She got up and smiled at Gia then walked away. Aj looked at Ramón.
“What are you doing?”
“What?”
“She looked like your type and you just let her leave.”
He took the napkin from the table then threw it back down. “She was right this was boring” he said exhaling strongly then giving a deep sigh.
“Why did you bring her here anyways?”
Ramón sighed “I wanted a normal date whatever that is.”
“Yeah and you see how that went.”
Aj held out his hand to help Gia take a seat and waved the waiter to bring him one. As the waiter brought a seat over Ramón looked at him.
“Aj what’s wrong with me?” Ramón placed his hands over his head. Aj looked at him with his head cocked to the side.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean she was beautiful but that is it.”
“What’s going on here you love the beautiful ladies. They mean everything to you.”
“Yeah they use to. But now I want more than that.”
Gia sat strait up. “More like how?”
“I don't know.”
She smiled.
“Well I do…my brother went through it and so did Aj. You want more than just some trophy girl. More than some beauty on your arm and I think it’s about time.”
“What makes you think you know so much?”
Gia laughed. “Because I am the wife of a tall dark and sexy basketball player who on his last date before he met me said he was tired of the faceless nameless fake breasted women. He wanted a real woman and when he met me he knew I was it.”
“How?”
Aj took her hand.
“She wasn’t like anyone I had ever met. She wasn’t impressed with how talented I was or how much I was worth she was more interested in me who I was my favorite hobby stuff like that. When I realized how wonderful she was I had to keep her.”
“But how did you know?” Ramón asked with pleading eyes. He needed to know the secret he needed to know how to get his “One”.
“Well it started with our second date. I had told her that I was really into Anime which you know and instead of acting interested like the other girls she laughed at me. Called me a dork but still sat there and watched it with me. Then preceded to tell me how bad it was but she was honest and the next date she brought me video that I told her I had been wanting to see. She got me wanted to know me for who I was and she made me feel like I was the most important man in her life not because I was famous but because I was a man she was interested in knowing.”
Ramón looked at them wanting to find that kind of love in his life.
“How do I find that?”
“You gotta wait for it. She’s out there you just gotta find her.” He kissed Gia’s hand.
“And when you do you can never let it go.”
***
As Desiree walked into Mount Glory’s Baptist Church, she was over taken by the sheer beauty of the place. The outside of the church was surrounded by neatly trimmed trees and tall rose bushes stood around the side of this Spanish brick building. She walked inside threw the elegant redwood double door and smiled at the inside of the church. As she left the main entrance smiled at beauty of the stained windows. She exhaled as she walked the pews with Zack and Charles.
“Hey guys I am going to go to the bathroom I will be right back ok?”
“Ok.”
Desiree walked to the bathroom and bumped into a cute little girl. The girl looked to be seven maybe eight. She had the cutest dimples and her dark brown hair was up in two lopsided pigtail plaits. She was a hazel-nut brown completion with the most adorable hazel eyes.
“Oh I am so sorry sweetie. Are you ok?”
The little girl looked up to her and smiled.
“Yes. I was just trying to get outside quickly.”
“Well I am sorry to hold you up.”
“I haven’t seen you around here before.” She looked up to Desiree smiling a confused smile.
“Oh I am only here one day.”
She bent down to the girl.
“I seemed to have messed up your hair. I can fix it for you.”
The little girl touched her hair and looked away.
“It wasn’t you. My daddy tries. Usually my nana does my hair but today daddy wanted too.”
“Well if you want I can still fix it.”
“Really?”
“Yes no problem. And I can make it quick. By the way my name is Desiree but everyone calls me Desi.”
“Desi? I’m Madison. But they call me Maddie.”
Desiree removed her brush and comb from her bag then took out her pigtails.
“So how old are you?”
“Eight and a half.”
“Wow I have an Eight year old son.”
“Did you want him to be a girl?”
“I thought it would have been nice. But I love my son too.”
A minute later Madison looked in the mirror and smiled.
“Wow that was fast. It looks cute. Thank you.”
“How did you know how to do that if you only have a son?”
“I have a niece and I love putting her hair in pigtails she has pretty hair just like yours.”
Madison beamed.
“Well you better get outside you were in a hurry.
“Oh yeah. Thanks again.”
Madison ran out the bathroom and Desiree smiled as she walked into a stall. As she walked out the bathroom drying her hands, she looked around the church to where Charles and Zack were sitting. With the seats filling up fast, she walked to the pew behind Charles and Zack. As she did, she was face to face with an older woman.
“Excuse me is it ok if I sit here?”
“Oh of course. I haven’t seen you here before are you new?”
“Actually I am just visiting. I brought my son up here to see his dad and he invited me to church with them.”
“Well everyone is welcome in the house of God.”
“Thank you.”
Desiree grabbed a seat as the older woman smiled wider.
“I am Deaconess Norris.” The older woman took Desiree’s hand in hers.
“Desiree Holloway. My son up there is Zack and his Dad Charles Denton.”
“If you want to sit next to your husband.”
“Oh no we are not married…not anymore.”
“You’re divorced?” she looked at Desiree with saddened eyes. But Desiree smiled back at her.
“About 7 years and I am glad to say I am not looking back.”
“Oh I’m sorry.”
“Oh don't be it was a long time ago and I was upset at first but then I realized that it was worth it. I had to find myself again.”
“Well at least your baby is doing well with it.”
Desiree laughed.
“Well my son is most definitely not a baby. He is eight and growing too soon and as for Charles well they haven’t been together in a long while.”
Desiree angled her head and looked away from the older woman.
“What is it dear?”
“Nothing I just realized I don't know you and you don't know me and I am just running off at the mouth.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to pry.”
“I know. It just seems so easy talking to you. I am sorry though.”
“No need darling I am here to listen. My momma always used to tell me that I had one of those spirits where people could tell me their deepest darkest secrets and know I would never tell a soul.”
Desiree smiled. She could see how that was possible. There was something about that woman that made Desiree feel comfortable in her presence. She looked around the huge sanctuary.
“So this is a pretty big church.”
“One of the biggest here. Do you attend service where you’re from?”
“Yes every Sunday or so. I am actually the choir director. Well our church is kinda small so I guess you can say I am the choir.”
They both laughed.
“Well as long as you are singing onto the Lord nothing else matters.”
“I agree. So mind if I ask where your family is?”
“Well my husband is up front sitting next to Pastor Ryder. He is actually giving the message today.” she beamed with pride.
“Oh how wonderful.”
“And our oldest daughter is right over there with her husband and son. My son should be here soon with his daughter after Sunday school they always share a donut and orange juice.”
As if on cue, a cute young girl came running up to Deaconess Norris.
“Nana we made it. Hi Desi.”
Desiree smiled and Rachael looked at her.
“You two know each other?”
“We met in the little girl’s room.”
“Yeah Desi did my hair. Daddy kinda messed it up we were rushing this morning.”
Madison sat next to Rachael and smiled at Desiree.
“Would you mind if my dad sat between us I always save him a seat?”
“No sweetie not at all.”
As the music began to play and the service and everyone stood. She stood with them and began to sway to the music. As she rocked back and forth she was bumped by a man saying “excuse me” moving between her and Madison. The first thing she noticed about the man was his height. He towered over her like she was a child and he was a big oak tree. As she strained to look up to him she inhaled his scent and immediately felt something stir within her. There was nothing sexier to her then a man who smelled good, and this man smelled oh so good. She couldn’t put her finger on what the smell was but she loved how the scent danced around her nostrils.
As she continued the journey upwards she noticed his firm stomach and nice broad shoulders that filled out his dark blue silk collared shirt nicely. She took another breath as she looked at his strong square jaw, sexy chin and exquisite mouth from his big plump suck-able lips to his big pearly whites. His eyes covered with a pair of Gucci sunglasses she moved to his neatly tapered hair. She lifted her head trying to ignore the feelings creeping up and down her body.
As he removed his sunglasses, she was overwhelmed at the sight of his eyes. They were soft and spilled out kindness he bent down to kiss his mom on her cheek. She turned him towards Desiree.
“Desiree this is my son I was telling you about. Ramón Norris meet Desiree Holloway she is just here for the day.”
Ramón stretched his right hand out to hers and as their hands touched she felt her core heat up. She smiled at him trying not to let him see her blush and gush over him.
“Hi nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
As he spoke his voice astounded her, it commanded attention and aroused her at the same time. Desiree tried to hide her excitement. She had always wanted to meet this man. This beast on the court they call the quite giant. As she took his whole 6’9 height in, she thought giant indeed.
As Desiree turned back to the hymn she held in her hand Ramón frowned. He looked back at Desiree and wondered why she didn’t do what most women did. They would accidently bump him or move closer to him during the service. They get the uncontrollable urge to smile in his presence and can’t help but steal glances at him.
This woman however, did nothing of the sort she kept her focus on what was going on? As the church began to sing the first hymn, he heard her voice rise above the others and was shocked at how it touched him. He glanced at his hymn as a way to steal glimpses at her. She was not his average girl by a long shot. She was more than a foot shorter than he was about the same height as his mother so that meant she had to be about 5’4 maybe 5’5. She had long light brown hair with blonde highlights, her hair was curled and she wore it in a ponytail. She was light almost tan. Her coloring reminded him of that of Faith Evans.
This woman who wouldn’t pay him any attention seemed to send off this vibe of being so down to earth. Most of the vibes he got off women were that which was not appropriate in church. As he glanced at her body, she was unquestionably not the size most women he gave second glances to were. She was curvy all over the simple dress she wore didn’t hide that fact at all. He tried to glance elsewhere but his mind kept begging him to look at her. When he did, he saw she was swaying to the beat of the music. His eyes followed her back and forth. It’s like her body had him in a trance.
As she moved her aroma caught him off guard. As he closed his eyes and inhaled he loved how the smell came across soft and sexy. As he opened up his eyes he glanced at her again as she lightly bit her lip. He wondered if her lips were as soft as they looked. He turned his head trying to take his mind off of her. He still could not believe that she still completely ignored him. By the time it came for his father to give his sermon he realized there was, no way, she could have known who he was or she would have made some effort to get closer to him.
The one saving grace was in every sermon his father gave he mentioned the wonderful things Ramón had done with his time in the NBA. And once she realized she was sitting next to him her attitude would change.
Desiree couldn’t help but steal a glance at Ramón. She couldn’t deny the pictures and television did not do him justice. His skin was a richer chocolate than she’d realized. His lips were full and surrounded by the sexiness of a well-trimmed goatee. She didn’t like facial hair on men but somehow it seemed his face would be incomplete without it. She looked away trying to stay calm. No doubt, women fawn all over that man. Well she would never do that no matter how tall dark and lord help her sexy he was.
Joseph Norris stepped to the pulpit and smiled out to the congregation.
“Good morning Church family. It is a true joy to see your beautiful smiling faces out there. This week as I mulled over what I would speak on today I realized just how fortunate and blessed myself, and my family have been. It’s a blessing to stand here in front of you today with no ailments. I am standing her on my own accord without the help of a cane or chair. Without the need for oxygen or pills on a day-to-day basis. I am truly a blessed man of God.
“As I heard the choir sing “I’ve got a testimony” those words have never been truer. The lyrics are “As I look back over my life. And I think things over. I can truly that I am blessed. I’ve got a testimony. As I look back over my life. And I think things over. I can truly say he’s brought me all the way, I’ve got a testimony.” Those words are as true today as they were over forty years ago when I first heard them. We all have a testimony. We all have a reason to wake up and smile. My testimony today is as it always is. I have a beautiful wife who I have been in love with for over twenty years.
“I have three wonderful children. My beautiful oldest who is holding my newest grandchild has always been a light to everyone. That is why no one was surprised when she chose teaching as her field of choice. Those students of yours couldn’t be luckier and I am sure my son in-law would agree. Then my second oldest daughter who is currently in Atlanta working for Atlanta PD was always the bravest of the three. She was always determined to make a difference and now every day she is. And my son. My giving wonderful son who you all know as the Center for the Greenville Eagles but I know as a chip off the old block has always given not only of himself but on behalf of others.
“And every time I brag on my family I am asked how did you get to where you are Deac and I honestly answer. Prayer. If you will turn in your bibles to Mark 11:24.”
Everyone opened their bibles and Ramón glanced at Desiree as she looked around for a bible. He smiled knowing this was his opening.
“You can share mines if you want. My dad usually goes to one or two verses while he speaks it’s no biggie.”
She smiled and nodded. She moved a little closer to get a good look at the words. The moment she did that she regretted it. The closer she was to him the more she wanted to see just how soft his ebony skin was.
Ramón couldn’t help but feel disappointed. She didn’t even brush his arms when she leaned in. but what she did do was sen
d off a bunch of alarms in his head. She smelled heavenly. It was a scent he had never smelled before and the more he inhaled it the more he wanted her. He prayed the Lord would take those thoughts from his head. She smiled widely as Joseph read the scripture.
“This is my favorite scripture.”
“Really?”
“Yep. It basically says if you believe in your heart that you want something and your heart desires it. Then pray about it and it will come true.”
He looked her in the eyes and felt some something stirred inside him. Her eyes were light brown, but the moment she smiled at him, he knew there was something about her. He winked back at her.
“Wow. Maybe you should be up there.”
“Yeah not even.”
She laughed and bit her bottom lip then gave her focus back to the pulpit.
“It’s easy to want what we want and think that’s enough. And I see this all the time. You want something but instead of praying once for it you pray over and over and over. But the bible tells us to pray then give thanks. If you have faith that your prayer is going to be answered then why keep asking. It’s like we aren’t satisfied until we have it right then and right now. But we aren’t giving the Lord time to make the desires of our heart a reality. We miss so many blessings because we are too concerned with the timing. Pray for it. Then give it to God and thank him for it. And if you have to pray for it again then thank him for it and thank him for supplying it in his own time.”
“Wow.” He said looking at her.
Ramón purposely caressed her thighs with his wondering if she felt the rush of heat fill her up like he did. She felt it but she remained calm. Learning at a young age how to control her emotions she left her face blank while on the inside she wanted to melt in his arms. She shook her head as she tried to get the thoughts out of her head. She glanced at his masculine hands that were almost as big as the bible he was holding and felt shame and she thought of having them all over her. She felt a surge of embarrassment flush her face as she tried her best to stop the thoughts from entering her head. She couldn’t hold her head anymore and she turned towards Ramón and caught him staring at her. She looked away unsure of what make of him staring at her. Maybe she shouldn’t have spoken at all.
To Love a Man Page 4