His tongue plunged into her moistness, taking, giving, sharing in an adventure so intense that their bodies pulsated with pleasure too long denied. He had to touch her. He had to.

He covered her breast with his warm palm, caressing gently. “Please let me look at you.”

She moved his fingers to the front zipper opening of her blouse, inviting him to seek his pleasure. When the zipper stopped just below her waist, he eased his hand inside, touching the satiny smoothness of her skin beneath bra and panties.

“Oh God,” he groaned.

The halogen glare of a passing car’s headlights flashed briefly into the Thunderbird’s interior, breaking the sensual spell that had clouded Parr’s judgment. Realizing what he had done, he redid her zipper, holding her tenderly in his shaking arms a few minutes before releasing her.

“Forgive me, Mary Beth.” He never wanted to hurt this special woman, but he could already see the bewildered pain in her green eyes. “That was all my fault. I let things get out of control.”

“Parr . . .”

“You’re so damn beautiful and it’s been months since I’ve had a woman. I’m sorry.”

Her throbbing body stiffened in defiance. She jerked out of his arms, opened the door, and bolted from the car.

He called out to her, but she ran up the sidewalk without looking back. He slammed his large fists against the steering wheel.

Mary Beth fumbled in her pocket for the keys, tears blinding her. Her closed fist beat against the front door. Suddenly she felt something inside her curled fingers. Opening her hand, she saw the gleaming strawberry necklace she had been clutching without knowing it. Warm, anguished tears dropped onto her palm. The fiery ruby glowed brighter.

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

A brilliantly sunny day chased away the lingering memories of last night. As it turned out, Mary Beth and Bobby Joe hadn’t even argued about his leaving her to meet Quinn. He’d gotten home at a reasonable hour, even though she hadn’t been there. Still, Mary Beth knew exactly when because he’d called her from Alma’s house on the landline, trying to reach her on her cell phone first. It had occurred to her that he’d used the landline deliberately instead of his cell, as if he was trying to establish an alibi or convey the fact that he had returned to his mom, who always bragged about not sleeping soundly until all her chicks were safely in the nest.

Even so. Bobby Joe had been there and he’d tried her dad’s number next. She hadn’t picked up either call, still shaken after what had happened with Parr.