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Brandon
My chest is so heavy, it’s hard to take a breath. The realization that hit me a few minutes ago is now threatening to strangle my throat.
It can’t be true. I wish it weren’t true.
But I can’t deny it.
The euphoria of tasting her was more heady than the moment I gave my life to Christ.
She’s dangerous, by no fault of her own. I never covet in moderation. If I give her even a little of myself, she might take my soul with her when it’s over.
It must stop now.
“Mari,” I croak out.
She looks at me dreamily. The image of her languid eyes and tussled hair is so sweet it will probably be burned into my memory forever.
“What?” she whispers.
“I’m so sorry.”
She lets out a sweet sigh. “I’m not sorry at all.”
I wince, brushing her hair from her face so I can get a better look at those clear, dark eyes. “You have nothing to be sorry for. That wasn’t your fault, Mari. I took advantage of you.”
Her adorable little brow furrows. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“I’m your boss.” I swallow. “I’m your pastor.”
That cheeky smile I love tugs at her lips, though her eyes are still sleepy. “My father figure.” A soft laugh emanates from her chest. “Brandon, you’re not really my boss. Or my pastor. What you are is codependent.”
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
She stares at me for a beat. “You know you never should have indulged my dad.”
I grit my teeth. “What you call codependent, I call basic human decency. He’s my best friend, and he asked me to talk to you.”
“Yeah, but you’re also letting him get into your head. Who cares if I’m younger than you? We’re both—”
“I care.”
When she flinches, I realize I raised my voice louder than I intended.
“My integrity is important to me. As a pastor, a Christian… As a human being.”
Her nostrils flair. “And how has your integrity been compromised?”
“I’m courting your sister, Mariana. Has that not even occurred to you?”
Hesitation creeps into her eyes, but it fades almost as quickly as it came. “She’s not invested in you. Gorgeous women like Sofia don’t waste their energy on men who clearly aren’t into them.”
“And how would she feel if she saw us right now?”
The vulnerability that flashes on her face makes me want to reach out and stroke her cheek, but I can’t. I can never touch her again.
What a miserable thought.
“She’d be upset,” Mari eventually says. “But mostly because…”
