Read Online Till Death by William X. Kienzle - Free Book Online Page A

assistant. They never had.
    Father Casserly now lived on the main floor, using the deserted housekeeper’s quarters for himself.
    “Well,” he would say as they settled themselves in chairs they always used for the counseling sessions, “we didn’t have an appointment. How did you get out?”
    “I just had to. I couldn’t bear to be locked up there another day.”
    “You are going back. I mean later today … aren’t you?”
    “Yes. Yes. I just had to tell a few lies to get out.”
    “Harmless lies, it sounds like to me. White lies? Something we can deal with in your regular session next week?”
    “Oh yes, they can wait.”
    “Can I get you something? Iced tea? A cookie?”
    “No, nothing.”
    “Well, then, what have you been doing on your marvelous day off?”
    “I went swimming.” He would buy the swimming excuse only because he had no idea how terrified she was of the water.
    “Swimming!”
    “Yes. Just the thing to do on a hot summer’s day.”
    “Granted. But how did you pull it off?”
    “Pull it off?”
    “Yes …” He would gesture toward the habit. “You’re not exactly dressed for the sport.”
    “It really isn’t that difficult. The idea is to put your swimsuit on under the habit. Then all you have to do is find a little spot for privacy and slip the habit off. With all the practice I’ve had, that can be done in the twinkling of an eye.”
    He would blush slightly. “You mean after you got done swimming, you put the habit back on over the swimsuit?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “It must be terribly uncomfortable. I mean your suit must still be wet. Isn’t it?”
    “Well, yes. I didn’t count on the discomfort.”
    “This is going to get dicey, I think, isn’t it? By the time you get back to the convent you are going to be dry-cleaned. You will be wearing practically a sauna.”
    She would smile nervously. “I guess I didn’t plan this very well.”
    “Well …” He would hesitate for several moments. “Why don’t you get straightened around before you leave? You can use my shower. Get rid of the swimsuit. Then when you’re dry you can put the habit on and it’ll be lots more comfortable by the time you get back.”
    “Well, if it’s not too much trouble …”
    “No trouble at all. You’ve never been in the back of the rectory. I’ll show you around.”
    They would go into his bedroom. “Excuse the messy bed. I wasn’t expecting guests.”
    “Without a woman’s touch, things tend to get this way.”
    By this time, his face would be almost the color of his hair. What had begun as an innocent offer of aid would be developing into the threat of serious sin. “Here’s a fresh towel and there’s the bathroom and shower. Take your time. I’ll be in the living room.”
    He would go back to the living room and pace nervously, hoping that this would not explode.
    But explode it would.
    That would happen when she walked in wearing only the towel.
    Her hair would be wet because she had taken a shower. Her smile would be forced and plastic. Two people would be standing in the living room, both deeply embarrassed. The silence would last a few moments. Then she would say, “I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to give the habit a chance to dry.”
    From that point on, the scenario could go in any number of directions.
    She would wait for him to make a move. But not too long. If he approached her, she would throw herself into his arms. From that point they could allow passion to carry them through to that rumpled bed.
    If he did not make the first move, she would drop the towel. Just observing him over the years had left her with no doubt whatsoever of his masculinity, his ample testosterone level. If she stood before him naked, he would never be able to resist her.
    If he were willing, he could mend her life, which had become so fragmented. What would happen after their first sexual adventure only time would reveal. As far as she was concerned, they could simply exchange the