In Love with Ezra (Love Unaccounted Book 2) (48 page)

Our flight out to Scottsdale was midafternoon.  Though I shouldn’t have been, I was surprised to see we were taking a private plane. The interior of this one was different than the one Stenton Rogers gifted us for our honeymoon, but it was just as impressive. There was no bedroom on this flight, but enough oversized plush chairs to accommodate almost a dozen of us attending the conference.

It wasn’t until we boarded that I understood how much of a big deal this event was. Ezra brought along his armor bearer—a role I’d recently learned of—Thaddeus, two security guards, his keyboard player at
Redeeming Souls
, the drummer, and four members of the praise and worship team. It was on the plane that I realized the lead praise and worship member, Dwayne, was married to another singer, Lucy. I’d seen her over the years since attending
RSfALC
, but Dwayne stuck out because he’d always been the one directing or leading most songs. He was average height with a shapely Mohawk, warm brown skin and an eye for fashion. He was also a jokester, constantly had the crew cackling about something or another. His wife, Lucy, was an extreme red-bone, a robust woman with a large waistline, and short bleach blonde-dyed hair. She wore red lipstick on her full lips and green butterfly-shaped glasses. Those two were a pair for sure.

The entire group was polite, friendly, and personable. I could tell they’d had history in working with each other. They were able to pull a few laughs out of me, although I was seated in the back of the craft, across from Ezra. He was the only reticent party on the flight. He didn’t speak much to anyone, outside of asking if I was okay. His fixed attention stayed between a book, his laptop, writing pad, and tablet. It was clear he was studying and preparing. When Ezra was in this place I learned to leave him be. That was one thing even Precious could advise. Ezra wasn’t welcoming when he was preparing for a sermon.

Of course that nipped at me. Not being able to speak lightly to your husband on a whim could feel stifling, but it was even more glaring when you saw the only other couple on the flight constantly chatting and touching. Physically, Dwayne and Lucy were polar opposites, but their chemistry was undeniable. I could see from my seat where they sat side-by-side, holding hands. Dwayne’s eyes were closed as Lucy led prayer. I didn’t know what that was all about, but it was the most public display of intimacy I’d ever seen. It was warming as much as it was revealing of their closeness and my distance from my husband.

At one point during the flight while Ezra dozed off, I got up to relieve myself. Thaddeus and I met up at one of the bathrooms. He was coming out as I waited. He smiled embarrassingly, more surprised to see me waiting.

“How did you enjoy your birthday?” I asked.

Lillian told me how she surprised him with a horseback riding excursion last week on his big day.

“Oh, it was real nice, Lex,” he monitored his voice. We were both aware of the differing opinions Ezra and I held regarding Thaddeus and Lil’s impending engagement. “She did well!” He smiled boyish-like behind his Malcolm X frames. I found myself giggling at the sight of Thaddeus’ big body on a horse. “I’m blessed. Wish Pastor could be spending his birthday in a better way. Who wants to be stuck on a plane with so many people, flying out to work?” he applied a forlorn smile.

Birthday?
What the fuck!

“But I’m sure you have something worked out for him. He deserves it. He works so hard,” Thaddeus noted with confidence before taking off.

I had to close my hanging mouth.

Today is Ezra’s birthday?

And there was another to add to the many anomalies of Ezra.

I went back to my seat, unable to find the sleep everyone else had. It was six in the evening on the west coast when we landed. Ezra guided me off the plane and all the way to one of the three limos awaiting us. We checked into a boutique hotel—a name I’d never heard of. It was fancy as shit, but I’d been learning there was nothing standard about Ezra’s life. We split from the group after Ezra gave instructions about their schedule. They were going over to the coliseum for a meet and greet and to catch the end of the opening service in two hours. Everyone agreed to meet in the posh lobby then.

The busboy ushered us to the penthouse. As soon as the door pushed open I could appreciate the mountainside view. It was fucking breathtaking! The floor-to-ceiling windows made it feel as though the mountains were peeking through the entire suite. We had a side suite, which made almost half the place open to nature. Three small partitions separated one large room. There was a living room, a bedroom, and bathroom. The bedroom was bare on shiny dark wood floors with a bed lying parallel to a stone-partitioned fire place.  The architecture was something I’d never seen before.

This is how Ezra lived…

“What’s on your mind, beloved? Do you like the room?”

“Room?” I snorted. “Is this how you travel all the time?”

“Most. I try not to request overly priced accommodations.” He stood next to me, gazing at the window, into the mountains. “I decided to work the full allotment provided by the planners of the event since you were tagging along.”

“What does that mean?” I faced him.

“It means I usually have my accommodations made under the budget the event planners/churches give me. I don’t charge for the free word of God. It does help if transportation and room and board are provided when I’m asked to speak, but I’m no royalty other than who we all are in the Kingdom. I don’t need much.” He peered over to me. “I’ve stayed here once, but not in the Mountain Suite. I was hoping to impress you.” The side of his mouth twitched.

“Oh!” I gasped, playfully. “He does have a sense of humor!” I rolled my eyes, showing the sass he said he enjoyed.

“Only when I’m exhausted. I’m going to wash up and take a nap.” He began to stalk toward the bathroom.

“I’m right behind you,” I said to his back before continuing my view of the amazing rocks.

I stretched out on an empty bed. As large as it was, I couldn’t have extended my lengthy limbs that far out without touching an even longer frame. I cracked a lid to total darkness and learned I was the only occupant of the bed after all. I leaped to my ass and listened for movement.
Nothing
. I searched the suite to find I was alone. According to the digital clock, it was after ten o’clock local time.

I went for my phone and immediately saw a text from Ezra saying he didn’t want to disturb me and to order dinner for myself through room service when I was ready.

Ezra left with his group… without me.

He didn’t invite me out here to tag along. I didn’t know how I felt about that. Everyone seemed to be pumped about the event. I thought I’d get to experience what the rave was about. I caught the leather binder menu in my peripheral, and that quickly I shook off the bite of rejection and an idea came to mind. 

~Ezra~   

I was even more exhausted on my way up to the suite than I was earlier when we arrived in Scottsdale. I hoped Alexis had been resting; it was going to be a long next two days. This conference was held in a coliseum, housing over fourteen thousand participants of several walks of faith. It was unheard of. I’d been preparing for some time. Now, my body called for me to rest so I could deliver the following day.

The elevator door chimed its opening.

“Good night, Pastor,” Greg bade as he held the door open with an extended arm.

I gave a neck bow. “Good night, G.”

I stumbled down the short hall, meeting the door. The moment I punched in my keycard and twisted the knob, I heard the bass of a familiar tune I couldn’t recognize right away. The room was dark but for the fireplace casting a sharp glow in the room.

But the moment I walked through the door, I saw Alexis, stark naked in just heels and tassels hanging from her nipples. She strutted over to me, swaying her hips horizontally with her arms clasped behind her back. Stopping inches away, she rotated one hundred eighty degrees, providing a lewd view of her wide hips, plump cheeks and small waistline. She swirled forward again, facing me, and took me at the hand, pulling me into a chair.

I sat back with a tent in my pants as she gave a licentious dance revealing every crevice of her body seductively. A realization of the song came to me the moment I focused on her smooth pussy. It was R. Kelly’s
Bump and Grind
. Another event when I benefited from his artistry. My kitten twirled, bent, touched her toes, grazed her nipples with shimmering fingertips. Her wild nest-like mane provided a shield when she wanted to cover her breasts. Her hind cheeks clapping had me running up the chair until she anchored me by holding on to my knees and gyrating between the air and on my swollen cock alternately. Her delicious feminine aroma had my tongue rolling over my teeth and lips.

Christ
…

She rose from my bulging lap abruptly and moved behind a wall. The song was ending and by the time she appeared again, I could hear her sing
Happy Birthday
so sweetly while carrying two cupcakes on saucers in both of her upright palms. The cakes were topped by candles: a four and zero. My chest swelled as much as my dick as she smiled bashfully while missing the notes of the ageless song. 

Kitten
…

Alexis brought them close enough for me to blow out. She cheered as I did.

“Did you make a wish?” she asked merrily.

“No need. It’s bending over me,” I answered casually.

It was true. She was my gift.

“Time to eat your cake. You can have one before dinner!” Her smile was so pure and careless.

“I’m fasting, kitten,” the lust-filled gravel in my voice betrayed my true need.

A moue carved her on face. “I’m sure God will cut you a break on your birthday. Plus, you have a horny kitten needing to sit on you for some relief. It’s been a few days, sir.” She batted her lashes coyly.

An involuntary growl escaped my chest.

“Alexis…”

“Pastor,” she matched my warning tone.

Then she placed the plates on the coffee table, removed the candle, grabbed one of the cupcakes, and smeared frosting over her belly, drawing a shapeless ‘O’. Her eyes raked up to me. I held tensely, gripping the chairs.

Temptress
.

When I won that round, she moved lower, spread her thighs and ran the cupcake against her glistening lips. I felt when her eyes hit my face.

I met her stare with a glower, hardly able to keep my regard from that tight little pussy.