Page 38 of Billionaire's Sins
"Not that you say a lot," I mutter. "In all the time I’ve known you, which I admit isn’t that long, you’ve never mentioned anything about yourself."
"This is your confession, not mine," he reminds me.
"You always have a ready answer."
"Not this time. All I’m going to do is listen, without judgement, remember?"
I hear the smirk in his voice. Asshole… Wait, that’s not right. You can’t call a priest an asshole… However much he is one. Right? And this is Edward, toned down in his role as a priest. How would he be if he weren’t one? Why am I even thinking of that, considering that will never be a possibility? It’s why I am here, after all, in a confessional, with him in the one role he is comfortable playing.
I blow out a breath, then lower my head,
"You start with saying, 'forgive me, Father, for I have…’"
"Bugger that."
"Eve!" he admonishes me and I subside.
"Do I have to say that?"
"Do you want to confess?"
"Yes. Yes, I do." I lower my chin, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned… This is...ah. This will be my first confession."
There’s silence from his side, then, "That’s all right. Tell me your sins," he commands, and a shiver runs down my spine.
Here goes. "I lied to you."
"About what?"
"About being attracted to you."
"Is that right?"
I nod.
"I am in love with you, Edward,"
There, I’ve said it. For better or for worse, it is out there now. Maybe it’s a low blow to stop him from leaving, but what else do I have in my arsenal, right?
"Did you hear me?" I prompt.
"You haven’t known me long enough to have fallen in love with me."
"Just like you have fallen for me; you just haven’t allowed yourself to acknowledge it."
"Why do you think you are in love with me?"
I frown. "That sounds more like a psychologist’s question than a priest’s."
He chuckles. "A good priest is also a psychologist when it matters."
Right.
"So, why do you think you are in love with me?"
"Because I am."
"Answer the question," he snaps.
