Page 20 of Property of Quake

“Relax, Q. I had nothing to do with it.” He pauses. “But I’ve gotta say, it’s really fucking interesting how your entire demeanor changed when you mentioned her.”

“Are we done?”

Pres grins. “Sure.” He turns to walk down the hall but stops and snaps his fingers. “Almost forgot… Church tomorrow morning at ten.”

My entire body tenses. “Did something happen?”

“Nope. But I really wanna see you fill the brothers in on your meeting at Sacred Haven.”

With that parting shot, he disappears down the hall.

Asshole.

6

WHITNEY

“Amen.”

I stand with my head bent, hoping my sisters will retreat from the chapel without paying me any attention. As soon as the double doors close and I know I’m alone, I breathe a sigh of relief. My reprieve is short-lived, however, because just as I’m about to sit in a pew for further reflection, Father James enters.

“Oh, Sister Emiliani,” he says jovially. “I didn’t realize there was anyone still in here.”

“Good morning, Father.” I glance toward the doors and then back at him. If I’m not comfortable sharing with the other nuns, I’m certainly not going to share with Father James. “I was just ab⁠—”

“Sit with me for a moment?” He gestures at the pew. “Please?”

Careful to keep my expression blank, I sit with my hands folded in my lap. He sits a few feet away from me and completes the sign of the cross before focusing all of his attention in my direction.

“How are you doing, Sister Emiliani?”

“I, um…” My cheeks heat. “I’m doing well.”

He smiles, and I’m reminded of the many times he checked in with me when I was a child. “I was expecting you for confession this morning.”

“Forgive me, Father,” I say. “I wa⁠—”

He dismisses me with a wave of his hand. “Oh, stop that. I’m not here to chastise you. I’m simply checking in.”

Guilt weighs heavily on me because he’s right. I didn’t go to confession this morning. I wish I could say it’s because I have nothing to confess, but the opposite is actually true.

My mind wanders to the dream I had last night.

Warm water cascades down my back, and I tip my head to let it wash over my face. Most of the time, I don’t let myself linger, but not today. I’m just about to lift the soap when the shower curtain is yanked open, causing me to squeal.

“Hey,” Quake says, a grin on his handsome face. “Want some company?”

Instead of waiting for a response, he strips off his clothes and drops them on the tile floor. When he steps into the shower with me, the heat skyrockets, and it’s not from the water.

“W-what are you doing?” I find the presence of mind to ask.

Quake wraps his arms around me, and I melt into his embrace. “Isn’t it obvious?” he counters, his voice low and entirely too enticing.

“Sister Emiliani?”

Father James’ voice cuts through the memory, and I clear my throat. “Sorry, I, um… My mind wandered.”

“Is everything okay?” he asks, the wisdom in his eyes replaced with questions.