Page 38 of Billionaire's Sins

"Not that you say a lot," I mutter. "In all the time I’ve known you, which I admit isn’t that long, you’ve never mentioned anything about yourself."

"This is your confession, not mine," he reminds me.

"You always have a ready answer."

"Not this time. All I’m going to do is listen, without judgement, remember?"

I hear the smirk in his voice. Asshole… Wait, that’s not right. You can’t call a priest an asshole… However much he is one. Right? And this is Edward, toned down in his role as a priest. How would he be if he weren’t one? Why am I even thinking of that, considering that will never be a possibility? It’s why I am here, after all, in a confessional, with him in the one role he is comfortable playing.

I blow out a breath, then lower my head,

"You start with saying, 'forgive me, Father, for I have…’"

"Bugger that."

"Eve!" he admonishes me and I subside.

"Do I have to say that?"

"Do you want to confess?"

"Yes. Yes, I do." I lower my chin, "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned… This is...ah. This will be my first confession."

There’s silence from his side, then, "That’s all right. Tell me your sins," he commands, and a shiver runs down my spine.

Here goes. "I lied to you."

"About what?"

"About being attracted to you."

"Is that right?"

I nod.

"I am in love with you, Edward,"

There, I’ve said it. For better or for worse, it is out there now. Maybe it’s a low blow to stop him from leaving, but what else do I have in my arsenal, right?

"Did you hear me?" I prompt.

"You haven’t known me long enough to have fallen in love with me."

"Just like you have fallen for me; you just haven’t allowed yourself to acknowledge it."

"Why do you think you are in love with me?"

I frown. "That sounds more like a psychologist’s question than a priest’s."

He chuckles. "A good priest is also a psychologist when it matters."

Right.

"So, why do you think you are in love with me?"

"Because I am."

"Answer the question," he snaps.