Debbie found a piece of cloth to wipe her mouth.
"Over here," the man was saying, "is a classic example of…"
Diane quit listening. She wasn't interested in the flowers in the park. She'd seen flowers before. The only reason she'd agreed to come on the field trip was that Mr. Kinkaid had chosen her to come alone.
"He's watching you," Debbie whispered. "I think I'm getting jealous."
"What are you babbling about?" Diane asked.
"You know who I mean," Debbie said. "And don't pretend you don't. Mr. Kinkaid's watching you."
"Quit being silly," Diane said.
Diane knew her friend was not being silly. Mr. Kinkaid had been watching her. Now and then she would look up to find his amused eyes on her. She felt uncomfortable around him since the day she'd watched him with Mrs. Jones.
Yet, it was that same uncomfortable feeling that caused her to want to be around him. Her feelings just confused her.
"Damn it," Diane said. "I wish that I hadn't decided to come along today."
"Why not?" Debbie asked.
"Because I'm really not interested in this park," Diane answered. "A boy asked me up to the lake today and I should have went along."
Debbie couldn't understand the changes her friend had been going through. Lately she didn't seem the same Diane. Diane cussed more and seemed mad about something.
"Maybe something cool to drink would help," Debbie said. "I'll go and get us a Coke."
"Good idea," Diane said.
Diane watched her friend walk away and wondered why she couldn't walk like that. Diane had a better body but wasn't as free with it. Debbie could cause boys' heads to turn just by walking.
Diane looked away and looked at Mr. Kinkaid.
She realized that his eyes had been on Debbie's behind, also, and Diane blushed a fierce red.
He started walking toward her and there was no place for her to go. She stood very still as he walked up to her. She felt even more uncomfortable with him so close.
"Your friend gone for good?" he asked.
"Oh, no," Diane said. "She's just gone for something cool to dunk."
"Good idea," he said softly. "But I bet it would take a river to cool you off."
"What do you mean?" Diane asked. She felt that same hot redness at her cheeks.
"I saw you," he said. "I saw you watching."
"You saw what?" she asked.
She couldn't believe it. Why hadn't he said something? Why hadn't he stopped? It just couldn't be true. He couldn't have seen her.
"I saw you," he repeated. "You got your eyes full. That Mrs. Jones is quite a piece."
"Oh, my God," Diane said softly.
She knew there was little use in trying to deny it.
She'd been there and he'd seen her. She blushed even redder as she thought that he must have seen her with her fingers in her panties.
Matt Kinkaid took her arm and started pulling her away from the crowd.
"Mr. Kinkaid," she protested weakly. "Where are we going?"
"Call me Matt," he said. "After all, we know each other pretty well."
"But where are we going?" she asked.
"Just out of here," he said. "We need to get away before your friend comes back."
She felt her heart pounding as he pulled her off the path and into the dark shadows of the trees. She was scared, but she was even more frightened of trying to resist.
"We shouldn't be back here," she said. "I've got rules about leaving the path."
"Don't worry," he assured her.
He stopped puffing her when he got her into the middle of the woods. She could hear voices from the path, but she could see no one.
"Sit down," he said. "We need to talk."
It was warm enough to sit on the ground. She hoped the grass wouldn't stain her shorts. She saw his eyes go over her and she shivered. There was obvious hunger in his eyes. He sat down beside her and put his hand on her bare knee.
"Now," he said. "That's better. We won't be bothered by anyone. What do you intend to do about what you saw?"
"What do I intend to do?" she asked. "Nothing. I don't know what you mean."
"Sure you do," he said. "You could get me in a lot of trouble if you wanted."
"I wouldn't do that," she said.
His hand squeezed her knee. His eyes were gentle but fiercely hot. She felt a knot form in her stomach. She was alone in the woods with a man. Of course, all she had to do was scream and a dozen people would come running. Somehow that didn't make her feel any less afraid.
"You have very nice lips," he said. "Very pretty. So soft and inviting, but yet, prim and proper. I'd like to bruise them a little with a hard kiss."
His hand kept stroking her knee and she felt a tingle in her inner thighs. His hand went a little higher until he squeezed her leg just where her shorts ended.
"Just a little kiss," he said.