Page 161 of Indulge
Father Byrne stands in the aisle, arms folded, expression cold.
“Mr. Murphy,” he says slowly, “this is not what I meant when I said practice your vows.”
Bella goes crimson. I cough, straightening like that’ll somehow make me innocent. I step behind Bella to hide my hard-on.
“Father,” I say, managing a polite tone, “we were testing acoustics.”
Bella chokes on a laugh. “Yeah, reverb. It’s… powerful.”
Father Byrne sighs like a man reconsidering his calling. “One of you should probably light a candle before you go.”
“Yes, Father,” Bella squeaks.
As soon as he disappears into the back hall, she loses it, laughing so hard she has to lean on the pew for support.
I grin. “Well, Princess, at least he didn’t exorcise us.”
“Reggie!” she gasps, clutching my arm. “We just got caught making out in a church!”
“Yeah. But you smiled doing it.”
“Because you’re insane.”
“Insanely in love,” I correct.
She shakes her head, still laughing, and I can’t help but kiss her again, just quick this time. She makes me lose my mind. A spark in my life.
“I’ll need a way better love declaration, too.”
I smile, brushing her cheek. “Hand delivering my heart to you?”
“No. Silly. I’m not banging you as a ghost.”
“Jesus, Bella.”
“Think we’re going to hell for that?” she whispers.
“Probably,” I say, gliding my thumb over her bottom lip. “But at least we’ll have good company.”
Before we leave, I push her up against the wooden door.
“This might not have been the fairytale you dreamt of. But I still wanted it to be special for you.”
Her eyes glisten.
“You’re sweet, Irish. Deep down, that heart is golden.”
I take her hand and place it on my chest so she can feel how it beats for her.
“Just for you, Princess,” I whisper.
78
ROWAN
“Jesus fucking Christ, Conan. Are you trying to kill me?” I shout from across the mat, wiping sweat off my forehead. I duck when he lunges at me.
“You said you’d help me train, dumbass.”
