A Sin and a Shame Read Online Free PDF Page A

week, Malik had refused her pleas to make a personal introduction. When he’d gone to L.A. on Thursday, she’d decided to take care of Reverend Bush herself. This morning, she’d risen with the sun, and hurried to church confident that Reverend Bush would ask for an introduction afterward—after he’d eyed her sitting in the front pew.
    Now as Reverend Bush sauntered into the sanctuary, hundreds of parishioners sat in front of her; there was no way she would be seen.
    As the reverend ministered, Jasmine opened her Bible and willed herself not to be upset. This was not the end. She’d just have to create another opportunity. She didn’t like it, but if there was one thing she’d learned since she’d been saved, it was that being a Christian often called for patience. How often had she heard her father, Serena, or some minister talk about God’s timing?
    After the benediction, she stepped outside the pew and took a final glance at Reverend Bush. She paused. The reverend stood at the altar, greeting a woman. Three others stood in line as if they were waiting to speak to him too.
    Jasmine strode toward the reverend, but almost made a U-turn when the usher from earlier moved in front of her.
    “May I help you?” he asked with his never-ending smile.
    Her chin jutted forward. “I’m going to say hello to Reverend Bush.” She braced herself, ready to barge past him, knock him straight to the ground if she had to.
    “Of course,” he said, stepping aside.
    It took a moment for his words to register as he motioned for her to proceed to the end of the line that was now seven deep.
    Her thoughts went from cursing this man out to wanting to say a prayer for him. But she kept her eyes on Reverend Bush. He oozed compassion—the way he gently touched the woman’s hands. The way his thick eyebrows furrowed with concern as he listened to the woman speak.
    With each step forward her heart beat faster. All week she’d planned for this. Knew the words she would say. Knew how she’d smile, tilt her head, capture him with her mere presence.
    “Hello, I’m Reverend Samuel Bush,” he said, holding out his hand.
    Jasmine didn’t miss the way his eyes quickly took in all of her. He frowned—just a bit—when his eyes paused at the gold-studded edge of her cleavage-raising bustier, and regret filled her. She hadn’t thought this part through. If she was going to be a reverend’s wife, she would have to be more conservative.
    She took the reverend’s outstretched hand. “I…I…” she stuttered, and tried to recall all she’d practiced. His grin warmed her; she said, “I’m Jasmine Larson. Malik Kincaid is my brother.”
    “Ah, yes,” he said, throwing his head back a bit. “Malik’s godsister. He told me you were moving to New York. How do you like our city?”
    “It’s wonderful. It already feels like home.” She parted her lips in the fashion she’d practiced and lowered her eyelids so he could see the length of her lashes.
    “Well, welcome to New York and City of Lights. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot of you here.”
    “Oh, yes. In fact—”
    “Reverend,” her nemesis usher interrupted her moment. “Deacon Marshall needs to see you before the next service.”
    “Ah yes, Brother Hill.” He turned his smile back to Jasmine. “I hope to see you again soon,” he said, already stepping away.
    By the time her lips parted, he was too far away to hear her. She moved to follow him, but before she could get close, Brother Hill stopped in front of her.
    “What is your problem?” she snapped.
    “Reverend Bush has finished greeting visitors.”
    Jasmine raised her chin. “I’m not a visitor,” she said, trying to step around him.
    “Whatever you are,” he said, blocking her, “Reverend Bush is not available now.”
    Jasmine’s glance turned toward the closed side door that Reverend Bush had gone through. Even if she were able to slay this giant standing in her path, she wouldn’t know where to go. She