SPARKS 9

No need to ask, the restroom is always at the end of the hall, on the right.
A horrified shiver down my spine *not a fake Colossus of Rhodes framing the loo door, it should be illegal* I smile thinking what father would say. The room is empty; I open the door of one of the restrooms and enter. I’m about to close it behind me when I feel a hand gently pushing me inside and I hear the door lock. I’m about to scream when another hand covers my mouth “It’s me” he whispers in my ear “don’t worry”. I feel his body gently pressing against mine. Even the faintest contact leaves a trail of goose bumps on my skin.
I turn around “you scared me! Get out” – not looking into his eyes
“You don’t really mean it” - killer look
“Why are you doing this?” - trying to keep his hands off my body
"I like watching you," confesses in his deep voice "you drive me crazy. You and your stupid PJ. Do you have any idea what effect you have on me?” He’s blocking the door with his body
I somehow find myself at a loss for words *need to think*
“Let me out” – whisper - *need to have a more commanding tone*
“No” - smiles at me. And I realize I have never seen him smile like that before. This isn't a smile of joy or happiness; it’s the snarl of a hungry beast. He doesn’t say a word, but steps towards me. I back up until I bump into the wall and can go no further. I look up at him and he seems even taller than he really is.
“I mean it … let me go …”
And he suddenly drags me to him, burying his face into my neck and kissing and licking it roughly. I try to struggle against him, and against my emotions, but I’m creating less and less resistance. He is nibble my ear now. My arms are lost in the air. Half of me just want to have rough, mind blowing sex with him in a public restroom, the other half reminds me it’s the worst mistake I could do. His hands are going up my dress, his thumbs caressing my breasts. Looks at me, I feel him breathing over my lips, I open them, inviting him in.
BANG! And we both jump. BANG! again. “Open this damn door now or I swear to God I’m going to scream so loud they’ll hear me all the way to Scotland”
“Shit, Julie” I whisper
His hands still on my breasts, “ignore her, she’ll go away. I want to kiss you now” he whispers in a very sexy voice.
“You don’t know her, she’s not giving up”
BANG! “OPEN the door! NOW”
I move Howard on the side and do as she asks; I keep my eyes down “hi mom.”
She grabs my arm “are you out of your mind? What about our little chat, and all you bloody rules?” she kisses my forehead “you go back to the table, and start drinking, I expect you to be totally drunk by the time I get back. You” and she’s talking at him now “on the other hand stay right here. We need to have a little chat”
“I might need a minute in here” he’s still behind the door
“Don’t worry about me, I’m not easily impressed. Come out”

I go back to the table and have a glass of wine.

Julie is standing in front of him, hands on her hips “what were you thinking? Following her in a public restroom! I bet she was about to fall for you, wasn’t she? If she was her real self she would laugh at you. She’s so out of your league! In a restroom! You’re beyond being basic you know? She’s really vulnerable at the moment and you’re too dangerous and too close to her.” She’s thinking what to do; sighs and continues “I’m going to tell you something very private. If you ever say it to another living soul I will track you down and skin you alive. Nod so I know you understand what I’m telling you”
He does it
“Good. She’s playing cool but the whole Paolo and Josh think is killing her. She feels it’s her fault. She doesn’t understand how she could not see it coming. They were together for two years. She thinks if she had been more feminine, more passionate, more something else they would be married by now. She’s blaming herself and she desperately needs to be desired and you walk her path, blue eyes, body and everything” She presses her index finger to his chest “read my lips, stay away from her. Be a decent man and leave”

Julie comes back to the table like nothing happened and I see Howard heading toward the exit “spoilsport”
“You’ll thank me tomorrow”
“I don’t think so”

Julie, Gordon and I share a cab back to the apartment. She opens the door and put her keys on a little table.
“Coming to bed Julie?”
“I need to have a little chat with Bea and I’ll be right with you”
“No you won’t, I know you”
“You can take a shower and I’ll be in bed by the time you’re done” “Promise?”
“Promise” and blows him a kiss
“Night Bea”
“Sweet dreams Go”

We walk into my bedroom, take off our shoes and stretch out on the bed, sharing the same pillow.
“So”
“So”
“Did you kiss him?”
“I was about to. But you banged the damn door. You should have seen his face. I thought he was going to have a heart attack” and I laugh.
“You were in there for quite sometime, what did you do?”
“I could have kissed him, I haven’t kissed a man in so long. What if I don’t remember how to do it? That would be unfortunate … he kissed my neck, and my ear… he has a nice touch’
“Maybe is the piano, he plays the piano, he knows how to use his fingers” laughs and tickles me
“NOT helping”
“I did the only responsible thing to do”
“I know, do you think he likes me? A little at least?”
“If it wasn’t for me he would have shagged you in a public restroom. What do you think?”
“That you should mind your own business”
“Never”
“Ever”
“I’m drunk”
“Me too”
“Can I borrow your dress? I have dinner with Gordon’s parents next week”
“It won’t fit; your butt is the size of Ireland”
“It’s not”
“Let me see” and I roll her on her side and back “maybe not, but little Paddy from Dublin says hi”
“Screw you”
“Can I? Really? Do you think it’s too late to call him?”
“Who? McHorny?”
And we burst into a fit of laughter
“Gordon is taking a very long shower”
“Maybe he felt asleep”
“Should we check on him?”
“He can swim”
And we fall asleep.