Page 7 of Daring to Love You
Without responding, she turned on her red, sky-high heels and went back inside as if she hadn’t just threatened to castrate him.
Lynix looked at Dorian. “Should I be afraid?” he asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood, and Dorian didn’t disappoint when she burst out laughing.
She laughed for a solid minute before saying, “Umm,yeah. You should beveryafraid. You know she don’t play.”
Smiling, Lynix nodded and pulled her back into his arms. He kissed her sweet lips and then asked, “Will you have dinner with me next weekend?”
Dorian sighed and placed her hands on his chest, oblivious of the effect her fiery touch had on him. Her hands were like a hot poker against his skin, but he loved when she touched him.
“Lynix, I—”
“Don’t say no,” he said quietly and brushed the back of his fingers down her soft cheek. “Even if you’re not ready to date me exclusively, tell me you’ll have dinner with me in theverynear future.”
“Okay, I won’t say no. I’ll say… maybe.”
She smiled at him, and it was like watching the sun burst through clouds on a rainy day. He wanted to see that smile every day of his life, and all he had to do was figure out how to make that happen. How to get her to let down her guard with him.
He gave her another quick peck on the lips. “I’ll take that. Just know I’m not giving up. I’ll be asking again soon.”
She nodded, still smiling as she walked backwards toward the door. “Take care, Lynix, and thanks for the offer regarding the car.” Were the last words she spoke before disappearing inside the building.
Lynix rubbed his hand over his short beard as he stood there a moment longer. He needed a plan. It was time to show her what she was missing by not giving him a chance.
Feeling encouraged, he walked to the driver’s side of his car and climbed in. He’d think of something. He always did.
Chapter Four
Lynix smiled to himself as he drove north along Sheridan Road toward his parents’ estate. The picturesque views of Lake Michigan, just before nightfall, was a beautiful sight and matched his mood. He always felt lighter after spending time with Dorian, whether alone or when they hung out with their five-month-old godchildren.
It had been an honor when Zion asked him months ago to be his twins’ godfather. Of course Lynix accepted. He loved kids, and those two were perfect little humans. He loved spending time with them and watching how they were growing and developing so fast.
Then there was the fact that Dorian was their godmother, which gave him more opportunities to see her. That was probably why Lynix’s feelings for her were growing more intense so quickly. He got to see the real her when she was with the babies and not being overshadowed by her large family. Or running around taking care of things for her parents’ bed and breakfast where she worked.
Yeah, running into her today, with her looking absolutely gorgeous, and getting to spend a couple of minutes one-on-onewith her, had been a treat. But he wanted more of her and more of her time.
Another glance at the lake gave him an idea. An early morning date with Dorian to see the sun rise over Lake Michigan would be perfect. Especially if they were on the roof top of his condo eating a light breakfast and drinking coffee. She would love that.
Lynix had planned his share of dinner, theater, and even weekend getaway dates. Yet, he had never looked forward to being with a woman the way he looked forward to being with Dorian.
Soon. He’d get his chance soon, but for right now, he needed to get mentally prepared to spend the evening with his parents. Specifically, his father.
His parents spent the winters in Palm Beach and had arrived in Chicago last night with intentions of staying in town a few months. Hearing from his mother this morning, asking him to come for a late dinner tonight, hadn’t been a surprise. Whenever she was in town, she insisted on seeing her boys, and she’d see him more often if it weren’t for his dad. Too bad they didn’t get along.
His mother, however, was his heart. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her, even agree to spend a couple of hours with his father. Just thinking about the man had Lynix gripping the steering wheel tighter. It was because of his dad, Weston Mathews III, that Lynix had joined the police force. Mainly to piss him off.
Lynix grinned at the memory of the day he’d told the old man he wouldn’t be going into the family business. Instead, he was joining Chicago PD. Talk about a legendary argument. His pops had been livid. It was right after he’d graduated from college. Instead of sticking to the plan that his pops had laid out for him, Lynix rebelled.
The old man had wanted all four of his sons to oversee the numerous businesses he had started or taken over. Businesses that he had built over the years and turned into a multimillion-dollar family empire. Everything from hotels to manufacturing companies, they had their hands in a lot and were very successful.
As the youngest, Lynix was the only one of his brothers who hadn’t fallen in line with their father’s plans, which also included him getting an MBA. Not just a bachelor’s degree in business. That had been one of many plans of his father’s Lynix had squashed, which was a big reason their relationship had been on shaky ground for much of his adult life.
As he neared his parents’ neighborhood, he turned the volume up on the radio. He bobbed his head and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as Usher’s “Good Good” flowed through the car speakers. Normally, he’d blast some rap music, the raunchier the better, to help get him into a certain frame of mind to deal with his father. Not today, though. Today he was in too good of a mood for even his father to get on his nerves.
Lynix pulled up to the gated entrance of his parents’ home and punched in the code. When the tall iron gates slid open, he drove along the tree-lined driveway until he reached the six-thousand square foot home. Parking behind his oldest brother’s Range Rover, he realized another one of his brothers had arrived. There was only one car in the long, circular drive that he didn’t recognize.
Lynix had barely made it to the door before it swung open, and his mother stood smiling in the doorway. Normally, the housekeeper would be the one opening the door. So this was a surprise.
“You made it,” she said, smiling and opening her arms to him.
