Page 46 of For I Have Sinned

“Do you do that a lot?” he asks.

“I do,” I admit. “It’s how I found my love for books. The different stories authors could tell by just using their imagination. It was so cool to me. Still is.”

He nods in understanding. “So you like to read, just not this.”

“Correct.”

“What kind of books do you like to read?” The question has me pausing the cutting of my steak.

If he knew the type of books I enjoy reading, he would throw a bucket of holy water on me.

I mull over the idea of lying, telling him I read something in a simpler genre, but I don’t have it in me to spin another lie on top of that if he keeps asking me questions. So, I decided to tell him the truth.

“Romance.” I continue cutting into the steak.

“Romance?” He repeats the word slowly.

“Yes, romance. The cute, fluffy stories and the not-so-cute and fluffy ones.”

The book in his hands closes a bit as he thinks about what I said. “There is a difference in romance books?”

I glance at him, pure curiosity in his eyes. I smirk as I tell him. “Mhm. There are the ones that make you believe in true love. The ones that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And then there are the ones that make you feel warm for another reason. It provides you with a sensation that needs… taken care of.”

His brows dip for a few seconds, eyes staring down at the table before he lifts them to mine. “They make books like that?”

“They do,” I grin, finally taking a bite of the broccoli that is now cold. “Some of the best books you’ll ever read. Pity I can’t leave here. I’d bring you one from my apartment. I’m sure you’d enjoy it.”

I hold in my laughter as he stares me down. Okay, he isn’t amused by my joke, but that doesn’t matter.

“I’m good. Thank you for the offer.” He shifts in his chair.

“You sure?” I lay the fork down and relax back into my seat. “It’s probably more interesting than what you are reading in there.”

He looks at the book in his hand, his jaw clenching. “Can I read you something?”

Inhaling a deep breath, I say, “By all means.”

Father Alexander opens the book, flipping through the pages until he finds what he is looking for. When he does, he sits forward in the chair, elbows resting on the table.

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

My teeth grind together as he berates me. He doesn’t look at me as his eyes scan down the page, landing on another passage.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

A harsh puff of air leaves my nose, and the chair screeches against the floor as I shove it backward to stand.

“Thank you so much for bringing me dinner. I’m going to bed now.”

I round the table, leaving my plate of leftovers on it. When I go to pass him, his hand grasps my wrist, causing me to stop. He stands, towering over me. I’m not sure if he is trying to intimidate me, but it’s not working.

I mean… not really.

“Did you forget something?” he asks, finally letting go of my wrist.

My face scrunches into confusion. “Goodnight?”

The corner of his lip tilts upward. “The Lord’s Prayer, Celine. You are to say it every night with me.”