Chapter 4. 'GO ON BRODY, YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO'
Brody sat on the couch with Claudia watching the horror flick "Nightmare on Elm Street" with Nina and her little friends. The six ten year olds screamed and jumped and hid their eyes at all the right times. And Claudia jumped every now and again, too.
But Brody wasn't watching the movie. He was too busy watching Claudia. He couldn't help it. She was just so fucking beautiful. And with everything that had happened between Shannon and him, he was about to come unglued. Was he as bad a lover as Shannon said? He could still hear Shannon's words ringing in his ears as he stood there in the TV room just a few days earlier, 'Why am I with Frank? You really want to know, Brody? Because you're boring in bed. Christ, it's like we're in some sex rerun. Take off clothes, fondle, fuck. Yeah, yeah, I know the other night was pretty hot, even if you don't want to admit it, but like you said, 'it'll never happen again'. God, Brody, you're no fun. Frank is. We do things that would make your hair stand on end. Frank makes me feel alive.' Yes, Shannon was going to leave him for Frank, her coworker and, apparently, lover, because Frank was into pain and bondage, something Brody could never do. Making love, in his mind, should never be associated with pain. Okay, maybe a few little smacks here or there or a stern word and possibly even a tiny bit of force, but that was all in jest. But Shannon wanted pain. She wanted to be bound and gagged and whipped and God only knows what else. For her, 'the act' and his size wasn't the issue, (no, Brody was not lacking in that department) but power, dominance, and submission were.
Shannon was so mad when Brody found the pictures of her with Frank. And her plan to get Brody to fuck the nanny seemed to have backfired. Just one look on that sweet little bitch's face told her that she was still as pure as the fucking driven snow.
But Shannon sure as hell was going to fight that prenup. And she expected to win, too. As they argued that Saturday night, Shannon told him not to expect her back on Thursday. She'd already called an attorney and was having papers drawn up. They mutually agreed not to tell the kids until it was official.
And when the fight was over, when Shannon had walked away, Brody realized Claudia had heard the whole thing from the kitchen where she was busy cleaning up after dinner. She had heard how Shannon had berated him and he was crushed. Would Claudia think any less of him if his own wife said he was a bad lover?
When there was a lull in the film, Claudia would glance over at Brody and saw him staring intently in her direction. {It's your imagination. He's not looking at you, Claude. Damn. He's not looking at me.}. Brody was lost in his own world and had been since last Sunday and Claudia was so mad at Shannon for belittling Brody.
There was no need in it. He was a good man, a great father, and a magnificent artist. Claudia decided if she was ever in a marriage that got as bad as the Anderson's had, she would either get counseling or get out of it sooner. Even though it went against everything she believed in.
Claudia went to the kitchen to get a fresh pitcher of Kool-Aid. When she returned and saw Brody looking so sad, she wanted to give him a hug and tell him everything would be alright. God, she had such a crush on him. Especially since he'd saved her from Kirk and Jeremy.
{Ha. Nineteen with a crush. Okay, nineteen for two weeks, but still nineteen.} She tried to remember her last big crush. {Father Christopher. Such a cutie.} She stood by him carrying the red punch, "Mr. Anderson, are you alright?" He ran his hand through his dark hair and nodded just slightly. "Okay, just checking." But she knew he wasn't.
Claudia led the group of pre-teens downstairs to their sleeping bags. Luckily, Nolan and Nicholas were at their grandmother's so Claudia didn't have to worry about them tonight. Once she was back upstairs and in the family room, Claudia joined Brody in picking up the remnants of the horror movie mess. She shook her head, "For the love of Pete."
Brody jokingly asked, "Pete? Who is that guy anyway and why do we need his love? Is his love a special love? Why can't it be 'for the love of tuna' Honestly." Brody was always saying silly things like that and Claudia usually just shook her head as if to say 'corny, very corny'.
Instead she joked, "Well, I suppose Pete just might bend with the wind so maybe he gets love from everyone." She carried the Kool-Aid back to the kitchen and heard Brody laughing. A broad smile crossed Claudia's face. {That's better.}
What she said wasn't really all that funny, but the fact that she mentioned anything to do with sex was. Brody knew full and well that that Claudia went out of her way to avoid making any comment that could seem sexual. He also knew that she tried not to be seen as a sexual object. Especially since those guys came after her. As he walked he laughed inwardly thinking about the time Claudia became so flustered when she walked through the family room as he and Shannon were watching the movie 9 ½ weeks..........
..."Okay Nicholas, I'll get Mr. Snoop." Claudia laughed at the little boy and started toward the family room. The Andersons were watching a movie and she didn't want to disturb them, but she knew Nicholas wouldn't go to sleep without Mr. Snoop. She quietly tip-toed into the room and looked around. Brody saw her and asked, "Do you need something Claudia?"
"Yes, uh...," she glanced at the TV and was openly shocked at what she saw. It was the infamous 'ice cube and raid the refrigerator scene'. Claudia turned and looked at her boss.
Brody could see the look of embarrassment on her face. "I'm, uh, looking for Mr. Snoop." Brody tried not to smile as he reached beneath the pillow beside him and pulled out the tattered bunny. "Here he is." He held up Mr. Snoop and then set him down on the cushion, knowing Claudia would come get him. Brody watched her as she made her way across the dark room. He smiled knowing she was trying to not look at the movie but her curiosity got the better of her.
When she got close enough to take Mr. Snoop, she innocently leaned over the couch, affording Brody a quick glance at her breathtaking breasts. Even in the dark room, illuminated only by the light from the TV, he could tell she was blushing. She absent mindedly grabbed Mr. Snoop as she looked at the TV and was so shocked at what she was seeing, stumbled a bit.
Claudia put her hand out to steady herself and it landed on the middle of Brody's thigh. He jumped back into his seat a little but didn't make a big deal about it, especially with Shannon right beside him. Shannon, on the other hand, laughed and jokingly said, "Careful there, Sweetie. Wouldn't want to hurt the squirt."
Brody looked at his wife and rolled his eyes. Shannon could be so crass sometimes. Claudia looked confused at first but then realized what Mrs. Anderson was saying. She quickly jumped up with Mr. Snoop in her hand and dashed out of the room. "Nice Shannon, really nice. She stumbled, that's all. Why do you always have to say things like that? Jesus, she's just a kid."
Shannon smiled, "Come on baby, you can't tell me you didn't want her to move her hand a little closer. She is cute, after all. It's only natural and she's legal."
