Page 23 of A Taste of Grace

Attention Please

I may have been the shepherd of my flock, but Grace was the center of attention this morning.

The second she walked in with the girls and me, people started leaning into each other and whispering.

I smiled and waved, acknowledging several church members who openly stared at us.

Like the queen she was, Grace remained focused with her back straight and head held high, guiding Hannah and Esther by their shoulders until they got to their seats next to Mama.

When we faced forward, she smiled at me. I winked back.

Although the scent of her sweet perfume filled my nostrils throughout the service, I remained focused on praise and worship and my pastoral duty to usher in the presence of God until it was time for me to deliver the word.

But when Grace crossed her thick, sexy legs at the ankle, I cracked.

They were moisturized to perfection under sheer pantyhose.

Her firm ankle caught my eye in the nude-colored stilettos that presented her lower body as a delicious treat I wanted to devour.

Her arm brushed against the skirt of her dress, accidentally lifting it and giving me an unexpected peek of her shapely thigh.

Never had I been tempted by a woman’s legs like that before, especially in the house of God. Now was the wrong time for me to learn firsthand why the mothers of the church insisted that women use those little cloths to cover their laps when they sat in the front row.

Instead of watching me eye her thigh meat, Grace furrowed her brow, taking copious notes. The angle of her body, combined with her obvious hunger for the word, had me even more distracted.

Only when the tenor of my voice slowed did she meet my gaze.

She raised her eyebrow then followed my eyes to the place on her body that had me in a chokehold.

Within seconds, Grace blushed and reached for the hem of her dress, readjusting it to lie more securely over her knees.

She shook her head before mouthing the word focus so clearly I knew exactly what she was saying. I nodded and scanned the congregation.

“We must remain vigilant when Satan comes to tempt us.” The words of the sermon lined up perfectly with the warning I needed to tell myself.

Did they have the air on today?

I pulled my collar from my neck then picked up my handkerchief and wiped my brow before continuing. But I couldn’t. I closed my eyes and paused to regroup. This made no sense. When I opened my eyes again, Grace gave me an encouraging smile. I took a big breath and gripped the lectern with my hands.

“I’ve always been a man of order, but the Holy Spirit is moving me to let you all in on a little secret.

I was preaching and flowing until the presence of a captivating woman moved me.

Never in my life has the shine of a woman distracted me like it has today.

That is because it is time for me to share something with you.

Grace, could you please join me?” I extended my hand toward her.

Everyone’s eyes gravitated to Grace.

Her mouth fell as she sat up straight, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

My mother reached for Grace’s Bible, notebook, and pen, and nudged her with her shoulder.

Mama leaned over and whispered something in Grace’s ear, prompting her to hop up.

She brushed the skirt of her dress down as she stepped toward me then ascended three of the five short steps below me.

As she approached, I walked her way. When I extended my hand, she cupped her fingers in mine and gave me a shy smile.

She stood by me as people fidgeted, several in the middle and the back standing up and rocking back and forth.

Curtis, the organist, let out a flowery run on the Hammond B3 organ as more people stood.

When Grace giggled, I giggled too. It was as if the joy that was on her hopped on me.

I leaned toward her and spoke into her ear.

“You good?”

She squeezed my hand and nodded. I escorted her to the center of the platform where we held hands.

“Family, I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Grace Toliver.”

Grace blushed and raised the hand that held the engagement ring to brush her hair behind her ear.

“Is that what I think it is?” Mother Wesley, the loudest woman in the church, rose and hollered out from the front row, pointing at Grace and me.

Grace dropped her hand to her side and covered her ring with her other hand, but it was too late. Mother Wesley started jumping up and down in her little heels, her hat flopping from side to side until she took it off and dropped it in the seat behind her.

“Come on, Pastor!” Mother Freeman, who sat by Mother Wesley, shouted.

Grace held her head down and squeezed my hand.

“I think they figured it out,” she said in a whisper.

I raised my free hand to calm everyone down.

“Hold on, everyone.” I turned toward Mother Wesley and Mother Freeman. “Ladies, please give a brother a chance to shine. I’ve waited this long for my rib. Please don’t snatch my news from me.”

When I said rib, everyone who was seated hopped up. Curtis and the rest of the musicians teased an instrumental praise as a couple of people started dancing. I let them have a few bars then held my hand up again. I shook my head and smiled.

“This is a place of order.” I chuckled.

The cheers got louder. I tried to hold back my laughter but couldn’t. Grace held me by the waist and laughed too.

“I can’t tell you what I have to tell you if you don’t let me.” I spoke through the microphone with a serious look.

Several people shushed as the congregation quieted down but remained standing. I gestured to Grace and drew out my next words.

“I’d like to introduce you to the woman who has agreed to be my wife.”

Tambourines, clapping, and every instrument in the pulpit competed for a starring role in the celebration.

As a string of “Praise Hims” waved across the room, I reached for Grace and kissed her cheek.

She held my hands in hers and placed her lips to my ear.

I turned off the portable mic so no one would hear what she said.

“Would it be inappropriate for me to kiss you on the lips? Is that allowed in your church by people who aren’t married? I want the hoes to know I don’t play about my fiancé. They can keep their nasty panties in their underwear drawers.”

Those pretty dimples popped and had me smitten.

I glanced at my mother, who had to be the one who shared that mess about the panties. She beamed at me as she waved her big white handkerchief in the air. Although she couldn’t hold water, I couldn’t be angry with her in this moment.

I spoke back in Grace’s ear.

“Let the Spirit move you, sweetheart.”

She nodded, then placed her hand on my cheek before lifting herself on her toes and kissing me on the lips with a combination of passion and respect that had my head spinning.

I reached for her waist and held her as she pressed her sweet lips deeper into mine, giving me a little tongue too.

When we finally separated, she smiled, then reached for the handkerchief on the lectern.

“So sorry about that, Pastor,” she said softly with mischievous eyes as she wiped her lipstick off my lips.

“No, you’re not.”

Grace smirked before dropping the handkerchief on the lectern.

I barely heard her as the floor beneath us vibrated, and people shouted so loudly the rafters shook.

Grace’s open display of affection and closeness had me just as undone. She was a pro at marking her territory.

I ushered Elder Peyton up to finish the service.

He stood by me as I fanned my face with my hands and whispered to him that I needed to sit down.

He nodded his understanding and picked up the microphone, ushering in praise throughout the sanctuary.

Everyone laughed and clapped as Grace and I held hands and returned to our seats.

Elder Peyton finished the altar call, offering, and benediction.

After service, Grace and I stood at the sanctuary exit, greeting everyone who wanted to meet my future wife and gawk at her engagement ring.

“I’m Mother Wesley. You are so beautiful—perfect for our handsome pastor.” Mother Wesley kissed each of us on the cheek as she held Grace’s hand.

“Thank you, Mother Wesley.” Grace’s gentle voice and smile soon had the elderly woman wrapped around her finger.

She wasn’t the only one. I glanced at her as she smiled at young and old people who embraced her and celebrated our engagement.

Grace was a natural hostess with genuine care for people, allowing strangers to hug her and share their stories about the ministry, me, or themselves.

Although I knew she supervised a large group of people in her past, I’d never seen this side of Grace.

I understood why she grieved the loss of her job.

She glowed around people and stood out with undeniable poise and grace.

Grace —What a perfect name for a perfect woman.

In that moment, realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

I convinced myself Grace was here for my girls, but I already adored her.

Her heart and beauty mesmerized me as much as they did those greeting her in the receiving line.

I was honored to be near her and couldn’t wait to get her alone.

When the last person exited, I took Grace by the hand.

“Mama took the girls home with her. We have the afternoon to ourselves. Come with me so I can change.”

Grace followed me and waved at several people along the way.

When we entered my office, I closed the door and locked it. She stood in front of my desk and clasped her hands, her shoulders high.

“How did I do?”

She was as cute as could be as she sought my approval.

I unzipped my robe and placed it on the nearest chair.

“Sweetheart, the people love you.”

And so do I , I wanted to say but didn’t.

“Good. I’m glad Elder Peyton shared with the congregation that our wedding would be private. We’ll have a big reception after our honeymoon.”

I hung up my robe and placed it in the small closet in the corner of my office. When I turned around, Grace stood before me with her heels off.

“You okay?” I took in her picture-perfect form.

She slowly raised the hem of her dress, displaying her legs and the top of her thighs. She bent and took her time rolling down her stockings before stuffing them in her purse. I suddenly felt warm.

“Yes. I feel better having met everyone. I see why you give them so much. What a blessed congregation.”

I stared at Grace’s lower body as she shifted her clothes.

What is she doing?

“They are precious.” I nodded like a robot.

Grace reached under her dress and lowered her panties to the floor, lifting them and dangling them in my face.

My mouth fell open. When I gathered myself, I received them and instinctively lifted them to my nose. The smell of her womanly essence had my eyes rolling back in my head.

“Woman, don’t start nothing you can’t finish.” I dropped the panties to the floor then pounced on her.

I drew her to me, kissing her full lips and lifting her skirt before grabbing a handful of her juicy, naked behind.

She squirmed and reached for the side of my head, which I lowered to hers. When our lips touched, she inserted her tender tongue in my mouth. My head swirled as I grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off the floor. She looked into my eyes.

“Your mama told me about that woman who sent you panties. I wanted to give you a sample of what’s to come.” She bit her lower lip.

“Why is my mama so doggone messy? I knew she was the one who told you.”

When I lowered Grace to the ground, she rested her hands on my chest. I couldn’t believe this demure woman would be so bold with me…at church. As much as I tried to stay focused and controlled around her, I couldn’t resist temptation.

“Do you know how sexy you are?” I massaged her back and grinned at her.

“No. How sexy am I?”

“Come here.” I sat in the chair closest to me and ushered Grace toward me with my finger.

She came to me, her eyes focused on my lips. I planted my feet firmly on the floor. When she rested her arms on my shoulders, I circled my arms around her waist and made sure she was steady. I sucked in my breath and lifted her dress, taking in the beauty of her neatly trimmed honey pot.

“You’re beautiful everywhere, love.” I traced her jewels with my fingers.

I inserted the tip of my index finger in her channel.

“And wet.”

“Caleb,” she hissed through gritted teeth.

The way she said my name had my mouth watering.

Grace moaned low and thrust her body toward me, forcing my finger deeper. I closed my eyes and inserted a couple more, concentrating on her pleasure.

“Yes,” she moaned, holding my shoulders to keep herself steady.

A loud knock interrupted us. When Grace jumped, I withdrew my fingers. As she pulled her dress down, I picked up her black thong off the floor and wiped my fingers clean with it before stuffing it in my pocket. She rushed to slip on her heels.

“Coming,” I shouted, realizing how ironic my greeting was.

Despite her scurrying, Grace snickered.

“We needed that disruption. I couldn’t have your pretty, sanctified self shouting in tongues in here when I murdered that cat.” I spoke softly so only she could hear me.

“You owe me a raincheck,” she said, adjusting her clothes and wiping the corners of her mouth with her fingers.

“I got you.” I kissed her a final time then walked to the door.

“Here.” She rushed to squirt hand sanitizer in my hand before she returned it to my desk.

She sat in the chair where I fingered her, legs crossed and her hands on her knees, peering toward the door as prim and proper as a queen.

I rubbed my hands together then blew her a kiss, which she caught and placed over her heart. I opened the door to greet more parishioners offering their well wishes.

Grace and I were going to get along well.