The Pastor's mistress

pte

at the S

lder glistening in the faint glow. Elijah Ford sat next to her without a shirt on, stroking the inside of her wrist with one hand and looking into her eyes-not eagerly, but as if he were stil

into his as she turned to face him. Her dark curls spilled

I was twenty-two, barefoot in the backyard, plucking wild figs when I heard the gospel choir echoing across

dia said with a chuckle. "I sat in the back. The wind howled through the canvas as you spoke. I reme

id over her hip s

crying," h

" Her voic

crawled into your chest and

ips parting, b

, sitting alone on the stage steps, shirt sleeves rolled up, wiping sweat off your brow with a handkerchief. You gave the impression

t the fridge, me on the counter, legs swinging like I was twelve again. I told you about my Atlanta dreams and how t

ith heat. with comprehension." Elijah leaned closer, brushing his lips against her forehead. "And then,

e dead-end road behind the pecan orchard, passing the gas station and the fields. An

ia's voice. Elijah's b

rve of my breast through my dress, I didn't flinch. I didn't tremble. I flourish

oneysuckle?" She inquired. "I remember how you

tly, her hand slid

held a secret you wanted to honor. You kissed the inside of my thighs li

eyes found his,

through the ruins of my soul and said

simmering beneath the surface, but he

she whispered. "Like we weren't supposed to ex

ding you after," Elijah murmured. "You wept. I asked if I

a shaky breath,

Not like someone who could see me-not just my body,

olding hands with a woman I didn't love, blessing babies I didn't believe in. You were always the one. T

. The last note from the choir lingered in the First Faith Temple's vaulted ceiling, where only the faint whir of the ceiling fans above it could be heard. Lydia Monnel s

ure infused with conviction. The sweat on his brow, the way his hand trembled slightly before raisi

, sat as she always did-stoic, poised, immaculate in white lace. However, Lyd

efore Elijah, before church, before her crown as First Lady. Rumors whispered his name like a curse. He had be

me a whisper

the city hospital, pressed a hand on her knee. "You need t

parking lot with Raymond's son. the one who drives that rust

n as a result of the tension and the lie. Outside, the sun scorched the pavement. While she looked over at the parking lot, Lydia's heels clicked quickly down the church steps. There-leaning against the rusted hood of a car, a cigarette between h

ughter's wrist, Lydia hissed. "Ruin us?" Alisha

your mother needs to le

k to me," Lydia

and always vigilant, Detective Julian Starr emerged. He

ter Lydia. Is Pa

aight. He is wrappi

m the church charity. Thought I'd sta

ged, his presence like thunder. He saw Caleb, Ly

osing his soul," I said. Inside the church, Elijah looked u

pulled away from

se of God fall." "Maybe th

, a storm rising inside her. The chur

owed by a 300-word Tensions Arise section for your s

ad soprano of the church and a stunning widow, had been involved in a forbidden romance with Pastor Elijah Fords, a revered man of God who had a voice like thunder and prayers that moved the hea

ntly bearing the emotional weight of their passion. The quiet town of Lonsdale Ridge was consumed by a wildfire of gossip as a result of her refusal, which caused more than just personal conflict. Ch

dured Elijah's hesitation, his promises of love, and his fear