I was naked and lying face down on the rug in front of the open fire, flames roaring. Declan was still fully clothed, but that didn’t matter, as clothed or not, he exuded a confidence I’d never seen in any man.

“Just relax – I want this to be just about you.” He pressed firmly as he massaged my shoulders. My body relaxed, and the tensions of the day melted away.

This was a first for me.

Usually, my clients were hard and ready to go, a blow job, a quick wank, then up and out the door seconds after shooting their loads.

“I think you’ve got this the wrong way around, Declan. You’re paying me to entertain you.”

“Let’s not talk about money.”

I pushed myself onto my knees. “You do know why I’m here, right?”

His eyes met mine, and for a second. I was worried I’d got the wrong end of the stick, and he wasn’t paying, but had picked me up expecting a freebie.

Climbing to his feet, he walked over to the table in front of the window and picked up his wallet.

“How much?” he asked.

“Two hundred,” I said, looking round at him and chancing my luck. “That includes my taxi fare home.”

Opening his wallet, I watched as he counted out the money in front of me; ten crisp twenty-pound notes.

It’s my job, so why did I feel guilty?

“You don’t need to worry about getting home – I’m a gentleman and will drive you wherever you need to go.” He handed me the cash, but I was naked with only one place to stick the money, but wasn’t going there again, not after the last time. I looked at the cash in my hand. “Do you want me to leave it on the table for you?” I nodded and handed him the money. “Don’t worry, it’ll still be there when you’re ready to leave.”

I eyed him suspiciously. “Okay, come on, what’s the catch?”

“Pardon,” he said, looking at me with a confused expression.

“I’ve slept with more guys than I care to remember, and you’re—you’re kind of different.”

“Different how?”

“Just different, but in a good way.”

“Then, what’s the problem, Matt? I wanted company, you offer a service, and I’m more than willing to pay for it. The solution is quite simple really.”

“I’m just used to guys picking me up, wanting a cheap thrill, or fuck, then rushing off when they’ve shot their load.”

“I’m not that person, and in case you haven’t already noticed, money means very little to me.”

“It’s only the people who have plenty of it who say that.”

“True, and while I’m not going to lie and say I’m not a man of means, it doesn’t define me as a person.”

I gestured to the bookcase. “But that dog collar on the back of the door over there does, I suppose?” I’d spotted it as soon as I took my seat earlier, but it wasn’t a big deal to me. He wouldn’t be the first man of the cloth I’d gone to bed with. In fact, the last guy was red hot in the bedroom department.

His face flushed. “Erm,” was all he could manage to say.

I felt bad for making him feel uncomfortable in his own home and tried to rectify my faux pas. “I’m not judging you. Far from it.”

“I’m glad,” he said, exhaling deeply.

“Despite my chosen profession, I’m not entirely uneducated. Apart from the giveaway of a dog collar, did you think I wouldn’t notice your selection of Bibles on the shelves, or the fact you live directly opposite St. Stephen’s Church?”

“This was a bad idea,” he said. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. Get dressed, and I’ll drive you home.”

“No, I don’t want to go. You invited me here for a reason, what was it?”

“I’ve seen you hanging around, and there’s something about you I like – I just wanted the chance to get to know you, if only for one night. But, I don’t want you to think I’m some sort of nutcase. In my job, it can get pretty lonely.”

“Aren’t Priests supposed to stay celibate?” I know I sounded judgemental, but I was genuinely interested and waited for him to answer, but his cheeks flushed red, and he said nothing in response to my question. “Hey, I’ve never read the Bible and promise I’m not judging you, but I’m pretty sure screwing male escorts is on the do it, and you’ll roast in hell list.”

He laughed, and every part of his face lit up. “Well, I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but essentially, you’re correct.”

I felt so comfortable with this man. Usually I’d have run for the hills, the sensible side of me screaming danger.

I tapped the side of my head. “See, up here for thinking, down below for anything else.” Declan laughed again, this time, nervously. “Can I ask you a question, and if I’m being too nosey, I’ll understand if you tell me to mind my own business?”

“Sure, ask me anything, as long as I don’t have to answer.” He smiled at me. This guy was beyond cute!

“Have you ever been with a guy, or a girl for that matter?”

“For all intents and purposes, although I’ve kissed a guy, I’m what you’d call a virgin.”

I was gobsmacked. He was ridiculously sexy – a catch if you got past the priest and married to God thing, and still a virgin to boot. My mind raced at a hundred miles per hour.

“Wow,” was all I could manage to say. “I don’t think I’ve ever been anybody’s first before. Well, first kiss, yes, but not the full hit.”

I didn’t quite know what to say. I felt like I’d fallen into one of those classic Hollywood movies from the 90’s. Racking my brains, I was trying to remember the name of the film I used to watch with my friend Bex in the children’s home? Something about a hooker who meets an old billionaire.

The soundtrack was brilliant, but the film was a load of shite. Still, who doesn’t love a happy ending?

Changing the subject, he asked, “Can I get you another drink?”

“I’ll have a large red wine if you have it.”

“I thought you didn’t drink?” he quizzed.

“Whoops,” I said, batting my eyelashes at him.

“You’re a bad boy, Matt – I can tell you’re gonna be trouble.”

“More than you know,” I replied, cheekily.

“God help me,” he said in his delicious Irish accent.

“And don’t give me none of the muck you give to your parishioners ‘cos I’ll know the difference.”

I heard him laughing in the kitchen.

He returned with two glasses and a bottle of red wine. By this time, I’d put my underwear back on and was sitting on the rug in front of the fire.

“Do you want a robe?”

“No, I’m fine like this.”

“It’s fine, as long as you’re comfy,” he replied, pouring wine into the glass and offering it to me.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the glass and delicately taking a sip. “That’s good stuff.”

“Glad you approve.” He poured himself a glass and settled next to me on the rug.

“When are you going to relax?” I asked. “You must be boiling hot in your clothes. Take your top off at least, or let’s move to the sofa.”

Declan moved to the sofa and I followed.

He handed me his glass and within seconds his top was lying on the floor.

As I suspected, his body was magnificent. “I thought vanity was a sin.”

“I don’t work out for vanity, but to remain healthy.”

“If you say so,” I teased. “Whatever the reason, I definitely approve, but if you don’t mind me saying so, Father Declan, you’re a total contradiction.”

“In what way?”

“In every way. You’re a Priest, but you seem the most unlikely person to do that job.”

“It was my calling.” I guess that was his way of telling me it wasn’t his job.

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” I felt bad.

“You didn’t, but you’re not the first person that didn’t understand my calling. But, it’s what I felt I had to do. I can still remember the date and where I was when I heard God speak to me.”

“Wow, you really heard a voice speaking to you?”

“Not like I can hear you, but I heard it nonetheless, and knew what I had to do. I accepted God’s mission and wouldn’t change my life for anything.”

“But you’re lonely – if you weren’t, you wouldn’t be paying for company.”

“I’m not lonely in the sense, I have nobody to talk to. There are hundreds of people around the parish I could visit, that would come here to visit me if I asked, but as happy as I am, there is a void in my life I’m trying to fill.”

“And I’m filling that void?”

“I don’t know if I’m honest. I just wanted company from somebody that wouldn’t see me as Father Declan, the priest, but simply as Declan, the person. Do you understand?”

“I think so, but if I’m honest in return, I think you’re hiding a part of your personality that’s screaming to get out, and in time, you’ll end up doing something you’ll regret.”

“It’s taking every ounce of restraint I have not to drag you upstairs into my bed.”

“I thought that was why I was here.”

“Initially it was, but I enjoy your company more than anything else, and I think I’m happy with that.”

“You think?”

“Yes, for now.”

“Okay, well, there’s no pressure, but can I ask you one favour?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Kiss me.”

He looked stunned. “I kissed you earlier.”

“No, I mean, kiss me properly, like you mean it, like you want it. Think of it as your one last kiss, and make it count.”

“I can do that,” he said, putting his glass down on the floor.

I placed mine down on the occasional table next to the sofa but felt nervous.

I closed my eyes as he leaned in. His lips touched mine once again, but this time, he reached up and put his hand on the back of my head, and stroked my cheek with his thumb. His stubbled chin brushed against mine and it felt good to be this close to him. We fell into a rhythm, and I gently took hold of his bottom lip with my teeth before we returned to the kiss once more. If this is how well he kissed with little to no practice, I was desperate to find out how good it would feel once he had a bit more experience.

He pulled slowly away. “How was that?”

I quickly grabbed a cushion, hiding my hard on. “Erm.

“That good, huh?” He looked amused.

“It felt amazing, and as you can see, there are other parts of me that thought so too.”

“Can I see?” he asked.

“Are you sure?”

“Not really, no, but I seem to have lost any power of restraint I had.”

I moved the cushion and leaned back, allowing him to remove my underwear.

My cock was rigid.

“Wow,” he said. “I’ve waited a long time.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve never seen another guy aroused up close. When I was younger and before my calling I watched a lot of porn.” His face flushed. “I’ve never told anyone that.”

“Don’t worry about it, we’ve all done it.” I reached out to grab his hands. I held onto them briefly, then guided them to my cock.

“What are you doing?”

“I want you to touch me, if only once.” I felt like I was corrupting a man of God.

“I’m not sure that I can,” he replied.

“Close your eyes and let me take control.”

He closed his eyes, and I his hands on my chest. I wanted him to experience human touch, what it felt like to caress another. The feeling was sometimes more intimate than sexual intercourse. He allowed his hands to wander, covering every part of my chest. His hands moved lower, and I reclined until I was almost lying flat on the sofa. Still, his eyes were closed, but one hand remained gently pressed on my stomach while the other gripped my cock.

“Aaah,” he gasped, then as suddenly as he had smashed through his self-made barriers, he stepped quickly back behind them as his eyes flew open and he moved away. I sat up. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I can’t.”

“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve known better.” I should have respected who and what he was. This was so confusing. What did he bring me here for?

“Those few moments will stay with me forever, but I serve a higher purpose and…”

I reached for his hand. “It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. I get it completely.”

“You do?”

“Totally, and I feel the same as you do. You’re the only man who has ever made me feel the way I do right now, and no amount of money can buy that.” I pulled him into my arms, holding him tight. I would never forget this feeling. It made me feel secure for the first time in years. I kissed his cheek and pulled away, not wishing to make him feel any more unease.

That night, we talked, we laughed, we danced and nothing could get in our way, but time itself. I knew we only had that night. Anything more would get complicated and neither of us wanted that.