Tempting the devil

“This is much nicer than the parties we just came from, Mr. Patterson.” Katie takes another small bite of the nut-filled pastry. “And these nut rolls are amazing.”

“Everything is, Mr. Patterson.” Gabby chimes in as she takes a careful sip of punch. “Finally. a punch that isn't spiked. I didn't dare drink even a sip of those concoctions at the frat parties.” Katie gets herself a cup before coming back into the living room where you settled down.

“All those boys were so drunk, Sir.” There is a hint of an accent in her voice that I cannot place but she has my undivided attention as she relates their harrowing experience. “They wouldn't stop touching us, and the things they kept saying were gross.” I feel an irrational burst of anger at myself. I've never liked the Greek system and to let these three naïve coeds venture into one of their parties was almost criminal. A closer look at Katie made it pretty clear why those three 'angels' were such a big hit with the fraternity boys. Her sweet face still had a little bit of baby fat on it and combined with her curvy figure and that evocative angel costume has even an old man like me getting ideas.

I decide that commenting on how sexy the three girls were would be counterproductive; instead, I switch back to some gentle teasing.

“Aren't you afraid to be here with a wicked demon?” I ask with a hint of a grin.

“You're not as wicked as you pretend to be Mr. Patterson.” Gabby retorts, “Alison told us that you're letting her stay rent free until Outback opens again.” I very much doubt that their friend is giving them the whole story on that particular matter. If they knew I was extorting sex in exchange for the money, they wouldn't be this relaxed.

“Don't be so sure ... I'm offering you delicious treats and who knows what other kinds of sinful temptations.” Katie's looks guiltily at the remaining bit of cookie in her hand, but Gabby just laughs at me and folds her hands together as if in prayer.

“We are protected by our faith in the one true and all-powerful God.” Her smile has a hint of worldliness that makes me suspect she isn't as sheltered or innocent as her friend. “Perhaps you are the one who might be tempted by our pure angelic presence?” I can't help but snort at that and Gabby licks her lips and bends over my armchair, so her face is just inches from mine. “You know, three beautiful innocents to defile and corrupt; but you can't because we are shielded from your influence by the highest power.” I am caught a little by surprise by this unexpected turn that this idea of mine has taken, but I play along as best I can.

“Wow, I could be in big trouble.” Her head cocks slightly and her eyebrows lift as she smiles sweetly and beckons Katie to come join in her teasing.

“It's a good thing that you demons have lots of experience with Satan's realm, because it must be Hell for you to see two sweet young angels this close. Pure, innocent and virginal angels that you'd love to corrupt and defile but because of our unfaltering faith we are still completely out of your reach.” Katie joins in on the other side of the chair leaning over me too, so her curly waves of chestnut hair tickle my cheeks and her full breasts press against my arm. Her slightly accented whisper is no less enticing than Gabby's teasing sass.

“Paster Wilson says that if we remain chaste, devout and in all other ways free of sin that the Devil can have no power over us.” The temptation of these two college students is starting to have an effect, and I wish I had more clothes on. “At the Kappa party, two of the guys tried to take my halo. They were saying how they'd pluck our feathers so we wouldn't be able to fly back to Heaven. Is that what you'd do to us ... pluck our wings and steal our halos?”

I can only think that these two coeds feel confident teasing me because I was older than their dads. Compared to drunk frat boys, I am clearly a safer choice, but if they don't watch out, they'll find out that even old men can behave badly when faced with this kind of provocation.

“Hey!” Alison's exclamation saves me. “What are you two doing to poor Mr. P?” Her arrival with a tray of coffee could not have come at a better time.