Tell Me Lies

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  Sydney eyed Portia’s handiwork. Portia had outdone herself. There were lavender rose petals and a beautiful white lily centerpiece on her table. The scents from the flowers filled the room with a wonderful aroma. There were three huge candles placed by the dinner setting. Portia had purchased white square dinner plates and the drinking glasses were goblets.

  Portia had even left a to-do list. Sydney cracked up when she saw Portia’s neat handwriting. Portia wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

  Sydney eyed the title and chuckled. Something was wrong with that girl.

  How to Tempt a Pastor:

  1.Light the candles.

  2.Turn on the surround sound.

  3.Warm the food.

  Sydney completed the list, swaying to the romantic sax playing in the background.

  Then she moseyed into her bathroom and placed her cell phone on the counter. This was the reason she’d bought the place. Tiled with a master shower and bath, there were long countertops and storage space for her beauty products. Her mother had placed baskets on the counter so Sydney could keep her lotions and hair stuff organized. Sydney treated herself to a bath. Then she moistened her skin with Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla scented body butter. She spritzed the key areas of her body with perfume.

  Sydney usually stuck to the basics—lip-gloss and eyeliner—but today she applied full makeup. When she was done, her eyes looked sultry and her cherry lips begged to be kissed.

  Her cell buzzed. Sydney placed it on speaker so she could apply her makeup.

  “How’s everything?” Portia asked.

  “I’m almost ready.” Sydney plugged in the hair iron to straighten her curls.

  “Did you follow everything on the list?”

  “Yes,” Sydney said, laughing. “And I’m not trying to tempt anybody. We’re just having dinner.”

  “Um, yeah right. I bet you look divalicious right now.”

  “Stop teasing me.”

  “I know I’m right. Now, relax and have fun.”

  “I will. You sound more nervous than I am,” Sydney said, carefully running the comb through her hair.

  “I am.” Portia squealed. “Okay, have fun.”

  Sydney twisted her body to look at her hair. Her hair hung down the middle of her back. Pleased with her efforts, Sydney unplugged the appliance and tidied the countertop. Then she padded barefooted into her bedroom. She slipped into her dress and a pair of cherry-colored shoes. Eyeing herself in the floor-length mirror, she nodded approval.

  She was ready. The question was would Noah be ready for her?

  20

  “Pastor, in the three months you’ve been here, we’ve doubled our membership. That’s a major accomplishment. Our monthly intake has increased about fifty percent. Members are singing your praises. The Beulah Belles are thriving under Sister Ellie’s leadership. She was the best woman for the job,” Deacon Shaw said. “But she’s so opinionated, I can’t seem to find her an assistant.”

  Deacons Shaw and Hibbert were with Noah in the meeting room reviewing the budget, expenses, and membership growth. Noah met with them every month to keep abreast of the programs and to make any necessary changes.

  “I think Ellie will smooth out in time. If she could organize a three-thousand-dollar bounty on my head, I knew she could handle that task.”

  Deacon Hibbert cleared his throat. “I admit, I had minor reservations when you first began. Normally, we conduct intensive background checks, but you’ve exceeded all our expectations.”

  “Background checks?” Noah’s heart thumped.

  Deacon Shaw nodded. “Yes, unfortunately, this is the era we live in nowadays. But with our bishop’s rapid departure, your interest was a Godsend. I’ve no doubt God placed you here.”

  Noah thought about his sealed juvenile records. He cleared his throat. “Most of us do have a past. Most top evangelists in our time are people God has transformed out of a horrible past.”

  Deacon Hibbert pointed to his chest. “I’m one. I was arrested for manslaughter when I was nineteen. Luckily, with new DNA evidence, I was cleared.”

  “But you came highly recommended,” Deacon Shaw interjected. “We didn’t have any qualms bringing you in.”

  Noah opened his mouth. “I think there is something I should let—”

  Just then, Alma stuck her head inside. “Pastor? Belinda Santiago is here to see you.”

  “Thanks, Alma. Please send her into my office.”

  The deacons had begun gathering their belongings and reports at Alma’s presence.

  Deacon Hibbert’s brows furrowed. “Was there something you were going to say, Pastor?”

  “Yes,” Noah said. “I’m glad you’re happy with me, but I feel compelled to tell you I’m not squeaky clean.”

  The deacon chuckled. “No one is.”

  Noah said, “My records are sealed, but I was a part of a gang when I was in my teens.”

  Deacon Shaw waved a hand. “I’m not worried about it. You were a child.”

  Noah nodded. There was more to it. But Noah pushed back his qualms. It was a half-truth, his conscience prodded. But Noah saw the trust in their faces and told himself it was enough.

  Both men patted him on the back before they left.

  He shook his head to shake off his doubts. Then he strode toward his office.

  “Belinda?” he greeted Sydney’s friend.

  “Hi, Noah, I mean, Pastor.” She stood to shake his hand.

  “Sydney explained your idea and I’m intrigued. We have a thriving single women’s group and I think this would tie in well with their mission.” He looked up at the clock. It was five minutes to four. “Sister Ellie should be joining us. She’s coming once the elementary school dismisses for the day.”

  Belinda nodded. “I’ve drafted our preliminary plans for you to see.” She placed a manila folder and thumb drive on his desk. “I also have everything on the thumb drive.”

  Noah read through the documents. “I’ll add this to our announcements once you have the venue.”

  “Actually, I do have the Charlotte Harbor Event Center booked for January 18th. I just got word from Portia on my way here.”

  Noah smiled. “Portia is efficient, isn’t she? Sydney said she’s indispensable.”

  “Yes, she is,” Belinda said. Her voice held a trace of jealousy.

  Noah made eye contact. He had another issue he wanted to discuss. “Belinda, I’m glad to see you attending services with Sydney. I wanted to ask if you’re interested in membership here at Beulah?”

  “I’m not at that point yet. I’ve been reading and studying with Sydney the past few months and I’m praying about things in my life. Before coming back here, she used to visit churches or we’d watch online, but I haven’t gotten baptized or anything. I’m trying to be saved, but I’m not sure I am.”

  “There’s no such thing as trying. You either are or you’re not. Would you be interested in attending one of my Bible classes?”

  Belinda squirmed. “I’m not sure I’m ready for all that. I … I’ve done some things.” She gave a nervous cough. “Still doing some things.”

  Noah studied her. “If you ever need to talk, I offer counseling services. It’s confidential.”

  Belinda broke eye contact. “I … I’m okay for now.”

  Her words were a sure sign, she was not okay. He knew it in his spirit, but Noah didn’t push. Instead, he gently offered, “If you ever need to talk, I’m here … In the meantime, I’d like you to consider assisting Sister Ellie with our single women’s ministry. I think you’ll benefit from it right along with the women.”

  She perked up. “I’d love to help any way I can.”

  “Hi, Pastor,” Sister Ellie said, coming into his office.

  Noah greeted her and performed introductions. “Belinda has agreed to be your assistant.”

  Sister Ellie rubbed her hands. “Great! I’m so excited. I’m planning a series of studies on developing a meaningful relationship with Chri
st, and I’ll need your help. I’ve been called … forceful, but somehow I don’t think you’ll have a problem with that.”

  “And, I’ve been called feisty, so I’m not worried,” Belinda said. “I think we will get on fine.”

  Sister Ellie and Belinda made eye contact. A moment of understanding passed between them.

  “I think so, too,” Sister Ellie said.

  Sister Ellie rattled off some of her plans with her hands moving as fast as her mouth. Noah saw Belinda’s eyes glaze as Sister Ellie stated all the sessions she’d planned. Noah rescued her.

  “Sister Ellie, I’ll leave it up to the both of you to coordinate, but let’s get back to the business at hand.” He glanced Belinda’s way. “Let’s go over your proposal. We want to make this charity ball a success.”

  21

  Sydney swallowed to keep from drooling. Noah wore a pair of white slacks and a teal shirt, which showed off his body to perfection.

  Noah had slicked his hair down, which made his eyelashes appear even longer and his eyes popped. If she were Catholic, she’d cross herself.

  “You look gorgeous,” she whispered.

  He held long-stemmed roses in his hand. “Are these for me?” Sydney asked.

  “Yes,” Noah smiled. He scanned her from head to toe. “Wow. You’re a vision standing before me.”

  “Thanks so much.” Her mouth widened with the slow smile of a woman who knew she had it going on. “The flowers are lovely. Come inside. I’ll put them in water.” She stepped aside to let him into her condo.

  Noah leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. Sydney dragged in a deep breath. He smelled like everything she was missing. She led the way to the dining area knowing his eyes were on her.

  Noah whistled at the spread. “If I didn’t know better, I’d be worried you’re trying to seduce me.”

  Sydney shook her head. “I know how it looks, but God is everywhere. We can’t go anywhere outside of His presence and we’re both mindful of that. I wanted us to have a romantic dinner. We both have God, but we have to make sure,” she pointed her hands between them, “that we’re compatible.”

  Noah nodded. “I agree. I’ve counseled many couples on the brink of divorce because they thought all they both needed was a relationship with God. They figured knowing Him was enough to make it work. But there has to be chemistry. There has to be mutual respect and both individuals have to actually like each other.” He pierced her with a gaze. “I definitely like you.” She heard how his voice dropped and her cheeks warmed.

  Oh yes, he definitely liked her. She could see it and hear it and feel it. “I like you, too. But I promise you’re safe with me.”

  He held her gaze. Noah’s eyes said all he wouldn’t or couldn’t say.

  Sydney broke eye contact. “Let me get a vase for those flowers.” She rushed into the kitchen on spindly legs. She glanced at the clock. Five minutes had passed. Five. If she weren’t saved and blood washed, she’d be out of her dress and tangling on the floor.

  She reached for the vase and filled it with water. Then she returned to where Noah waited, holding the vase with two hands to keep it from falling.

  Noah arranged the roses and then he placed the arrangement next to the lilies. “You outdid yourself. You didn’t have to go through all this trouble. I’d be just as happy with hot dogs.”

  Sydney laughed. “I didn’t cook. It’s takeout. And I had help,” Sydney confessed, with a wave of the hand.

  He moved into her space. “Your hair looks nice.” Noah ran his fingers through her hair. “Hmmm, it’s silky,” he murmured. He lifted a strand and leaned in to get a sniff. “And it smells exotic.”

  Her body hummed. His deep voice vibrated in her ear. “Black vanilla,” she breathed.

  “Smells good.”

  Sydney shivered. His warm breath was messing with her insides. Noah was seductive without even trying. He pulled away from her. Instantly, she missed his closeness.

  Noah held out a chair at the dinner table. “What do we have here?”

  Sydney took the hint. As she sat, she caught another whiff of his cologne. The scent wafted through her nose and titillated her senses. This was going to be a trying night.

  Once they said their grace, they dug in.

  Halfway through their meal, Sydney’s cell phone rang. She glanced at her screen. “It’s my mother.” She rolled her eyes and returned to her food.

  “Aren’t you going to answer her?” Noah asked. “You need to resolve things with your mother.”

  “Please let’s not ruin our night with talk about my mother. Tonight is about us. Can we just enjoy each other and our meal?”

  “I wouldn’t be a man of God watching you harbor these feelings against your mother and not say anything.” Noah reached for her hand. “God tells us not to go to bed angry. It’s been weeks. You have to at least talk to her.”

  “Please don’t preach at me tonight.” Sydney stopped chewing long enough to give Noah a stare-down.

  Noah squared his shoulders. “I’m a preacher. I preach. It’s who I am. I have to tell you the truth.”

  Sydney squirmed. She saw sauce on the side of his face. Sydney reached out to swipe it from his cheek.

  Noah smiled. “Don’t distract me.”

  Sydney rubbed the stubble on his jaw.

  “I can’t let this go, Sydney. I like you too much. Plus, I care about your soul.”

  Sydney lifted her chin. “I’ll try.” That was the best she could do.

  “I’ll take that,” he said. “Now let’s get back to our evening.”

  When they finished eating, Sydney and Noah cleared the dishes.

  “Do you like Tyler Perry?” she asked.

  “I’m a huge fan. I like his dramatic films best, though.”

  “Me, too.”

  Sydney led him into her living room area and searched through her Blu-ray collection in her oversized wall unit. “I have Good Deeds. Do you want to watch that?”

  Noah sank into the couch. “I don’t think I’ve seen that one.”

  She waved the box. “Well, you’re in for a treat.” Sydney inserted the disk and started up the surround sound. She snuggled close to Noah.

  Thirty minutes into the movie, the doorbell rang.

  Sydney paused the film. “Who could that be? I’m not expecting anyone,” she said, heading to the door. “Belinda knew you were coming, so I know it can’t be her.” She peered through the peephole and sighed. “It’s my mother.”

  “Let her in.”

  Noah spoke with quiet authority. Still, she hesitated. She considered not answering the door.

  “Sydney, don’t let your mother stand outside.”

  Noah moved past her to open the door. Sydney’s eyes widened. How dare he answer her door.

  She folded her arms. Noah undid the locks. She knew he felt the heat of her gaze, but he remained immune. Who did he think he was? Noah wasn’t going to infiltrate her home like he owned the place. He wasn’t…

  Janine entered. She took in the candles and the flowers and asked, “Did I interrupt something? Sydney, why is some strange man answering your door?”

  Sydney clenched her teeth. “Noah isn’t a strange man.”

  Noah stepped forward. “Hi, I’m Noah Charleston. Sydney’s uh, friend.”

  “Pleased to meet you,” Janine said, taking his hand briefly. “Care to tell me what you’re doing here with my saved daughter? Emphasis on saved.”

  Noah chuckled. “I’m a minister.”

  “Then you know all about temptation and all that.”

  Sydney found her tongue. “You shouldn’t have come here uninvited.”

  Janine clutched her chest. “I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks and you’ve ignored me. What other choice did I have?”

  “You could have taken my hint,” Sydney murmured under her breath. She was not stupid enough to say it loud enough to be heard.

  “I think this is my cue to leave,” Noah said. He addressed Janine.
“It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Richardson.”

  “It’s nice meeting you. But I confess, I don’t know anything about you. I didn’t even know Sydney was seeing someone.”

  Sydney rolled her eyes.

  “I look forward to changing that real soon, Ms. Richardson.” Noah gave Sydney a pointed look. She didn’t budge. Noah gathered his keys and belongings. “I’ll leave you both to talk. Good night.” He kissed Sydney on the cheek and muttered, “You’re one stubborn woman.”

  Sydney grabbed his shirt. “Don’t leave.”

  He gently removed her hand. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” After another kiss to her cheek, he departed.

  22

  He missed Sydney already. That was saying something. Noah felt like an eager schoolboy counting the hours until he could see her again. He wanted Sydney’s involvement in every area of his life. He wanted her to be his friend, his lover, his confidante, and his wife.

  Blue and red lights flashed behind him. Noah looked at his odometer. That’s odd. He was under the speed limit. His lights were on. Noah pulled over to the curb. Maybe his brake lights were out.

  Two cops got out of the car and approached him. Noah remained inside his vehicle and lowered his window.

  “Hello, officers. Why did you pull me over?”

  Neither one answered. They opened the car door and yanked him outside the vehicle. Noah felt himself slammed against the metal. One of the officers pushed his face onto the hood.

  “What did I do?” he gargled. His chest heaved.

  “You messed with the wrong man.”

  Noah was flipped over. He now faced the officer. It was dark and the officer’s face was hidden in the shadows. The other cop turned on his flashlight. Noah squinted. “Get that out of my face!”

  “Ha. Ha. We have a tough guy,” the cop said. “We’ll see how tough you are.” He rested his full body weight against Noah’s torso.

  Noah’s back arched, digging into the metal. “This is brutality.” He squelched the yelp of pain. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

  “Betraying the Avengers is brutal.”

  At those words, Noah stood. Matthew. With a flick of the wrist, Noah pushed the officer off him and grabbed him by the neck. He saw the name Denton on the badge.