The Consequence of Secrets - Part Four: A Priest Romance by Eve Cates Read Free Book Online

officially send me into the abyss of the unemployed and unskilled.
    My stomach twists and turns, my mind focused on my worries as I slide my key in the door. The moment it cracks open, I hear laughter from inside. A girlish giggle that instantly makes my mind feel lighter. I set my bag down on the floor beside the door, the letter from the bishop on the entry table, my keys beside it as I seek out the joy that seems to be filling the apartment.
    “You look so beautiful in that, Emma,” Jules compliments her, as I reach the doorway leading to our new bedroom.
    Over the bed is a stack of bags and colorful fabric, and in front of the closet mirror, Emma stands in a coral colored dress that has no sleeves, a low V between her breasts and floats down in light material to her knees. On her feet are matching strappy heels and on her skin is a soft glow of happiness that lightens every worry in my heart. It makes me realize that as long as I have her, everything will be fine. We belong together.
    “You look like a Spring day,” I say in the doorway, alerting them to my presence. They both turn to me and grin, and Emma turns from side to side, along the skirt to sway with her movement.
    “You don’t think it’s too much?” she asks. “I’m just so used to not wearing any color or showing any skin. I don’t want to go overboard.”
    “It’s so pretty, Emma,” Jules says, laughing off her sister’s concerns. “This is so demure compared to what most of the girls wear these days.” She turns to me. “Tell her Braden, this is something she could wear to church, right?”
    “You look absolutely stunning,” I respond, holding my hands out to her and loving the way she seems to float into them as she places her hands against my chest and smiles up at me. I love seeing her so happy, so light, so free. “So stunning, in fact, that I think it would be a waste to wear this dress indoors. I need to take you out to dinner.”
    Her eyes widen and she smiles. “Like an actual date?”
    I grin. “Yeah, I think we deserve a date. And in a way, it can be a celebration of sorts. Today, we are officially free to be together.”
    She wrinkles her nose slightly, understanding, despite my smile, that this isn’t the easiest day for me. “Was Bishop Riley there?”
    “No. But a letter from him was.”
    “I’m sorry, Braden, really I am. I know it might not seem much since I’m the reason you can’t be a priest anymore, but I am sorry, I know how much you loved your work.”
    “Well,” I smile, tightening my grip around her waist, hugging her tighter. “I love you more,” I say, lowering my mouth to hers and kissing her softly. Her arms move from my chest to slide up over my shoulders and lace behind my neck as she kisses me back.
    “On that note, I’d better leave you two lovebirds alone,” Jules says, causing us to break the kiss and laugh.
    “Sorry Jules,” I say, feeling bad for getting a little carried away.
    “Don’t be,” she says with a wave of her hand as she stands and lifts her bag. “You make my sister happy, and if that means I have to watch a little PDA then I’m all for it. Have a great time at dinner tonight guys. I’ll call you later big sister – your new outfits are amazing. I’ll see you both later.”
    She waves over her head as she sees herself out, leaving Emma and I alone in our room. “Now, where were we?” I ask.
    She looks up at me and grins. “I think you were about to see how easy it is to take this dress off me.”

     

Emma
    The waiter pulls out my chair and lays the napkin over my lap before regaling us with today’s specials. Candlelight mutes the colors of the room, the quiet ambience wrapping us like a cocoon and making us feel as though we’re the only ones inside.
    Braden orders a glass of sparkling water, and I order a glass of white wine then the waiter leaves us to look over the menu. I peruse the list with a smile on my face, glancing over the edge of my menu to