AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My eyes drift from his drool-worthy physique to his chiseled jaw before coming back to a neck that I want to lick. The man swallows, causing his Adam’s apple to bob at the motion.
My eyes snap to his, and I know I should be embarrassed. I know I should be looking away with flushed cheeks. I just can’t turn away from his gaze that I can see more clearly now.
He is staring at me.
The light coming through the stained glass windows is casting new shadows where the man stands, allowing me a better look at him.
His eyes are piercing. I can see myself getting lost in them.
I glance up slightly to see his short, wavy, dark brown hair is nicely styled. My eyes immediately return to that penetrating stare I can still feel on me. One that’s looking at me like he wants to devour me whole.
I gulp audibly.
I really need to have sex.
This can’t be how he’s looking at me.
We both get distracted by Father Greg’s pounding footsteps walking to the podium, or as the Catholics would call it, an ambo, by the altar.
“Please take your seats, everyone,” he starts.
I must have missed everyone finishing up communion because people are beginning to sit down in the surrounding pews and push up their hassocks.
I can’t afford to be this distracted already.
“I have a special introduction that I’m excited to share with all of you, my brothers and sisters, sitting here today. As you know, our parish is one that highly values the community we have built.”
“Yeah, right,” I mutter to myself.
Of course, this church does. Everyone sitting in here easily makes seven figures. This church values our wallets, not our community spirit.
“As you know, we’ve been searching far and wide for a new priest to join our parish as we continue our church expansion efforts. What has started as a small parish needs more assistance to spread the word of God to our surrounding area. Our parish community deserves that; you all deserve that. I am pleased to introduce you to Father Lachlan O’Connell, who is just the man for the job. Please give him a warm welcome,” Father Greg concludes before stepping back and clapping.
Some of us parishioners had been told Father Greg found the person he wanted for the role, but no one knew who it was.
As I look around the church, I find myself searching that dark corner for my stranger.
He’s gone.
Chapter 2
For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world.
1 John 2:16
I let out a deep breath, closing my eyes momentarily. It’s probably for the best. I can’t be eye fucking strange men lurking in church corners. It’s definitely time to reassess what I consider a red flag at this rate. I seem to ignore them all.
A deep, husky voice from the podium catches my attention.
“Thank you all for this warm welcome. I’m Father Lachlan, and I am pleased to be joining you all here at St. Peter’s. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. If you see me, please don’t hesitate to introduce yourself.”
My eyes snap open to find his are locked on me. The mystery man and the new priest are one and the same. This can’t be true.
My body begins shivering instinctually.
His thick, gravelly voice continues introducing himself to the congregation, but I can’t focus on anything but soaking it in. I think I am getting a hint of an accent to it. Northeastern, perhaps. I can’t pin it down.
What I do know is that I want to hear it every day. I want his attention on me, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.
