Page 29 of For I Have Sinned

“Hi, Father Alexander,” Esther exhales, clearly still displeased with the events that took place last night.

She wasn’t exactly thrilled when I found her in the courtyard and confronted her for disobeying the rules. I had busted her for smoking. And then shortly after, Celine busted me for the same thing.

“Esther, shouldn’t you be helping out with lunch prep today?”

She huffs, not even attempting to hide her annoyance, before she says goodbye to Celine and leaves us alone.

Celine watches me for a moment and then stares straight ahead. “Am I allowed to be in this hall?”

I bite the inside of my cheek to fight off the smile that wants to appear from the defiance in her tone.

“Yes.”

“You’re not going to make me leave?” She finally looks at me.

I have to pause for a moment to catch my breath because her beauty is something I’ll never get used to.

“No, but there is something I’d like for you to do.”

Her brows fall in confusion. “And what’s that?”

“They need an extra hand in the library.” It’s a lie, but she wouldn’t know any better.

Celine pushes herself off the wall to face me. “Do all the women in the convent have jobs?”

“They aren’t jobs.”

“Because they don’t get paid?”

“Because it is an act of kindness to help where it’s needed. And it is nice to keep yourself busy when you don’t have lessons.”

My eyes dance across her face. Starting at hers, then dipping down to the natural pink tint on her cheeks, and then to her mouth. Those filthy thoughts are slowly beginning to creep into my mind again at the sight of her plump lips.

“What if I like the freedom?” Her voice pulls my attention.

“Freedom is nice until you get bored with it.”

She thinks about it for a moment, really thinks about it. “Sister Alice said some women tend to the gardens in the courtyard. What if I want to do that?”

“I’m sure you could help out when they need it, but the library has been desperate for assistance.”

“Why?” She folds her arms across her chest.

Inhaling a deep breath, my gaze fights not to look at the way the position of her arms pushes her breasts together. With all the willpower in my body, I hold her stare and say, “Sister Greta is… difficult to work with. She is very set in her ways and isn’t afraid to be stern.”

“Oh, great!” Her voice drips with sarcasm, then turns serious. “That’s very kind of you to set me up with the meanest person in the convent, but I think I’ll pass.”

Celine starts to walk away, but I grab her arm. My fingers wrap around her bicep, the warmth of her skin heating mine. I immediately drop my hand as if I’m afraid I will be burned from the feeling of her, and I curse at myself for being stupid enough to even touch her.

“I suggested it because I know you’d be able to handle her.”

At that, her posture stiffens, and she twists her lips.

“Oh.”

“Go to where you are needed now,” I command. “I will find you after and take you to the library so you can meet Sister Greta for yourself.”

Chapter 12