Temptation's Playground
he says.
I blink. “Read?”
He nods toward the open Bible on the lectern. “Psalm 51. The Miserere. Aloud.”
I hesitate only a second, then cross to the lectern. My fingers tremble as I turn the pages. The text swims for a moment before steadying.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love…”
My voice is soft, unsteady at first. I feel him behind me—close now, just at my shoulder. Not touching, but near enough that the air between us hums.