Reverend Feelgood (21 page)

Nate stared at Destiny’s freshly showered, naked body. He was drowning in love for her, even more since coming together for the first time in three months. They’d barely made it inside their suite before he was all over her, taking off her dress as he hungrily kissed her, hastily removing the lacy white panties she wore. He’d stripped off his tuxedo, leaving it in a heap next to Destiny’s ten-thousand-dollar designer gown. That he was treating such expensive clothing so carelessly hardly mattered. All Nate had wanted was Destiny, and within minutes of entering their suite, he was inside her.

That was two hours ago. Now, he lay next to his wife, feeding her grapes, strawberries, and kiwi from the fruit tray that had accompanied their elaborate room service dinner. Destiny glowed with adoration as she ate from her husband’s hand…and fed him.

“I apologize for the urgency with which I…consummated our marriage,” he murmured, placing whispery kisses along Destiny’s neck and shoulders. “But I needed you so badly….”

Destiny turned and placed one of her legs over his. “You never have to apologize for making love to me, Nate. Fast, slow, however we do it, it is always wonderful.”

The two lovers were quiet a while, listening to the CD of love songs that King and Tai had compiled for them as part of their wedding gift. One particular song Destiny had played over and over. It was by a group she’d never heard of and that Nate barely knew.

“What’s their name again?” she asked.

“Switch,” Nate replied.

“I love this song,” she whispered.

Nate kissed her, and softly sang the newly learned lyrics in her ear. “…so good, I know you won’t forget it. There’ll never be a better love…”

Once the song ended, Nate rolled on top of Destiny. “We’ve had fast,” he said huskily, flicking her nipple with his tongue. “Now I’m going to love you slowly, my destiny. I’m going to love you until we can no longer move.”

Destiny’s giggle was swallowed up as Nate’s warm mouth descended on hers. He ravished her mouth with his stiff, skilled tongue. She moaned as he found her pleasure button and teased it with his finger. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s heighten our pleasure.”

With that, he lifted Destiny from the bed and walked through the bedroom’s already open patio doors.

“Nate! What if someone sees us?”

“No one will see us. This area of the beach is available only to the guests in this home.” A millionaire friend of Derrick’s had told Nate about the villa, a privately owned, ten-million-dollar masterpiece with every luxury imaginable. As Nate spread the blanket out on the sand, he made a mental note to call and thank Cy Taylor.

“Come lay down,” he said to Destiny. After she complied, he knelt before her and, starting with her toes, began licking her skin as if it were candy. The wetness from his tongue combined with the subtle warm island breeze and sent Destiny’s desire into orbit. She climaxed almost immediately, as soon as Nate’s tongue found and parted her feminine folds, and he melded his mouth to her sweetness. But Nate wasn’t finished. He had only just begun.

“I love you,” he whispered, as he directed her onto her knees, where he continued his oral assault. He was determined that no part of his bride’s body would miss his touch this night, that he would love her as thoroughly and completely as humanly possible. He slid between her legs and continued to suckle her. From this position, however, Destiny could add her note to the love symphony, and she immediately placed her mouth over his massive instrument…and began to play.

After almost an hour of foreplay, the two lovers once again became one. Destiny’s eyes never left Nate’s as she slid down onto his long, hard shaft. Nate knew he beheld a goddess as he watched her breasts sway with her movements, as she rose and fell, over and again, matching Nate’s upward thrusts. He held her hips and led the dance, sometimes slow and leisurely, sometimes fast and intense. They made love in old positions and invented new ones. They moved from the blanket by the ocean, onto the patio, and after making love there, went back into the house…for more.

“Nate,” Destiny panted, once he’d laid her on the bed. “It’s too much love; baby. I can’t…”

“Just a little more, my destiny,” Nate pleaded in a whisper. “I can’t get enough of you.” Nate placed several pillows under her hips, and then spread her legs and entered her a final time, setting a slow leisurely rhythm as he kissed her breasts, her face, ran his fingers through her hair. His thrusts were deep, to her core, with him pulling out to the tip and plummeting slowly, so that she could feel every inch of him, and every ounce of his love. Destiny’s weariness fled as passion once again ignited. Their eyes never left each other as after several moments Destiny once again felt the tremors of an oncoming climax.

“Nate, I love you!” she whined before going over the edge of an orgasmic cliff. She grazed his skin with her fingernails as he pushed even deeper, ascending to a frenzied pace before he too went free-falling. Afterward, he stayed inside her, lay on top of her. And the two went into a blissful sleep—totally spent, totally satisfied, totally still.

“Damn, girl, I can’t believe you did this!” Kirk said, as the image of two naked bodies came onto the screen. He stood next to Melody in her Dallas apartment, in front of the television.

“I told you I did it,” she replied smugly, before turning the video off after less than a minute had passed. “Just wanted to show you enough so you’d know it was true.”

“I can’t believe Reverend let you roll tape. Him being all high profile and what not.”

“He doesn’t know, and nobody else will either,” Melody said, as she put the DVD back in its case and tossed it on top of a pile of other movies. “Watching myself on tape is a private fetish. And just so you know…it’ll be you and me on camera tonight. You down with that?”

Kirk nodded yes, even as his mind whirred with possibilities.

Melody had met Kirk two weeks ago, when she’d driven to Palestine to see Destiny. The two hadn’t spoken since her explicitly informative phone call back in August and since then, Destiny had moved and changed her cell number. Melody had gone to Palestine to try and reach out to her old friend. She hadn’t expected Destiny to jump up and down at the news of her sleeping with Nate, but she hadn’t expected Destiny to totally sever their friendship either. From what Melody had heard, Nate was screwing several women in his congregation. She didn’t think it was that big a deal. Destiny did.

“You knew we were engaged, Melody. Why did you sleep with him?”

“I didn’t know it was to you,” Melody had lied when she realized how upset her news made Destiny. “I only found that out afterward. That’s what you get for keeping your little secret, for not letting me up in your biz-ness,” Melody had added playfully, hoping to bring their camaraderie back.

“You’re all up in it now though, aren’t you?” Destiny spat back. “And you couldn’t wait to call and tell me. Is this how LA bitches treat their friends? Sleep with their men and then brag about it?”

“Girl, please. You act like I’m the only one fucking your man. Plus, to hear you tell it, there wasn’t anything going on with you and your pastor. You should have told me up front that you were in love and shit. Then maybe I wouldn’t have done it.” In reality Melody knew that not only would she still have done it, she would do it again.

“Look, girl,” Melody continued when Destiny didn’t respond. “I’m sorry for sleeping with your man. It won’t happen again, okay?”

“No, Melody,” Destiny said in a voice filled with sadness. “It is not okay.”

That had been the end of the conversation. The next time Melody called Destiny, her number had changed. Melody began to feel the full impact of what she’d done. Had gaining another notch on her man belt been worth losing a friendship?

Melody went to Palestine that Sunday hoping a sincere, face-to-face apology would make a difference. But when she’d arrived, she’d found out Destiny and Nate were on their honeymoon. She’d learned this after stopping at a gas station and flirting with a cute guy whose name she later learned was Kirk. He told her of his former connection with Nate, and that he used to be a member of Gospel Truth. She’d asked him where she could find something good to eat. He’d showed her, first at a restaurant and later at his apartment.

Melody walked to her closet, pulled out an outfit, and laid it on the bed. “I’m going to take a shower,” she said to Kirk. “Want to join me?”

“Naw, let me lay here and chill a minute. I’ll take one when you get out.”

“Well, make it quick cause you’re taking me shopping.”

Kirk watched Melody’s massive assets as they jiggled behind her.
She’s young, but she’s been around,
he thought, remembering their wild sex. A woman like Melody wasn’t someone Kirk would ever get serious about, but her kind had their advantages.

Obviously the reverend thinks so too,
Kirk thought derisively.
Preaching on Sunday, pumping on Monday.
“And he had the nerve to fire me for inappropriate conduct to the ministry?” The more Kirk thought about his unceremonious firing, the angrier he became. “Muthafucka couldn’t even face me himself,” he mumbled. “Had one of his staff members do that shit.” Kirk was angry, and hurt. He’d looked up to Nate Thicke, had thought to follow in his footsteps, go to seminary and eventually become Gospel Truth’s number-two man. Nate had led him to believe that was possible, had said he was looking for strong men to help him lead the masses. As associate minister at Gospel Truth, Kirk had felt important, respected. That’s why he’d had Nate’s back, even after he began traveling with the ministry and learned of Nate and Jennifer’s intimate affair. He’d assumed there were others, but he never would have guessed his suave pastor would be with somebody like Melody. Kirk shook his head. That fast girl was barely legal, and had been passed around more than grape juice during the Lord’s Supper.

The longer Kirk thought, the madder he became.
He’s the reason I’m in the shape I’m in.
Because of the conditions surrounding Kirk’s release, the church had given him no severance pay, and he was not entitled to unemployment benefits from the state. Kirk had always lived above his means, and once he’d started working for the ministry, visiting Nate’s home and seeing how his mentor lived, his spending had gone into overdrive. He’d maxed out all of his credit cards trying to stay in designer wear, and had leased a high-end car he couldn’t afford. Now his apartment complex was threatening eviction for nonpayment and he was hiding his BMW so the dealer couldn’t repossess it.

“That man owes me,” Kirk said, eyeing the pile of DVDs on the floor. “And I’m about to get mine.”

Kirk and Melody left the apartment, went shopping, ate, and then returned to her home. Not long afterward, Melody set up the camera in the bedroom and Kirk tried to put on the performance of his life. When he left the house several hours later, Melody had a new video to add to her collection. And Kirk had one of her videos to add to his.

Gospel Truth’s temporary edifice was packed to the gills. Even in the overflow, there was not an empty seat to be had. It was Nate’s first Sunday of preaching since getting married, and the official unveiling of the church’s new first lady. It seemed every member on the books had shown up to see for themselves the woman who had finally captured their pastor’s heart.

There was an organized chaos happening behind the scenes, in the executive offices. Destiny chatted with Tai Brook and Tai’s college-age daughter, whom Tai thought would be good for Destiny to know. Nettie, Katherine, and the nanny fussed over little Benjamin. Nate and King Brook had their heads together on the other side of the office. Associate ministers came and went with messages for their pastor. Reverend Thomas Thicke studied his Bible in a corner, various security personnel monitored the halls, and the hostesses were busy restocking the table of light breakfast fare that had been spread.

“For Destiny’s sake, I hope this goes well,” Nate said. He’d shown a rare case of nerves ever since entering the church.

“Think positive, my man. And remember that church folk can be fairly forgiving, especially when a Christian in question does the right thing. Sure, some will be upset that you kept your child a secret. But I believe most will support you, now that the two of you have married.”

Thirty minutes later, the party from the executive offices joined the parishioners in the main sanctuary. The only ones still behind the executive office doors were King, Tai, Nate, Destiny, and a member of security.

“You look absolutely amazing,” Nate said, hugging Destiny lightly.

“It’s because I’m standing next to you,” she replied.

“Whatever happens out there, remember I love you.”

Destiny kissed Nate lightly on the mouth. “And I you, Reverend Thicke.”

The applause began as soon as members spotted Destiny walking beside her husband. The church came to its feet, as the couple and King Brook made their way to the pulpit. Tai joined her daughter and Katherine, in the first row. Nate and Destiny beamed as they accepted the show of appreciation. Nate finally held up his hand in an attempt to quiet the crowd. The clapping went on for several minutes, however, becoming louder after Destiny leaned over and gave Nate a peck on the cheek, with a couple whoops thrown in for good measure.

King walked to the podium and reached for the microphone. “Praise the Lord,” he said, motioning for the audience to quiet down. “Ladies and gentlemen, saints and soldiers for the Lord. It gives me great pleasure to present to you the Gospel Truth first family—Reverend and Mrs. Nathaniel Eli Thicke!”

The clapping started again, accompanied this time by the newly formed Good Gospel band, the church’s in-house music team. They played a lively number that the younger members knew was a song from gospel’s newest darlings, Yadah.

After the clapping subsided for a second time, Nate joined King at the podium while Destiny went and sat between her grandmother and her mother-in-law.

“Isn’t she lovely?” Nate said, gesturing to his wife. “Isn’t she wonderful?” he continued, as some began to clap again. “Isn’t she precious?” he added, before breaking out in a dazzling smile. “Okay, y’all, I’m going to leave Stevie Wonder alone this morning.” He paused a moment, becoming serious. “First and foremost, I want to thank God for the gift he’s given me, my destiny.” Nate winked at his wife, then looked out over the crowd. “Today is indeed a moment of celebration. And for me, it is also a time of confession.” A very soft rustling began in the crowd. “My heart is a bit heavy because of a secret I’ve been keeping from you, my church family. It was wrong of me to do it, and today I want to right this wrong, and ask for your forgiveness.”

At this statement, some members whispered loudly among themselves while others stared openly at Destiny.

Nate took a deep breath. His voice remained strong. “A couple anniversaries ago, some of you met and admired a beautiful little boy, a child brought here by Simone Simmons, Destiny’s mother, and her husband, Mark. Many of you, most of you I’m sure, assumed the boy was hers. At my request, she did nothing to dispel this assumption. But I stand before you today with the truth: that child, Benjamin, is my son—mine and Destiny’s.”

For a split second, the audience was stunned into silence. “Oh, my God,” Verniece cried from the back of the sanctuary. That utterance opened up a flurry of other reactions as people all over the church began talking at once. Some people even stood up to get a better look at Destiny, only now their looks were of condemnation instead of admiration. One woman got up and walked out of the church, creating a chain reaction in which several other women, and a few men, followed. The voices grew louder as members took sides. Those who in mere seconds had decided to forgive their pastor began shouting at the ones who clearly hadn’t. Nate stood motionless, unsure of what to do.

King looked out at the beginnings of World War III and decided to take control. He walked to the podium, gently took the microphone from his shell-shocked brother, and turned to face the crowd.

“This is the house of the Lord,” he said with authority. “And you will respect God’s house!’

The firmness with which he spoke brought an immediate hush over the audience. “This news is understandably upsetting to many of you,” he continued, in a softer tone. “I’m sure you have questions, comments, concerns. Some of you may feel hurt, others betrayed by your pastor’s actions. And you have a right to your feelings. Reverend Thicke’s actions were wrong. But the true test of a Christian, and of this church, is not how you react in times of triumph, but rather how you respond in times of trial, like right now. Your brother has asked God for forgiveness, and has been forgiven. He has come to the Total Truth Association and asked for forgiveness, and has been forgiven. And now, he stands before you. Will you forgive?”

This question was argued for hours, even days after the service—from member to member and coast to coast. It seemed everyone and their mama weighed in with an opinion. Fortunately for Nate and Destiny, the people who mattered in their lives forgave them. But what would really put a hitch in their giddy-up were the ones who didn’t.