“I have to go home,” she told him; it was after one and she had no intention of spending the night as much as she wanted to; her mother would tell her it was not appropriate.
“Am I going to see you tomorrow?” He wanted her to stay the night; he wanted her to stay all the nights but he knew she was not going to and he had to keep it at her pace even if that was not what he wanted to do.
“You’re already seeing me; it’s already tomorrow.” She told him teasingly.
“You know what I mean,” he told her impatiently.
“We’ll see,” she told him lightly, pulling away reluctantly. “I have some things to do but I’ll call you later.” She climbed off the bed; not conscious that she was totally naked before him and started pulling on her clothes.
“I did not give you the tour,” he told her; getting up and starting to dress.
“I will get it another time,” she told him, scooping a hand through her curls and rummaging through her pocket book for an elastic band to secure it at the nape of her neck.
He came up behind her and pulled her against him. He had put on his pants and his shirt but the buttons were still undone.
“I love how you feel in my arms,” he whispered against her neck. Faith leaned back against him, her body quivering with need. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck; going on her toes to reach his lips with hers; her tongue snaking out to touch his mouth before diving inside. He returned the kiss and pulled her tight against his body, deepening the kiss; his mouth moving restlessly over hers.
It was he who pulled away; his breathing labored. “Let’s go before I change my mind,” he said thickly, turning on his heels to go out the door. Faith followed slowly, her legs heavy and weak with longing – if only…
He took her to her car and followed her home. As soon as she parked and got out; he strode over to her; claiming her lips in a devastating kiss that had her whimpering. “Something to remember me by,” he told her huskily as he headed back to his car. He waited until she had gone inside and locked the door before he drove off.
Faith rested against the door; her feet weak and trembling and for a mad moment she thought about driving back over to his house and staying there but with a supreme will power she curbed the desire and slowly went to the bathroom to take a much needed cold shower.
She spent most of the night reliving the wonderful experience of what he did to her – her body shivering as she felt him inside her. She had to get up and make herself a cup of steaming hot tea and sipped it slowly in order to stop the shivers. She fell asleep in the wee hours of the morning; her dreams filled with Joshua.
*****
The phone jolted her awake at around eleven o’clock and Faith jumped out of bed; horrified that it was so late and she had a million and one things to do.
“Hi,” his deep voice sounded in her ear; causing the shivering to start all over again.
“Hi yourself,” she strove for casualness; even though she was far from feeling it.
“How did you sleep?”
“Are you fishing for compliments?” she asked him suspiciously, heading for the kitchen.
“Of course,” he told her with a laugh. “I couldn’t sleep. You left your bra and I slept with it beside my nose.”
“Seriously?” Faith laughed; a little tingle run through her body.
“I want to see you later Faith,” he told her abruptly.
Faith stopped in the act of putting on the kettle. “I have things to do Josh,”
“Please,” he whispered. “You have started something that I cannot do without. I want to see you.”
“I’ll make you dinner,” he told her huskily. “But I have to see you.”
“Oh Josh,” she murmured, leaning against the kitchen counter. “What are you doing?”
“I am falling in love with you,” he told her bluntly.
Faith went silent for a moment. She had not expected him to say that and she did not know how to deal with it.
“You’ve gone silent on me,” he said wryly. “Am I going to see you later?”
“Yes,” she answered her throat dry. “You’ll see me later.”
“Good,” his voice was brisk. “I am going to wow you with my culinary expertise,” he teased before he hung up.
Faith turned off the whistling kettle automatically; her hands a little unsteady. He was falling in love with her. She knew she felt something for him but she did not have time to process her feelings yet and she felt as if she was being run over by a bulldozer. She had never really thought about what being in love with a man meant – she had always gone along carefree and enjoying her freedom and concentrating on getting ahead with her life – now there is Josh; a man who stirred up so many feelings inside her that she was trying to sift through and understand. He had taken her virginity and she was wondering what else he had taken because she could not stop thinking about him.
Chapter 6
She hurriedly did the chores she had to do and not even a call from Maureen asking her to go on the road with her could sway her. She actually felt guilty telling her friend that she had some things to take care of so she could not go out with her. But she wanted to see Josh as well; she wanted to be with him; not just for the way he had made her feel when they were making love but she found out that it was easy to talk to him and she wanted to explore her feelings for him. Her mother had told her to wait for the right one and she was going to do just that. She had seen too many failed marriages and she had also seen what it did to people who settled for less than who God wanted them to be with. She was not going to make the same mistake – it had to be love or nothing at all. It would never be about the money because she was independent enough to work and take care of her needs; it had to be love.
She took extra care in dressing. Black jeans and a bright green dress blouse with accessories to match and a minimum amount of make-up and she was ready to leave. She had called him and told him that she was on her way over and he had told her he was in the middle of cooking.
He opened the door as soon as she knocked. He had on a full white apron over his jeans and T-shirt that said ‘Kiss the cook’ and Faith bit her lip to stop from laughing.
“Cute,” she told him teasingly, moving past him as he closed the door behind them.
“Aren’t you going to kiss me?” he asked, taking her arm and staying her.
“Why should I?” she pretended not to understand.
“Because it says so on my apron and because I have been waiting to do this all day,” he murmured, turning her around to face him. “I missed you,” he bent his head and took her lips hungrily. Faith sagged against him weakly, her mouth opening to take him in. He deepened the kiss with a sigh; his arms going around her waist making her painfully aware of how much he needed her. It was he who broke off the kiss, his breathing labored as he held her at arm’s length. “You’re not good for my heart rate,” he told her huskily; his eyes had darkened to a crystal green.
Faith took a deep breath and stepped away from him. “What’s for dinner?” she asked, fighting for control.
He turned and went into the kitchen, expecting her to follow. The kitchen was large and airy and the counter top was pure granite. The smell coming from the large black stove was delicious. He looked so at ease that she had a feeling he spent a lot of time in the room.
“Chicken soup,” he told her, going over and stirring the pot. There was raisin bread on the counter top and a bottle of wine in a cooler. Faith perched on a stool and rested her hand on the counter.
“Chicken soup?” Faith felt her mouthwatering. “Who taught you to cook?” she asked him curiously as he turned off the stove and started slicing the bread.
“My mother, somewhat and I love to experiment and try out new recipes,” he told her; looking at her for a moment. She had rested her chin in her hand and she looked like a little girl; a beautiful little girl.
“A man at home in the kitchen, I could get used to that,” Faith
told him dreamily.
He grinned at her. “What about you, any culinary skills?”
“Somewhat,” Faith shrugged. “My mother believed in a woman being well rounded and she said that no matter the education you have and even if you happen to marry into money you should be able to cook a meal for your husband or if you never marry to be able to cook for yourself.”
“Smart woman, your mother.” Josh commented.
“I still miss her to this day,” she averted her eyes as she felt the tears threatening.
She did not notice that he had come over until she felt his hand on her arm. “You don’t need to hide you tears from me Faith,” he lifted her chin and stared at her beautiful dark eyes, bright with unshed tears. “I will never think you weak and the fact that you can still cry for her shows how much of a mother she was.”
It was like a dam had burst. Faith felt as if she was being torn apart inside. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms and she buried her head in his chest; her body heaving. He held onto her, not saying anything just holding her close to him. Even when she had stopped crying he still held her.
“I got your shirt and apron wet,” she murmured, just a little bit embarrassed.
“It will dry,” he told her mildly. “Tell me about her.”
She did. She told him about the many things her mother had taught her; how she had taught her Christian values and helped her with homework and always punished her in love.
“It was just the two of us for a long time. I barely knew my father, I just barely remembered a kind and gentle man who used to bring home sweets and tell me to hide it from Mom who would always know about it.” Faith laughed, feeling better than she had felt in ages.
“It sounded like a happy childhood,” he murmured softly.
Faith snuggled in his arms; feeling at ease. “It was and they were so in love with each other, Mom never looked at another man after he died. I remember asking her several times why she never got married after Dad died and she told me that he was the love of her life. What they shared during the time they were together, she could never find with anyone else and it would not be fair to that person. She told me it was better to be by yourself than to just be with someone because you feel lonely.”
“They had the love of a lifetime,” Joshua commented, tightening his hold on her. “I want that as well.” He added softly. “My dad left my mother when I was eleven years old and she brought me up by herself. I never saw her crying or even hear her blaming him or her circumstances – our home was very happy even though it was just us. I always swore to myself that I would never do that to my kid.”
“Have you ever tried to find him?” Faith looked up at him; her heart going out to that little boy who had to have been yearning for his father.
“I did,” he told her with a shrug. “I couldn’t and he ended up getting in touch with me a few years ago and wanted to make amends. He died two years ago in a nursing home but I forgave him and put it behind me and I love my mother all the more for the many sacrifices she made for me.”
“We both did well in the mother department,” she told him; trying to ease the tension in his body.
“We certainly did,” he told her with a smile. They stayed that way for a long time before he put her away from him gently and suggested they ate.
She enjoyed every morsel and he told her some escapades from his childhood. She found herself laughing uproariously as he told her of the time he got caught stealing the pie from the cooling rack that his mother had just baked. He wanted to take it to a homeless man whom he always saw on his way to and from school.
“Mom saw me and let me get away with it and the next time I did it, she just called out and told me to take some juice from the fridge as well,” he said with a grin. “Suffice it to say, I never stole another pie again, I knew to ask.”
“Your mother sounds cool,” Faith wiped her hand across her eyes; she had laughed until tears came.
“She is,” he told her; getting up to pile the dishes together; refusing her offer to help. “I want you to meet her officially.” He went into the kitchen without waiting for her answer.
Faith felt her heart fluttering and she followed him into the kitchen. “I am not ready,” she told him; his back was turned and she saw him tensed.
“I am falling in love with you and I am pretty sure I am there already,” he turned to face her. “I just want the two women in my life to get to know each other better.”
“Josh-“ She began but he interrupted her.
“I am not asking you anything right now Faith, and I am willing to go where you lead for now.” He turned back to the sink.
She was silent for a moment as if processing what he had said to her. “I want to invite you to church tomorrow,” she said it on a dare, just to hear what he would say.
“What time?” he asked her smoothly, pouring two glasses of red wine and passing one to her.
Faith took the glass automatically; her expression startled. “Umm; at ten. You want me to pick you up?”
“Please,” his expression was amused as he perched on the stool beside her. “You did not expect me to say yes?”
“Who knows what you are going to say,” Faith said shaking her head. “Be prepared to be scrutinized and questioned especially by my best friend Maureen.”
“I am a big boy, I can take it.” He told her with a smile.
She left his house at ten, he kissed her gently on the lips and watched her leave. Faith drove home feeling lighthearted and floating – he was certainly growing on her.
*****
She picked him up at quarter to ten and he was already dressed and waiting for her; in black dress pants and a long sleeved emerald green shirt and black and green tie. “Will I do?” he asked in amusement as she stared at him. She was in a red wool dress that molded her figure gently and black heels.
“Very well,” she told him soberly as he climbed into the passenger side.
“You look beautiful,” he told her; one finger trailing down her smooth cheek. “I kept thinking about you last night and had a hard on that would not go down.”
“Stop!” she told him sharply, flashing him an annoyed glance; her heart tripping inside her. “We are on our way to church for crying out loud.”
“So no inappropriate language and behavior because we are going to the Lord’s house,” he said laughing at her. “What about after church?”
“I am going to ignore you,” Faith said shaking her head.
They got to the church a few minutes later. Mark and Maureen pulled up beside them just as they were about to alight from the car.
Maureen eyes zeroed in on Josh as soon as she got out of the car and she came straight over to him; with Mark trailing behind her. "Hi. My name is Maureen and I believe you are Josh," she held out a hand for him to take.
"I believe I am," he told her, his eyes twinkling in amusement; taking her hand.
Faith rolled her eyes and shook her head, meeting Mark's amused stare. "Hi Mark," she smiled at him.
"Hi Faith, lovely to see you," he gave her a brief hug before turning to greet Josh. "Welcome to our church." They walked off together leaving both girls to follow behind them.
"Thanks for sharing," Maureen hissed, her eyes shooting daggers.
"You're welcome," Faith responded sweetly.
"We're supposed to be best friends," she whispered, waving to Sister Blair who had just driven up.
"And we are but there was nothing to share," Faith told her avoiding her direct stare.
"That's bull! That man was undressing you with his eyes." She said bluntly.
"He was not," Faith protested weakly. They had reached the building and Mark and Josh were waiting for them.
"We'll discuss this later," Maureen warned as she went with Mark, leaving Joshua to wait for Faith.
Faith made a face and she and Josh went inside; careful to avoid looking at him.
The choir was just starting to sing and they stood for
the intro. She could see all the curious gazes leveled at them and Faith knew she was going to be in for a lot of questions after the service. That was the problem with a small church; everybody was all up in your business.
The message was about giving your all to Jesus and Pastor Brown expounded on the fact that we are all God's children and he wants us to come to Him for everything we need.
Joshua reached out during the service and took her hand in his; and even though Faith tried to pull away, he held on firm. She gave up, shooting him a cross glare which he merely returned with a grin. The man was impossible. Faith fumed.
As soon as they got outside after the services; people started coming forward to be introduced and to find out who was this handsome man with their Faith.
Faith told them he was her employer and could feel the disapproval radiating from him. Tough, she thought grimly, she was not ready to introduce him as anything else yet.
She was hugged by so many of them she lost count and at one point she did not see where Josh turned. She saw him a few minutes later, leaning against the car, talking to Maureen and Mark.
"We are going over to Mark's house for dinner; you guys want to join us?" Maureen asked as soon as Faith came over.
"I am afraid I have to pass," Josh answered before she could and she noticed that he would not look at her. "I have some things to take care of. Another time perhaps." He added, smiling at the couple.
"Yes. I'll call you Maureen," she told her friend, opening the car just as Josh opened the passenger side to let himself in.
"You'd better," she called after them.
She drove off and there was silence in the car. Faith stole a glance at him and saw that his face looked as if it was set in stone.
"What's eating you?" she asked in exasperation.
"Nothing," he answered shortly.
"Fine," she shrugged. If he didn't want to tell her; she certainly was not going to pry it out of him. They remained silent until they reached his home.
"Are you coming in?" he asked her stonily, turning to get out of the car.
Love So Heavenly (A Clean Christian African American Romance) Page 18
