Ashley placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Yvette looked at her. “You’re a mess, woman. I bet he did things to you that you can’t even explain.”
Ashley rolled her eyes. “Yvette, you’re the devil. Do you know that? I can’t believe he is a pastor.”
“Whatever, it took two to commit that act, Miss Lady. Don’t go judging him,” Yvette smirked.
“Ok, that about sums it up. I will be at the table on the right side of the room signing autographs for my latest book, Divorce Retreat. Ashley Hernandez, I have your copies that I promised to get to you last night. I’ll get them to you afterward,” Niles said.
Ashley’s heart dropped into the pit of her stomach when he addressed her in front of everybody.
“Oh, yeah, this is going to be interesting,” Yvette laughed.
***
Ashley sat beside her cousin watching Niles sign his last book. After he finished, he looked at Ashley and beckoned her to him. Yvette stood and walked over to him.
“Yes?” Yvette said.
Niles looked confused. “I was trying to get Ashley’s attention.
“That’s a mighty powerful hand you got there. I thought you were beckoning me. Lord, these men of yours are getting hotter and hotter. I might have to attend church. Get me a church boy. Ashley, girl, I’ll be waiting in the lobby for you with some kind of drink in my hand. Bye, you two.” Yvette waved as she strutted away.
“Bye, Yvette.” Ashley walked over to Niles at the table. When she reached him, he looked up at her and smiled that familiar smile.
“Hi, Ashley, how are you?”
“I’m well.” Ashley glanced around, “I was looking for you this morning.”
“I had to get ready for the seminar. Hope I didn’t offend you by leaving. You are an amazing woman, Ashley.”
The warmth in his eyes confused her. Feeling nervous and fidgety, she wondered if anyone was suspicious of the two of them. What would she say to him about last night? He had no problem mentioning it. How was this going to play out? What was next?
“Um… thank you. I had no idea I would run into you here at one of my seminars. Your testimony is really amazing. I pray God will continue to bless everything your hands touch.”
Niles sat back in his chair with the top of his pen at the corner of his mouth. He gazed up at her.
“You’re beautiful. Please don’t get me wrong or think ill of me, but you’re a very passionate woman and I really enjoyed being with you… a lot. Last night was amazing, Ashley. You stirred a passion within me that I didn’t know I had. I know this is awkward, but can I see you tonight?”
Ashley nodded. “I’m available for dinner and don’t forget the all-white party is tonight.”
“Okay, dinner and all-white party it is,” Niles said.
“Yes, only dinner. I normally don’t do what we did last night. I’ve been celibate since my divorce. I guess it was the wine maybe,” Ashley said.
“You didn’t have wine or any type of liquor. And it’s ok, I have been practicing celibacy for years after my divorce as well. Buried myself in my work and ministry.”
“That is amazing.” Ashley lowered her head.
“Yes, especially for a man. But I do get lonely at times and I never walk around in denial as if the intimate part of me doesn’t exist.” Niles reached out and lifted Ashley’s gaze with the tip of his fingers. “I hope you are not someone who finds it hard to admit that you have needs in that area.”
Ashley’s face flushed. “I-I…” was all she managed to say.
“That’s something you can pray about. God created that part of you as well. Allow him to strengthen and keep you. He will help you withstand any temptation. Now, what do you want for dinner?”
Ashley looked at Niles. She wanted him for dinner.
“Lobster, I love lobster.”
Niles stood from the table and winked. “Lobster it is.”
***
Hours later Ashley caught an elevator to meet Niles in the downstairs hotel lobby. As soon as the elevator door closed behind her, the elevator next to her dinged. Several people getting out of the elevator were dressed in all white, Yvette and Michael were among them.
“Hey, Ashley!” Michael said.
“Hey, guys. You look amazing,” Ashley said.
“Yes, girl, got to turn heads at the all-white party tonight,” Yvette said.
“Well, honey, that you are going to do with this little bodycon dress on,” Ashley said.
“Well, you will too. I picked one out for you. You’re not wearing that are you,” Yvette said.
Ashley looked down at her dressy white blouse and high waisted white jeans with her nude wedged sandals to complete the look. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”
Michael laughed at the two women. Ashley gave him a look that choked his laughter midstream, and he looked in the other direction.
“Anyway, I left your dress on your bed. Your little wedged shoes should work with it as well. Thank me later,” Yvette said.
“I’m going to dinner with Niles. I will catch you two horrible people later,” Ashley joked.
“Cool,” Michael said, leading Yvette away from her and out of the hotel lobby’s side entrance.
“Ashley,” Niles said.
Ashley turned in the direction of his voice. He looked nice as usual. His amazing cologne reached her first, but the closer he got to her, his smiled soon
