Page 17 of Daring to Love You
“Do what you gotta do, man,” Lynix said before the guy eased back into traffic.
That left Lynix with Dorian. He glanced at her and turned off his body cam. She didn’t say anything as he approached, but her leery eyes watched him as she fiddled with the purse strap in her hands. Surely, she wasn’t nervous to be left with him, but it sure looked that way.
As he shortened the distance between them, a light breeze carried her incredible fragrance—vanilla and sandalwood—to his nose, and he almost groaned. Damn, she smelled good, and she looked even better. The dark-pink blouse that highlighted her perky breasts, and jeans that hugged her perfect curves, made him want to strip her bare and love on her naked body.
One day she’d be his, and he’d show her in more ways than one how a real man treated a woman.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
She swallowed hard, then nodded.
“All right, then. Come on, let’s get you home.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her to his police cruiser. He opened the passenger door of the SUV and nodded for her to climb in.
“I don’t have to sit in the back?” she asked, her voice quiet with a slight tremor.
“Not this time. Get in.”
He had the discretion on when or if he allowed anyone to sit in the front seat. She wasn’t in trouble or under arrest. Besides, there was no way he’d do that to a woman he was interested in, especially Dorian.
Once she was settled into the vehicle, Lynix took his time strolling around to the driver’s side. There were things he wanted to say to her, like—Why the heck did you go out with that guy instead of me?However, that would just make him sound like a jealous prick, and he was neither.
He let dispatch know he was taking a short break, and then he turned down the volume of his police radio. For the first few minutes, he and Dorian rode in silence with her gaze steady on the passenger window. He felt like he should say something, but he honestly didn’t know what to say.
Rarely was he ever at a loss for words. However, right now, he was stumped. Sure, there were things he wanted to say or ask,but it just didn’t seem like the right time. His brain told him to keep his mouth shut despite his heart telling him to tell her how he felt about her going out with others.
He cared, and Lynix believed she was the one for him. But how was he going to show her that if she wouldn’t give him a chance? This whole trying to get into a relationship thing was foreign to him. He didn’t normally do relationships. For so long, he didn’t trust women enough to put his heart on the line, but he wanted to do that with Dorian.
Just be patient, and the opportunity will present itself,he thought. His gut told him to wait for her to make the next move, despite how long it might take. One thing he had learned years ago after joining the police force was to trust his gut, and it never steered him wrong.
Dorian grumbled under her breath, and Lynix looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, but can you take me to the B&B instead of my house? I left my car there.”
“Sure.” They weren’t too far from the bed and breakfast, and he exited the highway. “Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked again, knowing she was probably tired of him asking.
She sighed loudly and stared down at her lap before she cast him a quick glance. “I feel so stupid.”
“Why?” Lynix asked, his tone gruffer than intended, and he gripped the steering wheel tighter, fearing what she was about to say. “Did that bastard do something to you?”
“No. He was somewhat of a jerk driving like an idiot the way he was, and his attitude during the date was hit or miss. Still, I don’t think he’s a bad guy. I just feel like an idiot for agreeing to go out with him. I’m not sure if Zion has ever told you, but over the years, my mother insists on playing matchmaker for us. Now that Zion and Nyla are off her radar, she’s set her sights on getting me married so she can have more grandkids.”
Lynix kept his mouth shut while she told him about the role her mother played in this past date and others. All he could think was, if Dorian would give him a shot, she wouldn’t have to put up with any of that. He knew she was attracted to him because there was no way she’d kiss him the way she had if she wasn’t. Yet, she wouldn’t allow herself anything more with him.
His past whoring ways and being Zion’s best friend wasn’t doing him any favors. Even though Lynix had changed his ways and hadn’t been out with a woman in months, Dorian still believed he was that same guy.
What the hell was it going to take? He was a patient man, but her rejection was something he wasn’t used to. He needed her to take him seriously that he really had changed. Maybe he needed to switch up his approach and think outside the box to get her attention.
“I’m tired of my mother butting into my love life, and I know she means well, but I’ve had enough. I think I’m going to take a step back from dating for a while.”
“What good is that going to do?” he asked, seriously wanting to know.
“I’m tired of going out with this guy and that guy, trying to get to know them. Dating has always been hard for me, but it’s harder now. I know what I want, but I’m just not finding it.”
“What do you want in a man?” he asked, genuinely curious though he believed he was the man for her.
She groaned and shook her head. “I can’t believe I said as much as I have. I’m going to shut up now,” she mumbled.
“Oh no you don’t. You can’t leave me hanging. Tell me what type of man you’re looking for.”
