The Closer I Get to You (Cochran/Deveraux Series Book 8)

by Melanie Schuster

  He picked up the bag from the wine store and locked the car door, then held out his hand to Paris. She took it easily and naturally and they walked up to the house where they could hear the sounds of festivity from the huge backyard. “It sounds like things are getting started already,” she said happily. Giving him the look that never failed to send a tingle through his body she added, “I’m glad you were able to stay over for this, Titus. I thought you’d have to go right back to Atlanta after the wedding.”

  Titus gently released her hand and put his arm around her bare shoulder, trying to ignore the lure of her smooth, silken skin. “I scheduled some meetings in Detroit and Minneapolis. I was hoping to be able to spend some time with you,” he told her; enjoying the pleased look she gave him.

  Before she say anything they were greeted by a chorus of happy voices, coming from the assorted Deveraux and Cochran children in attendance. Clayton Deveraux III, called Trey for short, came around the corner of the house with a smile on his face and his younger siblings on his heels. He gave Paris a hug and a kiss on the cheek, which was repeated by his twin brothers, Marty and Malcolm when Paris stooped down to their level. He offered his hand to Titus, who had to hide a smile while they exchanged a manly handshake. Trey was so much like his father it was eerie. He had a calm maturity that was unusual in a boy his age, but it was totally natural for him, there was nothing put on about it.

  “I’ll take that for you, T.,” Trey said, taking the bag from the older man’s hands. By now they’d reached the backyard where family and friends were already enjoying what was going to be a fantastic party. Trey turned to Paris to ask where her brothers were.

  “Daddy and the boys went to Chicago this morning, Trey. They had a law conference to attend,” she told him.

  “That’s too bad,” Trey said thoughtfully. “I hardly ever get to see the Judge and the cousins. Maybe they can come visit you in Atlanta when we get back,” he said innocently.

  Paris’s eyes widened as she tried to think of something diplomatic to say. She loved her brothers and enjoyed their company, but the thought of them all piled up in Atlanta running interference while she tried to date Titus was unsettling to say the least. She looked at Titus and felt the heat rise up to her cheeks because his look of amusement told her he knew exactly what she was thinking. She was rescued, however, by the greetings of the friends and family who’d already gathered in the huge backyard.

  Some of the Deveraux family had already flown back to Atlanta, but Bennie and Clay Deveraux were still there, as were Martin and Ceylon Deveraux and their children. Bennie and Ceylon were both from Detroit and always tried to maximize their visits to Motown so they could spend time with their families. After hugging the two women like she hadn’t seen them in a week, Paris made her way over to Lisette Alexander, who was sitting next to her husband Warren on an old-fashioned glider. The two women had become close friends while Paris completed an internship with Cochran Communications in Detroit two years earlier. Paris gave Lisette a perfunctory greeting and wiggled her fingers at Warren; her real target was Warren Frederick Alexander, Jr., the young son of the doting couple. She cooed happily as she took the adorable little boy from his mother’s arms and kissed his irresistibly chubby cheek.

  Warren laughed good-naturedly. “I can see you’re not interested in me in the least, so why don’t I get out of your way?” He rose from the glider and offered Paris his seat, which she took without hesitation.

  “Thanks, Warren,” she murmured absently while she admired the toddler. “Lisette, he’s beautiful. And he’s so sweet,” she added as Warren, Jr., gave her a big smile and started wiggling. He loved the ladies, but he wanted to hang out with his father.

  Lisette smiled proudly and agreed with Paris. “I shouldn’t say this, but you’re absolutely right. He’s very handsome and good-natured, just like his daddy.” Her expression changed as she looked at her big teddy bear of a husband. Paris had reluctantly released Warren, Jr., who was running to his father as fast as his chubby legs would allow. Lisette couldn’t hide the fact that she was still madly in love with Warren, even more so than when they first married. She’d once told Paris that it was love at first sight for her, and her feelings hadn’t changed one bit, they’d only gotten deeper.

  “I haven’t told Warren yet, but I’d like to have another one soon. I want them to be close in age so they’ll be great friends,” she confided.

  Paris raised an eyebrow. “That’s a done deal then, because you know Warren can’t refuse you anything. Do you want a boy or a girl this time?”

  “I don’t care which. I just want another baby,” Lisette smiled. “There’s something wonderful about making babies with the man you love, it’s like being under a magic spell or something,” she added dreamily. “You’ll find out what I mean pretty soon.”

  Paris felt her mouth fall open but she couldn’t seem to close it. She must have looked positively panicked because Lisette patted her hand comfortingly. “I’m sorry, sweetie, I didn’t mean to shock you like that! But the way Titus looks at you tells me it won’t be too much longer before you’re planning your own wedding. Honey, that’s just how Warren looked at me when we were dating.” Lisette stopped talking and smiled, a warm beautiful smile meant for one person only. She put her lips together and formed a discreet little kiss, directed at Warren, who was staring at his wife as though this was the first time he’d ever seen her.

  Paris had to laugh at the two of them. “Lisette, I think he’s still got the look. You and Warren were just meant to be together, that’s all. Titus and me, well, that’s different. We’ve just started going out, it’s not that deep,” she said, trying to sound convincing.

  Lisette dragged her eyes away from her man long enough to give Paris a look full of mischief. “Oh really? Then why is he looking at you like he wants to eat you up, hmm?”

  Against her better judgment, Paris looked over where Titus was chatting with her cousins Martin and Clay. Sure enough, Titus was staring at her. He’d removed his shades and she could see his eyes, their color once again radiating a warm shade of blue. His expression was warm and relaxed and it suddenly turned blatantly sexy as he acknowledged her observation of him by giving her a slow wink and touching his mouth with his forefinger as he sent a silent kiss her way.

  Paris blinked her long lashes and stifled a gasp as a hot tremor started in a place she’d never felt before. A soft ‘ooh’ escaped her lips as Lisette laughed with delight.

  “Not that deep, hmm? Not for long, sister. Your day is coming very, very soon,” she vowed.

  Paris tried to think of a witty response but failed. Her mind was too full of the possibilities engendered by Lisette’s prediction and her own intensely passionate reaction to the man who was still watching her. Her rescue came in the form of Aunt Ruth and Angelique as they joined the two women. Thanking a higher power she happily joined in conversation with the others as they made themselves comfortable in lounge chairs. Hallelujah, I’m safe for now, Paris thought gratefully. Then she made the mistake of glancing up once more to lock eyes with Titus and felt the same tremor, this time stronger and deeper. Oh who am I kidding? I’m not safe. I’m in trouble, deep trouble. But for some reason, I don’t really care…

  Chapter Three

  After a long afternoon spent pleasantly in the company of her friends and family, Paris was relaxed and happy as she and Titus drove through the streets of Detroit. She was so relaxed, in fact, that she didn’t jump and tremble when he reached over to stroke the side of her face.

  “You’re awfully quiet. You’re not getting shy on me again, are you?” he teased.

  “No, I’m not,” she assured him. “I was just thinking about what a nice party that was. I really enjoy my cousins and their friends,” she said.

  “You do have a wonderful family. You’re very fortunate to have a family like that,” he said quietly.

  Paris laughed out loud. “Even the lunkheads? You think I’m lucky to have four Cane
Corsos for brothers?”

  Titus laughed with her. “Actually, yes I do. If they’re going to keep the players and poseurs off you, I’m all for them as a matter of fact.”

  “I take it that doesn’t include you. You would be the exception to the player/poseur rule, is that it?”

  Titus brought the car to a stop. “Absolutely. I should be the only exception because I don’t fit in either of those categories,” he said confidently.

  Paris was so taken with the look on his face she didn’t register the fact that the car wasn’t moving. “Really? And what category do you belong in?”

  Titus unfastened his seat belt and leaned closer to Paris, close enough to savor the fine essence of her fragrance and marvel again at the purity of her beauty. “I don’t think I have a category, Paris. I just happen to be a man who recognizes your exquisite quality and who just has to have you,” he said softly, so softly Paris wasn’t sure what she was hearing.

  “You have to…” she murmured.

  Titus leaned in closer, touching her lips with his own, talking to her as he did so. “I have to, Paris. I want you so bad it’s turned into a disease. I think it might be terminal,” he breathed as he sucked her lower lip, then her top one, feasting gently on the juicy and tender flesh of her mouth. “I think if I don’t touch you soon, I might just die from wanting you, baby.”

  Paris was dizzy with sensation and longing for more. “You’re crazy, Titus, you know that, right?”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s because you’ve driven me crazy. Those lips, those hands, that skin…damn, you’ve got beautiful skin,” he sighed as he first stroked her shoulder, then ran his hot tongue over it.

  She gasped and began trembling, which made him unfasten her seat belt and attempt to pull her into his arms. “Okay, this vehicle isn’t made for this, at least not for us. Let’s go inside and get comfortable,” he suggested.

  That made Paris realize they weren’t moving anymore. “Go inside where?” She looked out the window to see where they were but all she could see was a parking lot.

  “We’re at my hotel. I thought we could go up to my suite and be alone for a while. Since you’re staying with your cousins, you don’t have any real privacy, and I won’t be back in Atlanta for another week. So, if you’re not put off by the idea, I thought we could have some much-needed solitude. Are you comfortable with that?”

  A voice she didn’t recognize as her own said “Yes, of course”. It was true, even though she was having a little trouble making her voice work, Paris didn’t have a problem with what Titus suggested. It sounded like the perfect plan to her. She waited for Titus to open her door and pivoted on her seat to put her longs legs out of the car as she took the hand he offered her. He smiled down at her with admiration.

  “Paris, you do that so well. Most women don’t know how to get out of a car that elegantly. You have an amazing style and grace.”

  Paris gave him a big smile as they entered the hotel. “Thank my Aunt Lillian for that. From the time I was about eight I spent every summer with her in Atlanta and she did her best to make me a lady. I was a real tomboy, believe it or not. My mom died when I was five and it was just the boys and me. I was just one of them, one of the rowdy Deveraux boys,” she said with a smile of remembrance. “Nobody had the time, inclination or skills to teach me how to be a girl. I learned to hunt, fish, ride, play football, poker and fight. If it hadn’t been for Aunt Lillian, I might have grown up to be a lumberjack,” she laughed.

  Her laughter stopped as she looked around the lobby of the hotel. It was serene and elegant, with tables that held arrangements of fresh flowers almost as big as she was. She barely had time to take in her surroundings as Titus put a big warm hand to the base of her back and guided her to the elevator. They were alone in the car and Titus took full advantage of that fact, pulling her into his arms for a long sweet kiss that left her breathless. The doors opened and an older couple stepped in just as they were ending the embrace. Paris’s face heated up as it always did when she was embarrassed, but the couple’s smiling faces somehow put her at ease.

  “Oh look, dear, they must be newlyweds! Reminds me of when we were on our honeymoon,” the woman said with a sigh.

  Her husband winked at Titus and gave him a conspiratorial grin. “Just keep kissing her that way, son. One of those every morning and every night is the secret to a happy marriage.”

  Just then the elevator came to a stop and they made their escape while waving goodbye to the friendly pair. The merriment that had been building up escaped as both Titus and Paris succumbed to a fit of laughter. Paris was giggling so hard she didn’t realize they were in the suite until Titus closed the door behind them. Her laughter died away as she looked around the spacious area. It was nicely furnished, looking more like the living room in someone’s home rather than a hotel suite. There was a comfortable looking sofa that faced an electric fireplace and was flanked by two wing chairs. A small desk was between the two windows and an armoire held a stereo system and a flat screen TV. The coffee table and end tables were made of rich espresso hued wood and the furniture was upholstered in blue bargello stitch fabric that matched the draperies. Restful looking abstract paintings enlivened the walls and an area rug highlighted the luxurious navy blue carpeting. Real plants increased the ambiance of the room and made it even less hotel-like. Paris took the hand that Titus offered her and allowed him to lead her to the sofa to sit down.

  “Would you like something to drink? A glass of wine or something?” he asked solicitously.

  “Not right now. Some ice water would be nice in a little while, but I don’t need anything at the moment, thank you,” she answered.

  While she was speaking, Titus used the remote to start some sultry jazz playing. “You don’t need anything? That’s good to know, although I’ll get you anything you want, anytime you want it,” he said quietly. “But I do want something. Something I can only get from you.”

  Paris swallowed hard before speaking. She was alone at last with the man of her dreams and she had no idea what was coming next. She dared a look at Titus, who was lounging comfortably with his long legs extended and one arm along the back of the sofa. He was smiling at her, an intimate, sexy smile. Even if she’d wanted to, Paris couldn’t have imagined a more good-looking man. He wasn’t conventionally handsome, but there was something about him, with his high cheekbones, his juicy, tender lips, his broad shoulders and his hard, muscular body that spoke to Paris in a language she was just beginning to understand. The early summer sun had done its work and given him a light golden tan that promised to get darker and richer as the months went on and right now he was truly the most compelling man Paris had ever seen. And he wanted something from her that he couldn’t get anywhere else. Without realizing she was doing it, she daintily moistened her lips with her tongue before speaking.

  “What is it, Titus?” she asked demurely.

  “I want you to come sit next to me,” he said gently, indicating the space next to him.

  Paris stared at him for a moment, and then put her hand into the one he extended to her and slid over so that she was nestled next to him. She froze for a moment, and surprised herself by the ease with which she relaxed against his body. He put his arm around her shoulder and his free hand around her waist, giving her a soft squeeze.

  “That’s better, isn’t it?” He inclined his head to rub his cheek against her hair, and then kissed her temple, letting his lips trail down her cheek to her sensitive ear. “You smell fantastic, Paris. What are you wearing?”

  Paris let out a soft sigh before answering. He felt so good next to her; it felt so right for him to be touching her like this. “It’s called Amazing Grace,” she murmured.

  “That’s the perfect name for you. You’re so graceful and sexy when you walk. It makes me nuts,” he admitted. He started exploring her neck, first rubbing his face against her soft skin, then spreading soft, nibbling kisses where his face had been.

  She began breath
ing harder as his hands began to move. Before she knew what he was doing, Titus had scooped her up so she was sitting in his lap with one arm locked around her waist. “Ooh! I think I’m too heavy for you,” she began only to be cut off by his deep laugh.

  “Sweetheart, look at me. I’m six foot six inches tall and I outweigh you by at least hundred pounds. If you weren’t so warm and sexy I wouldn’t even know you were here.” His free hand caressed her thigh softly but firmly and he squeezed gently, making her sigh with pleasure. “Come here and kiss me, Paris, I need to taste that sweet mouth of yours,” he growled playfully.

  Paris braced her hands on his broad shoulders and made a soft noise of surprise as he pulled her close and covered her willing lips with his eager mouth. The ooh that came out of her turned into a sigh of rapture as the kiss deepened into something erotically beautiful. His lips were firm but pliant and they molded to hers while his tongue sought hers and the mutual stroking and sucking excited her in a way she’d never before experienced. Her hands left his broad shoulders as she wrapped her arms around his neck, the better to feel the warmth of his skin through the thin shirt he wore. His hand was tangled in her long hair as he held her gently, prolonging the sensual exchange. The kiss turned into more kisses, long, passionate ones that had Paris’s heart pounding and her pulse racing in every part of her body, especially the most private parts that were becoming drenched with her desire for Titus.

  They finally pulled apart and Paris’s head rested on Titus’s shoulder while she tried to remember how to breathe normally. They held each other for a long moment, until Titus kissed her forehead and tilted her face to his. Looking at her with an expression she’d never seen on any man’s face before, a combination of intense desire and seduction, he uttered the words that would change her life forever.