Page 21 of Sinned

“I’m positive. How are things there with you?”

“Good, just the usual routine around here.” Liam paused. “Charles, you know we’re friends before anything. Are you sure everything’s alright?”

I didn’t know how to answer him. I didn’t want to lie to my friend, but I couldn’t tell him the truth. This was something I needed to keep to myself. I wasn’t ready to share anything about Ava with anyone.

“Everything’s fine, Liam. I’m sorry for the short phone call, but I have to get to the church. I’ll talk to you another time.”

I hung up the phone, took a quick shower, then dressed in my black clergy shirt and pants. As I looked in the mirror I knew one thing was missing. I picked up the white plastic collar and slipped it in place.

As I left my room, I stopped outside of Ava’s door and listened. It was quiet in her room. I continued down the steps and out to the church. San Rafael still didn’t get many visitors outside of Sundays so I knew I wouldn’t be disturbed. I needed to have a one-on-one with God and the place I felt closest to him was at a church.

I closed the doors behind me as I entered. The sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, giving just enough light to see. I opened several windows to let more light in and sat in a pew towards the front of the nave.

Using my foot, I brought the kneeler down and perched myself on top of it. I looked at the altar and thought about what I had done, how I had broken the promises I made, my vows as a priest. But I did not feel guilty.

I was torn between my feelings for Ava and my love for the Church. I wanted guilt to consume me and to punish me for what I did, but I couldn’t deny that everything I did was for love. Still, my mind was muddy and rife with confusion.

I folded my hands in front of me and closed my eyes. I reached out to God as I always had in the past and I asked for his guidance, for his help, for a sign.

A warm hand cupped my shoulder and the sweet scent of her hair enveloped me. Was this my sign? I thought it was so clear when I got my calling to become a priest, but now I was questioning everything.

As I turned to look at Ava, I noticed she was wearing a knee length skirt. I didn’t remember ever seeing her in anything but jeans. My eyes traveled up her bare legs, her hips, over her top that clung so deliciously over her breasts, to her full lips, and finally her brown eyes. She looked worried and her eyes held a little sadness.

“I was hoping to be back before you woke,” I said.

“You’re dressed,” she said hesitantly, as her eyes fixated on my collar.

“I needed to come here. I needed to pray.”

She nodded slowly and sat down. Still kneeling, I turned to face her and took her hand.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “Seeing you here and knowing what we shouldn’t have done...I’m sorry if I did something or--“

“No,” I said interrupting her. “You didn’t do anything. This was all me. And I don’t regret any of it.”

“You don’t?”

“No. And I don’t want last night to be our one night either.”

I slowly slid my hand up her leg, pushing her skirt up as I went along.

“Here?” she asked, looking around.

“Undress for me,” I said, gruffly.

She hesitated for a moment, then her eyes locked onto mine. As each of her buttons came undone, my collar tightened around my throat choking me, suffocating me. Only one thing would save me--tasting her.

With a quick tug, my clerical collar was gone. In my mind I was no longer a priest, only Charles. I wrapped my fingers in her hair and kissed her deeply as she laid down on the glossy wooden bench.

“What if someone comes in?” she whispered.

“Shhh,” I said as hooked my fingers into her panties and pulled them down. “The only one coming will be you.”

I spread her legs and kissed the inside of her knee. My fingers moved across the silky skin of her abdomen, to her womanhood. She shivered as I nipped the upper part of her thigh.

My fingers dipped into her slit and caressed her wetness. A soft moan escaped her lips.

Sliding onto my stomach, I gripped her hips firmly and brought her closer to me. I teased her with my tongue, darting it along her swollen clit before sucking on it.