Page 10 of Sin With Me

Concerned, she turned toward the rector. “Father John, does this mean you’ll be staying behind for the retreat this summer?”

Father John coughed into his hand, removed a handkerchief from his pocket, and blew his nose with the strength of a trombonist, then stuffed the soiled fabric back in his pocket. “I will try my best to be there but these old bones and youngsters don’t mix well anymore. I’m sure you will both handle the tripwell.”

“I saw you dance last month, Father. You can still shake it pretty well,” she teased him. “But I’m sure we can handle it. I hope your cough goes awaysoon.”

Father John appeared way older than sixty. It looked like life had taken its toll on this man and aged him at double the normalrate.

“Spring seems to be getting the better of me this year, which means my nose won’t get a rest until June, at least.”

He was talking as if we lived in the great white north. I bet the folks around these parts hadn’t seen a snowflake in their lifetime. I missedsnow.

“I shall pray for your health, Father.” She bowed her head, adding, “God bless.”

“God bless. I’ll let you two get acquainted.” His brow rose again before he turned around and left to the sacristy.

Acquainted? Was he kidding me? If he wanted me to get to know Kate, then he should have booked us a hotel room. Preferably not one at the Bistro. Desperate to concentrate, I pushed the thought away. There would be no acquainting of any kind going on, even if my dick felt like an overripe zucchini. If there was anything good for Kate, it was for her to keep distance fromme.

As soon as Father John left, she whipped her body my way. “You weren’t wearing your clerical collar yesterday. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, Father. For the way I acted and behaved. Oh my G…. shoot, I’m sorry for that too. I almost took God’s name in vain.” She brought her hand to her face and covered it with embarrassment. “I can’t believe I hit on a priest.”

I smiled at her confirmation, giving myself a high-five in mymind.

“It’s not your fault, Kate. And I’m sorry that I wasn’t upfront about my profession and misledyou.”

She leaned her head to the side a little and for a moment I thought I saw a slight lift in her right brow, just like Father John’s. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It was a rough day. I left a parish and families who depended on me. It’s not easy, after years of working with the same patrons. They were like family tome.”

“Oh, I never thought about it that way. I’m sorry. You sure can handle your liquor better than I can, Father.” She laughed nervously.

“I haven’t always been a priest, Kate. And we do drink. Not as excessively as last night, for which I apologize.”

“Really, you’re the last person who should be apologizing for last night. Me on the other hand… well, it’d be a lie if I said I didn’t feel ashamed.”

“There’s nothing to feel ashamedof.”

“Thank you.” She gave me a more relaxed grin before saying, “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’rehere.”

“So amI.”

“Which diocese are you comingfrom?”

I shook the allure of this woman out of my mind and put my holy hat back on. If there was anything more important than her body, it was her safety at this parish. Knowing me, it was already dangerous enough. No, I couldn’t allow her get caught up in my mess. It would be safer if she minded her job and stayed away from me, no matter how much her high heels lengthened her gorgeous legs or how short her skirts werecut.

Pants, she’s wearing pants.

From the look of her toned thighs, she should have worn a skirt.

“Rockville, on Long Island.”

She smiled as if she were familiar with the East coast.

“Oh, well, you’ve traveled far, then. They’re saying Arizona will get pretty hot this summer.” While she talked about the weather, the only heat I could feel was the one underneath my zipper. And the worst part was that I didn’t know how to stop it… and I didn’t wantto.

Think winter, Antarctica, absolute-fucking-zero…

The distraction was short-lived as she took another breath and the swell of her breasts rose. Even underneath the thicker sweatshirt, the temptation of her curves didn’t ease. This girl would definitely test my limits.

She caught me off guard when she leaned in closer. Her scent infuriated my nostrils. The blood flow sped and all things that once made sense no longer did. Kate lowered her voice to a whisper. “Don’t tell Father John I gave away his secret, but he always keeps a stash of freezes in the kitchen refrigerator.”

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