful. Anyway, I'm sorry to have bothered you. I guess I should go now." "Krystal, wait!" Dial tone. Shit. I laid on the bed. What the hell just happened? In a flash, I realized my cousin was right. Ever since I caught my ex, Giovanna, in a heated lip-lock with another woman a year ago, I was terrified at another heartbreak. "Gia has you running scared, that's what happened. You're too chicken-shit to tell Krystal just how much you missed her." While I wasn't quite ready for full-on commitment with her, I suddenly realized that wanted her to be a special part of my life. I also realized that I wanted her to know that. In total lust and barely thinking, I dialed her back. She answered on the first ring and my heart nearly broke at her sad voice. "Hello?" Oh shit. What was I going to say? Fuck it. I'll just speak from my heart. "Krystal? It's me. Don't hang up. Just hear me out." Silence. "Krystal, I'm an idiot. And one day I'll explain why. But for right now, I just wanna see you. And I know we just met, and I know I've been busy and I know you've been busy, but as soon as I heard your voice, I remembered how much I enjoy being around you. And I hope we can keep getting to know each other." "You have a funny way of showing it," she chuckled. "But, if I'm being real, it's my fault too. I wanted to call you so many times over the past days, but I was a little skittish too. I mean, we just met!" "I know! But I want to keep going with this. Really." "Me too. But, on the real, this reception is shit," she laughed. "I can barely hear you." "No, that's just cause your phone is cheap," I teased. "Now I heard that, sucker. I got something for your ass!" As soon as she said it, I visualized her tight, firm ass. Then I visualized me running my tongue over and over the taut skin. Ok, down, girl. "No, but seriously," I said. "Call me later from a landline, will ya?" "Will do. But it won't be for a day or so. My call time with Janet is in about an hour. First, we go to her press conferences and then all the meet-and-greets. Then it's straight to the arena for the dress rehearsal and then the concert, so I'll be busy all day and into the night." "No worries. Just call me whenever. No matter what time it is." "Will do." Then she paused. "And thanks for calling back." I felt myself growing warm at her soft voice. "Thanks for answering." "And Nikii?" she giggled. "Yeah?" She paused. "Keep it wet for me!" I remembered the scent of her freshly-showered body as it lay next to me that first night we met. "Baby, you have no idea!" "Talk to you later, hon! Bye!" Then she was gone. Hanging up the phone, I smiled. Then I laughed, suddenly feeling light and free. Giovanna who? ~~~ The next morning, I awoke to the hazy New York sun streaming in the room. Still on a Krystal-high, I quickly I bathed. Then, clad in a fresh white robe, I started on my hair. Using a blow drier and a flat iron, I worked on my dark, shoulder-length hair until it was bone straight. Once done, I applied a small bit of coconut oil to make my tresses shine. For my makeup, I used soft golden tones on my eyes, a light swipe of a cute, fuschia blush and a generous application of fuschia lipgloss. The deep colors were a perfect compliment to my soft, brown skin. I smiled in the mirror, loving my reflection. I laughed as I noticed the warm glow on my cheeks. Was it me, or was it still my Krystal-high? I rummaged through my suitcase until I found a cute, bright red tank top, a cropped denim jacket and the matching short, flirty denim skirt. I quickly dressed, all the while, humming Beyonce's "Crazy In Love," one of my favorite tunes. All of a sudden, just in the middle of my uh-oh dance, I froze. Samantha. Oh shit. I'd treated her horribly when she was only thinking of what was best for me. I nearly ran to the desk, sat down and wrote a quick note for her on the hotel stationery. I told her how much I loved her and that I was sorry for being such a bitch. I also promised to invite her to come stay in Miami with me for her next vacation. Feeling much better, I sealed the envelope and started packing my bags. As I finished, the hotel operator called and informed me that the car service Sam arranged from me was due in an hour. I quickly finished packing, then called for a bellhop. When he arrived, we went down to the front desk. Sam was nowhere to be found as I walked up. There was, however, a young caramel-colored woman at the desk. "Ms. Clarke?" she said, her voice light and airy. "Yes?" "Your cousin, Ms. Reynolds, has a message for you." She picked up an envelope and handed it to me. "First, she said that your bill's already been taken care of by..." she looked at her computer, "...by Ms. Simmons." I smiled. How nice. The clerk continued. "Also, Ms. Reynolds said that she's sorry, but she had a breakfast meeting with Mr. Trump so she couldn't see you off. But she printed out your airline confirmation and you should be all set. She also said she'd call you as soon as she could. And that she hopes you have a good flight." Damn. Knowing Sam, she could have gotten over it already, but there was a chance that she could still be pissed at me. My stomach sank at not being able to apologize to her in person for my behavior. Dismayed, I handed the clerk my note. "Well, at least just give her this." Sulking, I turned to leave. Then the clerk called out to me. "Wait! Ms. Clarke?" I turned around. "Yes." "Ms. Reynolds has this for you." She reached underneath the desk pulled out a brown paper bag. "She didn't want you to leave without something to eat. Inside, you'll find a couple of fresh croissants, a fruit cup and a granola bar. Oats and Honey. She said it was your favorite." I smiled as I took the bag. Sam was feeding me? Then that meant that she still loved me. It meant that all was well. Thanking the young woman, I followed the bellhop outside to the waiting jet-black Lincoln Town Car. As he took my luggage off his cart, I heard a melodious voice in my ear. "Hi darling," a seductive voice said from behind me. I spun around. Mischa was standing there in a snug, navy-blue chauffeur's uniform, wearing a huge smile on her face. "You didn't think I'd let you get out of town before seeing me, did you?" "Mischa!" I exclaimed as I hugged her. "Thanks for coming!" She gently pinched my hip. "Come on, babe. Let me get your things." I smiled and stepped to the side. Then I frowned. "But wait. How did you know I needed a ride?" "I called the hotel this morning on a whim. I said that I was picking you up for your flight, but that I wanted to confirm the time. They gave me your checkout time." "Stalker," I teased. She winked as she loaded my bags into the trunk. Then she helped me into the back seat and we took off for the airport. She reached incredible amounts of speed, as she had before, and we arrived at the terminal in no time.