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I exit the confessional, searching the church with my gaze for the man. He is gone. Thank God.
Approaching the altar, I try to push the images out of my mind. The allure of a male body, especially one as intriguing as his, threatens to disrupt my composure. I fall to my knees to pray for strength.
With my forehead pressed to the stone, I whisper a prayer for release of my scandalous thoughts, but a hand on my shoulder startles me.
“You did not think I would leave without my prize, did you?”
“Sir, please. I am not a plaything.”
I do not see him move, but suddenly he appears in front of me. “Oh, Father. Father, Father. I do admire your conviction. I imagine this is how you keep your flock so steady.” He drags his fingers under my chin. “You are stunning, Cillian. The most beautiful man I have ever seen. You should know, I came here for you. I came to liberate you from a world that cannot see your gifts the way I can.”
His words make no sense. “I do not need liberation. I am happy here.”
He chuckles darkly, pushing my knees apart to settle between them. It is entirely scandalous but I can’t find it in me to resist his touch.
“I want you, and I will not accept anything else.” His hand moves under my cassock, resting between my legs.
The action shakes me out of my stupor, and I push away from him, scrambling across the stone floor. He stalks me easily, pursuing me until my back is pressed against the base of the cross.
“Ah, Cillian. I should have known you would make me chase, but that is fine. I love a good hunt.” He drops to his knees in front of me. “Hear me out, Father. Listen to what you could have with me.”
“This is blasphemy. I will not go with you.”
He appears unfazed by my objection, crawling to meet me where I am. There is no exit unless I can somehow get away from him.
“Your sweet, mortal, faithful mind cannot comprehend what I am and what I offer, but before the sun rises, you will.”
“You should leave, sir.”
“Sir. So formal. We are going to be such good friends. Call me by my name. Hadrian. Say it, Father.”
“Ha-Hadrian.”
The man’s breath hitches as he smiles. “Yes, that is lovely in your soft, reverent voice. Tell me, Father, does your passion for sharing the good news with your flock extend to your bed?”
“Please…”
Hadrian cups my chin. “Or do you not even know? Have you locked your carnal passion away?”
I twist my face away, but he holds me in place. “This is not appropriate.”
“You will find that I am not interested in that. I make my own rules. Would you not like that, Cillian? To exist with nothing but your own desires guiding you? Would you not like to know what my kiss tastes like?”
I close my eyes. “No,” I lie with as much conviction as possible. “You have come to tempt my faith. A demon from hell to lead me away from the light. I will not let you.”
I push off his chest, somehow managing to get away and run for the door, but he is in front of me, that devious but oh-so-enticing smile on his lips.
“You will leave when I say you can leave, Cillian.”
“No!” I duck around him, but before I can get to the door, Hadrian is there again, blocking my exit. “Are you going to harm me?” I ask, backing away.
“Harm? No, darling. I would never harm you. Have you not been listening? I want to make you my companion.”
I scoff at that. “I cannot go with you. I am a priest. I have duties.”
“And I am here to release you from this…” He waves his hands around at the church, “This pious prison you have put yourself in. You think I do not know why you joined the priesthood? You think your secrets hide from me?”
How…? I dart around him and hurry back to the altar, but Hadrian is right on my heels, knocking heavy wooden pews out of his way as if they weigh nothing. Fear spurs me on, but he catches me around the waist. He turns me, pressing our chests together.
