The Divine Temptation (18+) (Forbidden Priest Romance)

9. Just Friends

'Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.'

Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

♱

Evangeline

♱

His lips are soft against my skin as he plants kisses slowly and tentatively across my jaw, leaving a trail of kisses as he moves down my neck. I let out a small moan as his hand moves to the nape of my neck, his fingers running through my hair, gently tugging my head back to grant him better access to the valley of my breasts. His other hand is wrapped tightly around my waist, so that I'm flush against his front.

"Don't stop," I exhale, my eyes fluttering closed as I feel his lips upturn into a smile.

He then runs his tongue up my neck, leaving a wet trail before pulling back and staring down at me. His eyes are pools of darkness, in the midst of one single emotion: lust.

He lets go of my hair as he uses his finger to trace my collarbone, before placing his finger under my chin and lifting my head further up towards him.

"Only if you can be a good girl for me," he murmurs. I nod slowly, leaning further into his touch, my hands gripping the back of his shirt in an attempt to pull him closer.

"Use your words, Evangeline," he replies, his voice low and velvety.

"Yes, Gabriel."

He lets out a low hum before lowering his head to the point that our lips are millimetres away.

I shoot up out of my bed, my breathing erratic, as I clutch the front of my pyjamas and my neck tightly, looking around my room. There is no sign of Gabriel, or anyone for that matter.

A small bead of sweat lines my eyebrow as I run my fingers through my hair, my breathing settling.

Oh my God, I was dreaming about Gabriel.

A sex dream at that.

I let out a deep sigh as I glance over at my phone, reading the time. 7:46 am, not much earlier than my 8 am alarm is due to ring.

I collapse back into my bed, squinting my eyes shut, as I lightly bang the palm of my hand on my forehead.

Evangeline, you cannot be having sex dreams about Gabriel. He is not the man for you, and God only knows you cannot be the woman for him.

I take a deep breath in before turning off my alarm, swinging the covers off me, and standing up to head to the bathroom to get ready.

I stick with light makeup and settle on wearing a plain black dress. The last thing I want to do is stand out like a sore thumb, wearing one of my brighter summer dresses. There isn't much that is required of me for today's service, except for pouring the communal wine and preparing and handing the bread to Gabriel.

I style my hair so that I can wear it down, pulling one side behind my ear and out of my face. I add the finishing touches to my makeup and put my shoes on. Gran isn't up yet, so I leave a note for her on the kitchen counter and pull out a heartier cereal option for her breakfast before grabbing my keys and heading out of the door, stopping by Johnson's bakery to pick up Gabriel's and my usual.

I walk through the back door of the church, rather than the front, and head towards Gabriel's office, knocking on the door.

"Come in," he calls out.