Nova's POV
I brushed my soft long hair, pinning my bangs back just a little to give me nice perfect curtain bangs. Staring at myself in the mirror I smiled. I knew I was pretty but great hair days are what makes me happy. I was getting ready for my mother's guest to come over for dinner. She had told me this morning about it, since last night I was a little busy with…. Other things.
I gripped my hairbrush. Memories of last night flooding in again. I closed my eyes, letting my imagination take over as I relax on my chair.
I groaned slightly in frustration to my body feeling hot already. There just couldn't be a day where these lewd thoughts didn't follow.
''Miss Nova! Your guests are here, your mother is expecting you downstairs.'' I heard Rida call from the other side of my door. I snap my eyes open, frustrated again at being disrupted.
''Yes, thank you Rida.'' I say back.
I quickly stand and straighten myself up in the mirror. My hand reaches up to touch my cheek. I'm flustered. With a deep breathe I fan my face a little.
I'm pretty sure my mother's friend is bringing his son with him today. Even if I had no intension of actually pursuing anything with anyone at the moment, it's always fun seeing them almost trip and fall at your beauty. Men are predictable and it amuses me.
I wore my long high waisted skirt, hugging my waist with a black belt. My white off shoulder blouse, hugging my breasts nicely. Simple but that's all I needed.
With a smile to myself in the mirror, I step out of my room, walking down the hall until I reached the top of the stairs. Wide enough for about six people, about 30 steps going down.
Glancing down I see my mother, her back towards the now closed front door as she spoke to our guests. I saw her friend and who I'm guessing is his son standing in front of her, backs facing me.
''Oh! Nova please come say hello to my dear friend Bernard and Luke.'' I smile at my mother as she waves at me with a grin. I begin to walk down the stairs and at the same time, Bernard and Luke turn around to face me.
When my mother had mentioned Luke, I had almost forgotten about him. My mother had to refresh my memory this morning, reminding me that I already knew Bernard's son. I've known Luke before but we haven't seen eachother in years.
Bernard was an older man, probably a bit older than my mother. He couldn't have been taller than 5'7. His back hunched slightly. He wore nice black slacks with a white tucked collared shit. All I knew about him was that he was very well off. I've heard that these past couple of years haven't treated him very well. He's lost a lot of land but slowly recovering some. An average man.
Even if he was, his son defiantly was not. His son Luke stood about 6 feet tall. A tall firm frame. He stood with a hand in his pocket. He was confident. His pale skin really glowed against his blonde hair. It was no longer then his ears. Nice slightly slicked back look, some front hair strands poking out, making it look like he spend hour on it but most likely just came out perfect on the first try. His clean shoes and rolled up sleeves showed me that he was no ordinary man. He stood up straight, glancing his cold eyes at me. A smile crept up his face.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs I smile politely.
''It's so nice to see you again Bernard! And I see Luke here has really grown.'' I smile, glancing towards Luke.
''Likewise Nova. And yes Luke is now a grown boy! Taking up after his old man!''
''It's nice seeing you again Nova.'' Luke grabs my hand, leaning down to place a soft kiss on it. He pauses, opening his eyes to glance up at me. His eyes telling me something else.
''Well, how about you show Luke around the garden while dinner is ready. We got a new beautiful fountain! And I'm sure it's much different from last time you saw it as a kid.'' My mother boasted.
''Sure. I'm sure you'll like it.'' I say. Luke nods at his father and my mother, following me out the front door.
We begin to walk down our stone sidewalk, leading towards our garden. It really was a beautiful afternoon. It was warm out but not hot enough for it to be uncomfortable.
''Just when I thought you couldn't get more beautiful, you prove me wrong.''
Me and Luke stop walking, stopping underneath a large row of trees, leading towards the big garden. I smile his way.
''Always know exactly what to say don't you Luke?" I say, a small hint of tease in my tone of voice.
''Nothing forms a better man than the ability to sweet talk a beautiful lady.'' Luke smiles at me, taking a step towards me.
''You know it's been so long. I hardly recognized you.''
It was true. The last time I saw Luke was when I was 12 years old. We fancied each other. We were the perfect match. He was slightly shorter back then. We were the same height, His hair was always cut short as a kid, this new look on him really did him wonders. Before, his eyes were childish and he spoke in such a fast and energized way. Now the way he spoke, seemed nicely paced and practiced. His voice now deep and friendly.
His eyes were now warm and serious, but his smile made him friendly. His height, made him stand tall, full of confidence. He was defiantly candy to the eye.
''Time has been good for me. I was hoping you wouldn't see that 13 year old boy with dirty pants.'' He stated. I giggled.
''Defiantly not. But I do say, I do miss him, he was a nice friend of mine.'' He glances at me.
''Well I can be a good friend to you now. What do you say? It'll be as if we never stopped talking, hm?''
Luke and I stopped talking when I was about 12 years old. It wasn't because he did anything wrong.
After my father left us, things changed for me. Luke was my very first love, and only one as far as I remember. My fathers action cause me to despise men. I didn't want to see Luke anymore. I still remember telling Luke that seeing him caused me harm. He didn't understand what I meant but respected my decisions.
My mother and his father stayed friends, my mother assumed that Luke and I's friendship ended because of the emotional damage my father's absence led to.
I never told Luke about my feelings. I was young and wanting nothing to do with love. I still don't.
Having Luke in front of me now felt strange. I did miss him but those feelings I had for him as a kid were long gone. I've trained myself to view men as nothing more.
''Being friends sounds nice. I would be lying if I didn't miss having someone around who I can tease.'' I say
He grins.
''Shall we continue to the garden?"' He asks. I nod. He takes my arm with a smile.
Sparks POV
''Okay what about if you let me borrow just a 20?'' Timmy said to me.
''No.'' I say.
''But why not?'' Timmy was an employee here as well. He mostly did errand work. He didn't really spend his time in the garden unless he was asking me for a favor or in this case, money.
I continued to shovel the dirt I was working on.
''That's the third time you've asked me for a 20 this week Tim, I don't want to be responsible for your alcohol poisoning.''
Timmy was a bit younger than me, he started drinking at a young age but he also loved to gamble. A far as I knew, the highlights of his day was getting off of work to head to the bar downtown and gamble. Even though he was younger than me, his beard made him look older.
''And you better trim that beard of yours. The lady won't be happy with having a greasy messenger.'' I say with a grin.
''I think she likes my beard.'' He says. I push the shovel into the dirt, leaning on it as I turn to look at him.
''MMM, I don't know about that one.'' I say.
''Why? Did she tell you something?'' He asks me with a curious look.
''Yea, she said 'Ugh, that beard of timmy's is utterly disgusting!'''
''You're lying. The lady rarely talks to you.''
''Yea yea, I'm kidding…'' I say.
''Unlike lady Nova though, you seem to be friendly towards her a lot.'' Timmy grins at me slyly.
''If a lady talks to you, you respond. Just doing what's right.'' Timmy cocks an eyebrow my way.
''Is that why you also let her smack you around?'' He chuckles. I push him playfully.
''Aright, Alright, get back to work Timmy.''
''What about the 20?''
I was about to respond when I see Nova step into the garden. I look passed Timmy, she really was a sight. The sun really did her skin wonders. And her beautiful hair. I can practically feel how soft it is.
I hear Timmy click his tongue at me.
''I didn't know lady Nova had a boyfriend.''
Boyfriend?
Nova's appearance made me blind to my surroundings. Including the man holding her arm as she walked into the garden. They made their way towards the gazebo, sitting down.
They sat close to each other. Too close for my own liking. He grins at her as she giggles.
''That sack of daddy's money? Nova would never go for someone like him.''
''Are you sure? They seem awful close to me, and look at his clothes! He's defiantly someone with money.'' I ignore his comment, picking up my shovel, I continuing shoveling.
''Hey Tim! Can you please come over here?'' I hear Nova yell for Timmy.
''Yes of course Miss!'' Timmy quickly straightens himself out and walks over to them. I look for a second, catching Nova's glance. She turns away to smile at that man.
Nova tells Timmy something and he quickly jogs out of the garden. The curiosity of who this man is, is killing me. I've never seen Nova this close to someone else. I don't remember the last time she invited someone over. She always seemed to keep to herself. Except when it came to me. I guess I always sort of liked that too. Me and her aren't anything but a fling here and there so knowing she doesn't give attention to other men would put me at ease. Of course she had her fair share of men approaching her all the time but she would barely give them the time of day. If she did become somewhat friends with them, Nova was always one to give herself her space.
But I could tell this time it was different. They sat so close to each other and she seemed more giggly than before.
I try to not look their way and continue my work, but his loud chuckles are making it hard.
''Oh! Rida, you're here.'' I glance over to see Rida speaking to them for a few minutes before walking back towards the house.
I smirk to myself. I drop what I'm doing and make my way out of the garden, sprinting towards the kitchen once I'm out of Nova's sight, where I know Rida would be.
''Rida?'' I say, entering the large kitchen.
''Hi Sparks. What are you doing here? Hungry?'' She asks with a warm smile. I see her setting up a tea tray.
''No I just.. Well..''
''You want to know who is that gentleman Nova Is with?'' She laughs softly.
I grin sheepishly.
''Well yea.'' I guess she has a mother instinct that she picked up with her kids.
''That's Luke. He's Bernard's son. That man who comes over sometimes to chat with the lady.''
''So he's a rich boy.'' I state flatly, taking a seat at one of the tall booth chairs that was in the kitchen.
''Yes he is. Pretty important to this family too. Him and Nova used to be very close when she was young. He used to come over all the time to play with her.''
I look out the kitchen window next to me, a glimpse of the garden surround in bushes and flowers can be seen.
''So they're already close.'' I say.
''Don't let it get you Sparks. I know how you feel about Nova but remember. A girl like her would never give you her genuine time.'' I stay silent. I know Rida told me this because she cared for me. She didn't want me to feel disappointment.
She places an apple in front of me.
''Eat a quick snack and go back to work, You don't want to be yelled at again by Miss Nova.'' She chuckles, taking the nicely set up tea tray in her hands.
I smile, an idea.
''Let me take it to them! I'm heading the same way anyways.'' Rida looks at me with a cocked eyebrow.
''I don't think that would be a good idea. Your clothes are dirty and you should be doing your work. Now come on, have your apple and don't disrupt them.'' I pout, sitting back down. She nods at me with a smile and heads off.
Well there goes my plan. I quickly eat the apple Rida gave me and head back to the garden.
Nova' POV
Luke and I have been chatting for almost a few hours. Time has really flown by and I was actually enjoying the time we were spending together. We even had dinner brought out to us by Rida, to continue our conversation without disruptions. That and I know Sparks is probably watching us. It made me feel powerful to know that he was probably wondering who Luke was. And I had no problem making us seem like the closest of friends.
''Wow! You really travelled that far?'' I shared genuine excitement at Luke's story. He's travelled a lot in these past years, He always had something going on and it seemed like he had a story for just about everything.
''I love to travel. Especially since I'm taking over my father's business soon, I want to be familiar with all his landscapes.''
''You surely did a lot of growing up.'' I sip on the tea Rida brought us.
''I wasn't the only one. My father tells me that you've been looking into what your mother does.''
''That's right. I just want to be as smart as her. As respected as my mother.''
Luke smiles at me softly, his eyes narrowed.
''A respected women is something you've always been. I've always admired how you carried yourself. Even as a child.''
''Oh don't even, I was a very clumsy and funny looking kid.'' I say with a giggle.
''She was very fun though.'' He says.
I smile playfully. I think it's time I pull out my charm. Luke was no different from the other rich men I meet. I also wanted him to be wrapped around my finger. Even if I had just been chatting with him for a few hours, he really was someone important. Not only that but he was a gentleman. Handsome and mysterious.
''So I'm not fun now?'' I say playfully. He smiles wide.
''I'm pretty sure you're extra fun now.''
''Oh yea? Why is that?'' He takes my hand, placing a kiss on it, looking up towards me as he does. He pauses, his mouth an inch away from my hand.
''Well, forgive me for being so blunt but I've genuinely enjoyed myself speaking to you this long.'' He places another kiss on my hand, slowly sitting up again. He lifts his hand up to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear.
''Son! Let's get going before your mother worries!'' We glance towards the garden entry to see Bernard and my mother smiling at us.
''I have to get going now, but I do hope to see you again soon.'' I smile.
''I would like that.''
''How about Isabel's birthday party? Were you invited?''
That's right. Her birthday was this weekend. She informed me at her dinner party.
''Yes I was.''
''Be my date?'' He asks.
''So straightforward.'' I say teasing him.
''I'd rather not waste any time beating around the bush.'' He smirks at me.
''I would love to join you.''
''I'll pick you up around 7 pm?'' We stand ready to say our goodbyes.
''That sounds great.'' I smile at him, making sure to make eye contact. He nods walking towards Bernard and my mother. Bernard waves goodbye at me, I smile friendly and watch as my mother walks with them.
I let out a short breathe.
He really did get handsome, not the boy I remember.
''I thought he would never leave.'' I'm snapped out of my daze by Sparks' voice. I turn to see him there. For a man who's clothes were covered in dirt from his work, I still couldn't see a flaw in him. It irritated me and pissed me off. His jagged dark hair making him always look mysterious and troublesome.
''I don't see why it's your business.'' I cross my arms.
''Always so harsh.'' He jokingly places his hand on his chest where his heart is. I roll my eyes.
''Then stop talking to me.'' I turn around but I'm unable to walk. Sparks grabbed my arm, holding me back.
''Don't touch me!'' I whisper harshly, pulling my arm back and facing him.
He smirks.
''Do you mean that?'' I stay quiet.
He walks towards me. Making my body freeze up is one of his many talents. A talent that gets me angry. He walks around me until he's behind me. He places his hands on my shoulders. He begins to rub them softly, causing me to relax and close my eyes.
A comfortable silence falls on us as he massages my shoulders and upper arms. His strong hands making me feel a certain way already.
''You're always so tense around me, relax a little.'' He whispers in my ear. I'm tense because I know no matter how hard I try to resist my sexual urges for him, I can't. And he knew this. His touch always made me want to fall into his arms. Melt away.
I felt him lean into my ear, his lip pressing against my ear lobe.
''You can tell me to stop anytime you want me to.'' He whispers. I feel a chill run through my body. His lips trail from my ear, down to my neck. My head tilts almost on it's own. Giving him full access. He places soft kisses on my neck, causing me to lift my arm up to place my hand on the back of his neck. He begins to suck softly, his lips making a wet sound as he does.
''Sparks…. Not here..'' I whisper. I know we are in plain sight. If anyone were to walk into the garden, they would see us on full display.
''Why not?'' He teases me and wraps his strong arms around me. His kisses getting a little rougher. My mouth falls open, his mouth making my entire body shiver already.
''Anyone can see us..'' I say. He lets go of me, pulling away, my body feeling disappointment. I turn around to see him smirking at me.
''I love how easy you quiver with me.'' He says. I glare at him. Bastard. Without a word, I push him aside and walk away.
It was true. I hated how it felt as if he had a part of me wrapped around his finger. Addicted to someone like him.