by Emery, Lynn
“Yeah, I like the thought of that,” Alex said with a smile. “You should have heard him on the phone. Very upset.”
“I’m sure you consoled him properly,” Lanessa chuckled.
“I did my best but he wasn’t very grateful. He used terrible language. I’m sure his distinguished family would be shocked.” Alex chuckled.
“Oh dear. How will we sleep tonight?” Lanessa chuckled.
“Yes, how will we?” Alex said in a soft voice.
Lanessa blushed and stared out the window. They were silent again. She reminded herself that Alex had been willing to believe the worst of her. With all her might she tried not to be affected by his presence. Why should he have believed her? Lanessa remembered painfully how many times she’d let him down before. Her instinct months ago to walk away had been right. Now here he was caught up in her problems. Alex was kind, thoughtful and dependable. He needed stability for himself and his children.
“Lanessa, I’m sorry,” Alex said. He was about to go on.
“Just a minute. You don’t have a thing to be sorry for. I don’t know why, but I’m a walking accident. You shouldn’t have gotten mixed up in my problem.”
“I wanted to,” Alex put in. He tried to go on but Lanessa continued.
“Not that I’m ungrateful. I really, really thank you for it. I’m going to tell your dad the same thing.” Lanessa clutched her hands together.
“I did it because—”
“Because you’re a decent person.” Lanessa cut him off again. She gazed at him. “But here we are one more time. Not only am I in another bizarre situation, but my name is again splashed all over town. I can imagine how something like this would affect your kids.”
“Tia and Nia are tough. Besides, they’d learn that you have to stand up for yourself, even when the odds are against you.” Alex steered the Montero into a parking space at the restaurant. He turned off the motor and gazed at her. “Even when someone who’s supposed to love you doesn’t believe in you.”
Lanessa could not bear to look at him. “I’m the last thing you need,” she said quietly.
Alex pulled her to him. He turned her face to his and their lips almost touched. “You’re at the top of a short list of people I really, really need in my life.”
“But we—”
His kiss smothered her words of protest and doubt. The gentle insistence of his tongue along her lips fed a deep hunger. Lanessa moaned and clutched him against her body. She needed to be closer, to feel his bare skin against hers.
“Ah, you feel so good,” he mumbled between planting kisses on her neck.
Lanessa could not speak. She shivered when his hands massaged her breasts. Like a starving woman, she forced his face back up and kissed him again, greedily. Alex whispered endearments were mostly unintelligible since his voice was muffled against her flesh. His lips traced trails of fire down the front of her blouse. First the top button then three more came undone. Headlights and the sound of voices shook them back from a special place of craving. They looked around them still dazed.
“A little more privacy might be in order,” Alex said with a grin.
“Not to mention space.” Lanessa grinned back at him.
“The Omni Hotel would be perfect.” Alex rubbed his nose against hers.
“I think we should at least tell the others before we leave.”
“Alex sighed dramatically. “I guess just driving off would be inconsiderate. Right?”
“Of course.” Lanessa laughed and buttoned her blouse. “Now come on. I’m really hungry for the first time in weeks.”
Lanessa giggled as Alex put up a mock fight not to leave the car. He groped her and made lewd suggestions. When they finally got inside and found the others already at a table, they faced the expected teasing. Lanessa enjoyed every bit of it. She and Alex blushed like kids caught necking. Even as jokes were passed back and forth through dinner, the heat in her limbs lingered. Later when they were served coffee, Joe smiled at Alex.
“I think I’ll ride with these sweet young ladies. They should deliver home safe and sound. Right?” Joe looked at Yasmin, Jackie and Robyn in turn.
“Right,” Jackie said.
“Absolutely,” Robyn chimed in.
“You’re in good hands, Joe,” Yasmin added.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll follow y’all,” Alex said. He put an arm around Lanessa.
“Yeah, right,” Jackie quipped.
The others only laughed. As Alex predicted, his father insisted on paying the tab for everyone. Once the bill was settled, they headed out.
“Listen, we need to move fast now that Metoyer knows we’ve found the warehouse.” Joe lost his jovial mood and was back to business.
“Taken care of. I left a message for Brandon and Tate at their offices. I told them they’d better get over there.” Lanessa said.
“How did you know what they’d find?” Alex said.
“With my buddy on the case, I was sure enough.” Lanessa took Yasmin’s hand.
“I had inside info, so to speak. It was the least I could do,” Yasmin replied. “Well, I’m ready to head home.”
“Hey, we could be in Baton Rouge before ten o’clock. Not bad. We tracked down the goods, kicked butt and had time for a fab meal.” Robyn looked at everyone with a wide smile.
“We the man!” Jackie swaggered toward Yasmin’s car.
Waving goodbye and laughing at her antics, the rest of the group followed her. Lanessa and Alex watched them drive away. Alex took Lanessa by the hand and walked to his car. They drove to the hotel without speaking. Once they arrived, Alex handed the keys to the valet parking attendant.
“Alex, we still need to work through what happened between us.” Lanessa watched to see any trace of hesitation in his expression or his eyes.
“Baby, we can talk all night if you want.” Alex held out his hand to her. “Okay?”
Lanessa gazed at it then wrapped her fingers around his palm. “Yes.”
The evening was more special than any they’d known before. They curled up on the king-sized bed and poured out their hearts to each other. Sharing so much made their lovemaking a soul deep experience that made them feel joined in more than a physical sense. Every hope, dream and desire was made real.
***
Lanessa emerged from the Federal Courthouse and into the sunshine. Reporters pushing microphones near her face immediately surrounded her.
“Ms. Thomas, is it true that you have knowledge that could bring down one of the most powerful corporations in this country?” A red-haired female report shouted.
“No comment. Judge Johnson imposed a gag order as you all know,” Lanessa said.
“What about your dealings with Paxton-Waite?” A short bald man broke in. He held his ink pen poised to scribble every word.
“No comment.”
“Will you testify against Ken Hargrove, a member of the most politically powerful family in Louisiana?” Another reporter called out.
“No comment.” Lanessa started to walk forward when a familiar voice to her left caused her to halt.
“Isn’t it true that you have a drinking problem? That a policeman found you passed out in your car recently?” Glenn Curtis stared at her with animosity. “Aren’t you as much a target of this grand jury as Caine Dawson, Charles Metoyer or Ken Hargrove?”
Lanessa met his gaze as cameras recorded the scene. The other reporters fell silent. “As for your last question, no comment. Judge Johnson gave strict instructions that we cannot discuss the grand jury proceedings.”
Glenn smirked at her. “And the other two questions?”
“Yes, I’m a recovering alcoholic. And yes, I was found in my car. How I got there is under investigation, Mr. Curtis. The DA’ll contact you soon. I’m sure you’ll be willing to share all you know, since you’re so interested in the truth.” Lanessa pushed her way through the crowd ignoring the babble of questions.
The reporters turned like a swarm of bees to p
ursue Glenn. He looked stunned to suddenly be the center of attention. Lanessa stood smiling at him. She waved gaily at the besieged little man. A horn behind her blew. Alex pulled up to the curb in his car, parked it and got out.
“Was it rough? You should have let me come with you.” Alex embraced her. “I don’t care about publicity.”
“I know, honey. But this was something I wanted to do by myself. Knowing you’d be here waiting made all the difference,” Lanessa said.
“At least it’s finally over.”
“It’s not over. Once the Feds raided Metoyer, they caught a lot of his rats. One guy is talking like crazy.” Lanessa’s brown eyes were bright with rage. He’s the one that drugged me.”
“Good thing they have him. Or I’d pound his head in,” Alex said fervently.
“Glenn was in on it somehow,” Lanessa said.
Alex looked at Glenn trying to extricate himself.
“I’m glad he’s getting a taste of misery this go round.”
“They were determined to ruin my reputation. I don’t know if I can save Info, Inc.”
“You will. We’ll do it, together.” Alex kissed her forehead. “Let’s go home.”
She looked into his eyes and saw love. The one love she would ever want or need in this world. Lanessa knew she was truly home now and forever, in his arms.
“Yes, baby. I’m ready to go home.”
Read the Other Books in the
Louisiana Love Series
AFTER ALL
Neva Ross returns to her small hometown of Solitude, Louisiana; a fitting name for the life she’s decided to live. She’s convinced herself that love is not worth the pain that comes with it, especially after the death of her husband. But when she meets handsome Chandler Macklin their mutual attraction is undeniable.
Chandler Macklin has gone through a nasty divorce, and has decided to take a break from romantic entanglements. He is determined to concentrate of being a good father to his son and his career. Then he meets lovely Neva Ross, the desire to be near her is intense. When Chandler’s ex-wife wants to reconcile he’s torn between providing a stable home life for his son, and the growing passion he feels for Neva. Faced with a difficult choice, Neva and Chandler must decide if they will turn away from each other or hold on to love.
ONE LOVE
Michelle Toussaint is an ambitious television news reporter with her eye on the prize, becoming an anchorwoman at the station where she works. Love is on the back burner, until Anthony Hilliard comes back into her life.
Anthony comes home with one thing on his mind: to win back the one woman he’s never been able to forget. Michelle is the only one that makes him think about forever. His dream comes true when Michelle reveals she wants him just as much.
Then the past comes back to haunt them. Intrigue and scandal threaten to turn all of their hopes to dust. They have to trust each other to save their future and their love.
About the Author
Mix knowledge of voodoo, Louisiana politics and forensic social work with the dedication to write fiction while working each day as a clinical social worker, and you get a snapshot of author Lynn Emery. Lynn has been a contributing consultant to the magazine Today’s Black Woman on three articles about contemporary relationships between black men and women.
www.lynnemery.com
Connect with me on:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LEmeryWriter