11. Onesti
Part of me was disappointed when Asaiah sent the message, basically changing his mind about giving me something I could feel. The other part of me knew God had intervened, which might have been for my benefit. I have never been a woman who leads with my hormones. While I'm no saint and often fall short of God's goodness, I do my best to walk the straight and narrow. I'm sure having sex with Asaiah would be fulfilling, but this impromptu date is gratifying in a way I didn't expect.
Unlike the other times I've been in Asaiah's presence, his eyes aren't downcast and heavy with emotion. The light shining within his eyes fuels my relaxation and allows me to comfortably engage in conversation with Asaiah. There's no pressure to perform or present a perfect image, which makes me happy.
"You have a little sauce on your mouth," Asaiah says, breaking me out of my thoughts.
Without thought or hesitation, I swipe my tongue around my mouth while trying to remove the remnants of my enjoyment of the pie I'm consuming. A low chuckle coming from Asaiah has my gaze returning to him to see him shaking his head while leaning forward.
"Let me help you."
Butterflies take flight in my belly the minute Asaiah's pointer finger touches my face with a light and caressing stroke. My breath hitches, and my body becomes still while my eyes flutter to a close. Never have I ever had a man caress my face so gently.
"There. You're good now," Asaiah insists, forcing me to open my eyes while blinking slowly.
Sheesh! I feel like I'm about to combust from the heat filling my body, and an intense urge to feel Asaiah's lips against mine makes me slightly dizzy.
"Th-thank you," I squeak while struggling to get myself together.
My pulse races and my chest feels like a band of horses galloping across it when Asaiah and I intensely stare at each other.
Please be a man worthy of my attention, Asaiah. I have dined, kissed, and fondled so many frogs that if you're not sincere, it could trigger a few warts.
"My pleasure. Although, I feel compelled to thank you for allowing me this space in your day. You could be anywhere right now, but I'm honored you chose me."
My breathing is becoming labored, and my lips tingle with need, causing words I didn't grant permission to tumble from my mouth.
"I want to kiss you, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate," I breathlessly admit.
Asaiah doesn't respond for countless seconds, but a minute later, he's on the move, causing my breath to stall in my lungs.
Oh my God! Oh my God!
Asaiah is sliding into my side of the booth, increasing the adrenaline coursing through my body with every move he makes.
"If a kiss is what you desire from me now, then I'm ready to oblige you, Ms. Onesti."
Good God! The way my name rolls off Asaiah's tongue is equivalent to honey in hot tea.
When Asaiah's head lowers to my lips, my eyes flutter closed, and my heart races as I anticipate our initial contact. In the next minute, the feeling of Asaiah's pillowy soft lips connects with mine instantly, sending a zing of electricity through my body. My eyes pop open, and I see Asaiah's hungry gaze peering into me, causing a moan to slip from my mouth. A low growl sounds from Asaiah before he deepens the kiss, which sends the pit of my stomach swirling.
Jesus! Asaiah can kiss his ass off.
The tap dancing on my bladder has me stirring awake before my eyes connect with the Roku background, filling the TV in front of me. Heat on my back has my gaze shifting behind me, and my eyes bulge upon seeing Asaiah in the throes of slumber… shirtless.
Oh shit! I wasn't dreaming.
My mind shouts before the reminder of how I got into this current predicament flashes.
"You want to follow me back to my house?" The words tumble out of my mouth before I can catch them, causing my eyes to balloon. "Um… I-uh-I didn't mean it that way," I stumble over my words, trying to quell the instantaneous discomfort at the back of my neck. "I'm enjoying your company and would like to extend the evening but just for a movie," I say weakly.
Dang, you really put the cart before the horse this time, girl. Ugh.
"I'd love to," Asaiah says, smiling.
Upon seeing my fully clothed body, I breathe a sigh of relief. After confirming my attire, my gaze returns to Asaiah, and I watch him sleep for countless minutes.
Alright, God, I know that Asaiah's presence in my home isn't ideal, but I want to make a request, anyway. Can You provide Asaiah with more peaceful moments like this? I don't know his story or situation, yet I still ask for Your peace that surpasses all understanding to saturate his life. Allow the joy he showed last night to be present for weeks to come. I know, I know. How am I praying over this man while in this sticky situation? If it means anything or makes answering easier, at least we didn't have sex. Amen.
* * *
An undetermined time later…
"Well, praise the Lord, Sister Jeffries. I see you have a visitor this morning," Ms. Irene says when Asaiah and I enter the church's foyer.
Irene Norful is one of the church mothers who has no issue with minding everybody but the business of why her son Tommie's hairline is receding. While I can appreciate God keeping her at this tender age of eighty-five, there are Sundays when I praise Him for leading Ms. Irene in another parishioner's direction.
"Good morning, Ms. Irene. This is my friend, Asaiah," I introduce, nodding toward Asaiah, standing to my left.
Instead of inviting Asaiah to accompany me to breakfast after our unplanned sleepover, I asked him to attend church with me. Surprisingly, Asaiah accepted and returned to my house after he went home to shower so we could ride together.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am," Asaiah says in a deep timbre while extending his hand toward Ms. Irene.
"Humph. I've never seen you here before, but I've been around the block a time or two in my day. So, did you bathe in more than Ms. Jeffries' perfume before entering this sacred house, young man?" Ms. Irene asks, and my eyes stretch like a character on an animated episode.
"Ms.—" I start before she cuts me off.
"Chile, I'm talking to him. Hush now. I'm waiting, young man." Ms. Irene's wrinkly right hand rests on her robust waist, and she stares intently at Asaiah.
Praying inside the sanctuary forces me to swallow the retort I'm seconds from letting fly from my mouth. Nosy Irene is about to hear more than this is the day the Lord has made if she continues being messy.
"No, ma'am. Enjoy the service," Asaiah says, just as the sanctuary doors open and the usher grants us permission to enter.
"I'm so sorry," I whisper to Asaiah.
"You're good, but I wonder how many poopy toilets Granny Irene found herself fighting to erase the memory of," Asaiah replies, causing a shout of laughter to escape my mouth that I quickly regret when several members look in our direction.
"Good morning, people of the Most High. At this time, we want to acknowledge all visitors. If this is your first time here, please stand to your feet and tell us your name," Deacon Dillard directs through the microphone when Asaiah and I take our seats.
"Two for two. I'm not sure if I'll be joining you again, Ms. Onesti," Asaiah says, standing, and I hang my head while giggling.
"Well, bless God. Tell us your name, sir," Deacon Dillard instructs, acknowledging that Asaiah is the only person on his feet.
"Good morning. My name is Asaiah Harrison. I was invited by Ms. Onesti and am a Pursuing His Glory Ministries member. Thanks for having me," Asaiah says before resuming his seat.
"Alright, I'm gonna have to tell Pastor Reese we had one of his fine members worshiping with us today," Deacon Dillard replies before continuing the service.
"Next time we church together, it'll be in my house of worship. Granny Irene ain't the only meddling member in this tabernacle," Asaiah says lowly, causing my heart to skip a beat at the insinuation of this not being a one-and-done experience for us.
When the organist starts singing, I shift my thoughts to engage in the service, anticipating when Pastor Lincoln will deliver the Word.
"I just wonder if anybody in the room feels like I do. When I think about the God who was there on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and all week, I wake up excited to put my clothes on Sunday morning, knowing where I'll be going. I walk into this sacred place to give God the greatest praise. It's nice to see you, and I'm glad you're here, but I come with one objective in mind. If that's your mindset too, join in with me," the organist says, causing many people to stand to their feet.
?
Praise Him. Yeah. Praise Him.
We've come to praise Him.
?
Asaiah and I stand to our feet, joining in with everyone who sings along with the organist. Joy fills me rapidly when Asaiah looks at me while singing in a deep baritone that I force myself not to become distracted by.
Lord, I know it's not the season, but can you put this man under my tree?
* * *
"You caused quite the stir today, precious gem." The taunting in Mom's voice makes me unsure of this conversation's direction.
In Bill Withers's words, it's been a lovely day, so I answered my mom's call without hesitation. Also, at hearing the endearment, which she only calls me sporadically, a wry smile slips into place. Diamonds are my birthstone, and my mom has always told me how perfect and accurate the gem is in relation to my persona. Mom says I am like a diamond, exemplifying strength and eternal love.
"All I did was attend church. So, what do you mean?" I ask, smirking.
It's no surprise that my mom is on my phone because Asaiah's presence in the Tabernacle had many members coming to speak to him and me. Thankfully for me, Asaiah had taken it in stride, but he doubled down on our next joint worship happening at his church. The only person who didn't make a spectacle of Asaiah's presence was Pastor Lincoln. His greeting was while we were leaving and didn't involve any fanfare. It's one of the reasons I love my pastor. He's laid back and goes with the flow for the most part.
"Pauletta called to tell me how her aunt nearly needed oxygen after being removed from your friend's arms," Mom reveals, snickering.
My eyes roll heavenward at the reminder of the stunt Ms. Irene did. When service ended, the messy busybody dang near twisted her ankle getting to Asaiah and me. She pretended to lose her balance when she was a stone's throw away, causing Asaiah to lunge forward to catch her. The cantankerous grandmother of six then batted her nonexistent lashes at Asaiah while praising his quick reflexes.
"I'm not sure if she needs medication or a nursing home, but they need to reel Ms. Irene in," I respond, returning to the conversation.
"I'm glad your dad is sick because containing my laughter wouldn't have been possible with all that going on. Wow! I can't believe she did that," Mom says, laughing.
"It's n?—"
Beep. Beep.
My other line rings, cutting off my words and causing me to pull the phone away from my ear to see who's calling.
Asaiah!
The whisper of his name has me biting my bottom lip to contain the schoolgirl scream I want to release but can't since Mom is on the phone.
"I have another call to take, so I gotta go, but do something about your church people, please."
"Chile, I can't do anything but bring some kettle corn the next time. Tell him I said hello, precious gem." With that, Mom disconnects the call, and the vein in my neck thrashes when the line beeps again.
Scurrying, I slide the button to answer the call before it goes to my voicemail.
"I didn't think I would hear from you after what happened earlier."
"I thought about it, but then another revelation came to mind, sparking my need to make this call," Asaiah says in a husky tone that has me wondering if he's lying down.
"Wh-what's the revelation?"
Why is my voice shaky?
"I didn't thank you for continuing my time in your presence. Last night was needed, and despite the weirdness of your fellow parishioners, the Word of God was timely and edifying."
My mind flashed to the scripture for today's message and the gasp I heard from Asaiah when Pastor Lincoln began breaking it down. Luke 12:7.
"No thanks needed. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with you. Hopefully, we can do it again soon," I finally reply.
"Hm. Let's get something locked in now. You ain't gotta hope for anything this trivial."
A lopsided grin slides into place at hearing Asaiah's words, and I put the call on speaker so I can pull up my calendar for potential dates.
"Is there a date you have in mind?" I ask.
"Friday. I'll need you to be ready at eight too. I know how women are, so I'll tell you upfront to dress comfortably."
Alright, Mr. Asaiah! You'd better put our plans in motion and provide instructions while doing it. This is the grown-man energy I can co-sign.