Page 22 of Justice for Aleta

“Thanks. I wasn’t too worried about that. You’re a gentleman.”

“I’m not much of a gentleman in bed,” Jack replied, his voice serious.

“Good. I’ve had a gentleman in bed. They’re boring.”

“Well, okay then!” he said and laughed. “I’ll see what I can do about being not boring!”

“Will you be here at six?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You sound like a gentleman.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m dressed, so I’m a gentleman.” She giggled at that statement. “I’ll see you at six. And Aleta?”

“Um-hmmm?”

“Keep your doors and windows locked, and make sure the chain is on your door.”

“Uh, okay. Is something wrong?”

He instantly wished he hadn’t said anything, but he wanted her to be safe. “We’ll talk about it later. For right now, just make sure they’re locked. Please.”

“Okay. See you in a bit. Bye, Jack.”

“Bye, sugar.” He waited until the phone went silent before he pulled away from the curb and headed home.

Dark jeans, dark burgundy and navy plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of Tony Lamas. Jack looked in the mirror and studied himself. He needed a haircut, but it wasn’t too bad. He’d shaved again too. His facial hair grew so fast and it was so dark that if he went out at night, he needed a second shave. After adding his silver belt buckle, his watch, his signet ring, and his leather rope bracelet, he deemed himself good enough. Why she thought he was so gorgeous, he wasn’t sure, but he was glad she did.

By the time he got to her apartment, he’d already decided he’d show her the picture first thing and then they’d try to forget it and have fun. Otherwise, he’d be miserable all night and she’d think it was her. When he knocked, there was a voice through the door, and then it opened a crack, chain still intact. “What’s the password?” she asked, giggling.

He laughed. “Kisses!”

“That’s it!” She closed the door, and he heard the chain sliding away before she opened it again. “You know the password, and therefore, you may enter.”

“Thank you, m’lady,” he said, giving her a shallow bow before he headed in. As soon as the door closed behind him, he wheeled and pulled her into him, then planted a big kiss on her lips. “I’ve wanted to do that all week.”

“Good. I hoped you would. How do I look?” She pulled out of his arms and twirled. The dark blue knit dress fit her like a glove except for the skirt, which was full and fell gracefully over her curves. And her shoes?they weren’t high heels, but they showed off the curves of her legs perfectly. “Well?”

“Delicious. You look absolutely, positively delicious. I can’t wait to take a big ol’ bite out of this apple,” he whispered and drew her back up against him, then nipped her neck playfully.

“We’re never going to get dinner at this rate.” Pushing him back, she grinned up at him. “That wouldn’t hurt my feelings, but it wouldn’t be much of a first date, now would it?”

“I suppose not. We should probably be going.” Jack waited as she gathered up a light sweater and her bag. “After you, beautiful.”

“Why, thank you, handsome.” As she stepped past him, she leaned over and gave him a sweet little kiss on the cheek. Everything inside Jack melted. This was going better than he ever thought it would. He wasn’t sure what he’d thought would happen, but it was light and effortless. He hated to bring up something as unpalatable as the picture, but he had to.

Aleta directed him and they pulled up in the parking lot of the restaurant in just a few minutes. Before them stood Smokin’Joe’s Steaks ‘nMore, and Jack could honestly say he’d never seen so many apostrophes in one restaurant name. In all the time he’d lived in the area, he’d never been there, but he’d heard a lot of people talk about how great it was. “I’ve always wanted to try this place!” he said as he parked the car.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” Aleta said, reaching for the door handle, but Jack reached across her and grabbed her hand. “Oh! I’m sorry! You want to open the door for me, right?”

Grasping both her hands in his, he nodded. “Among other things. Look, I’ve got something to show you and I don’t want to, but I have to. And then we’re going to forget about it and have a good time, okay?” She nodded, so he pulled the folded piece of paper out of his shirt pocket and unfolded it. “Is this the man?”

As soon as he held it in front of her, Aleta gasped. “Yes! That’s him! Where did you get that?”

“From a TexasRanger.”

Aleta’s eyes widened. “No! Really? They know who he is?”

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