Sunshine, Sea Spray, and Surprises - Part 1

Posted on Fri Aug 20th, 2021 @ 6:58pm by First Lieutenant Bethany Harrison & Captain Jonathon Harrison
Edited on on Fri Aug 20th, 2021 @ 6:58pm

Mission: The Factions
Location: Miami, Florida
Timeline: Present Day

After spending a couple of days on the small island that Dyami had sent them to, lounging in the sun, swimming, spending many needed hours in Jon’s arms, Bethany stood on the deck of the small yacht that had been provided for them, watching the sun begin to slide into the darkening expanse of the sea. At that moment, she could understand why some ancient people believed that the sun was extinguished at the end of every day, dazzling colors and smoky errant clouds only adding to the illusion.

They had spent the day boating around, visiting a couple of other islands that housed artisans, and even one small, creepy fishing shack with hand painted signs advertising everything from cold drinks, to live bait. Bethany had not been comfortable there. It really did feel like a trap to her.

All had ended well, and now they were just offshore from Miami, preparing for her birthday celebration. Bethany would have been just fine staying on the island, or even on the small yacht that Jon had been teaching her how to pilot. But he had other ideas, and she wasn’t going to let her discomfort around most of society ruin his plans for the evening.

He had given her a beautiful dress of soft, green silk, that nearly matched the color of her eyes. It dipped low in the front, framing her bosom, and was held up by thin golden chains that stood out against her tanned shoulders. The material clung to her shapely body, accentuating the young woman’s curves. A pair of matching heels sat next to her, as though discarded and forgotten, as she leaned on the side of the boat, waiting for Jon, while she drank in every instant of the sun’s watery demise.

Jon emerged from the below deck cabin, straightening the jacket of his light summer suit. The suit was white, the shirt black, and he wore no tie, instead choosing to leave the top few buttons of the shirt undone. He came up behind Bethany and slipped his arms lightly around her waist and kissed her bare shoulder. “Enjoying the skyline?” he asked.

The green-eyed young woman smiled and sighed softly at the kiss. “The sunset is amazing,” she said, as a small wave of matching colors, purples, reds, and oranges, glittered across her skin. “It looks like the water should be boiling away.”

Bethany blushed a bit at her childish little comment, and she turned in his arms, sliding her hands up to straighten the collar of his bespoke white suit. “That’s a new look,” she said, smiling up at him as she gently grasped at his lapels and pulled herself up, her full lips brushing lightly against his. “I like it,” she whispered.

“Good,” Jon said, returning the kiss, sliding his hands along her lithe body. “Help yourself to a drink while I bring us in,” he told her, easing away from her. He nodded toward a small table where he’d put an ice bucket of non-alcoholic champagne, then went up the wheelhouse.

Bethany sighed a little as Jon stepped away, but she poured them both a glass of what was basically white grape juice with bubbles. It was a bit sweet for her, but the bubbles were kind of fun.

The young woman had managed to get used to the nearly rhythmic rolling of the water, so when Jon got them moving, she had to reach out to steady herself, dropping one of the glasses overboard. “Seriously?” she muttered, then sat down on one of the cushioned seats. “Glad I didn’t put those heels on.”

The note that had been left by Dyami stated that there was a specific place they were to go to, and as they pulled up to what looked to be a private dock, it was well lit, and there were people milling about. The young woman took a deep breath and reached down to grab her shoes and the small purse that she had opted to carry. As they were brought to a stop and a ramp was run up for them, Bethany lingered back, waiting for Jon to join her, a bit nervous about wandering into the large, unfamiliar city.

Jon secured the yacht and slipped the keys into his pocket, then rejoined Bethany. They walked down the ramp to where one of the dock workers waited with a cherry red Aston Martin convertible.

“Cheers, mate,” Jon said, catching the keys and going around to get the door for Bethany.

The green-eyed brawler chuckled softly as she settled into the car. “What do you want to bet this car is bullet proof and comes with a hidden arsenal in the back?” Bethany asked, shaking her head. They had found a number of hideout weapons stashed around the house and yacht, along with enough ammunition to outfit a small army. “He’s almost as bad as I am.”

“I made sure of it,” Jon said with a smirk, revving the engine. The electric engine purred almost soundlessly. “Buckle up, luv.” And then they were pressed back into luxury leather as Jon opened up the throttle and they raced off toward the city.

Jon’s antics behind the wheel had ceased to startle Bethany a long time ago, as he had taught her everything she knew about driving like a maniac. She got her seatbelt fastened and laughed. “Trying to attract every cop in the state?” she teased, watching as the wind tousled his perfectly combed hair, a happy smile on her full lips.

“Only if they catch us,” Jon told Bethany, but he slowed down as they hit a busier section of traffic heading into Miami.

“So what’s the plan for tonight?” Bethany asked curiously, watching traffic snake along the interstate. She reached over and put her hand on his leg, giving him a playful squeeze. She couldn’t hide the fact that this excursion was giving her a little anxiety, but she was also looking forward to whatever he had planned.

“Dinner, a show, and then hit a club for drinks,” Jon said. Soon enough, he pulled up to The Versailles, the most famous Cuban restaurant in Miami.

“No joy riding,” Jon told the valet playfully as he tossed over his keys.

Bethany slid her shoes back on and climbed gracefully out of the car. Jon knew that she wasn’t all that comfortable dressed as she was, but she had learned how to play it off well over the last few years. At that moment, the elegant young woman on his arm was a far cry from the wounded waif that he had found on the streets of Reno.

Jon smiled as the valet couldn’t help trip over himself as he watched Beth go past. “That dress is dangerous on you, luv,” he commented to her as they went inside the fancy restaurant.

Bethany smiled, bordering on a wicked grin. “Was that your plan? Kill off the competition without lifting a finger?” she asked, her green eyes glittering with humor as she slid her small hand into his. “Not that you really have any competition.”

“More distraction while I get into position to finish them,” Jon said with a chuckle. “But no. I just like showing you off,” he admitted, leaning down to kiss her. “You are amazing.”

Then the attractive hostess came over. She clearly had eyes for Jon, though, not Beth.

Bethany blushed at his compliment, then happily returned the kiss, smiling wistfully. When the hostess went into predatory mode with Jon, she chuckled. No, she didn’t like it when women looked at him like a slab of meat, but there was a touch of savage satisfaction in knowing that he was hers. She gave the woman a smile and laid her head on Jon’s shoulder, letting him handle the interaction, since the hostess seemed to have missed the fact that she was standing right there.

“Table for two, por favor,” Jon said. “Reservation Jon Harrison.”

“Si. This way,” the hostess said, making sure to sway her pert bottom and hold the menus just so to emphasize her bust as they walked through the restaurant.

Jon was still a man, and noticed appreciatively, but he had something far better on his arm that night.

That practiced smile sat on Bethany’s face and she squeezed Jon’s hand as a bit of jealousy rose up in her chest. She would ask what it was about Jon that made women act that way, but she could list all of those things out herself. She bit her tongue to keep from saying something sarcastic about the woman’s blatant flaunting and flirting, and followed along.

Jon wasn’t the only one getting looks, though, as Beth got plenty during their trip to their table, and not just from men in the restaurant. Plenty of women were checking Bethany out, as well.

“Can I get you something to drink to start?” the hostess asked with a smile, placing menus on the table.

The fact that people looked at her actually made Bethany incredibly uncomfortable. Not that she would allow anyone to know it, but she wasn’t fond of crowded places, as they just multiplied the variables, and her tactical mind had already mapped out the exits and choke points in the restaurant. “Just water for me, please,” she said, taking up the menu and looking it over.

“Iced tea,” Jon ordered. “Gracias.”

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TBC
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