Free Conrad, Kelly - Rogue Preacher (Siren Publishing Ménage and More ManLove) by Kelly Conrad

Bible, lifted it up toward the ceiling, and shouted out, “Who out there come to hear about Jesus?”
    The people all over the tent shouted. “I did, preacher!”
    He lowered his Bible, leaned over his pulpit, and pointed to different ones. “Are you saved, brother? Are you saved, sister?” After several answers, he said, “God don’t have room for drunks! He don’t have room for gamblers! He don’t have room for prostitutes! And he don’t have room for those that defile the marriage bed!” His blazing eyes looked from one to the other. “Does that include you, brother? Does that include you, sister?” Coming out from behind his pulpit, he stood on the edge of the platform and held his Bible up high. “The answer is in this book.”
    He paced across the platform for a few seconds, looking at the congregation with fire in his eyes. Finally, he said, “You think I’m gonna tell you about the Bible Jesus tonight?” He shook his head and put the Bible aside. “No. I’m gonna tell you about the man, Jesus.”
    Every head in the audience turned, mumbling to each other.
    Sunset’s sharp, lightning gaze jumped to each one. “I see there’s some out there who think I’m crazy.” He did a little dance and then turned to his audience. “Well, maybe I am!”
    Laughter rumbled.
    “I’ll tell you one thing. I’m crazy in love with Jesus!” He came off his platform and walked among the people. “He was a man like you and me,” Sunset said, almost in a whisper. “He had desires and temptations, just like you. He got hungry, and he ate. He also slept, and yes, he even wept.” He pointed at a man he knew to be the town drunk. “Jesus even took a sip of wine every now and then. He mingled with those that others hated. Tax collectors, harlots, dirty, sweaty fishermen. And you know what? He was criticized for it. But he didn’t care. He had something to give. And everyone knows when you got something to give, you go to those who need it, not to those who don’t.”
    He looked over at a row of saloon girls. “The harlots needed it. Oh, they loved Him. Why was that, you might ask? It was because He treated them like ladies. No other man ever did. All anyone else wanted was their bodies. All Jesus wanted was their souls.” Suddenly, he raised his voice and shouted. “The criminals needed it, the cheaters, and the devils of that time, they all needed it. And you know what? Everyone under the sound of my voice needs it!” He ran back up the aisle and jumped on his platform.
    “What is Jesus givin’ away, you might ask? Well, tonight he’s givin you glory in your soul! He’s givin’ away eyes to see with, limbs to walk on! He’s givin’ away His love and His salvation! He’s givin’ you a place in Heaven! Now, are you gonna take it, or are you gonna sit there like a bump on a log and say no to Jesus!”

    * * * *

    Vince slowly walked into the tent at the back of the congregation, getting close enough to watch their eyes. They seemed almost mesmerized. They watched every move Sunset made, from the way he paced along the platform, to when he dramatically walked among them in the aisle. Sunset wasn’t a preacher that stayed separated from the people. He liked to walk among them. Like Jesus did, he’d heard him say. His movements were broad and strong, his eyes sparkled, and every woman in there was in love with his handsome, rugged profile—and even some of the men.
    “Do you think Jesus was a weakling?” he shouted, his bellowing voice daring anyone to disagree. “Well, he wasn’t! Who else but a real man could do battle with Satan? Could anyone but a real man go down and burst Hell wide open?” He ran to the podium where his Bible lay and flipped it open, but he almost lost it when he saw a few grains of dirt roll down the pages, reminding him of the desecration of his wife’s grave. Quickly composing himself, he shouted, “Jesus yanked them keys from Satan and set His people free!”
    “Look at