Page 10 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Eight

L ynix wasn’t sure how long he stared at Dorian, but someone could’ve knocked him over with a feather. His gaze did a slow sweep over her face and down her body, and she was as pretty as usual. Except the extra makeup and the low cut of her blouse led him to believe she was on a date. A damn date .

He tried not to let the fact that he’d asked her out more than once taint his opinion of her decision-making skills. Yet, she’d chosen to go out with this, this… idiot who came close a couple of times of ramming into other drivers.

That bothered Lynix even more now that he saw Dorian was a passenger in the vehicle.

He glanced around the interior of the compact sports car, not seeing anything that raised any red flags before his attention went back to Dorian.

Her eyes were watery, and he didn’t miss the way she wrung her hands in her lap.

Nervous. Anxious. Part of him wanted to ask if she was okay, but then she nibbled on her lower lip and glanced away.

Okay, then .

He’d start with doing his job, and then he’d figure out what to do about her.

Accepting the documents from the guy, Lynix skimmed over both.

He had already checked, and the car registration was good, and the driver didn’t have any outstanding warrants or tickets.

He did, however, have a driver’s license which had expired a week ago, and there were a few ways Lynix could handle this.

It all depended on how Glen Smith answered his questions.

“Where are you two coming from in such a hurry? Do you realize you were going 105 in a 65 mile-per-hour zone?”

“I’m sorry, Officer. I was keeping up with traffic and didn’t realize I was going that fast.”

Dorian mumbled something that Lynix didn’t catch, but whatever she’d said had Glen glaring at her. Interesting. Definitely trouble in paradise.

“Where are you two coming from?” Lynix asked again, though he didn’t have a professional reason for asking. Right now, his questioning was more about seeing how this guy responded.

After a slight hesitation and looking as if he was getting ready to mouth off at Lynix, Glen said, “We’re on a date, and I was taking her home before you stopped us.”

“A date, huh? Well, I’d think you’d want to take better care of your date than to be driving recklessly the way you were.

Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, improper lane changes, following too closely, failing to use turn signals, and cutting other drivers off seems a little risky when trying to get your date home safely.

And if all that wasn’t enough, you’re driving with an expired driver’s license. ”

“Dude, I’m not trying to hear a lecture. Can’t you just give me a ticket so we can leave?”

It was taking all Lynix’s self-control not to snatch this bastard out of the car and throw him into oncoming traffic.

He couldn’t do that, but it would serve the asshole right for driving erratically.

Maybe if he saw what could happen to someone who got hit by a car or in an accident, he’d take his driving more seriously.

Lynix’s body camera was on, so he wanted to be careful not to do or say anything that could bite him in the ass. However, he had decided to give his three-week notice at the end of his shift. So he wasn’t too concerned with being reprimanded at this point.

Without another word, he took his time writing out the citation.

With the offenses listed, the fees were going to eat up a huge chunk of the man’s cash, but that was better than the alternative.

He could arrest the guy and let him spend hours in county lockup until someone bailed him out.

Yeah, he should really do that, but instead, he was going to warn him with a ticket, then give him a second chance to get his shit together.

The main reason Lynix didn’t want to haul the guy away was because of Dorian.

She looked a bit distraught, like she’d had enough excitement for the night.

If he took Glen, she’d have to go to the station also to answer some questions.

Besides, knowing her sweet nature, she wouldn’t want the guy thrown in jail. Or at least he didn’t think she would.

Lynix held the citation in his hand, but before he handed it to the guy, he bent slightly and made eye contact with Dorian.

“Dee, get out the car,” he said, trusting that she’d listen to him. “Though I’m sure Glen is going to slow down or risk going to jail, I don’t want you riding with him. He clearly doesn’t give a damn about your safety.”

Glen sputtered, jerking back and forth as he looked from Dorian to Lynix and back again. “What the hell, Dorian? You know him? Did you text this guy to have me pulled over?” he snapped, anger seeping from him like steam from a geyser found in Yellowstone.

“No, I didn’t, but I should’ve! Instead, it was just dumb luck that he’s the one who caught you.” She angrily started unfastening her seat belt, but Glen covered her hand with his, stopping her progress.

Son of a …

Fury shot through Lynix. He reached through the window but stopped himself at the last minute before he could throat punch the guy. “Mr. Smith, put your hands on the steering wheel where I can see them!” he demanded, barely hanging on to his temper.

Lynix wasn’t sure if it was the lethalness in his tone or what, but the man quickly did as he was told. For the first time since getting pulled over, the guy actually looked scared.

“Dorian, please don’t leave,” Glen said, his tone softening. “I’m sorry for how things turned out this evening. But since I’m the one who picked you up, I should be the one to make sure you get home safely. Just stay in the car. I promise to slow down.”

Dorian didn’t respond. She hurried out of the car and slammed the door hard enough to rock the vehicle.

Okay, maybe she would’ve preferred I haul his ass to jail.

“Here.” Lynix shoved the citation at Glen, and the man glared at him.

“I suggest you get your license renewed tomorrow. If you’re pulled over again before you do, you’re going to jail.

And when you get back into traffic, slow your ass down.

Otherwise, plan on spending the night in lockup. Now get out of here.”

Glen released a string of curses before waving the slip of paper around. “I’m fighting this, and I’m filing a complaint against you with Chicago PD! This was a set up.”

“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?”