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[i][color=silver]A [@Venus] & [@LovelyComplex] Collaboration
Featuring [color=EA60A5]Tiffannie Taccone[/color] & [color=EFD6AA]Father Joseph Connery[/color][/color][/i]

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[indent][indent][indent][color=darkgray]The tense encounter with Danny had left Tiffannie with all kinds of negative feelings. As soon as the door had closed behind her, she had collapsed on the bed face-first, and she’d snuggled up to her giant teddy bear while she shed her tears. No matter how hard she tried, Peach couldn’t point out which of her actions was the one that had triggered her cousin so intensely. The way she had acted wasn’t out of the norm. Any time Danny had a date, she would press him for the details, and after being vague for a few seconds to pique her interest further he would dish out everything. If anything about his stories seemed too fantastical or didn’t make sense, she would call him out on it like she had done today, and he would simply laugh at it and reveal the truth of what he’d been trying to embellish in the first place. Danilo and her had been thick as thieves since before she could walk. They trusted each other with things they would disclose to nobody else. What was so different about it this time around? 

The more Tiffannie thought about it, the less sense everything made, and the more hurt and confused she felt by it all. She was desperate to interact with someone who, if not understood, at least offered her some comfort and a safe space to speak her mind. Someone who would kiss her and snuggle her and make her forget all about how her mean cousin Danny had growled at her like some rabid dog. Someone like...

The name came to her instantly.[hr]
Ten minutes later, the determined blonde was making her way up the concrete steps of Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows; Edenridge's only Catholic church. Any regular parishioner without ulterior motives would know to enter the church’s main building through its massive double doors at the top of the steps. But Tiffannie, of course, was [i]not[/i] just any regular parishioner. So after making sure she wasn’t being followed, the young woman turned right and quietly followed the discreet, semi-hidden path that led to the vestibule alongside the adoration chapel. Once she had arrived, Peach gave a few short knocks on the wooden door and patiently awaited for her access inside to be permitted.

Father Connery had finished his early dinner not too long ago in the clergy house, with his fellow brothers, across the street of the church. He could still hear the classical instrumentals of Tchaikovsky’s Valse Sentimentale ringing in his ears, even now when all that surrounded him was the emptiness and silence of his church. Not even the organ was alive to make these barren rooms filled with warmth and dimension. Music, after all, was a universal language that was pure, intimate, and full of joyous healing. 

Joseph’s job was to tend to Christ’s flock. Through his ministry, he could guide, protect and correct them, but most importantly show a deep love, allowing the Lord to reach the souls of mere men. He and his brothers were the most precious collaborators, caring for God’s people, educating them in the faith and of guiding, for without them who would feed the flock? And yet, even with such value, such importance, as a man of God, he knew he was weak. Unable to chase perfection because he was flawed and a stain among his people.

Joseph Connery was a sinner. 

He would never be a man for himself. Without his oath, he was a lost soul like the rest. He must dedicate his soul, his compassionate heart, to be the light in the darkness, the bearer of the cross, and a sympathetic ear. This commitment, this promise, was so that he could solely live in the realm of the invisible, to provide the visible with the truth of an allegory.  A promise to not take a wife, to not hold lands, to not father children, to not wear crowns and win any glory, to live and die at his post, a pledge until death. 

Even so, as he kneeled in the chapel, holding his rosary, whispering prayers to himself, he was not thinking about living for the spirit of God nor the baptism of two beautiful Italian children that would take place tomorrow evening. He could care less about planning, writing, and conducting all elements of weekly church service, like evaluating the liturgical calendar and making sure he and his brothers kept with church tradition. No. What was on his mind was his curse. For his facade of strength went crumbling when he was presented with this temptation. The devil didn’t come dressed in horns, he came in disguise as the one thing he wanted the most. A woman.

Once his eyes were open, alerted by a knock on the side door, he rose up and clenched his fist around his necklace. [color=EFD6AA]“Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned,”[/color] he recalled two nights ago and felt guilty of how weak a man he was. He placed the rosary on the altar and unhurriedly found his way to the side door. Since there was no service tonight, he had no need to wear his cassock. So instead, he wore his black clerical shirt with a tab collar inserted, black pants, and a black belt and dress shoes to match.

When he opened the door, he smiled at the unexpected (yet sort of expected) sight and teased his guest, [color=EFD6AA]“This might be a new record for you. It feels like only yesterday you were here, knocking on my door, just like this.”[/color] He didn’t expect she’d come back for more so soon. They usually kept things discrete, spaced out, for obvious reasons. Glancing at the clock on the ceiling, making sure they would be left alone for at least an hour, he returned his kind gaze to the woman that stood before him and soothingly added, [color=EFD6AA]“It must be urgent. Please come in.”[/color]      

In response, Tiffannie shot Father Connery a blinding smile and skipped right inside, waiting until he closed the door behind them before standing up on the tips of her toes to briefly press her lips against his.

[color=EA60A5]"You look nice,"[/color] she complimented as she stood in front of the taller man, crossing her arms in front of her and letting her blue eyes run up and down the chiseled frame she knew was hiding underneath all the layers of clothing he currently wore. [color=EA60A5]"[i]Love[/i] that monochromatic look. Very… Clean and polished. I [i]personally[/i] prefer you with nothing on, but this is okay too, I guess…"[/color] the blonde teased with a small shrug, shooting Father Connery a playful wink while biting her lower lip.

His mother used to tell him that opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. No matter how much he looked temptation right in the eyes, he simply could not defeat it. He was tested in the presence of Tiffannie and lost all self control. Something that was so wrong, felt completely right and he didn’t want to let it go. 

Rather than speak immediately, he let the sweetness of passion talk instead. Pulling her in, crushing her tight within his grasp, letting his love transcend the great works of the composers he listens to in his chambers, he gave into his primal instincts. Aiming to leave her breathless, he fervently brushed his rougher mouth with her tender lips until they were challenging each other in a lovers’ dance. Who could be more intense, more in charge, than the other? The moment was fast-paced, [i]heated[/i], and in front of the eyes of the Lord. 

Only she could bring out such a savage. His grip loosened a bit, as his large hand trailed up her back and through her hair. When he could hear her gasping for air, he pulled back, but did not release her. With lustful admiration in his gaze, he slyly grinned, [color=EFD6AA]“That could be arranged if you lead the way.”[/color] He brought a handful of her hair close to him, taking in her scent and cherishing the sight of his Sin. With hunger and desperation, he expressed, [color=EFD6AA]“Oh how I’ve missed you.”[/color][hr]
After spending thirty minutes worshipping each other’s temples, Tiffannie laid resting on her darling Joe’s chest, nestled contently between his burly arms while he absentmindedly played with her hair. When she had first met Father Connery during her first service at Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows four weeks previously, the LA native had no intentions of getting involved with a man of faith. Sure: Tiff wasn’t shy of entangling herself with taken or married men who were often a few years her senior (her impressive track record proved as much), and the holy father was ticking all the right boxes for her. He was handsome, intelligent, charming, and the way he spoke so passionately during his sermons made her daydream of what his husky voice would sound like hissing sweet or nasty nothings into her ear. But as tempting as the challenge behind the pulpit was, even a girl as adventurous as Peach knew where to draw the line.

And yet…

It had been the priest himself who made the first move, and the not-so-holy father who was guilty of pushing the boundaries during every consecutive visit since then. What had started out with some harmless conversation and a little flirting escalated into a few rounds of passionate kisses and teasing caresses, which escalated into more heated exchanges behind closed doors, and had quickly climaxed into them completely giving themselves up to the forbidden fruit of their sin: their clothes strewn all over the floor and holding each other close just like this once everything else was said and done.

[color=EA60A5]“I [i]really[/i] wish we could do this every night,”[/color] Tiffannie whined, looking up at Father Connery with her big, sparkling doe eyes. [color=EA60A5]“I [i]hate[/i] having to be away from you like this.”[/color]

[color=EFD6AA]“I know, my dove.”[/color] Father Connery was a guilty man and his crime was being enraptured by a woman he may never have all to himself. Still, he would cherish the embraces she gave him and relish this fleeting dream. One day, he would gain the strength to let her go. That day wasn’t today. 

As selfish as this was, he couldn’t bear the idea of her not returning into his arms. He knew she had other lovers. She tells him everything in confession. He wasn’t naive and knew his place. He knew her flaws, weaknesses, and insecurities, and yet, he chose to be a selfish man. Against all odds, he chose to give into his wants and needs. 

If he was her consistent rock, that waited for her return, perhaps she would realize that all she needed was him. Was that hopeful thinking? That a man of God could get away with spreading the word, while always having his Eve at his side? Absolutely. Breaking old traditions usually came with a price. Nonetheless, while they were in the shadows, he believed they could get away with anything. Her body was his sanctuary and he refused to let go. No. The day he let go would be the day she deliberately wanted him to. Until then, he would feed his greed and make her his. [color=EFD6AA]“Are you feeling better? You looked… distressed earlier.”[/color] As she looked up at him, gleaming, he delicately kissed her forehead. 

He was a fool. 

A fool for love. 

Although Tiffannie let out a deep sigh,  she ultimately nodded. [color=EA60A5]"I'm okay. It's just… I had a fight with Danny earlier. He glared and growled at me and left the house before I even had a chance to try and figure out what I said or did wrong…"[/color] she admitted sadly, her beautiful features settling back into a crestfallen expression. [color=EA60A5]"I love Danny. He's like a big brother to me. I don't want him to be mad at me. I don't like it when people are mad at me."[/color]

[color=EFD6AA]“From what I know about his family, especially his father—“[/color] Joseph laid there, continuously entangling his fingers with her hair, staring at the ceiling, and speaking with certainty, [color=EFD6AA]“—a Belmonte goes out of their way for others, but when it comes to themselves they’re blindsided. I’m sure Danilo will come around. I’ve never considered him a malicious type. I doubt he would intentionally hurt you, or anyone for that matter. Give it time, Little Dove.”[/color]
 
[color=EA60A5]"I know... I'm just worried that it was all my fault because I pushed him too hard,"[/color] she continued, her lower lip at the verge of starting to tremble again. [color=EA60A5]"All I was doing was just playing around like I always do asking him about who he was going out with, and he's never acted like this with me before. I [i]really[/i] didn't mean to make him upset…"[/color] she repeated, tears starting to pool up in her blue eyes once more.

Lifting her head to look up at him, he whispered, [color=EFD6AA]“Shhhh.”[/color] Once he gave her a heartfelt kiss, he assuringly smiled, [color=EFD6AA]“Do not carry the blame when you’ve done nothing wrong. Some things cannot be resolved over night.”[/color] 

Affectionately squeezing her, he continued to coo, [color=EFD6AA]“I’m one of the few people that know what your family is going through. Be patient with him. I doubt it’s easy… knowing God wants to take his mother home. And who knows? Perhaps, whoever he is dating, and this is only a hunch, he isn’t sure his family would approve. Have you thought about that?”[/color]

[color=EA60A5]"But Uncle Taz and Auntie Silvia wouldn't care if Danny dated a Southie [i]or[/i] someone from a different race!"[/color] the blonde was quick to interject loudly, her eyebrows pulling together into a frown. [color=EA60A5]"They're not bigots! Plus, Danny's [i]definitely[/i] their favorite child. Unless he's, like, hurting people that don't deserve it, I doubt there's anything he can do wrong in their eyes."[/color] And she was sure her Belmonte cousins would agree with her statement as well.

[color=EFD6AA]“I suppose you’ll have to find out what he’s hiding, huh?”[/color] Father Connery teased, as he shifted their position where her body was completely laying on him. Playfully, he grabbed her hair and pulled her lips to his, nipping at it. [color=EFD6AA]“I know what can get your mind off your troubles.”[/color]  

The perky blonde raised a playful eyebrow. [color=EA60A5]“Really? And what’s that?”[/color] Tiffannie asked the father with a girlish giggle and a knowing smirk. 

[color=EFD6AA]“Me.”[/color][hr]
[center][color=EA60A5][i][sub]Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive through thy bounty.
Through Christ, our Lord.
[b]Amen.[/b][/sub][/i][/color][/center]
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