Indebted

by Sharon C. Cooper

  She leaned closer to Laz to whisper in his ear. “He seems kind of intense.”

  He chuckled, casting a loving gaze at the little boy before returning his attention to her. “Let’s just say he’s ten going on thirty, and brace yourself, he’s a thinker. We never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.”

  Journey nodded as Laz opened the door for her. Once she was settled inside, he hurried around the vehicle and climbed in on the driver’s side.

  “So what have you guys been up to today?” She glanced between him and Dominic, who looked up at her before returning his attention to his game.

  “I had to work earlier, and then I picked Dom up from one of his friend’s house a few minutes ago.”

  “I was at a sleepover.”

  “Did you have a good time?” she asked.

  “It was fun…until Uncle Laz showed up,” he grumbled.

  A huge grin spread across Laz’s handsome face as he maneuvered through traffic. Clearly, he had no remorse for cutting his godson’s fun short. “He’s ticked that I interrupted a video game that he was playing and winning.”

  “Ah, I see. You couldn’t wait until he was finished?”

  Laz frowned. “I guess I could have, but—”

  “Mrs. Fischer made us turn it off,” Dominic volunteered. “We were supposed to be downstairs by the time Uncle Laz came, but…”

  “So technically it wasn’t my fault.” Laz slammed on the brakes. “Motherfu…” he started before catching himself and glanced in the rear-view mirror at Dominic, who laughed.

  “Dad said Uncle Laz is trying to stop swearing, but he’s not doing a good job.”

  Journey smiled. “Is that right?”

  Laz said nothing as he switched lanes, mumbling something under his breath as he zoomed past the driver who was giving him grief, but Dominic continued.

  “Yes, but Dee said it’s a part of who Uncle Laz is, and he should be true to himself. Whatever that means.”

  “I liked that woman from day one,” Laz added.

  Journey laughed, already enjoying Dominic and the way that he and Laz interacted. She had a feeling that if she wanted to know any secrets about Laz, his godson would be the best source for information.

  Listening as Laz and Dominic discussed Dakota, it was plain to see that they were both fond of her. It was also clear that Laz and Dominic had a special bond. The way they argued good-naturedly, finished each other’s sentences and even their facial expression let her know they spent a lot of time together.

  Spending time with Laz outside of the confines of their jobs was already enlightening. He was known for his bad boy-take-no-crap behavior, but his interaction with his godson revealed a different side of him. A gentler side.

  “Your perfume is kind of strong,” Dominic blurted out.

  “Dom!” Laz said, and Journey sat stunned as she fought the laughter bubbling inside of her.

  “What did I tell you about voicing the first thing that pops into your head, especially if it’s not nice?” Laz admonished.

  “What? It is strong, but at least it smells good,” Dominic mumbled, his fingers tapping away on the video game in his hand as if he hadn’t just insulted her.

  “Thanks…I think,” Journey said. “I’ll try not to put so much on the next time.”

  She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from bursting out laughing. The last thing she wanted to do was undermine Laz’s reprimand by falling out into a fit of giggles, but the comment had been funny. Apparently, Laz didn’t think so though, if his deep frown and the strong set of his jaw were any indication.

  Journey wasn’t around kids much since she didn’t know many people with little ones and most of her friends and her sister were focused on building their careers. So she didn’t know if this was normal behavior for a ten-year-old. Yet Dominic and this situation was the perfect example of—kids say the darnedest things.

  When they finally arrived at the hotel where the reception was being held, Dominic spotted his grandparents in the lobby and took off in a sprint toward them.

  “That kid acts as if he has to run everywhere he goes,” Laz said and waved at the older couple before directing Journey toward the ballroom. “And sorry about the whole perfume thing. If it makes you feel any better, I think you smell amazing,” he said close to her ear with his arm around her waist. Clearly, he had no idea the effect he had on her when he was so close.

  “Um…thank you. I actually thought it was funny. I like a man who speaks his mind.”

  The left side of Laz’s mouth kicked up into a grin. “Good to know. Let’s head inside. Dinner is scheduled to be served in about twenty minutes. Would you like something to drink in the meantime?”

  “No, actually I’m good right now. This room is beautiful,” she said, admiring the intimate space that was classily decorated in mostly white with teal accents. White gossamer fabric covered the walls and looped intricately from the ceilings, creating an elegant ambiance. A sweet melody floated through the room from the band that was set up on the far side of the room with their lead singer

  Her gaze traveled around the room, noting the attention they were garnering from people who were standing around and others who were already occupying some of the tables. Journey wasn’t one to shrink inside herself when people stared, but she couldn’t help wonder if they were looking at them because they made a striking couple. Or if it had more to do with the fact that they were a mixed-race couple. Not that they were a couple per se, but she was curious as to what they saw or thought seeing them together.

  Surprised when Laz reached for her hand, Journey allowed him to lead her around one of the tables and across the dance floor. That’s when she noticed Hamilton. He and the woman standing next to him, who Journey assumed was Dakota, were talking to an older couple seated at one of the tables. Hamilton glanced their way and smiled. After excusing themselves, they walked toward her and Laz hand in hand. Dressed in all white, they were a cute pair, but more importantly, they looked happy.

  “What’s up, lovebirds?” Laz said when the couple got closer. He shook Hamilton’s hand and accepted a hug from Dakota before turning back to Journey. “I want you guys to meet someone.”

  “We’ve met,” Hamilton said, extending his hand. “Good seeing you again, Attorney Ramsey.”

  “You too, but please, call me Journey.”

  “Will do, Journey, and this is my wife, Dakota.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Journey said. Dakota, who was even more stunning up close, looked nothing like Journey had envisioned a stunt woman to look like. She was very feminine and more petite than expected, especially standing next to her hunky husband. “Laz and Dominic speak very highly of you.”

  Dakota laughed. “Oh, so you’ve met my little sunshine. He is a talker. Hopefully Dom didn’t talk your ear off on the ride here.”

  “He was fine.”

  “Dad!” Dominic’s voice carried around the room, causing them all to turn in his direction as he dashed across the dance floor toward them.

  “Ah, speak of the devil,” Hamilton cracked.

  “Hey, Dee!” Dominic lunged at her, seeming to soak up the hug she gave him.

  “Hey, kid. How was the sleepover?” she asked, placing a kiss on top of his curly hair.

  “It was fun.” Dominic gave his father a quick hug before returning to Dakota to tell her more about the sleepover. And then he leaned closer to her. “Did you know Uncle Laz had a black girlfriend?”

  “Dom!” Hamilton and Laz said at the same time.

  Journey burst out laughing, her hand going to her mouth when several people glanced in their direction, but she laughed even harder at the shocked expression of the other three adults.

  “I’m going to kill this kid,” Laz said under his breath and lunged at Dominic. “What did I tell you in the car?”

  “You said she’s your friend, but I know she’s your girlfriend,” Dominic said proudly, eyes wide with a huge grin on his face.
>
  “Come here!” Laz growled good-naturedly and Dominic took off running, his laughter traveling behind him as Laz ran after him.

  “I don’t know what we’re going to do with that kid. Sorry about that, Journey,” Hamilton said. “He really does have home training, despite the way it seems.”

  “No harm done. I think he’s adorable.”

  Dakota laughed. “That he is, but that mouth. Girrrl…” She shook her head and looped her arm through Journey’s. “Come with me. You and Laz will be sitting at our table and I promise to put Dom somewhere on the other side of the room.”

  Sharing a laugh, they headed to their seats.

  Journey had a feeling she and Dakota were going to get along great.

  Chapter Twelve

  Laz shook out of his suit jacket and wrapped it around Journey’s shoulders. “Better?” he asked. They’d been strolling through the hotel’s garden for the last few minutes when he noticed her shiver, then run her hands up and down her arms.

  “Much. Thank you. Do you mind if I put it all the way on?”

  “No, not at all. Go for it.”

  Laz waited as she slipped on the jacket and rolled the sleeves up to her wrists. He hated that she was covering up her sexy dress, but he had to admit, he liked seeing her in his clothes.

  “Okay, I’m ready.”

  “Let’s head this way. Sounds like there’s a water fountain nearby.”

  “Thanks for inviting me to the reception. Everyone seems so nice and dinner was absolutely delicious. I take it you and Hamilton have known each other a while. His family treats you like one of their own.”

  Laz smiled and reached for Journey’s hand to help her down the concrete stairs. “Yeah, and I consider them my family. Ham and I have known each other since our freshman year of college, and when my parents died a few months apart, the Crosbys stepped in and filled that void. But I felt like one of them before that.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  Laz nodded. “Ham and I shared a dorm room and one day his mom stopped by with dinner. I fell in love with her the first time I tasted her fried chicken and collard greens.”

  Journey threw her head back and laughed. “So she hooked you on soul food, huh?”

  “She hooked me on food, period. Mind you, my family is Greek. I was used to eating big meals with all my relatives filling a two-bedroom house. But Mrs. Irene—Hamilton’s mom—is hands-down the world’s greatest cook, and she always cooks a ton of food.”

  “I guess with three boys…actually four, including you, she probably had to, and it sounds like she still cooks like that. I heard her talking about what she was preparing for dinner tomorrow after church.”

  Warmth filled Laz’s heart as he thought about how supportive the family had been of him. They might not be blood related, but there was nothing he wouldn’t do for any of them. He was closer to them than to any of his family.

  Laz and Journey stopped near a chest-high brick wall and looked out at the water fountain. Journey looped her arm through his and leaned against his shoulder as if it was the most natural thing to do.

  “It’s so peaceful out here,” she said. The floral scent of her perfume drifted up to his nose, and Laz breathed in deep, embracing the calm that suddenly surrounded him.

  “I agree. It’s a perfect night.”

  He didn’t usually go on dates and he definitely didn’t introduce women to his family, but tonight he’d had more fun than he’d had in a while. Journey was good company. Not only was she easy to talk to, but she had a great sense of humor and seemed like a different person outside of the confines of their jobs. And all night he’d found every excuse to touch her, or pull her against his body like he had when they were dancing, but now he wanted to taste her sweet lips again. Kissing her the other day had only made him long to kiss her over and over again.

  Laz mentally shook the thought free. This wasn’t a date-date. They were out as friends and he didn’t want to do anything that might make her uncomfortable or anything to ruin the night. Sure, they’d flirted throughout the evening, but he had no intention of taking it past that.

  “Do you have any siblings?” Journey asked.

  “I have an older brother and a sister-in-law who live in Boston.”

  “Do you guys see each other often?”

  Laz shrugged. “Maybe about two or three times a year. Every time we talk, we say we need to get together more often, but you know how it is. Time gets away from you and before you know it, six months has passed.”

  “Yeah, I know. I heard the older you get, the faster time goes.”

  “Well, I must be at that point because most of my days are a blur.” He chuckled.

  Lately, he’d been thinking about the direction of his life, realizing that it was half over, and what had he accomplished? Risking his life on a daily basis to put bad guys away was no longer enough for him; he just wasn’t sure what he wanted. Or what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

  “What about you? Besides Geneva, any more siblings?”

  “Nah, it’s just us and our parents. My dad always said that having Geneva was like having three additional kids, which was why they stopped after her.”

  Laz laughed, remembering the first time he’d met Geneva at a holiday event she had attended with Journey a year or two ago. She was two years younger than Journey and upon meeting her, he knew the sister was a handful.

  Journey told him about her parents who lived a couple of hours away near the border where Georgia connected with Florida. Her mother, an attorney, had her own law firm while her father used to be a detective before he retired.

  All the years of knowing her, Laz had no idea her father had been in law enforcement. He wondered what other surprises he didn’t know about her.

  “How is it that you don’t work at your mother’s firm?”

  She shook her head smiling. “Are you kidding me? We would drive each other nuts if we had to work together. My mom is cool and all, and she’s an excellent attorney with an impressive win record. But she’s not the easiest person to get along with and could probably win an award for being the most argumentative person to ever live.”

  “I guess you guys have that in common.” Laughing, Laz leaned back to avoid her swatting at him, and then grabbed her wrists. “Hey! Don’t get mad at me for speaking the truth. Some days I feel like you live to argue with me.”

  “That’s because you make it so easy. You’re always messing up my cases or doing things to piss me off.”

  Still holding her arms, Laz pulled her closer. Close enough to kiss.

  He stared down at her tempting mouth, fighting the desire to cover her lips with his. “Just so you know, I don’t intentionally mess up your cases, but I have to be honest. Pissing you off is a serious turn-on.”

  “Really?” She eased out of his grasp and wrapped her arms around his neck. It wasn’t until her hands went to the back of his head and her fingers sifted through his hair that his self-control started slipping. “You must be turned on a lot then, because you piss me off all the time.”

  Laz laughed and slid his arm around her tiny waist and held her against his body. The way his shaft was pushing against his zipper, no doubt she felt just how turned on he was at the moment.

  Without waiting for an invitation or asking permission, Laz lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. It was like divine ecstasy whenever he kissed her. Every part of his body came alive when he slipped his tongue between her lips, drinking in her sweetness. Had he known years ago that they would have this type of connection, he would have kissed her long before now.

  “If we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to stop.”

  “Maybe I don’t want you to stop.” Journey flirted, her hands smoothing a slow path up his chest, and didn’t stop until her hands were cupping his face. They stood that way for the longest as she searched his eyes. What she was looking for, he didn’t know, but her touch sent a blast of heat shooting through his body.

&
nbsp; Stay strong. We can’t do this.

  When he didn’t say anything, she dropped her hands and smiled up at him. “I get why, and I appreciate you trying to be a gentleman here, but…”

  “But it’s frustrating as hell,” he growled before they both laughed at the situation. “Come on. Let’s keep moving before we do something we regret.”

  If he was honest with himself, Laz knew he wouldn’t regret burying himself deep inside of her…at least not right away. But he had a feeling there was going to come a day when neither of them would be able to resist the sexual tension that was growing stronger every minute. It was only a matter of time.

  I just hope there won’t be any regrets.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Journey couldn’t leave work fast enough. Seemed anything that could’ve gone wrong did, from breaking a heel on her favorite pair of pumps to having one of her witnesses change her mind about testifying.

  The shoe issue was an easy fix since she always kept an extra pair at the office. The witness situation—not so much. She’d been prepping the witness for weeks and to get the call from her that she’d changed her mind, left Journey scrambling for a backup plan. Basically, it had been a hellish week and she was looking forward to joining her sister Geneva for happy hour.

  Journey walked out of the building and a blast of heat smacked her in the face. It had to be at least a hundred degrees, even in the shade. I hate Georgia summers, she thought as she slipped out of her suit jacket and draped it across her arm. There were only so many articles of clothing she could take off without getting arrested for indecent exposure.

  Hoping she didn’t have to wait long for her ride, she stretched her neck to glance down the street. Geneva was always running late, but no sooner than the thought filled her mind she spotted her sister’s car pull into the no-parking zone.

  “Ah, yes. It’s officially the weekend,” Journey said to herself, ready to have some fun.