Page 34 of Daring to Love You
“But I’m wiser and less of a hot head these days,” Zion said as if Lynix hadn’t spoken. “However, don’t get it twisted. If you say the wrong thing while we’re talking, I’m going to knock your ass out.”
Lynix couldn’t help it. He threw his head back and laughed. Not that he didn’t think Zion wouldn’t try to do it, but it was funny as hell that he thought he could. Lynix had him in size and fighting experience. You didn’t grow up with three older brothers, who like to push you around, without learning how to fight.
So yeah, he had no doubt he could take on his friend, but Zion wouldn’t go down easy, especially if he was fighting because of one of his sisters.
“Your fists won’t be necessary. I’m crazy about Dorian. I wouldneverhurt her.”
Zion sighed loudly. “I know.”
“You know?” Now Lynix was the one surprised.
“You weren’t fooling anyone when you used to joke about her beingthe future Mrs. Mathews.Or when you’d say stupid shit like,be sure to bring your beautiful sister to the party. OrI’m in love with your sister. Or my least favorite—Are you ready to accept that I’m going to marry her one day?”
Lynix was laughing so hard at the way his friend imitated him, he had to stand up from the bar stool to keep from falling off it. On the one hand, he was glad Zion wasn’t surprised. On the other hand, Lynix now wished he’d made a move on Dorian sooner.
With the heel of his hand, Lynix dabbed at the corners of his eyes where tears had gathered from his laughing. Then he sat back down.
“If you knew I was feeling her, why didn’t you call me out on it?”
“Because I had hoped you’d get distracted by one of the other twenty women who’d been trying to get your attention over the years.” Zion shook his head and went back to eating. “How long have you and Dorian been dating?”
“Since yesterday,” Lynix said. There was no need in telling him that they were fake dating, because Lynix didn’t see it that way. He also was confident that soon Dorian would see they were great together.
Zion’s hands, holding the large hamburger, stopped inches from his mouth when he turned to look at Lynix. “Yesterday?”
Lynix nodded.
“Man, you must be losing your touch. It doesn’t typically take you that long to convince an unsuspecting woman to fall for your charm.”
Lynix chuckled and thought about how he and Dorian had spent most of the day together yesterday. She laid out the rules for how they’d move forward, including reiterating how there’d be no kissing and very little touching.
He wasn’t concerned. He had no doubt she’d be changing her mind before it was all said and done.
“Your sister is the exception to the rule in every way possible. She told menomore times than I can count, but I guess I wore her down.”
“Or she was secretly interested and tried to resist your charming ass,” Zion said with a laugh.
Lynix smiled but didn’t comment. There was no doubt Dorian was feeling him, but she didn’t fully trust him or herself. Granted, there were enough reasons why she should tread lightly with him, especially knowing his reputation with women. But he sensed she didn’t trust her judgment when it came to men.
With them dating, he would make sure she held all the power where the two of them were concerned. Lynix had no intentions of pushing her into anything she wasn’t ready for. His plan was to follow her lead but make sure they both had fun in the process. That’s how confident he felt that she’d come to her own conclusion about them being meant for each other.
His phone vibrated, and he dug the device out of the front pocket of his jeans and glanced at the screen.
My mother’s at it again. She brought a guy home from church.
Lynix couldn’t help but smile. Virginia had no clue that she was helping his cause.
Then he laughed aloud when Dorian sent another text with a ton of emojis, including a head exploding emoji as well as a crying one. Then in bold letters she typed,HELP!
“What’s so funny?” Zion asked as he wiped his mouth.
Lynix started to blow off the question but decided to be honest. “Your sister. I guess your mother has been playing matchmaker, and it’s making Dorian crazy.”
“My mother has issues,” Zion joked. “The woman is relentless, and I’m glad I’m no longer on her radar. My sisters have been hassled by her more than I ever had, thank goodness. I guess that means my mother doesn’t know you and Dorian are dating.”
Lynix shook his head. “Nah. Our relationship is new, and you’re the first to know. We’re still in the getting to know each other stage. Dorian’s probably not ready to scream the news to the world that she and I are an item.”
“Well, you guys might want to make your relationship known. Otherwise, my mother’s never going to give Dorian any peace.”
