"I never said you were, Sunshine." His lips caressed hers, silky smooth and flavored like strawberries. He was aware only of her.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, and he jumped when the sound of someone clearing his throat broke the spell. "Dad." Martin stepped back from Elizabeth.
"Marty." The look of rebuke on his father's face upset him.
"I'm sorry, sir." Martin held his gaze.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"My public behavior."
Dennis Bailey nodded. "You share your affection in private. Miss Elizabeth is a woman and not a fair prize."
"Yes, sir.” He nodded to his father, and hand in hand, Martin and Elizabeth walked to the parking lot.
He helped her into his pickup truck. "I’m at fault too, Marty. I kissed you back."
"I'm sorry, Sunshine. My dad is right. All about honor and respect. Where to?"
"The pond?" The pond sat on the far edge of the Bailey's land—their private place. The goofy smile he gave her made her heart leap. Martin placed two Adirondack chairs and a small table overlooking an expansive field of flowers on its bank. The sun was almost ready to set when they reached their destination.
After helping Elizabeth to the ground, he lifted the picnic basket she packed for them. "You’re trying to fatten me up." Fried chicken, small containers of coleslaw, potato salad, fruit salad, and biscuits were concealed inside. Also packed was a thermos of sweet tea. Both feasted on the food, topped off with his mom's homemade lemon pie.
Martin rubbed his taut belly. "I'm stuffed."
The sunset, a blaze of orange, yellow, red and pink, revealed a midnight-blue sky where stars were visible for miles. Martin spread a mattress of blankets on his truck bed. Light flickered from the candles Elizabeth brought. They cuddled, talked about dreams, and made wishes.
He rolled to his side, and their lips pressed together, teeth clicking on occasion in the kisses of two inexperienced teenagers. His warm hand slid beneath her silky blouse, finding her full, round breasts. He touched them like they were fragile. Each response to his caresses awed him. Elizabeth never looked away from him, her eyes telling him it felt sweet.
Fingers stumbled opening her shirt, revealing her white cotton bra. Pressing butterfly kisses down her throat and along her collarbone, he watched her reach between her breasts and unlock the front closure. The candlelight illuminated her creamy skin and small, pale pink nipples. He relished silky skin before tugging a nipple between his lips. A mewl escaped from her soft mouth.
Martin grabbed a handful of his t-shirt, pulling it free. An athlete during his high school career and a farmer, he sported defined and hardened muscles. Tanned skin highlighted a thin tuft of blond hair whitened by the summer sun that turned into a line disappearing below his waistband.
"You're so handsome," she told her soon-to-be lover.
Before their lips found each other again, he asked, "You're sure?"
They'd discussed being intimate before but had never gone beyond kissing and petting. Now, with him leaving in the morning, he wanted Elizabeth to be his first—and hoped she felt the same.
"Marty, I want it to be you...." When a flush of embarrassment tinted her cheeks, hungry eyes answered her.
"Of course I want you." Whispers of promise filled his kisses.
Lips pressed against her flat tummy, he opened her shorts and slipped them down her legs, following the denim material with more kisses. Under them, she wore white panties with a tiny pink bow. His tongue sampled her belly button. Still holding her gaze, he nuzzled down her body, which smelled like fresh flowers and her own unique scent.
He worked not to let himself explode against the seam of his jeans as his own excitement built. Her hips rose, giving him access to pull down her panties. A flock of red curls came into view. "Elizabeth, God made you so gorgeous." He took a tentative first taste—salted honey. A happy cry met each tongue swirl.
Exploring her, he used one finger to probe her delicate, wet center. With her hips rocking at every touch, Martin lifted his head to behold her. As her eyes closed, a glow surrounded her. All of a sudden, she stopped breathing for a moment and then cried out his name. His fingers soaked in a gush from her warm core.
Martin opened and slid out of his pants. His shaft strained through his boxer briefs, a few drops of his essence escaping. Fingers fumbled as he pulled the condom from his wallet. Opening it with his teeth, he slid it on. Elizabeth had a blissful smile on her face. Goosebumps erupted on his skin when she ran a finger down his physique.
"You're sure?" He would stop even if it killed him.
"Please." Elizabeth guided him between her thighs with her warm hand. The moment their bodies touched, he trembled. "Don't stop." Her body welcomed him once his tip crested her opening. Eye to eye, he hesitated as he encountered a tightening. When she lifted up and rocked hard against him, he breathed deeply and froze.
"I'm yours, Martin Bailey. Today and always."
Astocky male was smoking a cigarette and speaking on his cell phone. "Sorry, baby, I wanted to leave with you but had to stay. Wonder Doc wants to earn another notch in her belt. You saw what she did today and now this cop. What do you want me to do? This is my job. The man came in dead, shot to smithereens, and she refused to pronounce him. Beth has a God complex. All this time and energy and he'll croak in three days. Of course I reported her. Hillinger is balancing things. Her background raises the hospital profile."
