Corvus arrived at Miracle’s home to pick her up for his party. The past week, they’d spent time together having dinner and touring the city. She’d visited his office and he’d filled her in on his numerous land dealings.
Corvus could sense that Miracle was becoming more comfortable in his presence and he was on his best behavior to help speed up the pace. Each day he spent with her only solidified his first impression, Miracle Chapman was his Little Goddess.
The business with her father’s church was now at a standstill. She’d informed him that her father was going to look into doing something for the community with the land. Corvus had named his price and now the ball was in their court.
In checking out Miracle’s father, Corvus hadn’t heard a lot of things that he particularly liked, but he’d decided to give the man a chance. After all, if he’d raised the beautiful woman whose smile took his breath away, he could try to work with him. Clearly, Miracle loved her father and the church, so that was something that Corvus would never try to damage.
Stepping onto her porch, he rang the doorbell. While he waited, he looked around at the neighborhood. Miracle had made a good purchase. This was still one of the nicer blocks with homeowners and an active Block Club. The residents here looked out for another and took pride in their homes.
The door was opened and Faith smiled at him. “Hi Corvus!”
“Hey Faith, I’m here to pick up Miracle.”
“She’s almost ready,” Faith said as he walked inside. “Happy Birthday.”
Corvus smiled. “Thanks.”
Faith studied him quietly for a moment until he raised a brow. “Is everything okay?” he inquired.
She looked at him seriously. “I’ve prayed that you are what my sister needs to make her feel loved and cherished. I hope you’re not trying to play her.”
Corvus shook his head. “Never.”
“Emanuel did sort of a head job on her because she’s so sweet and trusting. Miracle always tries to do what’s right, even when she gets hurt in the process,” Faith explained.
Corvus rubbed his beard. “The more I hear about this Emanuel, the less I like him.”
Faith frowned. “Join the club. I never liked him or trusted him, he’s a slick one.”
“Miracle has nothing to worry about. No one is going to hurt her,” Corvus told her firmly. “And if they try, they have to deal with me.”
“Hallelujah!” Faith said throwing her hands in the air.
Corvus began to laugh until Miracle stepped out of her bedroom and took his breath away. She stopped and their eyes caught while Faith smiled at her handiwork. Corvus crossed the room slowly and Miracle felt her heart about to explode in her chest from the look in his eyes.
She balled her hands into little fists to fight whatever this was that was happening as he stood looking down at her.
“Miracle…”
“Hi,” she said quietly.
Corvus looked her over from head to toe. “Look at you…”
Miracle’s gaze darted to Faith.
“Turn around,” Corvus instructed and she brought her attention back to him.
Slowly, she did a full turn until she faced him again and Corvus felt all the blood rush from his head, down lower.
“You are breathtaking on a regular day. Right now, you’re absolutely gorgeous,” Corvus told her in a deep growl.
She smiled and he groaned. “Happy Birthday!”
Corvus studied her again in the red dress that fit her little, sexy body to perfection. It didn’t squeeze or mold, it gracefully complemented everything that she had. If he had to describe it, he’d call it subtly sexy. It left everything to the imagination, while still giving a sensual visual.
The dress was sleeveless with a high neckline. The hem rested right below her thighs and above her knees. Her light brown arms and legs glistened from some type of oil that smelled like heaven. The dress tightened underneath her breasts, lifting them higher, and accentuated her curvy little figure.
Her short pixie cut framed her lovely face, and she’d added a smoky dark eye look that made her eyes pop. On those lips he loved, she’d covered them with a red matte lipstick. Some diamond studs and a silver bracelet completed her jewelry. His gaze moved down her legs to her small feet encased in strappy, silver high-heeled sandals. The nails on her hands and feet were painted the same color as her dress.
Corvus reached for her hand and held it gently. “You are the best present I could ever ask for.”
“Thank you.”
Miracle held his gaze and the two stared at one another until Faith intervened. “Well, my work here is done.” She clapped her hands and moved around the room gathering her things.
Corvus turned to her. “We’ll see you and your husband later tonight?” he asked.
Faith smiled. “Are you kidding? Dante can’t wait! I’m going home to get ready now.” She walked over to the couple and hugged Miracle.
“Thank you Faith,” Miracle embraced her sister.
“You don’t have to thank me,” Faith kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear. “Show these women what good taste he has.”
Miracle laughed. “Goodbye, I’ll see you later.”
Faith turned to Corvus. “Thanks for inviting us.”
He nodded and glanced at Miracle. “Thank you.”
She winked at him before making her way out of the door. Corvus turned back to Miracle and touched her face.
“So, can I get my present now?” he asked.
“How do you know I got you a present?” Miracle questioned.
He licked his lips. “I’m looking right at it.”
Miracle blushed and he lifted her face to his. “I’m going to kiss you Miracle.”
She placed her hand on his. “Okay,” He smiled when she closed her eyes.
Corvus studied the plush, red lips awaiting his. Lowering his mouth to hers, he softly joined their lips and felt her tremble. When he increased the pressure, she tightened her hand on his and Corvus moved his hand to the back of her head.
“Open your mouth,” he whispered against her lips.
Miracle’s eyes popped open in question as his other arm moved around her waist and pulled her closer.
“Corvus…”
He touched her lips again. “Open your mouth for me, Little Goddess.”
Miracle didn’t know what was about to happen, but she knew that whatever is was, she definitely wanted it. When she’d stepped out of her bedroom to find Corvus Shaw dressed in dark slacks, shirt and blazer, her hormones had taken on a mind of their own.
With his neatly cut black hair and perfectly trimmed beard, he was a fantasy dipped in chocolate. Now, she felt his body against hers, something that she’d never felt before and his lips on hers. He’d commanded her to open her mouth, so she did.
Miracle’s eyes closed automatically when she felt his tongue, first on her lips, then inside her mouth. The hand behind her head held her in place, while Corvus tilted his head and slanted his mouth over hers.
She felt her body responding to his gentle exploration of her mouth. When Corvus placed both arms around her waist, Miracle put her arms around his neck and held on. He kissed her until she moaned softly and squeezed him tighter.
Corvus lifted his head and looked down into her flushed face, with her eyes closed and her lips parted. She looked so sweet and trusting, just as her sister had described her, and his body hardened even more as he held her in his arms.
Corvus tasted her lips once more before moving slowly away. He watched as her eyes opened slowly, then she smiled at him.
“Whoa…” she said softly.
Corvus turned her away from him and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Go fix your face so that we can leave before I unwrap your entire package.”
He gave her a little nudge and she took off, but not before turning back to look at him. She touched her lips with a finger. “Thank you.”
When she disappeared, Corvus released the breath he’d been holding. This little woman was going to kill him before he could marry her. He went to her kitchen and retrieved a glass before quickly filling it with water. He already knew that Miracle didn’t keep anything stronger and he didn’t drink it anyway.
She’d thrown him for a loop when she’d walked out of that bedroom. His Little Goddess had transformed into a Little Siren. Corvus would be proud to have her on his arm tonight and was looking forward to introducing her to his family and friends.
Miracle returned with a small clutch and matching wrap. Corvus met her in the living room where she retrieved a coat from her closet, then he assisted her putting it on and smiled down at her.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
She nodded and he kissed her softly.
When he straightened, she asked. “Are you going to do that often, now?”
He agreed. “Oh yes,”
Miracle gave him a bright smile. “I was just checking.”
Corvus led her out the door. “You’re something else.”
On the way to the car, she looked up at him. “So are you.”
Inside the vehicle, Corvus turned on some instrumental jazz. “Is that okay?” he asked.
“Yes, I like music.”
“I wasn’t sure what you listened to,” he commented.
Miracle looked out of the window. “You think I’m rigid.”
“No, I didn’t say that.” He told her. “I think you’re firm in what you believe, and I never want to disrespect that.”
She turned to him. “Are you just as firm?”
He nodded. “Yes, but that doesn’t have to be an obstacle.”
“We’re not supposed to be unequally yoked,” she told him.
“What does that mean?”
Miracle gave it some thought. “That we’re not supposed to join with people who don’t have our same beliefs.”
Corvus nodded slowly. “Wouldn’t that eliminate a lot of people?”
“I guess it would,” Miracle turned back to the window. “What do you believe?”
“I believe that there is a Goddess who is made for me. It’s my job to call her and then to worship her when she arrives,” he explained.
She turned back to him. “Really?”
“Yes,”
“I’ve never heard anything like that before…”
Corvus smiled. “And I’ve never met anyone like you before.”
She returned his smile. “What is this Goddess supposed to do?”
He reached for her hand and held it in his. “She’s supposed to let me love her completely.”
Miracle felt her entire body engulf at his slowly spoken words. “Do you have more than one?” she asked quietly.
“Never.”
“Do you get married?”
Corvus smiled. “Yes, we get married and have babies too,” he teased.
She turned away. “I guess that does sound very uninformed.”
“I’m teasing you,” Corvus said bringing her hand to his lips. “And you sound like someone who wants to know.”
Miracle turned back to him. “I do.”
“You can ask me anything Little Goddess.”
“Are all your friends Khemetic?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No, my brother and I are the only ones in our circle.”
“You never have any problems with that?”
Looking at her, he asked, “Why should we?”
Miracle shrugged. “It’s hard enough to maintain relationships with people that you do have things in common with.”
He smiled. “The Negus are all different and we all lead different lives. Our common goal is the city and taking care of each other. It doesn’t matter what kind of education or how much money one of us has, because at the end of the day, we all have one thing in common…we’re black men who are being hunted.”
He became serious. “And we have to save ourselves.”
******
Corvus’ party was being hosted at an elegant club in the city. When he walked in with Miracle, his family and friends all yelled, “Happy Birthday!”
Corvus smiled. “Is all this for me?”
His father, George, gave him a look as he approached. “Boy…” The two hugged and George patted him on the back. “Happy Birthday son.”
“Thank you Daddy,”
Corvus pulled Miracle forward so that everyone could see her. “This is Miracle.”
Miracle looked at the well-dressed group. “Hello.”
She watched a very elegant woman approach. “Well hello, Miracle. I’m Pam Shaw, Corvus’ mother.”
Miracle smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Shaw.”
Pam looked from Miracle to her son, then back again. “And it is definitely a pleasure to meet you.”
Corvus placed a hand on Miracle’s back. “Okay Momma, before you get started, can I introduce her to everybody else?”
Pam smiled at her son and kissed his cheek. “I have all night.” She looked at Miracle again then said to her son, “Happy Birthday.”
She walked away and Corvus turned to Miracle. “Let me take your coat.”
Miracle allowed him to assist her and he handed the garment to one of the attendants before going around and introducing Miracle to his brother, Rion and his wife, Tauri. Next, was Lance and Khayla. The Mayor and the police chief were next in Brandon and Mac and finally Khalil and his wife Danielle.
They all greeted her warmly before she met some of their parents who were also in attendance. Miracle met judges, doctors, politicians and everything in between. She was truly impressed with Corvus’ circle and although they held many titles, they were truly Detroiters.
Miracle found herself separated off with the wives of the Negus.
“So Miracle, Corvus hasn’t driven you crazy with his teasing yet?” Khayla asked and Tauri agreed.
“He catches me off guard,” Miracle confessed. “I don’t even realize that he’s teasing me.”
Mac laughed. “Corvus is a sweetheart. He played decoy for me and Brandon for about a day…and complained the whole time.”
“He took me to the Mayor’s Ball when I couldn’t go with Orion,” Tauri added.
Khayla smiled. “And he got Lance to hurry up and marry me.”
Danielle nodded. “He helped Khalil protect our son, Kyros.”
Miracle’s eyes widened. “Wow, he sounds amazing.”
“We think he is,” Tauri assured her.
Corvus appeared and smiled at them. “Don’t listen to a word they say,” he told Miracle. “They’re all crazy…look at who they married.”
The women smirked at him. “Keep talking and we’ll make her a Nigist right now!” Khayla warned.
Miracle looked confused. “Nigist?”
Corvus rolled his eyes. “No, don’t start that.”
Khayla continued. “Yes, all of the wives of the Negus form the Nigist. We look out for them and protect them.”
Corvus called for the Negus. “Hey, come get your wives! They over here tripping.”
The men joined them and Lance asked his wife, “What are you doing?”
“How do you know it’s me?” she responded.
The other men looked at their wives.
“They’re starting that Nigist talk,” Corvus told them and all the men rolled their eyes.
“We are official,” Danielle told them.
The music began and Khalil looked at his wife. “Let’s dance, Queen.”
Rion looked at Tauri. “You too, Goddess.”
Brandon took Mac’s hand. “Come with me Baby Doll.”
Corvus turned to Khayla and Lance. “Take your Katydids, too.”
Khayla laughed as her husband led her away and Corvus turned to Miracle.
“Come on Little Goddess,” Corvus said taking her hand. “I want to dance with you, too.”
“Your family and friends are very, very nice.” Miracle told him as they walked.
On the floor, he turned to her. “They a’ight.”
Gently, he took her into his arms and held her close. “Thank you for coming tonight,” he whispered.
Miracle looked up at him. “Are you kidding? When Corvus Shaw asks you to be his date, you don’t say no.”
He smiled. “You look incredible.”
“I think you told me that,” she responded. “And so do you.”
Corvus sighed. “I was waiting for you to tell me.”
She laughed. “I think you already know.”
They danced quietly for a few songs, until Miracle asked, “Are you enjoying your birthday?”
“This is one of the best I’ve had.” He looked down at her. “You know why?”
Miracle shook her head. “No, why?”
“Because I got everything that I asked for,” Corvus told her.
She glanced over at the table full of professionally wrapped gifts. “But you haven’t even opened your presents yet? How do you know?”
Corvus lowered his head to her ear. “Everything I asked for…is you.”
Miracle laid her head against his chest filled with a warm joy. When Corvus kissed the top of her head, she lifted her face.
“I didn’t ask for you, but you are everything, Corvus Shaw…”
******
Pam watched her son with her husband beside her. “He’s found her apparently.”
George agreed. “Maybe he could get out of my kitchen, now.”
Pam smiled. “Maybe.”
He took her into his arms. “Then I can keep my wife in bed for breakfast.”
“That sounds very good to me.” She touched his handsome face softly. “Have I told you what a wonderful father you’ve been?”
George smiled. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know where my boys would be if you hadn’t come into our lives,” she whispered.
He embraced her firmly. “And I don’t know where I would have been without all of you.”
They both looked over at Corvus and Miracle. “He looks happy,” Pam commented. “But I still haven’t checked her out.”
George stared down at his wife. “Don’t start that.”
“I have to make sure my baby isn’t being taken by a pretty face.”
“He’s had plenty of pretty faces,” George looked at the couple. “This one is clearly different.”
Pam agreed. “He brought her here, so he’s made a clear statement.” She looked at Miracle. “But I have my own points…”