Sweetest Sin: A Forbidden Priest Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

risky
game.”
    “It’s the only game
that matters.”
    And I meant it.
Nothing meant more to me than my faith or my soul…except the sanctity of
others. While other priests would run to avoid that confrontation, I met it
head on.
    And so would she.
    “I will only say
this once…” Benjamin leaned close, taking my hand. “I understand you, Raphael.
I have, ever since you were the lost little boy that came looking to join my
flock. You are a devoted priest, and every man finds the Lord in his own way.
But…” His voice dropped. “You are young. You are attractive. You are a man who
would draw attention, even if you were not wearing a cassock.”
    “I understand
that, Father.”
    “You don’t. I know you are a faithful man. But the diocese?” He frowned. “You wanted a home,
and so I spoke with the bishop and made it happen. Three years is a long time
in a single parish, especially for a man…like you.”
    “I know, Father.”
    “When I am gone,
you will be moved. Frequently. To avoid any…”
    “Scandal?”
    “ Sacrilege .”
    Right. Like what
occurred last night. Like the thoughts and desires and need that still
surged through my body and blood.
    Maybe it was for
the best. Maybe a change in diocese would shield Honor from my intentions, my
presence.
    Or maybe she was
sent to me because I was the only one who could save her?
    Maybe we’d save
each other.
    “Don’t worry about
me,” I said. “You’ve taught me well.”
    “You still have
many lessons to learn. Unfortunately, they’ll be the toughest you’ll face.
Please…don’t do this alone. I know you, and I know how you sink into your head.
If you find yourself struggling—”
    “I won’t falter.”
    “If you do…don’t
internalize. Pray, seek guidance, and don’t be afraid to retreat . Life
is not all action, and sometimes having faith means accepting what you can’t
fight. During those times, let the Lord lead those battles for you.” Benjamin swallowed,
his voice fading. “Where you lead, others will follow. The
righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them
astray .”
    I
didn’t need proverbs thrown at me. I’d spent the night reading anything that
might have given me wisdom. When that hadn’t worked, I’d prayed in silence.
When that made it worse, I depended on a cold shower to rid myself of Honor’s
candied apple scent and mewed groan, captured by her bitten lip.
    If
I were a weaker man, I’d have tasted that lip.
    Bitten
it myself.
    Caused
that tiny gasp that cried for me as she slid her fingertips over that sacred
secret.
    I
faked another smile for my friend. “Thank you, Father. You’ve…relieved me.”
    “No,
I haven’t.” He waved a hand. “Go, you have an evening mass. You know I hate
when you’re late to your own celebrations.”
    “I’ve
been on time to all three this week.”
    “I’ll
nominate you for Pope.” He coughed. “Go. I’ll be here when you come back.”
    He
always said that, but I had no idea how much longer it’d be true. I squeezed
his hand.
    “Thank
you,” I said.
    “Stay
out of trouble.”
    “Always.”
    Never.
    Becoming
a priest was never meant to be an easy path. We abandoned most earthly concerns
to serve all of humanity, and the cost was too high to fail.
    But
I was close to failure now.
    That
meant I had to work harder, not just to protect myself, but to shield Honor
from any further evil that would target a girl too innocent to realize when the
world conspired beyond her control.
    She
was young—only a senior in college. And her family had endured enough tragedy
without me inflicting any spiritual scars. 
    I drove back to
the church, heart pounding as I thought of her. I wished the elevated pulse was
my only concern. I had no idea how to soothe my uncomfortable, persistent erection.
The only logical and sinful way to relieve the strain was forbidden to me. I
wasn’t celebrating Mass distracted.
    I slipped into the
back of church and