Some Like It in Handcuffs by Christine Warner

dark and mysterious. Sounds like my dream guy.” Sunny managed a smile, but no laughter this round.
    “Not funny, girlie.” Concern filled every line on his face. “It’s probably nothing, but I wanted to give you a heads up.”
    “Well, I’ll pay more attention from now on. More than likely it was a one-time customer checking out the scenery. Let’s not worry about it.” Too bad that was easier said than done.
    The next time she worked, she’d make sure to check out every person in the place. It unnerved her to think her brothers were onto her. She’d almost prefer an enamored customer.
    “Either way, this isn’t a good neighborhood, you know, especially at this hour. No matter what, I’d prefer it if all of you girls were walked out after closing.” He held her arm above the elbow as they resumed their pace. “Plus, I wanted to thank you for sticking up for me before we were taken to the cop shop the other night.”
    Sunny unlocked her car, and glanced sideways at Benny as he reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a small box. She took her place behind the wheel, smiling up at him.
    When the bar had been raided by the misinformed officers, Sunny had been the first one to step forward to tell them they had it all wrong. The girls weren’t going completely topless, not that night or any other night. Nobody would listen and the bar was closed for business on the spot, the few remaining customers were asked to leave and any employees that wouldn’t go willingly and without a fuss were cuffed and brought down to the station for questioning. Or, in her case, a family pow-wow.
    “No big deal, I wanted them to know you hadn’t done anything wrong.”
    “Here, I made you a little something.” He held out the plain white box.
    Inside, tucked in a soft square of fluffy cotton, lay a pair of dangle sterling silver earrings with beautiful blue stones twinkling on the ends. “Oh Benny, they’re beautiful.” She glanced up at him, her vision blurred by the threat of tears. This former trouble maker was really nothing more than a teddy bear, and nobody would ever convince her otherwise. “You made these?”
    Benny shifted his glance around the parking lot before his gaze finished on her face. “I knew the blue would match your eyes as soon as I saw the lapis lazuli stones. And, yes, I made them, but that’s between you and me.” His quiet chuckle endeared him to Sunny more and she patted his hand through her open widow.
    “You’re secret’s safe with me.”
    “I’ve polished stones every since my dad bought me a rock tumbler as a kid. Karina came up with the idea of making jewelry. I gave her the first pair I ever made, actually the same type of stone as these.” He cleared his throat, his emotions too near the surface. “Your eyes are the same shade of blue as hers.”
    “Thank you so much. I’ll treasure them.” Sunny squeezed his hand. “They’re exquisite.”
    “I’ve only made a handful of pieces since Karina was killed. The desire of doing it isn’t there anymore. But, when I came across these stones, I knew they were meant for you.”
    “I’m just glad everything at the police station worked out.” She pulled the hoops from her ears and replaced them with the pair Benny had made. She tapped the interior light and inspected her reflection in the rear view mirror. “They’re perfect.”
    “Drive careful, sweetheart.” He thumped the roof of her neon yellow Mustang signaling the end of their conversation.
    Sunny slipped her car into reverse. The engine purred as she shifted into first gear and pressed the accelerator. A shiver ran threw her body when she spotted the familiar form of Slater in her side mirror. He stood outside the back door of the bar illuminated in the mercury light. The red tip of his cigarette glowed as he sucked in a drag. He turned his head to follow the direction of her car as she roared down the road out of his view. His image stayed with her all the way