The Closer I Get to You (Cochran/Deveraux Series Book 8)
Page 29
“You can’t just tap on your glass with your fork, you have to stand up and sing if you want to see them smooch,” he said. He looked at the blissful pair who were at that very moment engaged in a long kiss. “Okay, maybe we should change that. If you want to see them come up for air you can stand up and sing,” he said with a wicked grin.
It was a long, happy and very musical reception. Everyone’s mouth dropped open when Titus stood up and serenaded his bride with “This Very Moment”. There was hardly a dry eye among the ladies when he finished pouring out his soul to her in song. Their first dance was memorable for two reasons. One, because they looked so absolutely beautiful in each other’s arms, and two, because something that had never happened in the annals of Deveraux family history occurred. Titus and Paris had their first dance to “The Closer I Get to You” sung by none other than Bennie and Clay Deveraux. Like the other members of his family, Clay had a fine voice but no one outside his wife and children ever heard it because he never sang in public. But for his favorite cousin and his beloved wife, who was carrying his child, he could never say no.
Paris felt like she could dance all night, she was so happy. There were a few tears as she danced with her daddy to “Someone To Watch Over Me”, tears that she joined in when Mac graciously handed her over to Titus, the man who would watch over her for the rest of their lives. Titus shook his father-in-law’s hand solemnly to assure him that he would take care of Paris forever. Mac nodded with equal gravity, but his face broke into a smile when Ruth came to claim him for a dance. They spent the rest of the evening dancing and enjoying each other’s company to the fullest.
It was hard to say who enjoyed the reception more, the bride or the groom. Titus shed his tuxedo jacket and danced with both his mothers, with everyone in the bridal party, with his sisters and every other family member and friend he could find, but all the slow dances belonged to Paris. It was the best party anyone had ever had, but after the dancing and the cake cutting and the toasts and serenades, it was time for the most important part of the evening when they would depart to begin their honeymoon. Paris tossed her bouquet straight to Aunt Ruth, which brought a burst of surprised laughter from her. Next came the tossing of the garter, which meant that Titus had to get it off his blushing bride.
The music changed tempo and became a sultry African drumbeat. Paris was seated in a chair and her skirts billowed around her. She looked innocently virginal but exotically seductive at the same time as she looked at Titus. Titus stood there looking like a conquering hero come to claim the fair lady, and then he began walking towards his beloved. Then he resembled a jungle cat, stalking his mate as his movements matched the rhythm of the African drums. Suddenly he dropped into a crouch directly in front of Paris, a movement so sinuous and full of intent every woman in the room sighed. He grasped her ankle and slid his big hands slowly up her leg, his eyes fastened to hers the whole time.
He knew she didn’t really like this tradition, where so many men made a big show of diving under the bride’s dress and pulling the garter off with their teeth. She found the practice embarrassing and he thought it was stupid, so he made sure to discreetly remove the garter without exposing her beautiful legs to anyone. They had no idea how sexy they looked as they looked into each other with eyes made hot with desire. When Titus’s questing hands discovered his wife was wearing a garter belt under all her finery, his eyes glazed over and he was barely able to remove the garter without throwing her over his shoulder and hauling her out of there. Several women were fanning themselves rapidly during the ritual, which was over quickly as Titus tossed the garter over his shoulder in no particular direction. He didn’t even see it land on Mac Deveraux’s shoulder. In minutes they were in the limousine that would take them to the airport where the Deveraux corporate jet was waiting.
Titus looked at Paris; the other half of his heart, his whole heart, and wondered again what he had done to deserve her love. He bent his head to hers and kissed her hard and long. When he was through she was dazed and breathless.
“Wow,” she murmured. “I don’t know what I did to deserve that, but I’ll take as many of them as I can get.”
“All you did was love me unconditionally, even when I was being the biggest jerk in the world. I love you, Paris, and I’m going to love you a little more every day for the rest of our lives. Is that okay with you?”
Through her tears of happiness Paris managed to nod her head and say yes. “Only if I can love you right back.”
Epilogue
After spending the night in a luxury hotel in New York City, Titus and Paris flew off for their honeymoon to the place Titus felt was most appropriate for his bride. They landed in Paris, France for a weeklong honeymoon that was the beginning of a lifetime of passionately profound love. Titus looked down at Paris, who was cuddled into his arms as they lazed in bed. They’d had breakfast and a long shower, but they didn’t feel compelled to move out of bed.
“I think you wasted a lot of money bringing me to Europe, baby.” Paris’s sleepy voice had an amused lilt to it. “I don’t want to get out of this bed to see any sights; the only sight I want to see is you.”
Titus laughed and Paris could feel his big muscles rippling under her cheek. “No amount of money I spend on you is ever wasted, Rosy. If we want to stay in bed the entire week that’s our business, and just for the record, I don’t want to move, either. I love feeling you next to me. I could do this for the rest of my life and not complain.”
Paris sighed with happiness and looked at her fantastic rings again, smiling at the amazing sight. “It was a beautiful wedding, wasn’t it? And the reception was a lot of fun. I think people really enjoyed themselves,” she said with a little yawn.
Titus chuckled. “I think everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly, especially Corey. I have to admit, Rosy, your plan worked really well. I had my doubts, but as usual you were right.”
Patting his chest for emphasis, Paris insisted that she was always right about these matters. “When Perry and I went to Chicago to look for fabric for my gown and I saw her, I knew I had to do something. Believe it or not, Julian is my most reasonable brother and I knew he would do what I asked him to do. And he did, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, he did. So what happens next?” her sleepy husband asked.
“We’ll find out when we get home, I suppose. One thing about my family is we’re never, ever boring,” she said with a soft giggle.
“You’re right about that. I’m glad we’re here right now, though. I love this honeymoon, even though we haven’t gotten out of bed yet.”
“I love it too. And thank you for bringing me to Paris. I’m glad we’re not in the tropics right now.” She yawned and kissed his chest.
“So am I, Rosy. What’s the name of that storm again, that big one?”
“Katrina,” Paris said softly, and went to sleep in the arms of the man she’d always loved.
THE END