Chapter 4 The Meeting...

Mia's POV. 4.

"Gosh... this whole place is damn dusty. What the hell," I muttered under my breath, wiping the shelves behind the altar.

I guess no one ever bothers with this area.

The whole church was quiet. I was humming softly as I cleaned, lost in my own world-until I heard footsteps.

Soft, slow... but getting closer.

I froze. Who the hell was that?

Trying to step down from the tall chair I had used to reach the upper shelf, the damn thing suddenly wobbled under me. "Oh shit...!"

I didn't hit the ground.

I fell into someone.

Into a pair of strong arms.

A firm, wide chest.

His scent was crisp and clean and expensive. His shirt was soft against my skin, and for a second, I forgot I was supposed to move away.

Then I looked up.

It was The Reverend Father.

His hands had caught me so carefully-so close to my breasts, but not quite touching. His eyes were dark, gentle... and way too attractive for a man of God.

"Hey," he said, voice low and calm.

I froze again. God, even his voice was soft like velvet. Grandma wasn't lying-if he wasn't a reverend, girls would be lining up just to look at him.

He gently helped me back on my feet as I stumbled to regain my balance.

"I'm so sorry, Father....I mean, Reverend..." I muttered quickly. "It was my fault. Stupid chair..."

I kicked the leg of the chair a little.

"That's fine," he said with a small smile.

Is this what all reverends look like? Or is it just him?

My body tensed under his gaze. My hands fidgeted, my skin hot-maybe from the work... or maybe something else.

"You're new here," he said, his tone still warm. "Your grandmother told me. She said you'd be volunteering at the church."

As he spoke, his hand moved gently toward my shoulder-instinctively, I stepped back a little.

"Yeah... I started today," I replied, my voice shaking slightly.

"When did you move into town?" he asked, his eyes scanning over me in a way that made me feel both seen and exposed.

He turned and motioned to a seat across the room.

"Come," he said. "Sit and tell me all about you, Mia."

I followed quietly, nerves fluttering in my stomach.

We both sat. He crossed his legs with that same calm confidence while I sat across from him, heart pounding louder than it should.

Okay... so..." he said softly, his eyes locking onto mine, as if silently urging me to go on.

I wasn't usually this shy around people. But here I was, talking slow, hands clenched, breath shallow.

He was a reverend. A man of God. That should've been enough of an excuse for how I felt-but it wasn't.

"I came into town just yesterday, Father," I said, my voice a little shaky. "I'm here to stay with my grandma... she was alone."

"Really?" he said, his voice warm. "She deserves that. You must be a really good granddaughter."

He leaned forward then, quietly dragging his chair a little closer. I stiffened, shifting just an inch back-but his hand reached out and gently rested on the edge of my lap.

"Wait," he said, voice still calm. "Don't move. I just want to see you better while you talk. I guess I was too far to hear you clearly."

My heart was thumping.

"O-okay, Father..." I said quietly.

"No. Call me Thorne," he said with a faint smile. "It's simpler... more friendly that way."

There was something in his tone. It wasn't a suggestion-it was a command in soft clothing.

"So I guess... coming to town to stay with your grandma wasn't the only reason," he added, voice dipping lower, eyes watching me too closely.

I froze.

Did Grandma tell him something? Or was he just... guessing?

"Um... Father-Thorne," I started, but he cut in again.

"It's Thorne, Mia," he said, firmer this time. "Especially when it's just the two of us."

I nodded quickly, feeling the heat rush up my neck.

"Um... another reason is... because... my boyfriend cheated on me," I finally admitted, my voice cracking. "And it was too much for me. He was the first man I ever-ever loved..."

My voice trailed off as a small sob escaped.

I looked down, wiping quickly at my face.

God, why was I crying in front of a stranger? A reverend no less.

But Thorne didn't move away.

He didn't flinch.

Instead, his hand lingered... just close enough to feel like a presence. Close enough to blur lines.

"I just wanted a fresh start..." I said-but stopped myself quickly.

Thorne tilted his head slightly, eyes still locked on mine.

"What about school, dear? Have you finished?" he asked gently, his voice holding something deeper. "If not, you can always send a transfer request. I could help with that."

"Is that really okay?" I asked, brows lifting. "I mean... would they even accept a new student this late?"

"Of course," he said smoothly. "I could even speak to the director for you. He's a senior member of the church. The school's the best in town-you'd love it there."

He spoke with such ease, like he was already imagining me in their classrooms, already pulling strings behind the scenes. It felt... too easy.

"Okay... Father," I replied softly, my voice unsure.

But before anything else could happen, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Oh! I knew I'd find you here, Mia!" Grandma called out cheerfully as she hurried over.

I stood up right away, moving beside her as she gave me a gentle smile and rubbed my shoulder.

"Father, I'm sure you've met my granddaughter now-Mia. She'll be helping out at the church regularly," she said, beaming.

"Yes, Mrs. Voss," Thorne said, his gaze not leaving mine. "That would be very kind... of both of you."

He was still watching me. Like he didn't want to blink.

"So, Father, we'll be leaving now. Evening's coming, and we've got things to do at home," Grandma said, turning slightly.

"Of course," he replied, rising to his feet. He extended his hand-not toward Grandma, but toward me.

But Grandma reached out first, intercepting him with a firm handshake.

"Oh-sorry, Mrs. Voss," Thorne said politely, though half of his eyes stayed on me.

"No problem at all," Grandma replied as we turned to leave.

I took a step forward... then paused.

Something tugged at me-something heavy and strange.

I turned back.

"Father..." I called, my voice sharper than I meant.

He turned around slowly. "Yes, Mia?" he asked, his tone calm as ever.

"I'd like to come for confession. Tomorrow," I said.

His eyes widened just slightly, his lips parting like I'd said something unexpected. Maybe even dangerous.

He stared at me for a second too long before answering.

"I'll be here," he said. "Any time you're ready."