Page 4 of Daring to Love You
She hadn’t. Instead, she had learned the hard way that she should have never dated someone she worked with. Besides, she wasn’t cut out to date the proverbial bad-boy, though that was who she was often attracted to. Now, she only went out with guys who were nice, understated, and treated her like she was special. It didn’t matter if some of them had been boring, as long as she felt emotionally and physically safe with them.
Dorian took a few steps back, blending into the shadows as if Lynix was looking for her or something.
“Don’t even try it,” Raven said, grabbing hold of Dorian’s wrist and pulling her forward. “At some point, you’re going to have to go after what you want.”
“Raven,” Dorian started to protest, but Raven lifted her hand and shook her head.
“Whatever you’re about to say, don’t bother. You might have your brother fooled with your disinterested behavior when Lynix is around, but I know better. Why don’t you go over and say hi?”
Dorian shook her head. “Why? The man is a chick magnet. I’ll give it ten minutes before a woman is draped all over him.”
No sooner were the words out of her mouth, a model-like woman with perfect hair, a slamming body, and a toothpaste-white smile approached him at the bar.
“I rest my case. Besides, I’m not interested in talking to him. We’d probably just argue anyway.”
Again, Raven was shaking her head. “Nah, something has changed between you two. I noticed it last week when you were at our place visiting the babies, and he showed up. Even if you claim not to be interested, he is.”
Dorian snuck another peek in the man’s direction, and her heart sank when the woman moved closer to whisper in his ear. Lynix laughed at whatever she said, and Dorian tried not to let it bother her. He wasn’t hers, and she didn’t want him anyway. Who cared who he talked to? Not her.
Unable to help herself, she continued watching him and the mystery woman. They talked for a few minutes longer before he shook his head and resumed drinking his beer.
“See, he was just being nice. He’s not interested in…” Raven started but stopped when another woman approached him. This time, it appeared he knew her because he flashed her his spectacular smile, stood, and then hugged her before reclaiming his seat.
“Some things just never change,” Dorian said and started to move away from Raven, but her sister-in-law stopped her.
“Okay, the woman’s gone. Now you can go over there, say hi, and thank him for coming to the celebration. Knowing him, I’m sure he’ll take the conversation from there.”
“I don’t want to talk to him.” At least that’s what Dorian told herself.
Part of her didn’t, but her traitorous body wanted to be near him, and it pissed her off. He was no good for her. Yet, she loved the attention he always gave her.
As if sensing her watching him, Lynix turned slightly, and their gazes locked… and held. The seriousness of his expression and the intensity in his dark eyes drew her in, and it was as if everyone in the room had vanished and left them there alone.
Seconds ticked by before she quickly diverted her gaze.
What was happening to her? She’d been doing so well, but her resolve to stay clear of him was weakening.
“Come on, Dorian. Go,” Raven said. “Oops, too late. He’s coming over here,” Raven said excitedly. “And on that note, I think Zion’s looking for me. Bye, and don’t feel you have to stick around if you get a better offer.”
Raven started to move away, but Dorian grabbed her hand. “Don’t leave me,” she whisper-shouted, and Raven laughed as she sauntered away.
“Hey, beautiful,” Lynix said, and Dorian shivered at the sound of his deep, husky voice. “Come outside with me. I have something to show you.”
Dorian narrowed her eyes at him. “The last time you said something similar, I ended up having to run through your parents’ backyard to keep from being seen by others.”
Lynix grinned, then cracked up. Okay, maybe their encounter during her brother’s wedding reception hadn’t gone quite like that, but still, the man was a danger to her psyche.
“All right, this is a little different, but you have to admit, the kiss we shared that night was epic.”
Yes, it had been, and if she were honest with herself, Dorian wanted a repeat. Then again, that would be too dangerous. Normally, she could stand firm on decisions she made, but Lynix was too irresistible for her not to be on guard.
No, she had to be strong. She’d go with him because she was curious, but there’d be no kissing.
“Let’s go,” she said, sounding more confident than she felt. “And don’t even think about trying any funny stuff. No more stealing kisses.”
He laughed again, then slid a hand around her waist and leaned in close, his intoxicating scent making her weak in the knees.
“I make no promises, sweetheart. Especially now that I know how good you taste.”
