Chapter 14

Janet applied fresh makeup to her eyes. She blinked a couple of times in the mirror until she was satisfied with her complexion. She wore a beautiful navy blue dress, pearl earrings, and Jack's necklace. A very small wrinkle lined the very edge of her eye. She frowned.

"Why would Jack ever want me?" She was clenching her fist when the doorbell rang. Her heart skipped a beat. She smiled and walked to the door. Jack stood there in a magnificent two-piece black suit, a lavender chemise, and a beautiful white tie; his hair coiffed, he looked irresistible.

"Good evening Ms. Wood. My how stunning you look tonight," Jack said as he kissed her hand. Janet blushed.

"Please come in," she invited him in.

"You know the great thing about this is, no matter how badly I mess up, I still get to come home with you." He chuckled but quieted upon seeing Janet's face.

"Now Jack, you know this really isn't a 'date' date, understand?"

"Of course pumpkin," he said as his lightly touched her cheek. She looked away tried to hid her blush. Jack turned to the mirror and inspected his appearance.

"How about I go ahead and bring my stuff in here, then we can enjoy a beautiful night out?"

"I made up the guest bedroom just down the hall."

Jack smiled before he stole a quick kiss from Janet's cheek, and then walked out the door to his car. Popping open the trunk, Jack pulled out two suitcases and a couple of smaller bags. She switched the light on, folded back the comforter, and fluffed some of the pillows.

"There we are," Jack said as he set the bags on the floor with a small thud. She noticed a picture frame in one. Curiosity got the better of her, as she reached into the bag and pulled out an old picture the two of them.

"I never leave home without it," Jack said. She smiled.

"I think I'll put it over here," Jack took the frame from Janet's hands and walked to the other side of the room, "Where I can always see it." He smiled as he placed it on the wooden table. Janet looked up in the closet; she frowned when she saw all her shoeboxes and suitcases.

"I'm sorry," she apologized as Jack walked back to look up in the closet. "I'll get that stuff down." Janet grabbed the chair and brought it to the closet. She stood on it as she reached for the boxes. Jack frowned when he realized Janet was wearing her heels.

"Janet-!" She tugged and lost her balance, falling backwards. Jack caught her mid-air. He landed on the soft bed with Janet on top of him. Jack grinned. Janet's face was inches from his.

"Say," he said quietly as he looked around the room, "Why go out tonight, when we could have our own little fun right here." His azure eyes twinkle mischievously.

"Jack, that's no way to a lady's heart," she teased as she rolled off him and onto the floor. "Besides, let's go before we lose our reservations."

"You're no fun," he cooed and pouted, stinking out his lower lip.

"Come on let's go," Janet said as she walked out of the room.

Del Manite, an underground restaurant, was a hidden treasure. The dimly lit hallways and secluded tables created a sense of anonymity and intimacy. After traveling deeper into the restaurant, the hostess seated them. They looked over the menu and ordered.

"You're looking quite lovely," he said as he sipped some of his wine. Janet smiled and looked down into her wine glass.

"Thank you Jack and I must say you don't look half bad yourself." Janet smiled again and took a sip of her wine.

"Why have I missed your beauty all these years?"

"Jack," Janet said as she looked into his eyes. Jack understood what she meant. He acknowledged her wishes with a nod. Their food arrived and they began to eat. They ate in a comfortable silence, exchanging glances.

"This was a beautiful evening, Jack. Thank you so much for everything," Janet spoke as she looked over at Jack, then back out the passenger's window.

"I appreciate your company," he turned to Janet and flashed a seductive smile.

"I haven't done that in years. Thank you, Jack."

"My pleasure," his response sent a shiver down her spine.

Jack drove down the long driveway and parked his car in the far left corner, adjacent the garage doors. He noticed a backyard patio, hidden by thick brushes. Lights lined the wooden terrace, which housed some furniture and black box.

"I hadn't noticed that," Jack stated as he locked the car.

"Well you've only been here two days," Janet laughed as Jack looked back to the yard.

"What is it?"

"Vivere si distende." Janet smiled and looked up to Jack. He frowned and looked down to Janet. "An extra living space, for relaxation."

"I see." Jack said as he continued looking. Janet looked at Jack.

"Come here. I'll show you." She grabbed his hand and walked along a path.

"My God, Janet. It's beautiful." Two recliner chairs faced out over the city and to Jack's surprise, the giant box was a hot tub.

"A-a-a-a h-h-h-ot." He smiled and then turned to Janet. "Hot tub?"

"Yeah, it's nice. Go for the body. I thought, you know, why not."

"Yeah, but a hot tub? Janet, it doesn't really seem like you. I mean it's nice but a hot tub?" He looked her up and down playful at first, the second time he wasn't kidding around. Her navy blue dress, her makeup, the way the wind danced in her hair as she looked out over the city was driving him crazy.

"Why not, vivete soltanto una volta." She smiled back at Jack and walked up to the house. Jack grinned to himself. Janet was playing with him and he knew it. It was time he had a little fun of his own, without crossing the line. As Janet went closer to the house, Jack slipped into the bushes.

"Jack are you coming in?" Janet hollered, unlocking the door. No answer followed. "Jack!" She turned to discover Jack no longer standing there. "Jack," She called again, a little worried. "Jack come on. This isn't funny." She called out again.

"Oh but it is," Jack whispered, walking farther away from Janet.

"Ja-a-ck, this isn't funny," she said as she stomped her foot to the ground. "Fine Jack Tripper if you want to play games, you can sleep out here," Janet listened, hoping Jack would come out and say enough was enough, only the night wind answered her. Jack slid along the side of the house behind Janet. He smiled and began walking towards her.

"Jack! I'm giving you to the count of three! One," Jack walked a little faster.

"Two." Jack became even closer to Janet.

"Three!" Jack scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. A scream escaped from her lips as he continued running with her.

"JACK TRIPPER YOU'RE DEAD!" she yelled as she kicked and hit him, trying to escape his grasp.

"Nh uh," Jack protested Janet's requests. "I wanna have fun, too," he said as he spun her around. Janet's screams soon turned into playful shrieks mixed with uncontrollable laughter.

"Jack…Ja- Ja- Jack please!"

"Nope, I want it my way." He ran up and kicked opened the door Janet had unlocked.

"Jack put me down!"

"Or what?"

"THIS!" Janet spun around in Jack's arms and twisted him to the floor. There was a loud thud as they both fell hard on the carpet. Janet got out of his grasp and ran. "Get back here!" he yelled, getting up and chasing after her.

"Got to catch me, if you want me!" That only encouraged him more. He purred and ran faster.

"Come here mama!"

"Jack cool it," Janet could feel Jack gaining on her; running in heels lost it's fun quickly. If she stopped running now, she could only guess what would happen.

"JACK!" Janet began running up the stairs, taking two as she did. Grabbing the railing, Jack slid in his dress shoes around the corner. He bounded the stairs, three at a time. Janet ran down her hallway as fast as she could. She could feel Jack gaining on her; to be honest she didn't care if she made it to her room. She wanted to see how much he wanted, but she just kept running. She laughed and panted, closing the door, and locking it in Jack's face.

"EEEEHHHH!" Came from behind the door. Janet laughed as he tried to get in.

"Janet….Jeanette," Jack purred, trying to coax her from her room.

"Goodnight Jack," Janet smiled and turned back the door. "Thanks for a lovely evening. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Janet."

Janet had won tonight, but Jack had his own games too.