As an assistant pastor at Simply Grace Church, it’s my duty to abstain from the appearance of evil—which includes keeping my sexual orientation to myself, same as I’ve done with my close-knit family.
Yet I knew I was different when at age fourteen, I woke from a dream with the evidence of my desire for him.
Aiden McNelis, my older brother’s best friend.
But he left for the west coast after graduation, and I chose God.
Almost sixteen years later, Aiden’s return catches me unaware, but even more surprising is how he’s changed. He looks at me with more than friendship in his eyes, studies me like he wants to strip me down body and soul.
Aiden’s curiosity closely mirrors mine, challenging my spirituality with unholy temptation.
But giving into my sinful nature, touching the forbidden, won’t just tear apart the life I’ve built for myself.
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of hot romance books. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
As an overseas missionary who leads lost souls toward salvation, it’s imperative I live a godly existence, even in the midst of life-shattering grief.
Returning to the States brings about a trial worse than the loss of love, and I’m faced with desire for someone forbidden to me by my church and the word of God.
Aaron Weston.
My best friend’s son who is no longer a gangly teen. He makes me want things no newly widowed man should.
His presence fills the emptiness in my life, but my sinful nature longs for more. Every inch of him—in my heart, in my body, making me feel whole again.
Giving into the hunger of the flesh will take us down a path of immorality, one that goes against my strive for holiness.
I lost my wife from focusing on promised riches in glory.
And if I make the same mistake, I fear responsibility for the ruination of another soul.
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of hot romance books. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
As a Christian counselor, I strive for integrity in helping guide others in God’s will for their lives.
Until a young man walks into my office for premarital counseling—the stranger who ensnared my soul eight months earlier with his bewitching green eyes.
Levi Townson.
The one whose addictive, luscious mouth I can’t cleanse from my memory.
My hunger for another taste of him should assure me of my need for a savior, not shepherd me down the rabbit hole toward depravity.
Levi’s yearnings mirror mine, the kind that dominates my will. Incinerates and leaves me powerless against my sinful nature.
But if we fall from grace, neither of us will escape unscathed.
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of hot romance books. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
As a newly appointed youth pastor, I blindly walk by faith, stumbling without the promised light down God’s chosen path.
Until a young man resurrects the sinful nature I’ve rejected in my strive for purity.
Isaac Van Dusen, my pastor’s son.
He’s troubled. Rebellious. Off limits to my lonely heart, yet gives me breath when I feel I’m drowning and in need of a savior.
Isaac’s hunger for sin rivals mine, the kind that consumes.
Burns like fire and brimstone.
I’m determined to stay in a constant state of prayer, begging for delivery from temptation—all while dreaming of being on my knees for entirely different reasons.
I want to submit to the unholy craving between us and worship the young man entrusted to my spiritual care.
But acting on the lusts of the flesh ensures our fall from grace, and I can’t allow him to be the second one to pay the price for my sins.
“Isaac!” Pastor Bram hollered up the stairs, his booming voice bringing my thoughts back from the path leading to darkness.
Footsteps sounded from the second floor, heavier as they approached the landing above us.
“Gird your loins,” Pastor Bram quietly stated, his own face frowning with trouble. “I warned him to behave, but he’s been his usual moody self since getting home from school. Perhaps it’s best if I leave you to it.”
I nodded, trusting his judgement.
Pastor Bram clasped my shoulder and moved toward the kitchen behind me, and I put on a casual, unintimidating smile.
Seventeen-year-old Isaac, the troubled senior in high school.
The pastor’s son who wore old black Vans and jeans with enough holes to act as an air conditioner.
He’d inherited his mother’s dark hair, I noted as he descended the stairs farther. His smooth jawline and pouty lips in profile made my groin tighten.
Lord, help me…
My lungs stalled out, smile fading as Isaac reached the first floor and turned to greet me.
Our gazes met and held—and I froze, unable to tear my focus off the depths of his hazel eyes similar to his dad’s. Except these were pained and filled with wisdom for one so young.
He had the same pale, smooth skin of his Korean mother.
Stunningly beautiful.
A temptation to my baser instincts, the lure of sin I fought on a daily basis.
“So you’re my dad’s answer to prayer.” He stuck out his hand, continuing to hold my stare. The huskiness in his voice, his sarcastic tone attempted to bring life to my neglected dick.
“I’m just a man like any other,” I managed to choke out while clasping his hand. Fire raced across my palm and up my arm—ten times more attraction than any I’d felt for anyone in my twenty-six years.
Isaac took a quick glance down over my body before returning my steady gaze. “Just a man, my ass.” His quiet murmur barely reached my ears, but his eyes stated a hell of a lot more—and heated me clear through to the marrow.
I yanked my hand away from his as though he’d scorched my flesh, bone-deep.
God, what trouble have you brought me into?
His unlit path hadn’t guided me to a new beginning, a home of hope like I’d asked Him for.
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of hot romance books. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
As a newly appointed youth pastor, I blindly walk by faith, stumbling without the promised light down God’s chosen path.
Until a young man resurrects the sinful nature I’ve rejected in my strive for purity.
Isaac Van Dusen, my pastor’s son.
He’s troubled. Rebellious. Off limits to my lonely heart, yet gives me breath when I feel I’m drowning and in need of a savior.
Isaac’s hunger for sin rivals mine, the kind that consumes.
Burns like fire and brimstone.
I’m determined to stay in a constant state of prayer, begging for delivery from temptation—all while dreaming of being on my knees for entirely different reasons.
I want to submit to the unholy craving between us and worship the young man entrusted to my spiritual care.
But acting on the lusts of the flesh ensures our fall from grace, and I can’t allow him to be the second one to pay the price for my sins.
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of hot romance books. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
As a newly appointed youth pastor, I blindly walk by faith, stumbling without the promised light down God’s chosen path.
Until a young man resurrects the sinful nature I’ve rejected in my strive for purity.
Isaac Van Dusen, my pastor’s son.
He’s troubled. Rebellious. Off limits to my lonely heart, yet gives me breath when I feel I’m drowning and in need of a savior.
Isaac’s hunger for sin rivals mine, the kind that consumes.
Burns like fire and brimstone.
I’m determined to stay in a constant state of prayer, begging for delivery from temptation—all while dreaming of being on my knees for entirely different reasons.
I want to submit to the unholy craving between us and worship the young man entrusted to my spiritual care.
But acting on the lusts of the flesh ensures our fall from grace, and I can’t allow him to be the second one to pay the price for my sins.
“Isaac!” Pastor Bram hollered up the stairs, his booming voice bringing my thoughts back from the path leading to darkness. Footsteps sounded from the second floor, heavier as they approached the landing above us. “Gird your loins,” Pastor Bram quietly stated, his own face frowning with trouble. “I warned him to behave, but he’s been his usual moody self since getting home from school. Perhaps it’s best if I leave you to it.” I nodded, trusting his judgement. Pastor Bram clasped my shoulder and moved toward the kitchen behind me, and I put on a casual, unintimidating smile. Seventeen-year-old Isaac, the troubled senior in high school. The pastor’s son who wore old black Vans and jeans with enough holes to act as an air conditioner. He’d inherited his mother’s dark hair, I noted as he descended the stairs farther. His smooth jawline and pouty lips in profile made my groin tighten. Lord, help me… My lungs stalled out, smile fading as Isaac reached the first floor and turned to greet me. Our gazes met and held—and I froze, unable to tear my focus off the depths of his hazel eyes similar to his dad’s. Except these were pained and filled with wisdom for one so young. He had the same pale, smooth skin of his Korean mother. Stunningly beautiful. A temptation to my baser instincts, the lure of sin I fought on a daily basis. “So you’re my dad’s answer to prayer.” He stuck out his hand, continuing to hold my stare. The huskiness in his voice, his sarcastic tone attempted to bring life to my neglected dick. “I’m just a man like any other,” I managed to choke out while clasping his hand. Fire raced across my palm and up my arm—ten times more attraction than any I’d felt for anyone in my twenty-six years. Isaac took a quick glance down over my body before returning my steady gaze. “Just a man, my ass.” His quiet murmur barely reached my ears, but his eyes stated a hell of a lot more—and heated me clear through to the marrow. I yanked my hand away from his as though he’d scorched my flesh, bone-deep. God, what trouble have you brought me into? His unlit path hadn’t guided me to a new beginning, a home of hope like I’d asked Him for. He had led me straight into temptation. I prayed He would deliver me from evil.
AUTHOR BIO
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of hot romance books. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
