I’m stunned into silence. Surely, this is some kind of sick joke because Elder Jessop would never suggest something so crass! Then again, I’m the girl who was watching cacti porn, so maybe it’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Still though. I must be getting punked.
“Are you serious?” I manage in a reedy voice.
Elder Jessop raises his black brows.
“Very serious, sweetheart. It’s an apt punishment, wouldn’t you say? You were engaging in carnal activity while on church premises, and now, the church will take its due using a similar avenue.”
I gape again, my throat going dry. Yet my panties are getting more moist by the second, and my breasts are heavy and achy at once. OMG, am I turned on by this suggestion?
“So sweetheart, what do you think?”
“Not a chance!” I immediately sputter. “I’ve never heard of this challenge before. It’s wrong and besides, I’ve taken a promise vow.”
Elder Jessop shrugs.
“Most women don’t have intact hymens anymore just from working out and other vigorous activity. But if you like, we could modify the challenge so that it’s your bottom that’s put to the test. Only if you want,” he clarifies. “To put you at ease, of course.”
By this time, I feel like my heart’s about to pound right out of my chest. Is he serious? He wants me to sit on a series of dildos of increasingly larger size with my anus? Holy shit, this is dirty.
Yet I’m turned on too, and my bottom clenches involuntarily, making me blush. Elder Jessop senses the tension and grins.
“You like the idea, don’t you?”
“No, I don’t!” I protest immediately. “I would never do that!”
He shrugs.
“Then I’ll have to tell the other church elders, not to mention the congregation about what you did. You’ll obviously be fired,” he says. “Probably within twenty-four hours.”
“It’s your word against mine,” I whisper.
Elder Jessop shrugs.
“Not really. The church tracks every website that our computers hit. Your desktop included,” he adds. “It’s standard protocol for most employers so they’ll see that you were watching depraved videos while on the job.”
With that, I go limp because I know it’s true and I know that I’m out of luck too. Even though I cleaned my browser history first thing this morning, I know that somewhere on some random server is the evidence of my naughtiness. The Church wouldn’t look without reason, but now Elder Jessop’s given them a reason to look.
What are my choices? I don’t seem to have any because without my salary from Sanctuary, I can’t survive. I’ve always lived on a shoestring, and so I have no rainy day fund. I wouldn’t be able to make rent, much less pay for food and electricity.
“It’s up to you, Renee,” Bridge continues easily. “If you agree to my punishment, your secret will be safe, and your relationship with the Lord will be purified. I don’t want to upset you, but as always, actions have consequences.”
I stare at him and take a deep breath. I want to protest more, but at the same time, I know it’s futile. This man is ruthless, domineering, and he’s exerting his power over me to the fullest extent. Even worse, the heat between my thighs tells me that in some shameful way, I want it. How can that be? But it’s true, and I suppose the cactus video is what unearthed my secret desires.
“Okay,” I say tightly after a long pause. “I’ll do it, but only in my pussy, and not in my ass. But when is the challenge going to take place? Should I wear something special?”
Bridge shrugs.
“No, because you’ll be nude while taking the dildos, of course, so there’s no special attire. But you’re in luck, honey. I’m free now and we can do the challenge right now if you’re so inclined. Are you up for it, pretty girl?”
I stare at the handsome man once more, my cheeks flushing.
“Now?” I manage in a weak voice.
“Now,” Bridge rumbles, those blue eyes gleaming. “So what do you say?”
I take a deep breath because do I really have a choice? I suppose I could try and delay things for a little while, but I don’t think Elder Jessop would settle for anything longer than a week. Better sooner than later, I suppose. With that, I nod tightly.
“I’ll do it now,” I say in a steady voice. “When do we begin?”