pure, brown skin bride | Suds 3

pure, Suds 3 | Episode 12

{Last time on Suds, the sweetest kiss blurred lines, smudging Terrance and Lique out of the friendship zone, and I just have to say—FINALLY!!

But is anyone else bothered by the fact that Terrance is still engaged to Princess Nette? Let's see where this goes.

I've got the soap. Ready, Set... Suds!!}

~

How could he hold her like she was precious? Like everything LIQUE would never be again. Her smile wilted and her gaze retreated, falling to his chest.

Terrence hugged her, cloaking her in his strong arms as they swayed to the sultry love song.

Inhaling his soapy scent, she bit her lip. How could she let him kiss her? Tears welled in her eyes.

Why was she letting him hold her? Her eyes slammed shut, struggling against the current of hate she harbored for herself.

How could she want to kiss him again? Calling back tears, she braced herself. After their dance, she would let him go.

The song ended and he held her hand like she was valuable, guiding her through the crowd to the bar.

Her heart drowned, yet she twined her fingers between his, and he rewarded her with an adoring smile.

How could he adore her?
Shame cowered her eyes to the floor, where she searched for the strength to let him go.

Then his fingers lifted her chin and his lips meshed with hers again.
Loving.
Promising.
Flooding with hope.
She wanted to believe, but she was ruined. And he deserved better.

Lique ended the kiss, dropping her gaze as she gulped down the burning desire to be with him.

Art handed him her jacket.
Terrance helped her put it on, then lifted her chin, bringing her eyes back to his. "Let's go home."

No, she thought.
"Okay," she said.

~

Worry weighed her smile down, and TERRANCE pretended not to notice she was on the brink of running.

If he asked her what was wrong, she would pick a fight and run away. When she came back, they would just be friends again.

This time, he wouldn't let her run. He'd hold onto her tight and pull her out of the swirling vortex that threatened to keep her away from him.

They stepped out of the dinner club and into the summer night. Lique let go of his hand and hugged herself in the oversized jacket.

Headlights, streetlights, and traffic lights woke the night crowd. Happy clusters of people dined al fresco while others filed into bars, and still more hopped in and out of cars.

"I'm gonna go home instead."
"Why?"
"Because." She combed her fingers through her hair, turning her attention to the cars driving down the busy street.

"We just—" A smile sparkled in her eyes, flooded her cheeks, and eased away like it never appeared.

"Kissed," Terrance finished.
Lique pursed her lips. "But we—"

He caressed her cheek, capturing her attention as his thumb traced her jawline. "We what?"

Flustered, she blinked through her thoughts. "It was just—"

Terrance closed the gap and molded his lips between hers, suckling her lips gently and releasing them slowly.

"Just a kiss?" he asked between kisses, pulling her deeper into their undefined space.