“Looks like we’re here,” he said. When the driver opened the door, Richmond hopped out, then held his hand out to Alicia. Both of them were surprised to see the café was packed with patrons at this hour. “Lots of hungry people in Paris tonight.”
“I see.” Alicia was hungry as well, but her hunger was deeper than food. She wanted the man beside her. Turning away from him, Alicia decided that she’d keep her hormones under control and enjoy some classic French food. Then Richmond placed his hand on the small of her back and it felt as if nuclear bombs of desire exploded inside her body. She decided that it was time to listen to the voice telling her to go for it. He was sweet, tender, and sexy. Every kiss broke down a piece of the wall she’d built to protect her heart. It was time to take a chance.
“Richmond,” she whispered.
“Yes?”
“Can we take this food to go? I really want to be alone with you.”
Richmond’s smile spread from ear to ear. “Baby girl, you haven’t said anything but a word. As a matter of fact, food is overrated.”
“Oh, no,” she said, pointing her finger at his chest. “We’re going to need to eat something, first.”
He leaned into Alicia and brought his lips to her ear. “I plan to eat all night long or until you’re satisfied.”
“Less talk, more action,” she said.
Chapter 14
Alicia and Richmond ate their entrées in the car as they rode back to the hotel. His steak tartare and fries were an interesting starter for what he now had a serious craving for. “Sure you don’t want a taste?” he asked as he dipped a fry in the steak tartare.
“Yeah, no,” she said as she turned her head to the side. “I’m sticking with the coq au vin.”
By the time they made it back to the hotel, their food was gone and Richmond could hardly wait to take his woman upstairs. Glancing at her, he realized that Alicia was his. His present, his future, his everything. She’d changed his life in ways that he hadn’t expected and he couldn’t wait to see what the future would hold for them. Richmond hadn’t expected to fall for Alicia, or any woman, after his divorce. But Alicia’s warmth and brilliance opened his eyes to a chance at real love. The kind of love he’d watched his brothers enjoy with their wives. He knew Alicia would challenge him, she would encourage him and make him a better man.
The car stopped and Richmond didn’t wait for the driver to open the door. With one hand, he helped Alicia out of the back seat and with the other, he gave the driver a hefty tip.
“Let’s go,” he said, then scooped Alicia into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed her nose against him. “Umm. Alicia, we’re not going to make it to the suite if you keep doing that.”
“You mean this?” she asked, then ran her tongue up and down the side of his neck. “Or this?” She kissed his neck, slow and deep. Richmond’s knees almost buckled.
“Woman,” he moaned. “You and your mouth are asking for trouble.”
“Bring it on,” she replied as he pressed the up button on the elevator. Once they stepped on the elevator, Richmond pressed Alicia against the wall and kissed her with a hot passion. She moaned as their tongues danced. She was so happy that she’d worn a skirt to dinner. Richmond’s hot hands on her thighs made her cream with desire. Then he slipped his finger inside her lace panties. “Umm,” she moaned.
“This is what I call payback,” he said as he stroked her throbbing bud. “And this is only a preview of what’s to come.”
“I-I think I’m about to . . .” Alicia cried out as she felt the waves of an orgasm wash over her.
“That was too easy. Now I know there hasn’t been someone cherishing everything about you. That changes now,” he said as the doors to the elevator opened. Though he wanted to rush inside the suite, Richmond knew tonight was going to be about going slow and making pleasure last.
Opening the door to the suite, Richmond took Alicia straight to the bedroom and laid her across the bed. Her ebony skin against the white sheets made him think of chocolate. His mouth watered as he slowly peeled her clothes off. Alicia’s skin felt like satin underneath his fingertips.
Her naked body was the purest beauty he’d ever seen. She belonged in an art gallery; then again, this was a sight for his eyes only. Richmond ran his index finger between her thighs, seeking her hot wetness. Alicia moaned when he found it. Throwing her head back, she pressed her body into his finger. “Richmond,” she cried as he pressed deeper and deeper.
“It’s time for my dessert,” he said, then dove between her thighs. Richmond lapped her sweetness as she squirmed under his tongue lashing. Suck. Lick. Kiss.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she cried as he deepened his kiss. Alicia’s thighs quivered as she met her release.
Richmond met her gaze as he took her to the brink of pleasure. The look in her eyes urged him on to give her more pleasure and make her feel sensations that she’d been denied way too long.
“Need. You. Inside!” Alicia cried. “Please. Don’t stop.”
One more lick, one more suck, and then he pulled back from her. Richmond stripped out of his clothes and joined Alicia in the bed. Pulling her against his chest, he captured her mouth in a hot kiss. Skin to skin with Alicia felt better than anything he’d ever dreamed of. Better than every fantasy he had of the lovely Alicia. Then she wrapped her thighs around his waist as their tongues danced and Richmond nearly lost it. She was hot and ready. He nearly pressed into her unprotected, but had the sense to reach for his discarded slacks and grab a condom.
“Protection,” he said when he broke the kiss. Alicia nodded and watched as he slipped the sheath in place. He pulled her into his arms again, her thighs parted as he slid his hands up and down her sides. Richmond dove inside her, pumping and thrusting deep and fast. Alicia matched him stroke for stroke. Her hips filled his hands as they slowed things down. Richmond wanted to savor everything about this moment. The way she felt, the way she tasted and the sounds she made when she was satisfied.
“Look at me, babe,” he whispered. “Look at me.”
She locked eyes with his, her face comely with bliss as he thrust deeper. “Yes!” Alicia cried out. “Yes.”
“You like that? Damn, you feel good.”
She threw her head back and cried out in delight as she reached her climax. Richmond tried to hold off his own orgasm until he was sure that Alicia was satisfied. But when she tightened her sugar walls against him, he was powerless to hold back. Collapsing against each other, they drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Alicia woke up with a start. The warm arms around her waist were not a dream, Richmond was holding her. She closed her eyes again and released a satisfied sigh.
Richmond stroked her flat belly. “Morning,” he whispered in her ear.
“Morning.”
“How are you feeling?” He brushed his lips against the back of her neck.
“Better than I have in a while. You know last night was amazing.”
“It was, and I’m looking forward to more nights and days like that with you.”
Alicia turned over and faced him. “Richmond, we’re in Paris and everything is . . .”
“Going to be the same when we get back to Atlanta. I’m too old for flings and things like that. And I’m too old to pretend that you’re not the best thing that’s happened to me.”
Alicia’s breath caught in her chest. Was he serious? Could she believe that what they shared was the beginning of her happily-ever-after?
“Richmond,” she moaned.
“Let’s get dressed and go take in the sights of Paris,” he said. “Want to join me in the shower? We can save the world and start our morning making love.”
“I like the way you think,” she said with a wink.
Richmond turned the water on as he drank in the beauty of Alicia’s naked body. Smooth, chocolate, and dark. Now that he’d gotten another taste, he was officially addicted to this woman.
She crossed over to
him and ran her hand across his chest. “You’re a beautiful man, you know that?” Alicia cooed.
“And you’re the most stunning woman I’ve seen in my life,” he replied, then captured her lips in a hot kiss that was almost as steamy as the shower. He lifted her in his arms and carried her into the shower. As the water beat down on them, Richmond deepened the kiss, making her quiver with delight. Alicia grabbed a bar of soap and ran it across his chest and down to his erection.
Richmond moaned as she took his penis in her hand. When she dropped to her knees and took the length of him into her mouth, Richmond gasped with pleasure. Lick. Suck. Lick. Her lips felt like heaven, and when she took him deeper inside her mouth, he nearly exploded.
“Oh my God!” he cried as he took a step back.
She smiled and winked at him. “And you taste as good as you look.” Rising to her feet, she wrapped her arms around Richmond and he pressed into her awaiting body. Their reckless interlude felt good. Skin to skin, hot passion that seemed to raise the temperature in the bathroom. Just as Richmond was about to meet his release, he tried to pull out and protect them as much as he could. But Alicia’s heat was too good to let go of, and when she moaned in pleasure, then tightened herself around him, all he could do was explode.
“To hell with coffee,” he whispered as he shut the water off. “Being with you is the best part of waking up.”
Atlanta, Georgia
Vivian was beyond pissed as she called Alicia again. No answer, no address for her office. The only conclusion she could draw was that Alicia had no class. Then there was Richmond. She had no idea where to find him, and Solomon Crawford had told her in not so gracious terms to go and love herself.
“You should hope that I find Richmond before I find a reporter,” Vivian had threatened.
“No one cares what you have to say. If someone did, you’d stop threatening to go to the press and just do it. Don’t call my phone again,” Solomon had said coolly before hanging up.
Maybe Solomon was right about her threatening to go to the press, but her end game was bigger than headlines. But if this was the game he wanted to play, then maybe her next call would be to a reporter.
I tried to be fair, but Solomon’s arrogance is going to cost them dearly. He has just as much to lose as Richmond does if things go left in Atlanta. She pulled out her phone and called Dionne. Maybe she knew where Richmond’s office was. Vivian knew she’d wait there for him today, because it was time for everyone to know that she was serious.
Chapter 15
Richmond finally believed the hype about Devon Harris. He’d never been a huge fan of desserts, but this chocolate cake was almost as delicious as the chocolate woman he’d had the pleasure of eating this morning.
“Wow,” Richmond said as he took the final bite of the decadent cake. “That’s one of the best things I’ve had in my mouth since I’ve been in Paris.”
“I’m going to take the compliment and not ask any questions,” Devon said with a laugh. “So, y’all just decided to get up one day and come to Paris. I want to be like you guys when I grow up.”
“We’re here on business,” Alicia said as she swiped some icing from Richmond’s plate. “Crawford Hotels is expanding in Atlanta, and Richmond had the brilliant idea to see how he could make his boutique hotels stand out.”
Marie walked into the TV studio where the trio had been eating. Devon and Marie had moved to Paris about four years ago after the famed chef had been tapped to lead a restaurant and popular cooking show. Before he left, Devon surprised Marie with a wedding at Hometown Delights because he wanted to take his wife to France with him.
“Bonjour, mes amis!” She crossed over to Alicia and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then looked at Richmond. “And who is this?”
Richmond extended his hand to Marie. “Richmond Crawford.”
She gave him a quizzical look and furrowed her eyebrows. “Solomon Crawford’s brother? Wow, you’ve changed. Nothing like the pictures on your hotel website.”
“That’s my wife, always speaking her mind,” Devon said as he crossed over to Marie and kissed her on the cheek. “Where is my baby girl?”
“Sleeping in your office with her nanny. She’s living the dream, eat, sleep, poop, and let someone else clean it all up. Why did we ever become adults?”
“Because there was no alternative,” Alicia said. “I bet that little beauty has everyone on the production crew wrapped around her finger.”
Marie nodded with pride. “No one more than that man right there,” she said as she nodded toward Devon. “She looks at him and it’s as if he’s hypnotized. Couldn’t say no to her if he wanted to.”
“Sounds like she’s just like her mama,” Alicia quipped. “When are you guys coming stateside again?”
“Soon,” Devon said. “After I wrap up this season of the show, I’m doing a program on the Food Network with Bobby Flay, and I was hoping to use Hometown Delights as the backdrop.”
“That is a great idea,” Alicia replied excitedly. “And if there is a live taping, I want to be there. I have got to meet Bobby Flay.”
“Why?” Devon and Richmond asked in concert. Alicia and Marie laughed.
“Because, he’s my second favorite chef,” Alicia replied. “Why are you two acting like I can’t have another favorite out here?”
Richmond inched closer to her and brought his lips to her ear. “My feelings are hurt, because I thought I was your favorite chef.”
Turning to him, she kissed his cheek. “You know when it comes to you and Bobby there’s no competition.”
Marie and Devon exchanged knowing looks, then turned back to the couple. “So, how much of this trip is business?” Marie asked as she grabbed a bottle of water from Devon’s hand. “Because it looks like we’re going to be attending a wedding before my husband meets up with Bobby Flay.”
“It’s not like that,” Alicia said.
“Yet, anyway,” Richmond added. “Alicia and I are here on business, but no one works twenty-four seven.”
Devon smiled and nodded. “This is good. I knew you seemed happier than I’ve seen you in a while,” he said. “Rich, my man, you already know these ladies are a handful, so you better do right by this one.”
Richmond took Alicia’s hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I’m not worried about doing her wrong. When the right thing walks into your life, you do everything to keep it.”
Devon gave Marie a quick kiss. “Don’t I know it. So, what do you two have planned for tonight? I’m having a little dinner party at my new restaurant and I’d love for you guys to join us.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” Richmond said, then told Devon about their experience at the hotel restaurant.
“That’s what you get for not allowing me to feed you immediately. Alicia knows better,” Devon quipped. “But I have this new Southern fusion menu that I’m debuting tonight. So, you get a small taste of home with a French accent.”
“Sounds delicious,” Alicia said. “Any chance of you sharing these recipes?”
“Not until after the show with Flay.”
“Alicia,” Marie said. “You have to take some pictures with me tonight for my blog. And that sounds like an excuse for us to go shopping.”
Devon rolled his eyes. “The sun shines and my wife sees it as a reason to go shopping.”
“You knew who I was when you brought me to Paris, so hush,” Marie quipped.
Alicia turned to Richmond. “Do you mind?” she asked.
“Not at all. Your shopping trip will give me some time to pick Devon’s brain about some things, especially making sure our hotel restaurant will be on point.”
“Cool,” Marie said. “We should be back in about two hours or so. There is this great boutique that has some of the best clothes, and everything is pretty much one of a kind.”
As she and Alicia walked out the door, Devon eyed Richmond. “All right, brother, what’s the deal?”
“What do you mean?
” Richmond asked.
“How long have you been in love with Alicia?”
“Probably since the day I laid eyes on her in Atlanta. She’s intense, though.”
Devon nodded. “Alicia has always been the one who’s about her business. She doesn’t play games, and if you can’t handle that, you’re in trouble.”
“I can handle it, I just need her to know that I’m for real.”
“Just be real, then. And I’ll be happy to bake the wedding cake.”
“We’re definitely going to want the gateau d’amoureux at the wedding, if it ever gets that far.”
Devon folded his arms across his chest. “Tell that to someone else. I know two things for sure: Men don’t bring women to Paris they don’t want a future with, and baking with coconut milk is not a good idea.”
* * *
Marie Charles-Harris knew one thing, and that was how to shop, Alicia decided after they’d hit three boutiques in thirty minutes and the shopkeepers had everything waiting for her. They knew her name and were happy to see her when she walked in the door. A few of them had a close enough relationship with Marie to ask her about her daughter.
Marie spoke perfect French when she told them that her friend needed a killer dress for a dinner party and to make her man drool.
“He’s technically not my man,” Alicia said.
“Please, the way you looked at him, he’s clearly yours. Anyway, you could’ve done worse.”
“Is that so?”
“Look, honey, I lived in Charlotte for a number of years and I’ve seen what’s out there. Richmond Crawford is a catch.”
“We’re not in Charlotte, though. I moved to Atlanta because I wanted a bigger challenge. You and the girls make it so easy to market Hometown Delights. And honestly, if Jade tried to set me up on another blind date, I was going to lose my mind.”
“So, how did you and Richmond get together?” Marie asked as she handed Alicia an ivory dress.
Alicia shook her head. “That color isn’t going to work on me,” she said.
Strategic Seduction Page 13