Alex caught her wrist and pulled her close. Closing his eyes, he buried his handsome face against the side of her neck. Will you feel that way when I tell you the rest?
Topaz snuggled deeper into the embrace, smiling when Alex’s hands roamed her back and hips. Their cheeks and noses brushed before their lips met briefly.
“I love you.” Alex whispered the hushed phrase he’d been afraid to utter. His dimples flashed when he heard Topaz voice a surprised sound. Pulling away, he smiled down at her. “I don’t expect you to say—”
“I love you too,” she replied, standing on her toes to grace him with another kiss. “Now will you come with me?”
Alex squeezed her tightly. “Anywhere you ask,” he said.
Eric Emerson pounded his fist to the kitchen table and grinned. “Now that’s the attitude more people your age should have,” he told Alex, who had just finished speaking of the paper he published.
“It’s a lot of hard work, Mr. Emerson,” Alex cautioned.
Eric waved his hand. “More young black people should be in business for themselves,” he declared, looking over at his daughter when she burst into laughter.
“As long as those businesses don’t get their hands dirty, right, Daddy?” she challenged.
“Oh, you can get your hands dirty,” Eric countered, “long as you wash ’em good and leave the mess at the office.”
“Ah ... the way you do?”
Patra waved a bagel at her daughter. “Don’t get smart.”
The bantering continued, but it was all in fun. When it was over, Alex had to admit that he had never laughed so hard.
“So, Alex, how long will you be in town?” Eric asked.
“Only a couple more days, sir. Just taking a few days off. I’m not sure of my plans after that,” he told Topaz’s father.
“I’ll be leaving in a couple of days too,” Topaz announced, “I want to relax a little longer before I head back.”
Patra smiled over at her husband. “Well, at least she’s finally taking some time off,” she told him.
Topaz looked over at Alex and he read the unspoken question. He nodded, assuring her that she’d handled the situation properly. The Emersons spoke with the couple only a short while longer, before they excused themselves to catch up on the sleep they’d missed the night before.
“That went well,” Alex commented, once they were alone in the kitchen.
“Do you believe it was really necessary?”
Alex knew what she was really asking. “Topaz, I meant what I told you before. I know these cats, they don’t operate that way. I’m positive your people are quite safe.”
“But it never hurts to be cautious?” she sighed, spreading her hands across the table. “I’m still scared,” she admitted, smirking when Alex covered her hand with his.
“This trip to Louisiana is just a pit stop,” he informed her. “We’ll be movin’ in a couple of days after we get there.”
Topaz turned in her chair. “Why so soon?” she asked, watching him closely.
“I’m taking you to Seattle.”
“Washington? Why?”
“I own a home there.”
Topaz blinked and focused on the polished oak tabletop. “I can’t believe you’re doing all this.”
Alex squeezed her hand and waited for her to look at him. “I told you I love you. You think I’d say those words lightly?”
Topaz leaned close, her light eyes tracing his face as she stroked his jaw. “If we weren’t involved, you wouldn’t have to go through this.”
Alex closed his eyes, turning his face into her palm and kissing her there. “Topaz ... if we weren’t involved ...” He trailed away, choosing not to complete the thought.
Topaz looked away. “I’d be dead by now,” she finished.
Alex pulled her close and they hugged across the table.
Alex decided they would travel to Louisiana via train. It would take longer to arrive, but he wanted to spend more time with Topaz.
“This is your only carry-on?” he was asking when their boarding call was announced.
Topaz only nodded, pulling her fuzzy hat farther down over her head. She followed Alex through the crowded terminal, clutching his hand like a lifeline. Alex draped his arm about her waist as they walked to the platform. He could feel her shivering and began to rub her back.
“What’s the matter?” he queried, keeping his eyes focused straight ahead while he spoke.
