A Good Man (43 page)

“I sleep more in my recliner while watching TV than I do in my bed.” And there I go mentioning my bed.

“I wake up in front of the TV at least twice a week,” John said.

“You must have a comfortable couch.”

“Yes.” John smiled. “It could be more comfortable.”

“How so?” As if I didn’t know.

“I could be holding more than a couch pillow.”

I knew he’d say something like that. “How, um, closely would you be holding this … someone? I’m assuming there’d be a someone.”

“I’d hold her so closely that I wouldn’t know where I stopped and she began.”

“That’s … that’s close.” Two becoming one flesh again. I’d love to have my body get lost in his. I mean, I’d love to have his body get lost in mine. I mean … I am so hard up for sex!

“You’ve noticed that I’m kind of quiet in church,” John said.

“I’ve noticed,” Sonya said. “But you sing loud.”

“Yeah. But my quiet praise makes me stick out at New Hope. I don’t jump and shout. I close my eyes a lot instead.”

“Praise is praise,” Sonya said. “I think God likes variety. Sometimes I’m quiet, sometimes I’m hyped.”

“But you’re always moving,” John said.

“The Spirit moves me.”

“And the Spirit moves you very well, Sonya. I wish I could sit in the pew behind you.”

The things he says when I’m trying to steer us away from stuff like that!

“I like to watch you dance, Sonya.”

“I’m dancing for the Lord, Brother John.”

“And I’m jealous,” John said. “I want to cut in.”

“I might let you.” Why is this seat warming up again? “Um, what’s another one of your bad habits?”

“I’m trying to flirt here, Sonya.”

“Tell the truth, John. You aren’t flirting with me at all.”

John sighed. “You got me. I’m really trying to seduce you.”

And now I’m panting. “You don’t have to try.”

John blinked and took another sip of water. “I … don’t?”

“No. You just … naturally do it.” And I just naturally fall for it.

“And you’re okay with it?” John asked.

I need it! “Yes.”

“Okay.” John smiled. “I, um, I let the dishes sit in the sink for days even though I know I’ll need a belt sander to clean them off.”

Sonya laughed loud enough to upset the woman sitting closest to her. “From seducing me to doing the dishes?” she whispered.

“I sometimes dance at the sink while I wash them,” John said. “And you were in front of me at the sink one time at the mansion, and you were doing a little dance, and I got to thinking how, um, fun it might be to … do the dishes with you. That’s how I jumped from seduction to dishes. Not much of a jump actually, when you think about it.”

Even doing dishes with this man will be erotic. “I sometimes dance in my kitchen, too. Linoleum floors are made for dancing. I even dance in the shower where no one can see me.”

John closed his eyes and smiled. “I can see you. I can see all of you, Sonya.” He snapped open his eyes, his smile turning into a frown.

“Was it that bad?” Sonya asked.

“No, Sonya, not at all.” He left his side of the booth and slid in next to Sonya. “I really saw you.” He leaned out of the booth and craned his neck side to side until their waitress saw him. “Check, please.”

“Um, what was I doing?” Sonya asked.

“I saw you dancing in the shower, and your hands were … and the soap was …” He turned to look for the waitress. “I need the check now.”

“Did you get in the shower with me?” Sonya asked.

John nodded. “I need to cool off, you know?”

The waitress brought the check, and John counted out seven twenties, leaving them on the table.

“Let’s go cool off along the beach.” He slid out of the booth and held out his hand.

I have to know what happened next! “Did we get all steamed up?”

John took Sonya’s hand. “I need to hear waves crashing now. Let’s go.”

Do I mind being dragged by a handsome man through a fancy restaurant? Not at all.

He got in the shower with me!

They drove back to Morro Bay State Park and strolled hand in hand down a secluded stretch of brown sand as the sun began its descent into the Pacific.

“Did you really see all of me, John?” Sonya asked.

“Sonya, every time I close my eyes I see you.”

“Naked in the shower?”

John shook his head. “No, I just … see you.” He closed his eyes. “Well, now I see you in the shower.” He smiled. “You use too much soap. Oh, so you soap that part a lot.”

“Stop,” Sonya said, but she didn’t mean it.

“Don’t you get ashy down there?” John asked.

She slapped playfully at his arm with her free hand. “Stop.”

John opened his eyes. “I don’t just see you on a couch or in the shower or … or in … our … bed.”

Our bed. He specifically called it “our” bed.

“I see you next to me in church, Sonya,” John said. “I see you next to me on the couch. In front of me on the couch. Next to me washing dishes. In front of me doing dishes. Next to me driving somewhere. Next to me shopping for groceries. And whenever we are in bed, we’re watching TV and talking about food for some reason. I’ve been seeing you everywhere, Sonya. I even see you blocking my shot.”

“I would never do that.” Are you kidding? First chance I get, I’m swatting his shot into next week.

“I even see me taking your hand,” John said, “and walking somewhere else.”

“Where are we?” Sonya asked.

“Not sure,” John said. “Outside. I know that.”

“And … what am I wearing?” Sonya asked.

“A smile.”

Interesting. “And what else?”

John turned to her. “A long, flowing dress. Maybe the wind is making it flow.” He rested his forehead on hers. “It’s a long, flowing white dress, Sonya.”

Well … hmm. Oh … wow. “And did you … did you have a ring for me?”

John nodded and lightly brushed his lips with hers. “Want to know what you weren’t wearing?”

“A red bikini.” Sonya kissed his chin.

“You weren’t wearing any shoes,” John said.

Sonya’s lips met his. “No shoes,” she whispered.

“None.”

And then John gave Sonya their first real kiss.

Oh, this is nice. He has deceptively soft lips—and a curious tongue, too! And he tastes like Slice of Heaven pie!

“Whoa,” she said.

“Whoa,” he said.

John gripped both her hands and caught his breath. That kiss was pure fire. My lips are still humming. “The sun’s going down.”

“Yeah.”

And I see the sun setting in your eyes, he thought. All those beautiful colors. “The show’s about to begin. You want to watch it with me?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

He slipped behind her. “And we have front row seats.”

“As long as no one walks in front of us.”

John put his hands on her hips. “Let’s sit.” He eased down to the sand, Sonya following and firmly planting her booty in his lap.

“Is that all right?” she said.

Scripturally, no. Psychically, a definite yes. “Yes.” He wrapped his hands around her. “I wish we could stay here longer.”

“Yeah. Think they’re worried about us?”

“Probably.” He kissed the back of her neck. “Thank you, Sonya.”

She pulled his arms more tightly around her stomach. “For what?”

“For everything you say and do.”

“Is everything I say and do in your mind, too?” Sonya asked.

Just about. “Yes. When you’re in the shower, man, I am just so thankful. I’ll be dreaming hallelujahs all night.”

God, is this what love feels like? John thought. Sunset, sand, warm hug, honest thoughts, and sensational body heat? You done good, God. You made love worth all the hassle.

“I don’t want to leave,” Sonya whispered.

“We’ll stay till the ocean swallows the sun,” John said.

Sonya settled back into his chest. “Okay by me.”

“I may nibble on your ears,” John said. “I’m always hungry.”

“Good.”

He tasted an earlobe. “I may, um, also massage things.”

Sonya turned her head. “Yeah? Like what?”

“Well, I can’t reach your feet, but your stomach is in reach.”

She lifted up her shirt. “Rub away.”

John slid his hands over her one-pack, tickling her bellybutton with his index fingers. Sonya raised her hands over her head and clasped them behind John’s neck.

“I’m so glad I wore this Windbreaker,” Sonya said. “Feel free to … freely feel.”

John massaged her stomach and sides, sliding his hands down her thighs, then up her thighs. He always returned to her stomach, her skin hot, and his hands rose higher, brushing against her bra.

“What you doin’ to me, man?” Sonya whispered.

He slid his hands down to her belt line, teasing a finger between her jeans and panties. “I’m exploring.”

“Hope you find what you’re looking for,” Sonya whispered.

He wormed his hands into her front pockets, letting his fingertips wander over even hotter fabric.

“You’re teasing me,” she whispered.

And my loins are responding, John thought. Thank you, loins, for still working. He slowly slid his hands out of her pockets. “I don’t want to disrespect you in any way, Sonya.”

She slid her arms out of her sleeves, freeing them under the Windbreaker. She grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. “Squeeze, please.”

John squeezed.

She guided his hands down her stomach to her beltline. “I want to turn around.”

“Go ahead.”

Sonya swiveled her hips and straddled him, kissing him deeply.

John rubbed her back, sliding his hands between her jeans and panties. So firm! So soft! How can something so firm be so soft? He pulled back from the kiss. “May I squeeze your booty?”

“If you do, man, I will scream.” She smiled. “But in a good way.”

John squeezed gently. “I didn’t hear a scream.”

“It was in my head,” Sonya said. “Harder, please.”

John squeezed harder.

“You have such big hands,” Sonya said.

He moved his hands up to her shoulders, kneading soft, warm skin. “I, um, look at the sun.”

Sonya turned her head. “That’s better than a postcard.”

“Yep.”

She pushed her arms through her sleeves and rested them on John’s shoulders. “Are you as excited as I am?”

“I’m probably more excited than you are,” John said.

Sonya grazed his cheeks with her nails. “I doubt that.” She kissed him, lips only. “If we stay here in this position for even three minutes more, you will be in danger, man.”

He hugged her. “That’s some danger I think I can face.” He looked out over the waves. “Sun’s almost gone.”

“We better get going, then,” Sonya said, standing and pulling him to his feet.

“Do we have any more pictures left?” John asked.

“One more.” She pulled out the camera and took a picture of the sunset. “Our first sunset.” She put the camera in his back pocket. “And it won’t be the last.”

They walked like two old lovers back to the truck, not rushing, not racing, just enjoying the feel of each other’s hands, each other’s shy smiles.

Once on the road back to the mansion, Sonya fell asleep, her soft cheek pressed to his chest.

This, John thought, is the most comfortable silence I’ve ever known. Thank You, God. Thank for a second chance.

Thank You for being the God of second chances.

John sat with arms around Sonya’s sleeping form, the truck parked less than one hundred feet away from the driveway of the mansion. So peaceful. So warm. Such soft hair. Such tender skin.

Sonya stirred. “Are we home yet?”

Not yet. “We’re at the mansion.”

She sat up and looked out the window. “Sorry about that.”

“You were tired,” John said.

“First real sleep I’ve had since I’ve been here.” She rubbed his chest. “You’re a good pillow.”

“Should I kiss you good night here or at the door?” John asked.

Sonya rubbed her eyes. “There are cameras at the door. Push the seat back.”

John pulled a lever under the seat, and the entire bench seat moved back a foot.

Sonya straddled him, loosening the button of her jeans. “So your big ol’ hands will have some more room to explore.”

John slid his hands down to her booty.

“Wait.” She unzipped her pants and wiggled a little. “Okay. Now your hands will have enough room.”

John pushed her jeans down a few inches. “I have to give you room to breathe, right?”

Sonya nodded and turned her head. “Don’t be shy.”

“I won’t be.”

John’s stretched his arms as far as he could, his hands cupping Sonya’s booty forcefully. “You have such hot skin.”

“You’re making it hot,” Sonya whispered. “I’m really close to screaming. We better close the windows.”

With Sonya still straddling him, he bucked their bodies from one window to the other, Sonya rolling up the windows.

“Think we can make the truck rock?” Sonya asked.

“Doubt it,” John said. “The suspension on these babies is—”

Sonya stole the words from John’s mouth as she started a slow grind, her lips moving softly over his. “I know we can make this truck rock.” She unzipped her Windbreaker and unbuttoned her shirt. “Just hold me, okay? I am really close right now.”

John squeezed her booty in rhythm to her grinding, and as they kissed, Sonya sucked on his tongue until John wasn’t sure he had any taste buds left.

Sonya leaned back and sighed. “Oh …” She lifted her hands and pressed them on the ceiling of the truck, pushing down with such force that the Ford F-150, did, indeed, move.

“You’re curling my toes,” Sonya said. She arched her back and fell forward. “Oh … whoa … wow.” She blinked. “I will not be able to sleep tonight.”

“I won’t be able to either,” John said. “Think we could watch some TV together, say, around four? We can just say that it’s still part of the date, you know, an extension of the date.”

Sonya nodded. “I’ll, um, wear my pajamas.”

“I’ll wear a smile.”

Sonya smiled. “I’ll also bring a blanket. The cameras, remember?”

John kissed and hugged her. “I don’t want to go back to unreality.”

“Neither do I.” She leaned back. “Fix me.”

John took his time pulling up Sonya’s jeans, zipping and buttoning them up while caressing her. He took even more time buttoning up her shirt.