The Bishop froze and Miracle thought he was going to have a heart attack right before her eyes.
“You will not marry my daughter!” he roared.
Miracle stepped in front of Corvus hoping to prevent any physical contact between the two men.
“I will marry your daughter,” Corvus told him firmly.
The Bishop looked at Miracle. “You’ve agreed to this?” he demanded.
Miracle shook her head. “No, I haven’t agreed…I also haven’t disagreed.”
Her father turned and shook his head before quickly turning back. “What do you want my daughter for?” he asked Corvus angrily.
“I want to love her.”
Bishop Chapman looked from Corvus to Miracle then stormed to the door. “You will hear from your mother!” he warned Miracle as he walked out the door, slamming it behind him. Corvus and Miracle stared at the door before she turned to him.
“Soooo, that’s your father?” Corvus asked with a sly grin.
Miracle nodded. “Yes, that was Bishop Chapman at his finest.”
He touched her face. “Good morning, Little Goddess.”
“Good morning,” she whispered back. “I wasn’t expecting you to walk in with my key.”
“You were sleeping so deeply, I wanted to make sure I’d get back in,” he teased her.
She smiled. “I am a heavy sleeper, especially when I’m comfortable.” Miracle placed a hand on his chest. “You’re a very firm pillow.”
Corvus smiled and placed his hand over hers. “I’m happy to accommodate you.”
“You told my father you were going to marry me…” she said looking up at him.
“I told you that last night.”
“I didn’t know if you were serious,” Miracle commented.
Corvus squeezed her hand. “I told you that last night too.”
“I thought the Bishop was going to have a heart attack,” she said quietly.
“Your father is used to controlling situations,” Corvus commented. “I will respect him, but he won’t control me or our relationship.”
Miracle nodded. “He said that Emanuel came to see him this morning,” she told him.
“He went crying to your father?” Corvus frowned.
“I didn’t know you punched him.”
Corvus looked down at her. “Is that a problem?”
She shook her head. “No…I just don’t want you fighting over me.”
“It wasn’t a fight,” Corvus assured her. “What else did your father say?”
Miracle moved away. “He still wants me to marry Emanuel and he actually told me that Emanuel has forgiven me for last night.”
“Forgiven you for what?”
She shook her head. “My father and Emanuel think on a different wave length. They believe that I was out of line.”
Corvus walked over to her. “I’m not concerned about what Emanuel or your father thinks. I came to take your beautiful self to breakfast.”
She smiled and he kissed her softly. “I need to take a shower and get dressed,” Miracle said against his lips.
“I can wait.”
“Okay,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck, while he kissed her again.
Corvus finally turned her in the direction of the bedroom. “Go,” he said stiffly.
She looked back at him before heading to her room. “Can I get you anything while you’re waiting?” she offered.
“I’m good, just go get ready.”
“I won’t be long.” Corvus watched as she disappeared and closed the door. He dropped down onto her sofa and scratched his head. It had been a hell of a day and it wasn’t even ten o’clock yet.
He frowned as he thought about Miracle’s father and this damn Emanuel. Those two were out of their damn minds, trying to control Miracle the way they did, but that was about to be a wrap. Miracle was a grown ass woman, capable of making her own decisions.
Corvus also thought about his two meetings this morning, again with a frown. Something wasn’t right and the hits were a little too close to home for his liking. Corvus ran his business above board and did everything within the boundaries. He needed to find out why someone was trying to get at him.
Corvus wondered if Miracle’s family was involved in any way and if so, how that would play out in their own relationship. This was the period for him to woo his Little Goddess, and he didn’t need interference from anywhere.
Corvus’ phone rang and he answered. “Corvus Shaw.”
“Mr. Shaw, this is Gary Warren from the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.”
Corvus lifted a brow. “How may I help you?”
“I wanted to set a time to meet with you to discuss an open investigation.”
“An investigation into what?” Corvus questioned.
“I’m simply following up on a tip and I’d like to discuss my findings with you and to update you with some information you may find very important.”
Corvus nodded. “Okay, when would you like to meet?”
“Early next week,” Gary answered.
“Let me know a good time for you,” Corvus told him. “Call my office and set the appointment with my secretary.”
“Will do.”
Corvus ended the call and stared at his phone. What the fuck was this? He looked up as Miracle entered the room dressed in her work attire in slacks and a dress shirt, complete with a snazzy blue blazer with her name tag attached.
She smiled and walked over to him. “You look very cute and businesslike,” he told her as he stood looking down at her.
“Thank you,” Miracle said. “I have some houses to show today.”
Corvus sat on the sofa and brought her down with him. “Have you thought about what we talked about last night?”
“My mind is all over the place,” she confessed.
He pulled her close to his side. “Talk to me.”
Miracle smiled softly. “I’m trying to figure out why…”
Corvus waited for her to continue and when she did, he listened intently.
“You just met me,” she began and he nodded. “You don’t even know me.”
Again, he nodded. “My father wants me to marry another man,” she went on then paused.
“Anything else?” he asked.
She looked at him. “I’m sure there is.”
“Does any of it really matter?” Corvus questioned.
“It should…”
“Why?” he asked.
Miracle placed her hand on his chest. “Because things are done a certain way.”
“Says who?”
She gave him a look. “The world.”
“Little Goddess, the world is yours to do whatever you wish. There is no one way to do anything.” Corvus told her. “You’re here to be happy and live life. To experience all this journey has to offer.”
Miracle touched his beard. “You make things sound so simple.”
“They are, baby,” he told her. “If you let them be that way.”
“You seriously think that you want to marry me?” she questioned softly.
Corvus shook his head. “No, I know that I’m going to marry you, Miracle. You’re going to be my Goddess and we’re going to make some beautiful babies together.”
Miracle felt her face flush and she lowered her head. The thought of making babies with Corvus Shaw sent her temperature rising. He lifted her face and kissed her, tasting her sweet lips before invading her mouth.
Corvus continued to kiss her until she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his.
“Mmmmm…I think you like the thought of making babies,” he whispered against her lips.
Miracle looked into his eyes. “You make me think all kinds of things.”
He kissed her again before getting to his feet and helping her to stand. “Let’s get breakfast. I know you have work to do today.”
Miracle agreed and the pair rode in Corvus’ car to the restaurant owned by Lance and his wife, Khayla. Katydids was a staple in the city serving healthy and organic dishes. Inside they were greeted by Lance.
“What up doe?” he said to Corvus.
Corvus smiled. “I brought my Little Goddess to breakfast.”
Lance nodded. “Did you enjoy the party last night?” he asked Miracle.
“Yes, I did…thank you.” She responded.
“Let’s get you two a table,” Lance said then led them to an area.
Corvus seated Miracle before taking his own as Lance sat two menus on the table in front of them.
“I’ll be back to take your orders,” Lance announced.
Corvus smiled. “They got you on table duty?”
“Katydids is at home with the baby and two staff called in, so I’m it.”
“You not cooking though, right?” Corvus inquired and Lance frowned.
“I should cook yours.”
Miracle laughed at the two. “Nah, let the cook do that.” Corvus told him.
Lance walked away and Miracle picked up her menu to look it over. “I like this place,” she commented.
“Have you been here before?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’ve visited with Faith. The food is very good.”
“I only eat here and at my Momma’s house.”
Miracle shook her head. “I still can’t believe you eat at your Momma’s.”
“Your ex lives with his Momma,” he pointed out.
“My ex isn’t you…”
Corvus smiled. “Now that’s true. You’ve upgraded exponentially.”
She laughed. “I guess you’re right.”
Reaching across the table, he took her hand. “And so have I…”
“I said that I was going to stop smiling at you so much,” she said smiling at him.
“Please, don’t ever stop that,” Corvus leaned forward. “That smile tells me that I’m doing something right.”
Miracle met him halfway across the table. “You’re doing a lot of things right, Corvus.”
He touched his lips to hers as Lance returned with glasses of water.
“Hey, this is a restaurant,” he teased them as Miracle sat back in her seat.
“I’m sorry,” she said automatically contrite.
Corvus laughed. “He’s not serious. He and Khayla probably made their son in this room.”
Lance shook his head. “Nah, maybe in the office though.”
Miracle looked at the two men as they continued to joke around until Corvus became serious.
“I’m going to need to holla at you about something later,” he told Lance.
Lance lifted a brow. “You good?”
“Yeah, some business stuff.”
“Okay, just hit me up.”
Corvus nodded. “Cool.”
Miracle and Corvus gave their orders and Lance disappeared again. She looked across the table at him and asked, “Is everything okay?”
Corvus rubbed his chin. “Sylvia came to see me this morning.”
“Sylvia?”
“The woman who brought Emanuel to the party last night.”
Miracle’s eyes widened. “Oh, her…”
“She wanted to apologize for what happened,” Corvus explained.
She nodded. “Do you know her very well?”
“We’ve done business together. She works in licensing and construction. Sylvia says that Emanuel sought her out,” he told her.
Miracle looked away remembering the beautiful woman. “I’m sure he did.”
“Does that upset you?” Corvus questioned.
She turned her gaze back to him. “Not upset, just expected now, I guess.”
“Are you still in love with him?”
Miracle rested her elbow on the table with her chin resting on her hand. “I thought that the love would come, eventually. I hoped that one day, I would feel butterflies in my stomach and heat run through my body. I prayed that when we kissed, I would never want him to stop.”
She paused and her dark eyes held his. “But none of that ever happened.”
“Not until I met you,” she whispered.
“Keep that up and I’m going to have you on a plane to Vegas,” Corvus told her softly.
Miracle shook her head. “You’re going to make me say yes.”
He sat up in his seat. “That’s the whole point, baby.”
“Why are you in such a hurry to get married?” Miracle asked. “You’re young, handsome and pretty wealthy. Why do you want to tie yourself to a woman that you don’t even know?”
“I told you, you’re mine.” Corvus repeated. “I don’t need to know anything more.”
“I need to process this,” Miracle told him.
Corvus agreed then asked, “When your prayers are answered, do you always need to process them first?”
“I didn’t pray for you,” she pointed out. “I wouldn’t even know how to pray for someone like you.”
“But you did, Little Goddess,” Corvus corrected. “Maybe it wasn’t answered in the exact package that you envisioned, but it’s your answer all the same.”
Miracle looked him over. “I never thought a package like you was an option.”
He smiled. “Keep it up, girl…”
“I’m just telling the truth. I don’t lie,” she commented.
Corvus became serious. “Then let me ask you something,”
She nodded and he continued. “Someone called and reported a fake tip about my business dealings to the HUD offices. Is it possible that someone affiliated with your church was responsible?”
Miracle gasped. “Why do you think that?”
“Because I’ve never had any problems until I started dealing with them,” Corvus told her. “And I know for a fact that both your father and Emanuel have a problem with me.”
She put a hand to her mouth then removed it. “Corvus, I don’t know anything about this but if they have done something like that, I won’t stand for it!” she snapped.
He leaned forward. “It’s okay. I’m not asking you to deal with it. I just wanted your opinion.”
Miracle’s eyes narrowed. “No! If they’ve interfered in your business, that’s too damn far!”
Corvus looked surprised and Miracle took a deep breath. “I’ve been around Faith too much,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry.”
He smiled. “From what I understand, that’s in the bible.”
Miracle laughed. “Yes, it is, but you’re not supposed to use it.”
Corvus took her hand again. “I love your fire. It’s hot and sexy,” he whispered across the table and Miracle felt her heart begin to race.
“Let me find out what’s going on,” Corvus continued. “And once I know for sure, I’ll take care of it.”
“I hope and pray that they are not involved,” Miracle told him.
“I hope they aren’t either.”
Lance brought their food and placed the dishes in front of them and went back to his work duties in the crowded restaurant.
Miracle got her breathing under control and quietly said grace over her food.
“I don’t get to hold your hands?” Corvus asked.
“We don’t have to do that in public,” she explained.
Corvus shrugged. “Okay, but can I just hold your hands?”
Miracle shook her head and held out her hands, then Corvus kissed the back of both before winking at her and picking up his fork.
“You’re so unpredictable,” Miracle commented. “I never know what you’re going to do or say.”
“That’s what makes me special,” he told her.
Miracle stared at her plate. “I think so, too.”
Corvus lifted his head to the ceiling and groaned. “Girl, you just don’t know…”
She looked at him confused. “What?”
His eyes darkened. “What I’m going to do to you…every day for the rest of my life.”
Corvus’ words along with his look told her all that she needed to know and she felt like the heat had been turned up on high. Miracle ran a hand across her forehead and licked her lips.
“I know what you’re talking about,” she said breathlessly, while blushing furiously.
He nodded. “Good, does it bother you?”
“It should,” she looked away.
“It shouldn’t at all,” Corvus told her. “It’s natural.”
Miracle stared at him. “You want to know me?”
“I think that’s a given.”
“In the biblical sense?” she questioned.
Corvus sat down his utensil. “In every sense that a man knows a woman.”
“Oh, God…” Miracle said nervously. “I think we should stop now.”
“You’re a beautiful woman, Miracle, and I want to worship every part of you,” Corvus said in a sultry tone. “From those soft lips to your pretty, painted feet.”
She covered her face with her hands. “Corvus…”
“Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold you are beautiful; your eyes are doves…”
Miracle removed her hands and stared at him. “Song of Solomon.”
He agreed and she whispered. “I will seek him whom my soul loves…”
“You don’t have to seek me, Little Goddess. I have come to you,” Corvus said and she smiled softly.
“My beloved is mine and I am his,” Miracle told him.
Corvus nodded. “Yes, I am yours and you are mine.”
She took another deep breath and looked at him with a sexy smile. “Exactly how long is a flight to Vegas?”
******
Emanuel entered the Bishop’s office with an ice pack on his jaw and the Bishop watched as he took the seat across from his desk.
“Are you okay?” the Bishop asked.
Emanuel nodded. “I’ll be fine. If I didn’t want to bring attention to the church nor the fact that I was at that nightclub, I’d press charges against that heathen.”
“He says that he wants to marry Miracle,”
Emanuel jumped from his chair. “What? We have to get her away from him.”
The Bishop sighed. “She’s falling for him.”
“What do you mean ‘falling for him’?” Emanuel questioned.
Bishop Chapman gave him a look. “In love, Emanuel…do you even know what that is?”
Emanuel paused. “Of course Bishop, I love the church.”
“My daughter is falling in love with man who doesn’t believe. I can’t let that happen,” the Bishop told him. “It will never work.”
Emanuel frowned. “Miracle has gone too far. She needs to be put in her place.”
“I’m going to have her mother talk to her,” the Bishop relayed.
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll just have to take things into my own hands,” Emanuel said angrily. “This isn’t just about Miracle and what she wants, this is my future.”
The Bishop stood. “Then you’d better start wooing my daughter and showing her that you love more than the church…” the Bishop said pointedly.
“How can we get her away from Corvus Shaw?” Emanuel questioned.
Bishop Chapman shook his head. “He was at her house today with a key, so this is more than dating.”
“A key?” Emanuel complained. “She never gave me a key to her house. He’s taking advantage of her and he needs to be dealt with.”
The Bishop looked at Emanuel’s face. “If I were you, I’d stay away from him. He indicated that he had no qualms about repeating last night.”
Emanuel touched his swollen jaw. “I’ll see Miracle tonight.”
“You need to win her over again,” Bishop Chapman told him.
Emanuel smiled. “I’m her first love, next to God. We’ll work this out.”
“Miracle always does what’s right,” he said and her father agreed.