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.