Chapter 24
“Shouldn’t isn’t the same thing as won’t.” The fingers disappeared from his arm, and Alonzo almost exhaled in relief. Then they returned, this time along his sore ribs, tracing along the line, back and forth, at the same soothing tempo he’d used earlier. “Did I tell you, you are one of the most beautiful men I have ever seen? I find myself watching you even when I know you’d rather I not.”
“Ben…” This didn’t need to be so hard. He knew how to pull away from temptation. He knew how to shield himself and knew how to pray. Except that for a horrible moment, he hadn’t just believed he would die. He knewhe was going to die. And his last thoughts weren’t of God or of the Virgin. They had been of Ben. “You’re right. Shouldn’t isn’t the same as won’t. I can only say it shouldn’t happen.”