TWENTY-THREE

MAGGIE

I had my man back and life was almost perfect.

Rachel still skulked around the church like a pregnant stray cat, but at least she kept her distance from us. 

It boiled my blood to see her around but we couldn't exactly make her leave. Forcing people out of a church would look terrible and raise serious questions in the community. If she wasn't causing any harm or threatening us in any way, we saw no reason to drive her out into the street. 

In a few ways, I felt bad for her. She likely came here because the real father of her child wanted nothing to do with her. But it was her own fault that she already burned her bridge with Kaine by cheating on him. As much as it hurt my heart, I could see him giving her another chance if she was honest and he wasn't already taken by me. 

Too bad for you, Rachel. He's mine. 

Of course, with he and I still trying to be discreet about our relationship in public and pregnant Rachel flying out of control, rumors buzzed in the air like swarms of bees. 

Everyone knew she was his ex. The two of them never interacted so it was clear they weren't back together. Approximately half believed that she cheated on him, the other half believed Kaine selfishly dumped her simply because he didn't want to be married anymore. 

I tried to defend him whenever I could without giving away my position, but people's eyes always regarded me suspiciously. 

"How do you know so much?" the nosy old rats demanded. "What's your relationship with Pastor Cross?" 

"We're friends," I insisted while biting my lip as I recalled our latest fuckfest. "He's my spiritual counselor, as he is for all of you." 

Tried as we might, it was so damn hard to act platonic in front of other people. I always forgot to address him as Pastor Cross instead of his first name. During church activities, we'd get engaged in a conversation and forget about everyone else around us. Sometimes I would touch his hand or he would touch my waist and we'd have to pull away before someone notice. 

Seeing him and being near him was torturous and yet oh so sweet.

But with him at my side, none of the gossip and sideways glances affected me. Nothing could bring me down. I had him and that was all that mattered. Soon we'd get far away from here and wouldn't need to be so secretive. 

The few times I was at home with my parents, I made sure to smile, sing, and treated the living room as my own personal dance floor. I let out my unbridled joy for my mother to see and pissing her off just made me dance harder. 

"What are you so happy about?" she asked with a sneer. 

"Who says I need a reason to be happy?" I answered. "Life is joy. Just being able to breathe is a reason to celebrate." That was a direct quote from one of Kaine's sermons. 

In any case, I was rarely home over the next couple of weeks. I spent my evenings volunteering at the church or at Kaine's apartment. Mom put up a hissy fit at first but eventually stopped protesting. I was an adult and could legally do what I pleased. 

I even moved my sewing machine and supplies to Kaine's place so I could continue making bundles for the homeless when I was over there.

"You need to start a nonprofit," he said one night as he rubbed the soreness out of my neck, shoulders, and fingers. "Share your pattern and get other people to help you with it." 

I had mixed feelings about that. I wanted more bundles to be created so they could reach more people in need. But I didn't want it to become a business of any sort. I didn't want to depend on money and donations to help people.

But I would cross that bridge when I came to it. In the meantime, I sewed bundles like it was my day job. Marie's homeless camp absorbed several new families that had been evicted due to rising rental costs. A few of them had kids around Jeremy's age and I worked on those coat and sleeping bag hybrids every moment I wasn't helping Kaine at the church or riding his cock. 

One evening we were blissfully alone as we cleaned and tidied up the chapel together and were able to speak to each other candidly just like when we were at home. 

"I already feel like I'm falling behind on sewing this batch," I complained as I swept a broom under the pews. "I can't seem to catch up no matter how much I think of those poor kids shivering in the night."

"They'll be alright," Kaine said gently. He was polishing candlesticks on the altar and cleaning up melted wax. "Those folks look after each other. They won't let a kid freeze. Don't push yourself too hard."

"I just wish I could do more," I muttered, sweeping into my dustpan. 

"Come here, beautiful." 

I looked up. 

He was leaning against the altar with his hands shoved in his pockets, looking at me intently. I felt my spine shudder as I approached him, despite feeling warm. He looked like a sexy bad boy that just happened to walk into a church and claim it as his. 

We hadn't had sex at church since that day in his office. The thought of doing it here in the chapel, with all the stained glass, high archways, and portraits of the saints looking down on us, sent a wicked, throbbing heat between my legs. 

It was almost too dirty to consider. But that was why I wanted it so badly. If I hadn't started my period that day, I would've suggested it to Kaine. 

He took my head in his hands when I reached him and stared solemnly into my eyes. 

"You do so much for others," he said sweetly. "And never stop to think of yourself. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, beautiful."

He crushed my protest with a deep kiss that took my breath away. When he pulled away, I was left gasping. 

"There's something I want to talk to you about," he breathed softly across my lips. 

"Mm-hm," I answered, reaching for another kiss. 

"When we can finally leave this place, I want to start my own ministry." 

I opened my eyes fully to look at him. His expression asked for my input, wanted me to tell him my opinion. He treated me like an equal partner and that realization made me elated. 

"That's wonderful!" I told him, wrapping my arms around his waist. "You would be so great at leading your own church."

"I was hoping you'd support my crazy idea," he said fondly as he stroked the back of my neck. "There's more, though." 

"Yeah?" I asked only halfway nervously. 

"Let's take your sister and nephew with us," he said. "We can get her on her feet away from this shithole. You can be with your family that actually matters." 

My eyes welled with joyous tears. 

"You mean it?" 

"Absolutely, my love."  

I rose to my tiptoes and jumped to kiss him. The invisible weight that had been sitting on my chest ever since Marie got kicked out finally lifted. 

Soon, so very soon, they wouldn’t have to sleep under a freeway anymore. I wouldn’t have to hold my breath with worry every time my nephew coughed. They could be safe and finally have a home. 

“You’re an angel,” I whispered against Kaine’s lips. 

“Definitely not,” he chuckled. “Just a man who’s hopelessly in love.”

I clutched his shirt and felt his arms squeeze tighter around me as I felt about ready to explode with happiness. His warmth soaked through my skin like sunlight. My clit pulsed with need against his hardening bulge and I was dying to rip his clothes off. Never before had I ever been more frustrated at having my period.

But there was still something I could do. 

I swallowed Kaine’s groan as I ran my hand along his crotch, feeling him grow even bigger and harder for me. My fingers crept underneath his shirt to run along the hot, taut skin of his waistline. The feeling of his bare skin drove me wild and I tugged apart his belt greedily. 

"I thought you were on your monthly," he said, his voice heavy with lust. 

"I am," I replied as I unzipped him, smiling as I lowered myself slowly. "But you're not." 

I dropped to my knees in front of him and he finally caught my meaning. 

With a deep moan, his fingers wound through my hair as I kissed his lower stomach, hard as marble and practically burning my lips with his heat. 

I peeled his boxer briefs down inch by slow, torturous inch, kissing each new area of skin that became exposed. His breath grew shallow and I felt his stomach tense up. Already my teasing drove him crazy. 

His massive, fully engorged cock finally swung out to greet me. It twitched and the vein pulsed when I took hold of the base, barely able to wrap my entire hand around it. 

The velvety skin wrapped around the marble column glided smoothly in my hand. Sucking my cheeks in, I guided his round swollen head to my mouth and pushed past the suction I made with my lips.

Once inside I pressed my tongue to the underside where the head met the shaft and he went crazy. 

"Oh my god yes," he hissed, tugging at my hair to urge me to take him deeper. "Such a smart girl. Just like how I showed you." 

Pride swelled within me and I worked my mouth further down his cock, motivated by his encouragement. 

Kaine's dominant tendencies began revealing themselves recently and I loved it. He was incredibly patient and sweet right after I lost my virginity to him but I had my best orgasms when he wasn't so sweet. 

I absolutely loved it when he shoved my head down and fucked my face while teaching me to suck his cock. I loved being his good girl and using what he taught me. 

My eyes watered and my jaw stretched open as I took his entire, rock hard length down my throat at the church altar, in front of the cross and the saints to witness. 

He held the back of my head in place as my muffled moans floated up to the stained glass windows. 

I pulled away gasping for air, leaving a trail of saliva connecting his throbbing head and my mouth. 

"Fuck," Kaine groaned. "Fucking hell. Stand up. Come here." 

He pulled me abruptly to my feet and shoved me onto the altar with a bruising kiss. My clit and nipples ached for him, already on overdrive with his rough manhandling. 

With a lightning fast motion, he flicked open the button to my jeans and began yanking my pants off my hips. 

"We can't right now," I moaned in protest. "My menstrual cup is in." 

"I know," he said gruffly as he finished peeling my pants off and throwing them to the side. His cock, still damp from my mouth pressed hard against my clit and made me shudder with need. 

"You're such a good dirty girl," he whispered hotly into my ear. "I'm not taking your pussy right now. I want your ass."