In the back of the Limo, Liliana sat on the opposite side of Frantz. She played with her fingers awkwardly, feeling hot from head to toe, while Frantz leaned against his arm on the car door, and looked out the window, but not failing to send side glances at Liliana every once in a while.
The silence in the back of the limo was only filled by the humming sound of the tires on the road, which was somewhat comforting to the couple, especially when their minds were in very similar places. Liliana felt her sweaty fingers didn't help ease her mind when it came to Frantz, and her curious eyes kept flashing to the one area in his pants, though she wasn't sure why she was suddenly so interested in his male anatomy.
Frantz on the other hand, felt Liliana's curious gaze in his body, and it did not help his pain. The straining of his private against his jeans was very uncomfortable, and he began to pray silently, that they'd reach the church soon.
When Armagio pulled up to the church, the relief that washed over the tense couple could be felt. Frantz didn't even wait for Armagio to open the door, he opened it himself, then lent a hand to Lili just to help her step out. The moment she was steady on her feet, they released their hands simultaneously.
Frantz cleared his throat again then said, "right, after you Ms. Chavez." And with a nod, Liliana passed Frantz and began walking towards the cathedral. Frantz's curious eyes chanced a look at her swaying hips in the blue dress, and he almost feared being hit by lightning due to his sinful thoughts. Shaking his head, Frantz followed after Liliana. When they entered, Liliana turned to him and said, "I just need to take a moment to myself." And in response Frantz said, "I'm going to head to the confessional. Just let me know whenever you're ready to go."
With a nod, Liliana and Frantz separated. Lili found a secluded area near a window and decided to take a seat there. She allowed the silence of the environment to fill her mind and bring peace to the daunting memories that tormented her mind. Before she realized it, tears began streaming down her face, as her lips began to mutter a silent prayer. First she thanked the Lord for another day, then she asked, for forgiveness, then she began retracing the events of her assault at the hands of Carlos. She cried and asked, for help, in hope she would not lose herself to self-hate and a heavy darkness, and when she was done with that, she took a moment for silent meditation, hoping that while her tears flowed, she would be free of the anxiety which now held her soul captive.
Across the church, Frantz carefully entered the confessional. Though he wasn't the most religious of men, his mother taught him well enough to know when to seek guidance, and right now he needed guidance.
"Forgive me father for I have sinned," He began, and after hearing a prompt from the other side, Frantz sighed and plainly stated, "I find myself lusting after a woman who has been a victim of sexual assault. I have pursued her for months and have finally gotten the chance to take her home with me. I know that she is not yet ready to be with me, but I often find it hard to stop myself from taking the next step. A part of me initially wanted nothing more than to have her for one night, but now, it seems I am hoping to wake up to her smiling face every day. I feel the need for both a physical and an intimate relationship with her, but the more time I wait, the harder it gets for me to stay away, or keep my hands off her body."
"I see, and is this woman aware of your thoughts and wants?"
"She believes that I only want her for one night, but the truth father, I want her for more than that." Frantz admitted.
"Then you are aware that you are on a road that will demand patience and resistance my son?"
"Yes." Frantz confirmed with his head lowered while he nodded.
"Well then go my son, and sin no more." The priest concluded, and with another nod, Frantz exited the confessional, feeling somewhat better, but not entirely sure of how he would survive the next few days with Liliana.
Back to where Lili sat, eventually her tears had run dry, and she now found herself praying for strength, because while she initially hoped she would remain a virgin until her wedding night, she felt that every time her eyes landed on Frantz, she forgot about her wedding night, and wanted nothing more to be with him physically right then and there. She asked, for resistance, and prayed for forgiveness in advance for any mistake she might just make along the way. Then she finished her prayer with another thanks, then an Amen.
Lili and Frantz met up at the doors, then they exited the church together.
Armagio opened the car door, and both individuals slipped in quietly. Armagio closed the door with a smile on his face, and when he climbed into the driver's seat, he made sure that the privacy window was rolled all the way up.
As the car drove on the highway, Liliana once again began to play with her fingers, and Frantz was leaning against his hand once again, his index finger tapping his lips. Liliana looked over at Frantz's fingers, and imagine his hand running up her leg, over her knee, under skirt, and higher, and higher...
"Did you say something?" Frantz asked, and Liliana blinked back to reality, her face flushing as she shook her head, not trusting her voice.
"Did you want anything before we head back home?" Frantz offered, hoping to create conversation.
"Actually yeah," Liliana replied, when something came to mind, then she added "Can we stop for ice cream?"
"Ice cream?" Frantz asked, and Liliana nodded eagerly, "yeah, definitely." Frantz replied, then he signaled Armagio to pull up to the nearest ice cream parlor.
The couple fell back into a tense silence. Liliana felt her temptation whispering in her ear to pull off a very risky move, which included straddling Frantz and letting him have his way with her, but she mentally shook her head in defiance. Frantz on the other hand was trying to not reminisce on the last time they were in the back of a limo together, where his hand had ridden up her skirt and over her warm skin. Oh how his finger tingled to feel her skin again.
Frantz shook his head, clearing his throat, and trying to think about something, anything, other than Liliana, and the fact that he was going to need a very cold shower when he got home. Frantz tried to remember what the priest said, a road of patience and resistance. Patience and Resistance Frantz muttered to himself.
"What was that?" Liliana asked, and Frantz shook his head saying "nothing, just thinking out loud."
"Oh..." Liliana said, but added nothing more.
When Armagio stopped at the ice cream parlor, it felt like a blessing. Once again Frantz opened the door himself, then helped Liliana out. He also opened the shop's door for her, and with a shy "thank you" and rosy cheeks, Liliana entered the shop. The sweet scent of ice cream and cookies and waffle cones filled Lili's nostrils, and her smiled widened as her mouth began to water at the thought of the delicacy she would soon enjoy.
Liliana walked with a pep in her step towards the counter, where a very nice looking gentleman with light blue eyes and short blond hair greeted her with a "good afternoon, what can I get you today beautiful?"
Liliana giggled and rolled her eyes as she said, "let me get a large waffle bowl, a scoop of strawberry, vanilla, rum raisin, pistachio, pecan, and um a scoop of coconut." Liliana spelled out, catching both Frantz and the employee by surprise, then she turned to Frantz and asked, "did you want anything?"
"A small waffle bowl with three scoops of strawberry." Frantz spoke as if uninterested, but his eyes were staring dead at the employee, who shamelessly winked at Liliana as he prepared her ice cream bowl.
When the employee brought their treats up to the counter, Liliana turned to Frantz and asked, "wait, did Armagio want anything?"
"No." Frantz denied, wanting to get Liliana away from the smiling blond, but Liliana simply rolled her eyes and asked, "can I get another small waffle bowl with three scoops of strawberry please?"
"Anything for you sweet cheeks." The man flirted, and Liliana shook her head, while Frantz felt himself of seconds away from jumping across the counter and stuffing the man's head into a tub of ice cream. When the ice cream was ready, Frantz paid for the treats silently, then led Liliana out of the parlor before the blond could say anything else.
Liliana handed Armagio his ice cream, who seemed pleasantly surprised, then she entered the vehicle, followed by Frantz.
Liliana didn't wait for the car to start moving, she dug into her ice cream and hummed in pleasure when the cold treat landed against her tongue. She had almost forgotten where she was, and when she opened her eyes, Frantz was staring her way intensively.
Liliana gulped, and looked away from his intense gaze, but when she couldn't bare it anymore, she asked, "What?"
"Nothing." Frantz replied, but Liliana could tell that something was up, but she wasn't going to pry. Liliana prepared to shove another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, when Frantz suddenly sat up, and grabbed her face, bringing her lips against his. Liliana didn't have a chance to respond, but instead gasped when Frantz's hand landed around her neck again. He didn't squeeze but the message of dominance was there.
Frantz kissed her until Lili felt as though she was running out of air, then when he was satisfied with the kiss and her response, he pulled away suddenly, and sat back in his seat coolly, then he began eating his ice strawberry cream as if everything was well and dandy, while he left Liliana speechless and breathless.