Page 41 of Desert Thorns
“Maybe it’s better if I leave,” I quietly uttered the words I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to leave. Since being here, I felt closer to the Lord than in a long while.
“Absolutely not.” Kingsley’s expression turned darker than I’d ever seen. “I won’t let you leave these walls until your ex is no longer a threat.”
I sucked in a breath. The man had really gotten it into his head to protect me at all cost, and it seemed nothing could change his mind. Not even the looming danger of sin.
“Let my issues be my issues, Harley. Father Cruz gave me the task to look after you while you’re here, and that’s what I’ll do.” His gaze once again homed in on my lips, then he closed his eyes, torment twisting his features. “Even if it kills me.”
The last words were so quiet that I almost missed them. But I didn’t, and Lord have mercy. The tension between us was so strong, the yearning on both sides so powerful, that every second we spent alone together ripped us closer to the abyss.
“We’re going to be late,” I said before I would do something brainless. Like showing him how a real kiss worked.
“Not if we run.” Challenge flashed in Kingsley’s eyes, his mouth pulling into a smug grin. “Let’s see who’s the faster runner.”
“Oh, so you think you can beat me?” The man had no idea just how fast I could run.
Kingsley took up a starting position, leaning forward. “Ready?”
“Go!” Laughing, I took off.
“Hey, that’s cheating!” Kingsley barked behind me.
I laughed even harder, but kept running across the field, then into the woods as fast as my legs would carry me.
“Spider! On your head!”
I squeaked. Swatted at my hair. Kingsley tore past me with a diabolical laugh.
“Oh, you did not!” Even more determined than before, I chased after him, catching up right when we emerged from the woods. I came up behind him and kicked into his left foot. His legs tangled, and he stumbled forward.
I didn’t stay to watch if he ate grass or not. Instead, I catapulted my body past him, then the main house, then the gate, all the way to the cathedral and up the stone steps.
“Someone’s excited to start the day.” Father Cruz stood by the heavy oak doors, smiling at me.
“Just proving to Kings—Brother Samuel that I’m faster.” I could have smacked myself for the slipup. My heart thudded erratically—even more when something akin to concern flickered in Father Cruz’s eyes.
“Our guest plays dirty.” Oblivious to what I’d just done, Kingsley came jogging up the stairs with a wide grin on his face.
“I doubt you don’t.” Father Cruz’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He turned to me. “I’d like to have a word with Brother Samuel.”
“Of course.” Before I headed inside the cathedral, I snuck a glance at Kingsley. All color had drained from his face.
Uh-oh, this reeked of trouble.
Chapter 14
Kingsley
“Are you taking care of our guest according to the Bible, Brother Samuel?”
Father Cruz’s question almost had me choking on my own breath. “I’ve been doing my best to accommodate her like she is Christ Himself.” Although I doubted I’d spend the night with Jesus in the same bed. And kiss Him.
My chest tightened. I wanted to tell Father Cruz everything—the dreams, the kiss, the confusing connection I felt to her. I’d spent the entire night repenting to God and begging Him for forgiveness for letting the desires of my flesh take over. It hadn’t helped much with the guilt, and that probably wouldn’t change until I’d confessed to Father Cruz.
But what if he told Harley to leave despite the danger she was in? I didn’t want her to pay for my lapses or because I couldn’t keep my head on straight around her.
“Good.” Father Cruz nodded. “Just be careful. You wouldn’t be the first man to fall for a beautiful woman.”
The look he gave me sent my heart jackhammering. Was he onto us? Wait. Had heseenus?
