SPARKS 25

The Label decided to have the party on the beach. They enclosed the space with beautiful see-through maroon curtains; the area is illuminated by torches, candles and the full moon rising in the dark sky. It looks like the perfect setting for Arabian Nights.
We walk in and the moment Gaz sees Mark goes get his camera and starts taking pictures of him “Stop it, I mean it, this is not funny”
“Speak for yourself, Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho…”
“Save it Gaz, been there, they have already done that” and points to Emma and me. “Besides, who are you? And intergalactic overweight smuggler?”
“I’m Han Solo, and I made the Kessel Run in my beloved Millennium Falcon in less than twelve standard time parts” and looks at him all proud.
“I have no idea what you just said, but I guess you being so fast could be the reason why princess Leia looks so pissed” he turns around ready to high-five Jason but he’s not there “The birthday-man is getting into my nerves, believe me! JAY!” he calls for him. “You are supposed to be right by my side when I say something funny!” yells
Prince Charming runs to them “sorry shorty! You cracked up a joke on the plane, I thought we were good until New Years’ Eve” and he high-fives Gary.
“I want my mom” Mark mumbles
“I haven’t talked Dawn yet, I better go and say hallo” says Emma. “Have you seen her?”
“There” pointing at his wife “she is chatting with Scheherazade”
I follow her with my eyes,*of course she is wearing an amazing costume perfectly matching the scenery, me on the other hand; I’m Paris Hilton’s stupid dog. That’s what you get when you listen to the advice of a five year old*
I am scanning the area trying to locate my Roman emperor when a slightly drunk Mark drags me to the dance floor “we small people should be together, what do you think?”
“You don’t want to know what I think”
And the DJ plays “Girlfriend” by Avril Lavigne, I smile to myself and I picture Caro and Julie telling me “follow the signs….” the same way Obi-one-Kenobi would tell Luke to feel the force.
So we dance and I sing along,
‘Hey! Hey! You! You!I know that you like meNo way! No way!You know it’s not a secretHey! Hey! You! You!I want to be your girlfriend’
Fingers tap on my shoulder, I turn around and Howard is standing there with an extremely amused look.
“If you beg” and smirks
I put my hands on my hips “Don’t you keep your hopes up, I wasn’t singing about you. There’s a Merlin guy right by the food table and I think he is hot! Besides he could help me with a potion I am working on”
“Of course. I’m a little disappointed though. I was sort of hoping for something more romantic. Candles, and stars are ok, but maybe a less crowded environment, and you on your knees…”
I smack his arm “Howard!”
He looks at me and then he realizes it “No, that’s not what I meant, I swear, I meant you on your knees asking for it”
I smack him again, harder “Stop it!”
He laughs ‘my hand, I meant to say for my hand…you’re blushing … ahah I did it again…..you are so easy…”
I am about to smack him for the third time when a hand gently grabs his arm and she appears from behind him. My hand freezes there, in the air while Howard turns to her. I can see she is struggling not to acknowledge my presence “can I talk to you Howard?”
*I’m so sorry, I know what it feels like when your world is swept away. I am sorry but I love him*
“Sure, let’s go out” his voice is sweet and caring. She takes his hand and they walk away from me.
*Stay calm, no need to panic, you knew it would happen, he’ll talk to her. Why is he taking her hand? You don’t take someone’s hand when you’re about to break up with them. Do not give up to the dark side of the force, it is what Dawn would want you to do* I sigh and follow them, making sure I’m keeping a safe distance.
They’re both barefoot and they stop when small waves start wetting their ankles. She takes both of his hands in hers, she’s talking. He keeps his eyes down *not good Doug, come on, look at her, you need to be strong* She tries to kiss him; he turns his face away from her. *good, very good*. She brings one hand to her mouth and kisses it. He says something, she says something back. They stare at each other for what it seems like a lifetime and then he hugs her. *NO*. He’s wrapping his arms around her, she’s running her fingers through his hair *maybe it’s the way you break up in England*. Then my blood freezes into my veins, they’re kissing, not a simple goodbye kiss, it’s a real, long one.
“Tinkerbelle, there you are! Let’s go dancing!” Jason come close to me and takes my hand. I’m not moving, I look at him and point at them “tell me your friend there is just plain slow; tell me he doesn’t do it on purpose. One minute he says he wants me, the next he’s kissing her. What am I supposed to do now? What is he doing?” I’m panicking.
He looks at me “I don’t know, I don’t understand”
“I do” I sigh
“I am sure there is a perfect explanation … no maybe there isn’t. To tell you the truth I don’t know what is going on. Come back in and have something to drink.”
“I think I am going”
“A drink first, please?”
I follow him, we get our champagne and I see them coming back in, welcomed by Gary and Dawn. The fantastic four right in front of my hopeless eyes. Dawn sees me and waves, smiling like she wan the lottery. Howard notices her movement and turns into my direction to see who she is waving at. When he realizes it’s me he doesn’t even dare looking at my face, pretends not to see me and goes back talking to Gary. She places an arm around his waist, resting her head on his chest and smiling happy.
“I guess we know what is going on now, happy birthday Jason” and I leave the party.
I’m marching back to the villa making little sobbing noises. I get to my room and switch on my mobile
“Hello, Clifton’s residence”
“It’s me, I know it’s late” I check the watch, it’s way past 1 “I need to talk to my uncle”
“Lady Beatrice, we were so worried about you. Hold on, I’ll go wake Lord Clifton up”
I’m sitting on the floor, my back to the wall, wishing I can become invisible “Beatrice where are you?”
“Sorry to wake you up and I am sorry about the two Hopper and I am sorry I haven’t called you lately and I am sorry for being such a huge disappointment and I am especially sorry for falling in love always with the wrong men”
“Shush, nonsense, just tell me where you are and I’ll come and get you”
“Salina”
…. “hold on a second dear”. I can hear him talking to mighty Martin, the man who can solve any situation at any time. “The helicopter won’t be able to land in Salina tonight, I will send you one first thing in the morning” another voice in the background “7 o’clock, we will be there at 7. Can you wait? If you can’t we can arrange a boat, it might take longer though”
“7 is fine”
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“Not really, I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks”
“You are my baby girl, no need to thank me”
“Has my beloved father even realized I was gone?”
“Of course he did, he loves you very much”
“Thanks, you’re the worst liar ever. Love you”



I switch off the mobile again and I take off the stupid Tinkerbelle costume. *what was I thinking? Stupid stupid stupid Bea*. I go to bed but I can’t sleep. I can only think about Howard. I toss my sheet on the side and head to the kitchen. The house is quite and dark, it’s already 3 o’clock and who’s not still at the party is already in bed. I get a glass of water and walk in front of the living room. *Maybe watching some TV could help me relax, and if there’s something really boring I might even just fall asleep*.
Howard is lying on his bed; eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. She’s peacefully sleeping by him. He moves slowly, making sure she doesn’t wake up, and slips out of the bed. He puts a pair of jeans on and exits his bedroom. When he walks down the stairs he sees the blue light and hears the low sound of the TV. He tiptoes into the living room and sees me, sitting on the sofa, remote in hand, trying to find some decent show to watch. “Please” I beg the stupid TV.
He gets closer to the couch, from behind, and nuzzles his face into my neck, just below the ear. He smells my hair.
I don’t need to see him, my body recognizes his touch. I gently brush my cheek against his face “I want you to go away, go back to you room” my voice is low and broken “you are killing me”. He strokes my hair "I believe in fairies". His hand feels so good but this is so wrong. I sigh. He takes it as a yes and climbs over the back of the couch and seats by me. His fingers still entangled in my hair, rubbing the back of my neck.

His other hand closes over my shoulder for a moment, sliding over my breast. Electricity passes from his skin to mine. He looks into my eyes and a small gasp escapes my lips. He leans his face toward mine and pauses just above my lips, my heart beats."Bea" he whispers softly “there is something I need to tell you”.
“I don’t care, whatever it is I don’t care”. He looks into my eyes, he’s about to speak again but I shush him “it can wait, not now, not now”. I get closer and suck his lower lip first, then look at him again. His mouth feels so good moving against mine, sucking, teasing, pressing, and retreating.
“It’s just me and you, nobody else”. My mind is screaming *get out and leave him, don’t let him near you after what he did to you* but I’m just moaning.His hand moves slowly down my body until it rests between my legs. He gently pushes my head against the couch. "I’ve wanted to do this since the first moment I saw you, god the things you do to me," he mutters in my ear, and I melt into him, he begins biting at my lobe and carefully, he strokes his fingers along me. Making sure they move up over my clit and back down along it. 'I want you...' he whispers quietly in my ear.I’m too afraid to say something and break the spell. He moves his hand on the back of my neck guiding my face with his hand to look at him. My eyes are still closed and I feel his lips touching mine. I open my mouth to kiss him back.'I want you so bad I can hardly breathe...' he whispers and starts to kiss down my cheek to my neck.
His fingers moves up and then down, slipping under my shorts and slowly under my panties. I moan, and I open my eyes, trying to make sure no one is around but us. He’s looking into my eyes and I bite my lower lip as I feel his fingers touch me again. I can feel my body move forward as his fingers slide slowly inside me. They fit perfectly and he starts moving them in me. I’m moaning, so he presses a finger on my lips and then pulls my hair behind my ear, “Bea … let’s just forget about the rest of the world …” he’s such a sexy voice. Can’t answer him, too busy trying to be quiet and moving my body with his fingers. Suddenly he stops. “No teasing please …” He’s pressing his index finger on his lips, mouthing to be quiet, smiling to reassure me, his eyes are so blue. That’s the moment I go back to reality and I hear footsteps on the corridor. Voices whispering and heading up the stairs. He rests his head on my shoulder biting it lightly. “Patience baby” he whispers. When the house is silent again I feel his fingers slowly starting to move again. “I cannot believe I found a way to shut you up”, and kisses me again, “Do you think you can cum quietly?' he whispers. I bite my lower lip and nod. “Good girls don’t lie”, his lips are still close to my ear. I’m losing control. He nibbles my ear. “You promised to be quiet” he teases me. Suddenly he stops again and pulls his fingers out of me. I moan frustrated.He grins. “Come with me”, I look at him “I’m trying …” he almost chuckles trying to repress a laugh. Takes my hand, forces me to stand up and takes me into his arms to carry me up to the stairs. My leg presses against his erection. While he walks up I take my time looking at his beautiful face. I stroke his hair and found a little spot between his ear and his neck and I start licking it. He stops, leaning against the wall “If you don’t stop it we’ll never make to the bedroom”. I bite him and he moans. Walks faster to my room “Open the damn door” he orders me. I reach for the handle while nibbling his ear. He closes the door behind us and let my feet touch the floor. He grabs my shorts and panties tugging them down. He helps me to step out of them and I have to balance myself against the wall. He kneels in front of me, moves my leg onto his shoulder and hungrily leans forward and kisses me. I moan.
“Howard, I’m close, I was so close before…” He moans against me, but with a sudden move he lets go of me and pushes my leg off his shoulder. I open my eyes “not again…” I whisper, but he’s already standing in front of me, his forehead resting over mine, he’s frantic “I can’t … anymore...I need to be …inside you” says getting rid of his pants. He suddenly looks back at me, is panicking, “I don’t have … I didn’t know I would run into you …”
“I’m on the pill” I manage to say, my breath is so heavy I fear my heart might explode any minute.
He smiles grateful. He grabs my leg again and lifts it, our eyes are locked, he pushes me against the wall. He gently bites my lower lip again when he enters me. Howard moans, “Oh babe, this is fantastic”. He starts moving in and out of me but my body is taking control, he can feel me gripping him. I increase his pace. He tries to catch up with my movements. “Slow down Bea, please”
I kiss him “I love it when you beg” but I move faster and faster, I’m in control now. My fingers locked in his sweaty curls, I’m moving harder - he grunts - faster. He is mine and I need to treasure every moment.
“Faster” he begs faintly
I take his face into my hands “look at me Howard”. He opens his eyes, “are you close baby?”
“Yes” he groans weakly
I know it is time, his breathing deep and heavy, a coating of sweat covering his body. We are unable to control it any longer. “Come with me” I grip on him one last time and it’s like an explosion.

After a few shivers and shudders, when we both catch our breath, he tickles me with light kisses on my shoulders and the base of my neck. We stand there panting; our bodies trembling one against the other. He smiles at me and kisses me deeply. He lets go of my leg, leaning into me and collapsing against the wall, his head resting on my shoulder and mine leaning back into him.“Do you think there is any chance we can get to the bed next time? I’m too old for this”
He smiles, “I’ve never felt anything like this in a long time…”
I kiss him and his hands rest on my hips. “I was thinking I could probably take my time and even take your top off” and plays with Miss Piggy, smiling on my shirt “I’m an old pervert, but this thing” and circles his finger around my nipple, right under Miss Piggy’s nose “is turning me on again” “I’m glad you’re not wearing any”
“I couldn’t find my shirt; I didn’t want to risk waking her up”
BANG. Reality hits me and it hurts.