“Your father is the Bishop of that church?” Corvus asked.
Miracle nodded, watching him. “Yes.”
“Wow,” he said shaking his head.
“You really won’t sell to us?” she questioned.
Corvus looked down into her face. “You’ve got to come better than what you’ve told me, Little Goddess.”
“I’m not little,” she complained.
He looked her over. “You’re about what, 5’3 on your tiptoes?”
Miracle smiled. “You’re just very tall.”
“Stop smiling at me,” Corvus said slowly. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
Miracle blushed again. “Don’t do that either,” he admonished and she looked away.
“You’re not shy at all,” Miracle whispered.
“I don’t think I ever was,”
She laughed softly then looked into his eyes. “So what happens now?”
“Can I take you somewhere?” Corvus asked and she blinked.
“Excuse me?”
He smiled. “Nah, not like that. I want to show you some things around the city, so you can understand where I’m coming from.”
Miracle hesitated for a moment while looking over his six-foot-three frame. “Sure, I don’t think you’ll kidnap me.”
Corvus pulled out his phone and stepped beside her. Holding up the camera, he focused them on the screen. “Smile,” he told her.
Confused, Miracle complied and he snapped the shot of them before handing her his phone. “Now send this picture to someone you trust and tell them that you’re with me. This way they have my face and number.”
“Really?” Miracle asked taking the phone.
He nodded. “Go ahead.”
She quickly texted her sister Faith with a note: “I’m with him.” Pressing Send, she handed the phone back to him.
“You didn’t have to do that,”
Corvus put his phone away inside his jacket. “I want you to be comfortable.”
She glanced up at him. “I am.”
“No smiling or blushing though,” Corvus warned as he began to lead her to his car.
“It’s your fault,” Miracle admonished.
He led her to a SUV and opened the door. “No, it’s your fault for being so damn pretty.”
Miracle climbed inside and her phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her bag and checked the screen. It was a text from her sister.
Faith: Who is THAT?
Miracle watched as Corvus entered the car then replied: Corvus Shaw
Faith: Where did you find him and what are you doing with him?
Miracle: We’re looking at property
Faith: You should be looking at him!
She glanced over at Corvus as he drove: Oh I am! I can’t stop.
Faith: Please kiss him! If you never plan to kiss another man in life, please do this for me!
Miracle: Stop! I’m not…
Corvus caught her perusal. “Everything okay?” he asked nodding at her phone.
“Yes, uh…it’s my sister. She’s the one I texted our picture to,” she explained.
He smiled. “Is she telling you to get away from me?”
Miracle looked away. “Actually the opposite.”
He laughed softly and the sound made her stomach flip as the car moved along slowly. Her phone buzzed again and she quickly looked at it.
“Sorry,” she said quietly, sending her gaze from him to the screen.
Faith: Is he that fine in person?
Miracle: Yes, pray for me.
Faith: lol…you don’t want the prayers I’m sending up
Miracle: Goodbye…I’m being rude now. I have to go.
She put her phone away and looked at him. “I’m sorry…” she repeated.
“It’s fine…Ms. Chapman,” he said looking her over.
Miracle felt the warmth of his gaze. “You can call me Miracle.”
“And, you can call me Corvus,” he told her.
“That’s a very interesting name,” Miracle commented as he turned back to the road.
“It’s the name of a constellation,” he explained.
She nodded in understanding. “And your brother’s name is Orion. I get it now.”
“My parents follow Khemetic beliefs,”
Miracle looked confused. “That’s your religion?”
Corvus shook his head. “My beliefs,” he corrected.
“Is there a difference?” she questioned turning in her seat.
“Yeah, there is.” He brought the car to a stop and Miracle turned to look out of the window. She saw they were in a part of the city where there were more vacant lots than houses. Some of the lots were overgrown and filled with trash.
Corvus came around the car and helped her to her feet. Taking her arm, he began to lead her down the street. “You see this block?” he asked.
She nodded and continued to look around.
“This is what happens before a city is gentrified.” Corvus complained. “The land gets run down and the prices drop. Outside investors buy up the land, because we don’t or can’t. Pretty soon this whole area will be filled with housing that we can’t afford, bike lanes and trendy coffee shops.”
“They’ve bought this land for pennies on the dollar and look how they leave it?” Corvus said angrily looking at the growth and debris. “They keep the value down until their loans go through and they can build.”
“But this is the shit that shows up on television and in newspapers as representative of the city,” he finished. “Like we enjoy living like this.”
Miracle looked up at him. “That’s why you’re so concerned about who you sell your land to?”
He nodded. “I wish I could’ve bought every plot in this city, but I did what I could.”
“I admire what you’ve done,” Miracle said softly.
Corvus shrugged and they continued walking. “This is my city and everything I do is to make it better.”
“If I owned this block, all of this grass would be cut. This area would be clean until I found a developer, or developed it myself,” he told her. “This right here is a disgrace.”
“I agree,” Miracle shook her head.
They turned and headed back to the car where he helped her back inside. When he joined her, she looked at him.
“Will you let me speak to my father and come up with a plan that would be suitable for you?” Miracle asked.
Corvus shook his head. “To be honest Miracle, I don’t trust your father’s church.”
“If I gave you my word, would you accept that?”
Her serious gaze held his for a few silent moments before Corvus turned his head and laid it back against the headrest, closing his eyes. “You’re too damn fine.”
“Corvus Shaw, you’ve been photographed with the city’s most beautiful women,” Miracle reminded him.
“I know,” he grumbled then turned to her. “It’s not just your face and I haven’t even seen your body, but your energy is astounding. It’s strong and sweet…and sexy.”
She blinked. “I don’t understand that.”
“Can I explain it to you over dinner?” he asked silkily.
As hard as she tried, she couldn’t contain the blush that covered her face. “You’d like to have dinner with me?”
Corvus nodded. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”
“I’d like that too.”
He smiled and started the car. As they took off, he turned to her.
“So Miracle, do you have a favorite dish?” Corvus inquired.
She smiled. “Not really a favorite, but I love food. I’m into organic and natural foods.”
Corvus smiled to himself and looked her over again in her dark coat and slacks. “Do you cook?” he asked innocently.
“I love to cook!” Miracle answered.
He kept driving to the restaurant. “What’s your favorite dish that you cook?”
She stared at him. “You’re fishing…why?”
“I just asked what you can cook,” he defended. “I mean there’s cooking and then there’s cookin’.”
Miracle laughed. “Do you cook?”
He frowned. “Hell nah, that’s what my momma is for.”
“Your momma?” Miracle echoed. “Aren’t you like thirty-something?”
Corvus glanced at her. “Yes, my momma. I don’t care how old I get, my momma will always feed me.”
“So you’re a momma’s boy player?” She asked slowly. “Isn’t that a contradiction?”
“Girl, can you cook or not?” he asked. “I think you’re just stalling.”
Miracle studied his handsome side profile. His chocolate skin looked smooth and supple underneath his beard and his neck was firm and solid.
“I’m going to take that as a ‘No’,” Corvus said breaking into her thoughts.
“How about this,” Miracle offered. “I’ll cook something for you and if you like it, you’ll give me time to work on my father because he really wants this land and I promised to do all I can.”
Corvus looked at her. “What if I don’t like it?”
“Then you just endured a nasty meal, and I won’t bother you again about the land,” Miracle told him.
“Where and when would I get this possibly ‘nasty’ meal?” he asked.
“You can take me to my car then follow me home,” Miracle told him. “And you can get it tonight.”
Corvus only heard the last part and smiled. “Yeah, that works.”
“Are you going to send your friends a picture to ensure your safety?” she teased.
“Nah, I feel safe with you.” He slid her a look. “You always invite dudes to eat at your house?”
Miracle shook her head. “Not always, but I do practice hospitality to strangers and I will be sure to let my sister know you are there. Plus, I have the brothers around because the Word says, she girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms.”
He lifted a brow. “The Brothers?”
Miracle smiled and nodded. “Smith and Wesson.”
******
The pair retrieved Miracle’s car and Corvus followed her home. She was standing beside her vehicle when he joined her and they shared a smile.
“Welcome to my home,” she whispered.
“Thank you for having me,”
They walked to the door and he held out his hand for her keys causing her to lift a brow. “You’re a gentleman?” she questioned, dropping the ring into his hand.
Corvus nodded. “Old-fashioned too.”
He unlocked the door, handed her the keys then allowed her inside and followed slowly. His phone buzzed and he got it out before checking the caller. Miracle went about putting her purse away while he typed a quick message.
In her living room, she held out her hand for his coat. “Everything okay?”
Corvus looked up and removed his jacket. “Yeah, business.”
She nodded and hung up the garment. When she returned, she showed Corvus to the sofa. “You can make yourself comfortable. The TV is right here if you want to watch something while I cook.”
Corvus stared down into her face. “Oh no, Little Goddess, I need to watch you make this food. You’re not pulling any okey dokeys on me.”
She laughed. “Are you serious? What do think I’m going to do?”
“I don’t know, that’s why I’m going in there with you.”
Miracle shook her head. “Okay, fine. My fiancé always watched TV while I cooked.” She turned and Corvus caught her by the arm.
“Your fiancé?”
Miracle took a deep breath. “My ex-fiancé is what I should have said.”
“You were engaged?”
She nodded. “I called it off six months ago.”
Corvus moved closer. “May I ask why?”
Miracle looked away. “I caught him kissing another woman,” she whispered.
“Damn, I’m sorry…”
She looked back at him. “It hurt, but I’m over it now.” Miracle waited for him to say some clever cliché about it being Emanuel’s loss.
“But you can cook, right?” Corvus asked.
Miracle smiled. “I told you that I can cook, Corvus Shaw.”
“Okay, let’s do it!” He rubbed his hands together.
She led him to the kitchen and moved to the sink to wash her hands, while Corvus watched from the corner. “Okay, that’s a good start.”
Miracle turned to him. “Are you going to commentate the entire meal preparation?”
“I’m giving you support,” Corvus told her. “You’ve got a lot riding on this meal.”
She shook her head and began taking items from the fridge. Corvus watched her in her shapeless button-down shirt and slacks with flat shoes. She’d certainly not been trying to impress him on their walk through today.
When all the items were on the counter, Miracle grabbed an apron and Corvus smiled. “Oooh, you got an apron too?”
“I’m going to change my mind, if you keep that up,” she warned and he laughed, making her stomach flip again.
“And stop laughing…” she chastised.
He leaned a muscular shoulder against the wall. “I can’t laugh?”
“No, it distracts me.”
Corvus lifted a brow. “How so?”
She looked over at him. “It just does.”
He smiled knowingly. “Okay. I’ll just stand here and watch you.”
Miracle went back to her meal and tried to focus. Automatically, to relax herself, she began to sing her favorite song. Corvus remained silent and listened to her beautiful voice as she diced and chopped like a pro.
Corvus stood against the wall and asked, “So tell me about Smith and Wesson? I’m surprised that you carry a weapon.”
She shrugged. “I’m a single woman in a dangerous city and I’m realtor, so I’m alone in houses with all kinds of people that I don’t know. Therefore, I’ve learned how to protect myself and I won’t hesitate.” Miracle smiled. “We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Corvus nodded. “I understand that.” He smiled at her. “So you got that fire inside, huh?”
She turned away. “I may not be that big, but I can surely handle myself...with anybody.”
“Ummm…hmmmm,” Corvus said rubbing his chin. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
Miracle turned back with a smile. “I didn’t think so.”
Thirty minutes later, they sat down to eat. Returning from washing his hands, Corvus held out her chair and seated her before seating himself. Looking across the table at her, he nodded.
“I must say, I’m impressed,” he conceded. “Not a box or a package in sight.”
Miracle put a napkin on her lap. “Of course not, I was preparing to be a Scripture wife.”
He looked at her. “And exactly what is that?”
“A wife that answers to her husband and provides everything he needs while being virtuous and compliant.”
Corvus frowned. “That sounds like slavery.”
Miracle looked away. “I thought that was what I wanted more than anything in this world.”
“And now?” he asked.
She looked back at the attractive man across from her. “Now, I don’t know.”
Miracle shook her head. “We should eat, before it gets cold.”
Corvus picked up his fork and dug into the delicious smelling food, ready to devour it, until she stopped him.
“We haven’t said grace,” she told him.
Corvus sat his fork down. “Uh, okay.”
They both sat silently, staring at each other.
“Are we waiting for something?” Corvus asked.
“You’re the Head, you’re supposed to say it.”
Corvus looked around. “The Head of what?”
“You’re the man here, Corvus, so it’s your responsibility to say the grace,” she explained.
“Really?”
She shrugged. “Yes, it’s not my place. In the presence of my father or my ex-fiancé, they always provide the blessing.”
Corvus let that sink in, then nodded. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”
Miracle held both her hands out to him and he took them slowly. She closed her eyes tightly and Corvus shook his head. “We give abundant thanks for the nutrients that this food provides. May it nourish both our minds and bodies. Ase’.”
Miracle opened her eyes. “You mean Amen?”
Corvus nodded. “It means the same.”
“I didn’t know that,” she smiled at him. “I’ve never heard that before.”
“It’s Khemetic.”
Miracle pulled her hands away slowly, then felt bereft of his touch. “Do you pray?” she asked picking up her utensil.
“Meditate,” he answered matching her action.
She nodded and began eating. “Do you have a church?”
Corvus smiled. “No, we don’t have a church.”
“Where do you worship?” Miracle questioned quietly.
He pointed to his head, then to his heart. “Here and here.”
She paused. “That’s so different.”
“To most, it is,” he agreed and began to eat his food.
Miracle picked up her glass and stared into it for a moment. “I’m sorry if that was intrusive.”
He looked up at her. “I’d rather you ask than make assumptions.”
“I’ve been raised in the church my whole life,” she shook her head. “It’s the only thing that I know.”
Corvus paused. “There’s always more to learn, if we seek it.”
“Seek and ye shall find…” Miracle quoted.
“Exactly.”
Corvus looked at her. “If we focus on our differences, we miss how beautiful the similarities are.”
He smiled at her and went back to his food. Shortly, both plates were cleaned and Corvus looked over at her.
“Well?” she asked leaning in.
He shrugged. “It was straight.”
Miracle looked at his plate. “But you cleaned your plate.”
“I didn’t want to be rude.”
She sat back. “You really didn’t like it?” she asked distraught.
Seeing her distress, Corvus straightened up. “I’m just teasing you, Little Goddess.”
Her eyes narrowed before she stood and took the two empty plates to the kitchen. Corvus quickly followed.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized as she dropped the dishes into the sink. “It was delicious and I don’t eat just anybody’s food.”
She frowned and folded her arms. “You got your dinner. I’ll be in touch after I work out a plan with my father.”
“Don’t be mad, Miracle.”
“Goodnight Corvus.”
He spread his large hands. “You’re going to put me out your house?”
“There’s no need for you to stay any longer,” she told him.
Corvus nodded. “Can I get my coat?”
He followed her to the closet where she grabbed his jacket and held it out to him. Corvus took it and put it on slowly, while Miracle stewed. At the door, she looked up at him.
“I’m assuming you will keep your end of our bargain,” she told him.
“I’m a man of honor,” he told her softly, before he pressed her back against the door, blocking her with his big body.
“Now, I’m not leaving while you’re mad, so I’ll say again…I’m sorry Miracle. I’m always joking around, but I’d never do or say anything to intentionally hurt you,” Corvus said looking down into her face.
Miracle stared up at him. “I really wanted you to like it,” she said breathlessly.
Corvus touched her face. “I did.”
“And I liked learning about you,” he whispered.
Miracle placed a hand on his arm. “Me too.”
Corvus moved to kiss her and she quickly lowered her face. He lifted his head and studied her quietly.
“Hmmm…” he said watching her closely.
Corvus lifted her chin. “So that innocence is not an act…”
She shook her head without looking at him.
“But you were engaged?”
“We agreed to no intimacy before the wedding,” she admitted.
Corvus frowned. What the hell was wrong with that dude?
“Was that your choice?” he questioned.
She looked at him. “I wanted to wait to have sex, and he didn’t want to be tempted by doing other things.”
Corvus lifted a heavy brow. “Like kissing?”
Miracle nodded. “Kissing or touching.”
“Did you want to kiss and touch him?”
“That would make me wanton,” she said looking away again. “And he wanted me to remain pure and chaste.”
“What?” Corvus asked incredulously.
Corvus stepped back and removed his jacket while Miracle watched. He took her hand and led her to the sofa. “Sit down.”
Miracle sat and he took a seat next to her, dropping his coat to the side.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven.”
He looked at her. “And you’ve never been kissed or touched?”
She shook her head.
Corvus looked up to the ceiling. “Thank you, Universe!”