Page 68 of Daring to Love You
Dorian made quick work of packing up some of the pastries she’d made that morning. It had been two weeks since the gala, and Bridget had insisted they come over for dinner. Of course, Lynix said no but eventually gave in to his mother, and Dorian had offered to bring dessert.
She just hoped his parents would like the lemon-blueberry mini cheesecakes, miniature key lime and chocolate pies, and peach fritters. She might’ve gotten carried away with baking, but she figured if fists started flying or an argument broke out between Lynix and his father, she’d just pig out on sweets and watch.
Glancing at the clock on the stove, she groaned realizing she only had fifteen minutes before Lynix arrived, and she didn’t want to be the reason they were late.
She hurried to her bedroom for her shoes and handbag but took one last look in the mirror. The beige, sleeveless jumpsuit she’d chosen to wear was cute, classy, and with gold jewelry, it was perfect for dinner with the Mathews. Now all she had to do while at their home was remember she was there for Lynix.
Who cared what his father thought of her? Okay, she cared, but she wasn’t going to think about how rude he’d been to her at the gala.
No, she’d just focus on how much fun she and Lynix have been having over the last couple of months. Especially the last two weeks since they officially started dating. It felt like they’d been together forever, falling into a routine effortlessly and seeing each other daily. It helped he was no longer on the police force. His schedule was flexible, and he was able to work around hers.
Dorian loved everything about the man, and their lovemaking was mind-blowing. Lynix was so adventurous in the bedroom… and the living room, bathroom, and even in the kitchen.
She giggled at the last thought and how long it had taken her to sanitize every flat surface in her kitchen after a particular wild night of sex. It had been worth it, though. The man knew how to get and keep her aroused while also making her feel cherished.
Definitely a keeper.
A knock on her apartment door jarred Dorian out of her thoughts, and when she rushed out of the bedroom, she remembered why she’d gone in there in the first place—to grab her shoes and purse.
She shook her head and laughed. With Lynix on her mind, it was easy to forget everything else. She had waited a long time to fall in love with an incredible man, and now that she had, she was going to enjoy him.
Just as she reached the door, her cell phone rang. “Oh, come on. I don’t have time for phone calls,” she murmured, then thought it might be Bridget needing them to bring something else.
Instead of greeting Lynix with a kiss like usual, she unlocked the door and yelled, “Come in.” Then she headed to the kitchen where she’d left her cell.
“Hey, babe,” she called out and glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see him walk in, but it wasn’t him.
She stopped in her tracks. “Shauna?” Dorian ignored her phone and backtracked to the woman who stood in her living room.
Her former boss didn’t look as pulled together as usual. Her hair was windblown, sticking out in every direction, and the blouse and khakis she was wearing needed ironing. But it was her eyes and the smell of alcohol that made Dorian sorry she didn’t look through the peephole before unlocking the door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked not so nicely.
“Rude much? I guess having a hotshot boyfriend has made you get a backbone,” the woman said, glancing around before returning her attention to Dorian. “We need to talk.”
“What could wepossiblyhave to talk about?”
“We need to talk about you getting me and Rodney’s job back,” the woman snapped and moved closer.
Dorian frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know your boyfriend got us fired. Playing stupid doesn’t look good on you.” She waved her hand up and down at Dorian. “Even in your fancy clothes.”
“Wait. You guys were fired?” Dorian asked, ignoring the woman’s insults. “I had nothing to do with that.”
She was shocked Lynix had them fired and hadn’t said anything. Still, she was glad he’d done it. Now the two people who had treated her like crap could get a taste of how she felt back then. And Rodney? He could go straight to hell.
“I know you were behind it!” Shauna’s words slurred, and when she moved closer, Dorian stepped back. “You probably complained to Mathews, and he used whatever leverage he hadto get the CEO to fire us, and it’s your fault! And you’re going to fix this mess!”
Fury clawed through Dorian. “Even if I could get your jobs back, I wouldn’t. Neither of you deserve them. You especially. You’re a horrible human being who’s not qualified to have direct reports. Your ass should’ve been fired years ago!”
Shauna pointed her finger at Dorian, inches from her face. “I was a damn good boss,” she seethed, anger sparking in her eyes. “I can’t help it if you couldn’t do your job. If you wouldn’t have quit, I probably would’ve eventually fired you.”
“Get out of my apartment,” Dorian snapped and headed to the door, but Shauna grabbed her upper arm.
Pain pierced through her skin, and Dorian tried to shake free, but the woman’s nails dug in deeper.
“Let me go!” Dorian yelled and swung at Shauna, catching her on the side of her face.
