"Who is it ?" Alana called out peeping through the tiny window on her door.

 " It's your best friend, open up" Nalani replied knocking rapidly on the door

 "Where have you been, its 6am, you told me you'd come over after work yesterday. I literally waited for you all night. You didn't even bother to pick up my calls or reply to my messages. I had to call your Mom"

 "Alana! I told you to never contact her. "

 "What was I supposed to do, I was worried sick about you, I almost called the cops because your location was turned off and I thought maybe you went to visit her and both of you got into a fight or something "

 "I'm sorry, we spent the whole night talking, I didn't even realize the time and I.." 

" Who's we?" Alana asked 

" Me and Kwaku"

 " Your client?"

 " Yes"

 "Nala, you spent the night with that man!" 

" Nothing happened, we just stayed up all night talking "Nalani replied 

 "This is all some kind of rouse to get you into his bed, please don't tell me you're falling for it"

 "He's different, he's..." Nalani began to explain

 "You're already lost, do you hear yourself!"

 "He opened up to me, no guy I've ever met showed me their vulnerable side, getting them to open up was close to impossible . All I want to do with Kwaku is talk to him every second of every day and not stop"

 "Babes trust me, this is just the lust talking. Have you even spoken to God as much as you've spoken to this man?" Alana asked

 "Please don't start"

 "No, I'm serious, this whole thing between the both of you is pure lust, it's so obvious, can't you see that"

 "Yes, there is a hint of lust, but every moment I spend with him, it grows into something more"

"Nala! you literally just met him, I know I said he was husband material but slow down please for God's sake "

 "I don't plan on ever getting married, and that's not about to change" Nalani replied. 

 "Stop using your mouth to say those words"

 "Look I'm exhausted, I seriously need to sleep, and I don't feel like going all the way to Brooklyn right now, so I'm going to sleep in your bed, and by the way I'm using your favorite pillow"

 "So, you just gonna pull up to my apartment and use my favorite pillow, huh?"

 Nalani fell into the bed and felt the mattress hug her body, she quickly fell into deep sleep and began to dream. In the dream Nalani found herself in a empty restaurant with Kwaku sitting right next to her. He kept staring at her, which made her feel nervous, so she tried to excuse herself to the bathroom. Kwaku held her wrist and sat her back down. "Stop running away from this...from me" Kwaku said lingering his thumb on Nalani's lips. He put his thumb in her mouth and she began to suck on it. He moved his hands to her neck, then made his way to her breast, then her stomach, and in between her thighs. He pulled her underwear to the side and inserted his fingers into her. 

"Mmm, you're so wet" 

He whispered in her ears Nalani felt her whole body move to the rhythm of his fingers. He tore off the top of her dress, exposing her breasts. He began to lick her nipples. She wanted more and felt like she needed more . He took his fingers out of her, and licked them.

 "You taste so sweet my love....say my name"He moaned 

 "Kwaku...Kwaku...Kwaku" Nalani moaned 

"Nala! wake up" Alana jilted her up from her sleep 

 "What time is it"

 "Why were you calling his name in your sleep" Alana asked

 "What do you mean" 

"Girl, were you having a sex dream?"

 "I should probably start heading back to Brooklyn, I have to cook for the homeless shelter today remember " 

"Nalani Rose Abiola, sit your ass down!" Alana insisted 

 "You know you really should stop cursing as a Pastor, just saying" Nalani replied 

 "Nala, I'm serious, I love you, we've been best friends since the 2nd grade. And this is the first time in all these years that I'm seriously worried about you" 

"Alana, I promise you this is not that deep, it's just a little crush on a handsome, tall man who smells so good, and has big hands that make you feel safe every time he touches you. A man with juicy lips that make you want to bite and suck on them, A man who..."

 "Nala!" 

"Look Alana, I'm just exhausted, and I'm not thinking straight" 

"You need some serious deliverance at Church tomorrow" 

"Oh, by the way he's coming to Church with me tomorrow" 

"Good, maybe I can deliver him too" Alana laughed 

 As Nalani made her way back home, she closed her eyes trying to continue the dream. But a sense of worry began to creep into her mind. She thought about what Alana said, and realized that she'd never wanted a man this desperately. Although she felt excited , she also felt scared. She wasn't ready for whatever she and Kwaku were starting.

 The next morning came and Nalani heard a knock on her door.

 "You're even more beautiful with your messy hair and huge glasses" Kwaku laughed 

"No... no this is so not happening, am I dreaming or are you actually in front of my door"

"I'm here to take you to church silly, you should start getting ready before we're late" Kwaku insisted 

 "How did you even know where I ...never mind, come in , I'll hop in the shower, can I offer you anything, are you hungry or thirsty?" Nalani asked 

Kwahu licked his lips and heat radiated through her body. Nalani quickly looked away.

 "No, I'm okay my love. Hmm Ms. Nalani, you got an amazing place here, oh you got money money huh" Kwaku laughed 

"Oh please, I'll be right back."

 As the water ran through her body, Nalani closed her eyes and felt the soft impact of the water. The thought of Kwaku in her apartment aroused her. She felt her lips, breasts, her hips and thighs with her hands, and her fingers found their way in between her legs. As she touched herself, she closed her eyes and imagined that it was Kwaku's fingers instead.

 "Nalani, tick tock, we're going to be late" Kwaku's voice called out, outside the bathroom."

The wave of guilt and disgust hit Nalani. "I'm almost done" she called back out. Nalani felt like she's lost control of her mind, and the constant urge of wanting Kwaku scared her. 

On the way to Church, Nalani made sure that there was space between them in the car, so she sat on the other side, but he smelled so good. And she found herself drawing closer to his side of the seat.

Alana stood in front of the church waiting for Nalani "Welcome! You must be Mr. Boateng"

 "Please call me Kwaku"

 "Kwaku, this is my best friend Alana, she is also the leading Pastor of this church."

 "Pastor? Wow, I would have never guessed!"

"Yeah, she is the youngest female Pastor in the city" Nalani replied proudly. 

"I am so glad you could make it today, I have a feeling that you'll love today's sermon" Nalani immediately looked up at her friend, knowing exactly what she meant. 

"Umm Kwaku, why don't you find us a seat in the front, I'll be right over" 

"No problem, it was nice meeting you Pastor Alana , looking forward to hearing you preach"

 "Nice meeting you too Kwaku" As Kwaku walked away, Nalani pulled Alana into an office.

 "What!"

"Don't even think about it" Nalani said piercing into her friend's eyes

 "I have no idea what you're talking about" Alana replied 

 "You already preached about lust 2 weeks ago, I promise you, the church does not need a reminder of the destruction of lust"

 "Well, I've decided to have a part 8 of the sermon" 

"Alana, come on." 

"Why does me preaching about lust bother you so much, see that's the spirit of discernment, you know what's going on between you and that man isn't right, I know you can feel it" 

"I'll see you outside, good luck preaching today" Nalani said walking out the door 

As Alana began to preach, Nalani could hear Kwaku's phone vibrating, she saw the desolate look on his face after he took out his phone. She grabbed hold of his hands. He looked at her, and she looked at him, they glazed into each others eyes as Nalani's mind kept pushing her to look down or away, but she didn't. The strong urge of wanting him took hold of her body and paralyzed her.

 "I'm going outside to call my mother back" Kwaku whispered in her ear

As Kwaku made his way outside the church, he tried rubbing his palms together like Nalani taught him, but he quickly realized that it only works when she uses her palms with his. 

"Kwaku, how dare you!, I just found out you and your brother never booked a flight. I told you to come over today" His mother yelled frantically on the phone 

 "Something important came up"

 "All you ever have is excuses, completely useless just like your father, if you didn't want to come, why not be a man and tell me the truth. As usual you are a coward just like your father was, pathetic excuse of a man!" His mother yelled through the phone 

Kwaku quickly hung up the phone, and the rage inside of him felt like it was about to spill out. He walked to the car and instructed his driver to take him to his brother's hotel. Kwaku wanted to shut down, and knew he couldn't handle being around Nalani or trying to complete Stage 1.

 "Boss man, what's wrong" Kwasi asked concerned, trying to hold on to his brother 

 "Don't touch me!"

 "Alright.... Alright ,just have a seat, let me get you some water"

 "Thank You"

"What happened? what's wrong?" Kwasi asked placing the water in his brother's hand

 "You know I'm starting to think she's right" Kwaku replied 

"Who?" 

"Dad was a coward, he let her walk all over him all those years, and he just sat there and took it"

 "Kwaku, please man don't do this to yourself"

 "We have to start Stage 2, today!" Kwaku insisted 

"I thought you wanted me to give you a week"

 "That's not necessary anymore, I could use a little space"

 "Okay if you say so" 

"Here are the keys to the penthouse, I'll stay here moving forward. She'll be at the Penthouse after church. I told her I had an emergency meeting."

 "Are you sure you want to start Stage 2" 

"Yes, it's time for you to take over" Kwaku replied