Delilah (13 page)

Delilah hated feeling vulnerable. She touched her lips, the same lips Samson had kissed. He initiated the kiss, and she would treasure those few seconds they seemed to be in sync with each other.

She should have been the one to leave his office so he could have a private conversation with his wife, but he rushed out of there so fast, she knew the kiss must have gotten to him too.

The door remained closed. Delilah wasn't trying to snoop but her eyes glanced at the paper on Samson's desk and the word Viagra caught her attention.
Should I? Shouldn't I?
She glanced back at the door to see if Samson was returning. Since he wasn't, she leaned down and picked up the paper. It had detailed information about the drug Viagra. “Wow. He needs medicine to get it up for his wife.” Delilah felt bad for Julia because he didn't seem to have a problem with her.

Delilah's cell phone rang, and she scrambled to locate it. The missed call was from William. She called him back. “Do you have anything for me?”

“I'm at his office now,” she whispered. Her eyes remained glued to the door. She couldn't chance Samson walking in and overhearing their conversation.

“I met with my investors earlier today, and they are eager to move forward with this project. His property is the only thing standing in the way of me finalizing my plans.”

“I stopped by the office to give you a cashier's check. I don't think I can go through with it.”

“Either you do, or I will make sure everybody at your church gets personal copies of that video showcasing your talents on the stage and off.”

Delilah couldn't have that. Although some of the women at church didn't like her, there was no way she would be able to face any of them if they found out about her past. They wouldn't understand that she had changed. Samson's wife would more than likely be the ringleader. She was no longer the woman William kept throwing in her face. She was Delilah—a queen who happened to fall in love with the wrong king.

“Your choice. Which is it?” William asked again.

Delilah gritted her teeth. “I'll go through with it.”

“I knew I could count on you. I'll be in touch.”

Delilah held the phone. She recalled something she heard Ms. Shadows say once; “Never make a deal with the devil because you'll always end up on the losing end.”

All these years later, her words rang true to life. She could see the writing on the wall. She needed to update her resume because her time as a project coordinator at Trusts Enterprise would be ending.

Samson had been gone for several minutes. She wondered if he was ever coming back. She noticed for the first time a small white bag. She rushed to open it before Samson returned. She held the medicine bottle up and read it. “It's true. He's taking Viagra. Oh my goodness.”

“What are you doing?” Samson asked.

Busted. She held the medicine bottle behind her back as she turned around and leaned on his desk. “Nothing.”

Samson walked around her. She scrambled to put the medicine back in the bag. “Were you looking in my bag?”

“No. It fell, and I picked it up.”

“A bag doesn't mysteriously fall on the floor.” Samson sounded perturbed.

“Well it did. I was looking for a blank sheet of paper. If your desk wasn't such a mess, it wouldn't have fallen.”

“Julia's expecting me, so we'll have to cut our session short.”

“Didn't you tell her you were counseling someone?”

“What my wife and I talk about is none of your business, Delilah?”

“Excuse me. You don't have to snap my head off.”

Samson sighed. “I'm sorry. I just have a lot going on. If you want, you can come in Thursday. Stop in with Elaine so she can put it on the calendar.”

Delilah could tell something was really bothering Samson. She wanted to help him relieve some of the stress. He was a man of God, and it seemed his wife or somebody was causing him unnecessary stress. Since she was part of Pastor's Aide, it was her duty to make sure her pastor was taken care of.

She was not going to leave him in the state he was in.” Samson, why don't you meet me at my place. I'm sure it's hard to talk around here with Ms. Nosy Body outside and the phones ringing off the hook.”

“Thanks for the offer, but it's not a good idea.”

Delilah walked up to Samson and hugged him tight. His body tensed. She looked into his eyes and said, “Julia's a lucky woman.”

“I'm a lucky man.”

She removed her arms from around him. “That you are. Not too many men get to hug me like that.” Delilah winked and left Samson standing in the middle of the room.

“Did you get some spiritual healing?” Elaine asked Delilah as she exited Samson's office.

Delilah smiled. “I sure did, and I feel greeaaat.”

Delilah had no idea how close Samson had been to taking her up on her offer. It took him almost fifteen minutes to calm Julia down. Elaine would need some talking to because the argument he had with Julia could have been avoided if Elaine hadn't told her about Delilah being at his office.

He knew it wasn't Elaine's fault that he and Julia were having problems, but she sure added fuel to the already scorching fire. Samson had to think of something soon or he and Julia were not going to make it. He knew his parents would be disappointed, but when he married Julia a little over two weeks ago, he didn't expect it to be like this.

The only person he trusted talking with was Calvin, but he couldn't bring himself to tell him about the personal issue that stood between him and his wife. He couldn't chance Calvin telling Michelle. Michelle would tell God knows who. His mom knew, and that was embarrassing enough.

He grabbed his prescription and headed home. He smelled the aroma of food when he entered the house. “Julia, I'm home,” he yelled.

“I'm in the kitchen,” she replied.

He slipped a pill in his pocket and threw the prescription in his briefcase. He headed to the kitchen. When he bent down to kiss his wife, Julia turned her head, so his lips landed on her cheek instead of her lips.

“What's for dinner?” he asked.

“A roast and baked potatoes.” She picked up an oven mitt and opened the stove. The steam from the roast filled the area around the stove.

“Smells good.”

“Samson, there's something I want to discuss with you over dinner.”

“Sure,” he said as he left to get washed up. He wished she would have just come out and said what she wanted instead of making him wait. That was his biggest pet peeve with women. He made it a point when counseling others to let women know that men preferred one of two things: either come out and tell the man what you want, or don't say anything and only talk when you're ready to discuss the issue. Otherwise, it's a moot point as far as the average man is concerned.

Silverware hitting the plates was the only noise heard in the dining room. Samson didn't know what to say to Julia, so he waited for her to initiate the conversation. He bit into the last bite of food on his plate. “I want to quit my job,” Julia blurted out.

Samson remained quiet. Julia repeated herself. He'd heard her the first time. “Why?” he finally asked.

“So I can have more time for your ministry. I was thinking there are some things that I can do. There's an available office at the church, and we can drive in together each day.”

Samson felt there was more behind her wanting to quit her job. “Baby, I don't think it's a good idea.”

“Well, I've prayed about it, and God said I should quit and give Him more of my time.”

“So why are you just now telling me this?”

“Because we haven't been talking.”

Samson sneered. “It's not because I haven't tried. It would have taken you only a few minutes to discuss this with me.”

“Get over it. I'm discussing it with you now.”

“So when is your last day?”

“That's just it. I haven't quit yet. I'm just thinking about it.”

“Julia, I'm going to pray about it. When I get an answer, I'll let you know.”

Julia seemed to calm down. “That's all I want you to do, honey. See, with us being together more, that may help us in other areas.”

She gathered up their empty plates and took them to the kitchen. Samson, full and confused about how to handle Julia's request, hung his head and prayed. The carnal man wanted her to continue to work. With everything so fickle, the more money they had coming into the household, the better. His salary from Peaceful Rest was enough to take care of both of them, but he was by no means one of the wealthiest preachers in the area.

People assumed with his TV ministry, he would be. What they didn't realize was that it took money to broadcast every week, and if sponsors were low, the church had to pay the difference. There had been several times he forfeited his salary so that the Word could be preached to the masses.

Julia came and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the head. “I love you. I really do. I'm sorry I've been such a you-know-what lately.”

“I'm sorry too. I've been taking out my frustrations on you.”

“Well, that's in the past. Let's promise we'll both do better, okay?”

“Deal,” Samson said. By now, he had Julia sitting in his lap. They kissed. Still no reaction and more disappointment for Samson.

“Why don't you go upstairs and change into something sexy,” he suggested.

Julia smiled. “You don't have to tell me twice. I'll be waiting.” Julia kissed him and twisted out of the room.

When Julia was out of eyesight, Samson retrieved the pill from the bottle he had hidden in his pocket. Before he could take it, his cell phone rang. “Delilah, I'm at home now. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow?”

Delilah wailed from the other end of the phone. “I don't know what I'll do, Samson. All the memories just came flooding back.”

“Let's pray.” Samson prayed, hoping Julia wouldn't walk in at this time.

Delilah responded from the other end. “Thanks for the prayer, but I need to see you.”

“I can't,” Samson insisted.

“If you don't come, I don't know what I'll do,” Delilah cried from the other end of the phone.

Samson didn't want Delilah to do something crazy. Knowing he would probably live to regret it, he responded, “Okay. I'll be there. Don't do anything irrational.”

“Julia,” he called. Samson knew Julia was not going to be happy if he didn't come to the bedroom and deliver.

“Come here, big boy,” Julia said, as she slipped from under the covers wearing sheer, pink-laced lingerie.

Samson moved closer. “Baby, that was a church member. They are having suicidal thoughts. I have to go stop them from doing anything crazy.”

Julia plopped down on the bed. “Are we ever going to do it?”

“Yes, dear, but you know the church is important to me.”

She sighed. “Okay.” She got out of bed. “Let me get dressed, and I'll go with you.”

“No, baby, I want you well rested. It shouldn't take me long,” Samson said.

“But you don't know that. You said the person was suicidal.”

“I've handled plenty of situations like this. Sometimes they only want to know someone cares.”

She picked up the sheer robe and slipped it on. “Okay, well, if you need me, call me.”

“I will, sweetheart. I'll be back soon.” Samson kissed her on the lips.

He hated lying to Julia, but she would never understand this need for him to comfort Delilah. How could she when he didn't seem to understand it himself?

Delilah made sure her hair looked a little disheveled. She blotted a wet towel to her eyes, and it smeared her mascara. The doorbell rang. “Perfect timing,” she said out loud, then answered the door. “Oh, Samson.” Delilah threw herself in his arms as soon as he walked in the door.

Samson held her up and led her to the sofa. “Let's pray.” He reached for her hand.

Delilah watched Samson as he prayed for her mental healing. He was praying in vain because in Delilah's opinion, she was perfectly sane. Samson released her hand, and she smiled to appease him. “Thank you. I feel better already,” Delilah sniffed.

“I have a friend who's a doctor. I'll call him tomorrow so he can maybe prescribe something for the anxiety you've been feeling lately.”

“I have some medicine. I just don't like taking it because it increases my appetite, and I sure don't need to gain any more weight.”

Samson didn't agree or disagree verbally, but his eyes let her know that he didn't think anything was wrong with her weight. She recalled the kiss from earlier. It took her all evening to devise the plan to get him to her house so they could finish where they'd left off. Now that he was here, she wouldn't be satisfied until he gave her what she wanted.

“Samson, do you think it's possible for a person to mean well, even if the end result turns out to be bad?”

“It depends. Can you elaborate?”

“I'm talking hypothetically.”

“You can have good intentions. It happens to me sometimes. We all make mistakes; we just can't keep making the same ones.”

“Do you think our kiss earlier was a mistake?” Delilah licked her lips.

“It shouldn't have happened.”

“That's not what I asked you.”

“I could have used better judgment.”

“But I don't see anything wrong with what happened. We were two people caught up in the moment.”

“That flies in the movies, Delilah, but in real life, no.”

Delilah's hand found its way on top of Samson's thigh. She rubbed it. She expected him to move it, but he didn't. He swallowed out loud. “You seem a little tense,” she said.

“I have a lot on my mind.”

Delilah continued to rub his leg. “You can push my hand away. I won't be mad.” She enjoyed teasing him.

He moved his leg. “It looks like you're all right now, so I'll be going.” He jumped up. Delilah stood up, blocking his path.

She placed her hand on his chest. “I have a confession to make. I sort of lied to get you over here.”

“These games need to stop.” Samson's nostrils flared up.

“Don't be mad. You were so tense earlier, I just wanted you to get out and have a good time.”

“I left my wife to come see about you.”

“And it means a lot to me.”

He placed his arm on her shoulders and attempted to nudge her to the side, but Delilah wouldn't move. Delilah felt like it was now or never. She got on her tiptoes and plastered a kiss on Samson's lips. At first he resisted, but before long he gave in and started kissing her back. “Where are your cameras?” Samson asked.

“I got rid of them,” Delilah responded.

Delilah led Samson to her bedroom and stripped for him. She smiled because, unlike with his wife, he didn't need a little pill to perform, and Samson put on a performance. She should have felt guilty sleeping with a married man—her pastor at that—but she didn't. She felt it was her duty as a member of the Pastor's Aide committee to help out the first lady.

If Samson weren't with her, he would find some other skank who would care only about the money, not the man. Yes, she was doing Samson, Julia, and Peaceful Rest a favor.

Moments later, Delilah watched Samson snore. He had been at her place for two hours. She didn't want him to leave, but she knew waking him up and sending him back to Julia was the right thing to do—for now, that is. Soon, Samson would realize she was the woman he should be with and serve Julia with divorce papers.

“Baby, you need to wake up.” Delilah gently nudged Samson.

“Let me get one more hour,” Samson said as he turned and cuddled her.

“No, baby, you got to go now.”

When he came to his senses, he couldn't get out of Delilah's bed fast enough. “Lord, what have I done? I can't believe I did this. Why didn't you stop me?”

Delilah responded, “Because I wanted it just as much as you did.”

“This can't happen again. Promise me, you won't tell anyone.”

Delilah smiled. “It'll be our little secret.”