Lessons in Sin

by Pam Godwin

“I promise you this.” I squared my shoulders and stood, facing him head-on. “I’m going to make your life a living hell.” “Hell is fast approaching, little girl. But I assure you, it’s not coming for me.”

“The V-shaped cut in the abs. They’re sex lines.” I stepped back and leaned a shoulder against the wall, absorbing the weight of their stares. “The scientific name is transversus abdominis. It’s a sheet of muscle that wraps around the body and supports the spine. When you have a super-strong core and low body fat, you can see the muscle’s edges. Also known as the Adonis belt, named after Adonis, the legendary god of beauty.”

“Morning worship begins at six,” the girl in the back said. “His body is our temple, and we come to pray.”

If pride made demons out of angels, humility can make angels out of demons.”

“But don’t you worry your pretty little head about me, Father Magnanimous. Whenever I feel like giving in, I remember I have a lot of assholes to disappoint.”

“You might be fooling everyone else with that collar around your throat. But I saw the way you looked at her, priest, and I don’t like it. If you hurt her, I will come for you.”

As a matter of fact, chiseled perfection could be used to describe all of Magnus Falke. Except his personality. For that, I would lose the perfection and just go with chiseled. Or squared. Old-fashioned and lame. But also mysterious. He was an enigma to me, and that made him dangerously intriguing. I wanted his secrets.

Theoretically, I represented everything he should avoid. My age, his vow, our student–teacher relationship—so many obstacles. I was forbidden, prohibited by state and church, taboo in every sense of the word.

“You foolish girl, all you had to do was read the correct passage.”

“Here’s a passage for you, straight from the Gospel of Tinsley. Thou shalt fuck off.”

“I tried to protect you.” He curled his fingers around my throat and scraped his teeth against my jaw. “I tried, and now, it’s too late. I won’t be able to stop. Not with you.”

“But I lied to you once. I’m interested in everything beneath your skirt. Every hole. Every drop of blood. Don’t make a sound.” Holy sweet Lord Jesus. He was going to fuck me. For once, I would do every damn thing he told me to do.

No panties.

“You’ve been like this all day?”

“You said you didn’t want to see my underwear again.”

“You’re a sadist.” “Does putting a label on it make you feel better?” “You can get help for the condition.”

did get help. I came here, became a priest, and abstained for nine years.” He straightened my underwear and skirt, his movements efficient and gentle. “Then you came along.” “I’m sorry.” My chest constricted. “Send me home.” “Never.” He

“No. I didn’t have an ounce of respect for anyone. I never felt possessive of a woman. Never cared about what they needed or who they fucked. I was never monogamous. Never emotionally available. I was a monster. Evil. Dead inside.”

“But with you?” He spoke against my throat. Lips like warm velvet. Voice like cold steel. “I am viciously, reprehensibly possessive of you.”

“You’re my first.”

“And my last.”

“I love you maddeningly.”

He was my freedom. My journey. My destination. My one great passion. My choice. My love. My lessons in sin.