“How does it look?” Alex was asking later. He had decided an evening out would do them a world of good. He took Topaz to one of his favorite seafood eateries.
Topaz had been engrossed in the contracts since they had arrived a half hour before she and Alex left the house for dinner. With a resigned smile, she shuffled the documents back in order. “It looks fascinating. I especially like the part with all the zeros,” she added, favoring him with a teasing wink and smile.
Alex’s hearty laughter turned the heads of several women. “So how are your guys gonna handle it?” he asked, referring to the employees of Top E Towing and Mechanical.
A bit of the light dimmed in Topaz’s shimmering eyes. “They won’t like it, but ... I believe they’ll agree it’s a good idea. Plus, once they receive their cut of the sale ...”
“Say no more,” Alex drawled, chuckling as his cell phone began to ring.
Topaz was smiling as she inhaled the aroma of the delectable appetizers the waiter was setting on the table then. Alex checked the ID of the caller and cursed, drawing a look from both his dinner date and their server.
“Yeah, De?” he briskly greeted his cousin.
“Lex!” DeAndra breathed. “Do you know how frantic I’ve been trying to contact you!”
“I’m in the middle of somethin’. Could you get to the point?” Alex curtly requested.
“Where are you? When are you coming back?”
“I’m out of town,” Alex tiredly responded, reaching out to select one of the mozzarella sticks from the platter. “Don’t know when I’ll be back,” he informed her.
De replied with another overly dramatic sigh, “Well, I’m giving a party in a few weeks for the City Council. Josie will be there of course and—”
“Hold up, De. Don’t push Josie up in my face again, all right? She’s a fine person and deserves a man who’s all about her. I’m not interested in you tryin’ to hook me up with any more of your girls, you hear me?”
“But, Alex, you and Josie make such a—”
“De. De? I’m with Topaz Emerson. I’m looking at her right now as a matter of fact,” he revealed, sending Topaz a devilish wink. “No more matchmakin’, all right?”
Silence met the order and finally DeAndra cleared her throat. “Of course, Alex.”
“Ouch,” Topaz remarked, watching Alex click off the phone and ease it to the inside pocket of his purple sport coat.
“I think she got the point,” Alex said.
Topaz shrugged. “No, I think she’ll save the point for me,” she groaned, shaking her head when Alex began to chuckle. “You know she’s not gonna approve.”
“To hell with her.”
“She’s your family,” Topaz pointed out, raising her hand when Alex opened his mouth to retort. “Hush,” she softly commanded. “You think you can handle the drama?”
Alex leaned back against his chair, a contented smile on his face. “I’m just thankful Beck gave me such a hefty prescription.”
Topaz placed her elbow on the table and propped her chin in her palm. “Have you started taking them yet?”
“Not yet. Too leery about the side effects.”
“Mmm,” was Topaz’s only reply as she decided to keep her concerns unspoken.
Alex reached out to trail his index finger down her forearm. “What?” he probed, urging her to speak her mind.
Toying with the wispy mauve ties at the bodice of her clinging dress, Topaz debated. “I know ... the medicine is to help you, but I like you the way you are,” she said, looking right into his eyes. “Faults and all, Alex, and while I understand how important it is for you to control your rage, I’d hoped you could do it through communication instead of medication.” She shook her head then and smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry, that’s just me talkin’. I’m not a doctor or anything, so ...”
Alex looked down at her hands sliding restlessly across the table. “I remember once I told you that I hoped your goodness never got you into trouble,” he sighed, covering her hands with his own. “I hope you really know what you’re getting into here. Exorcizing these ghosts hasn’t been easy, let alone pretty.”
Topaz leaned across the table and patted his cheek. “I’m willing to take the chance.”
The rest of the week was like something from a fantasy. Alex delighted in showing Topaz why he had fallen in love with Seattle, while she was simply elated to be with the man she was falling more in love with. When Alex mentioned them having to return to North Carolina soon, she cringed at the thought of the magic coming to an end.
“I’m hungry,” Alex growled, his deep voice muffled but audible as his handsome face lay buried between Topaz’s breasts.
She smiled, raking her hands across the sheet where it covered his buttocks. “Mmm ... and what are you going to cook?” she purred, enjoying the feel of his heavy frame still covering her body after another incredible session of lovemaking late that evening.
“Me?” Alex argued, his body beginning to shake when he chuckled over her question.
“Well, I’m nowhere near as good a cook as you are,” she tried.
“Flattery will get you nowhere,” he countered, moving his weight off her. “Up,” he ordered, pulling her into a sitting position.
Topaz left the bed in pretend outrage. She headed to the bathroom, where she washed her face and pulled her hair into a loose ponytail. She retrieved her bathrobe from the bed and was slipping into it while stepping out into the hall. Suddenly, she was wrenched into an iron embrace.
Alex had grabbed her from behind, his hand clamping across her mouth. “Don’t make a sound. We’re not alone,” he murmured against her ear.
Eyes wide, Topaz nodded quickly. She was almost afraid to breathe when he moved his hand and turned her to face him. “What is it?” she whispered, her light gaze searching his closed expression.
