Temptation

Prologue

It was late, but he wasn’t tired. He walked around the church, closing doors, putting out candles and setting everything ready for the next day. She watched him from the shadows, near a confessionary. Her dark green eyes followed his every move. Father John was fresh out of the seminary. Very tall and thin, his honest smile and bright blue eyes made a lot of the younger crowd go back to church on Sundays, and even stop by during the week. Father John was a great hit with the ladies, but he didn’t quite care, of course. And that made him coveted even more by all ... and by her.  

-   Resist all but temptation – she said under her breath. He looked around, thinking he heard something, but not quite sure. She saw him go to the door, open and look outside, searching for the source of the sound. She watched him pass right by her, but not see her. And yet, she watched him ... always.

He turned to the altar and knelt down in front of the church bench, clasped his hands beneath his chin and closed his eyes. She moved closer and sat beside him without making a sound. His lips moved quickly in a silent prayer.

- Forgive me, father, for I’m about to sin – she whispered near his ear and he opened his eyes fast, falling back on the bench, looking around, frightened.

- Who’s there? – he asked, trying to sound more confident than he looked. She sat beside him, eager to touch him, but knowing she would be visible to him if she did.

- You know who I am – she said, her voice husky. His shoulders relaxed a bit.

- Don’t worry, love, we are alone – she said, inches away from him.

- What do you want? – he asked, his voice showing a mixture of fear and longing. That sound alone made her smile. She had a pull on him and now that she knew it, she was not going to let go.

-  Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to? -, she whispered.

Father John tried hard to keep himself calm and in control, but she could hear his heart beat faster than a hummingbird’s. Slowly, he turned toward her voice and finally saw her. Saw her for the very first time. Weeks just listening to her voice, dreaming forbidden dreams and imagining what she looked like almost drove him mad. She had bewitched him. Her dark green eyes shone brightly in the light of the few candles that were still lit. Their gleam cast shadows on her fair face, making her even more mysterious. Her dark, dark red hair fell down her shoulders, framing her face. Her eyes were fixed on him, never blinking. She bore a charmingly crooked smile that made his breath quicken.

-       You are here to tempt me – he said, his voice breaking again.

        Are you temped?

-       Yes.

-       Good.

        Her smile grew and she drew closer. He didn’t move away. He didn’t move at all, but his eyes bore into hers.

-        I’m not here to tempt you, love – she whispered and touched the tips of her long fingers to his face. He closed his eyes at her touch. - I’m here to finally give in to my temptation – she said, impossibly close to him.

        Although she expect him to move away, she also knew he wouldn’t. She had gotten under his skin and now it was time for the games to really start.

        Father John opened his impossible blue eyes and they were different: a shade darker, a shade bolder. Perfect.

-       Resist no longer – he whispered.

***