Lessons in Sin

by Pam Godwin

It was time to confess. With a shaky hand, I reached up and rested my fingers against his steely jaw. “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession.” His breath left him. “I tried to seduce a priest.” I licked my lips, inches from his. “It was selfish. Vindictive. I want to go home and thought only of my needs, not once considering what would become of him if I succeeded.” “Is there anything else?” His voice dipped, gruffly sexy and thick with desire. “I cuss every day and masturbate every night.” “Tinsley…” He groaned. “I shouldn’t have said that last part, even if it’s true.” I sighed against his mouth, savoring his heat, his delicious dark scent. “I have a lot of sins, Father. I’m sorry for some of them.” “Only some?” “Not gonna lie.” “You rarely do.” The hand in my hair went slack, his fingers sliding downward to linger along my jawline, caressing. “You’re the most honest person I know. Except for maybe Crisanto.” “That’s sad.” “Not for me. For your penance, pray an Act of Contrition.” “Okay.” I swallowed my pride and held his gaze. “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you…” I regurgitated the prayer from memory in a tone that lacked my typical mockery. If I could recite every prayer like this—with his hand on my face and his mouth close enough to kiss—I would do it without complaint. So I said the words slowly, drawing it out, never wanting it to end. He closed his eyes, listening with a serene expression, but the tension didn’t lea...