Page 2 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Two

T wo months later…

Dorian was starting to hate anything involving weddings, engagement parties, and happy couples.

Bitter? Maybe.

Jealous? Definitely.

No. Wait. That’s not right.

She sighed at the route her thoughts had taken and shook off the sudden bout of negativity.

She wasn’t bitter or jealous. As a matter of fact, she loved love and respected anyone who could keep the excitement growing in their relationship.

Yet, there were moments like this evening, being surrounded by loving couples, that reminded her of the sad state of her love life.

It was pitiful at best, and finding her soulmate was like looking for a goldfish in the Atlantic Ocean.

Why did it seem impossible to find a wonderful man, fall madly and passionately in love, and then live happily ever after?

She strolled into the kitchen of Moody Days, her sister Nyla’s jazz club, where several people bustled around washing dishes, plating up food, and taking care of a host of other things.

She grabbed a batch of lemon pepper wings and mini quiches and headed back out to the huge room full of guests who were dancing, talking, and laughing. Basically, having a good time.

Once she set the items on the table, Dorian stood back to see if she could take any empty dishes away.

When she had agreed to assist with Nyla and her fiancé’s engagement party, she hadn’t expected to have to help cook and serve so much food.

She also hadn’t expected there to be so many people.

Then again, what started as an engagement party had turned into a wedding reception as of five days ago.

Her sister and now husband, Harrison, had returned from vacationing in Jamaica as a married couple.

Needless to say, Dorian’s mom had been livid to find out they had eloped.

Especially when she’d dreamed of giving her girls, four of them, a fairytale wedding.

Virginia Priestly was used to getting what she wanted, but now that her daughters and only son were grown, they were taking some of her power away.

If only I could be more like Nyla.

Instead, Dorian was the one who never stepped out of line. From a young age, she had always followed the rules and was the only one of her siblings who had never given their parents trouble.

The problem was she was tired of being the “good girl”—not that she wanted to be a rebel like Nyla and their sister Cree. No, she was just ready to live a little and stop being so socially awkward and predictable.

“Okay, it’s time to stop hiding out back here,” Raven, Dorian’s sister-in-law, said after sidling up to her. She had to talk loudly to be heard over the music, but not too loud for the people on the other side of the buffet table to hear.

Raven was another one who’d been recruited to help with cooking along with Dorian’s oldest sister, Essence, and their mother, Virginia.

Raven had also taken on hosting duties. She was a virtual assistant by trade, but she really could’ve been a party planner considering all the great ideas she’d come up with for this event.

Raven bumped Dorian’s shoulder with hers. “There are a few single guys here from Harrison’s tech company. You should be out there mingling and getting to know some of them.”

Dorian had spotted a few people who seemed to be there solo, but no one really snagged her attention.

Nope. She seemed to only zone in on the numerous couples who were hugged up with their spouses or dates.

It was getting tough to watch others who had clearly found the love of their lives.

Especially Nyla and Harrison, who were in the middle of the dance floor staring lovingly into each other’s eyes as they rocked to “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys.

Dorian’s heart softened as she continued watching them.

It was clear Nyla and Harrison were crazy in love and having a good time.

She wanted that for them. Wanted them to have a happy and prosperous life together.

They deserved it, especially Harrison. His life had literally been a living hell, and she was glad he’d found Nyla and their family.

Still gazing out at the dance floor, Dorian’s hand flew to her chest. “Raven, look,” she said and nodded to where Harrison had moved across the room and guided his mother onto the dance floor.

“ Aww ,” Raven said, and they both watched as he danced with the woman who he’d been estranged from for years.

Harrison and his mother were working on rebuilding their relationship. Her brother-in-law’s efforts were commendable because, the way his mother had betrayed him and left him to rot, Dorian wasn’t sure she could’ve ever forgiven her.

Yet, she loved how Harrison was making the effort. It said a lot about his character as a man and a human being. Despite being a bit envious of his and Nyla’s relationship, she was overjoyed her sister had found a good guy.

“Yes! He made it,” Raven said excitedly.

“Who made—” Dorian started to say but stopped when she spotted the he Raven was referring to. Her heartbeat immediately went into a tailspin, and her breathing increased.

Lynix “Frickin” Mathews .

“Who invited him?” Dorian murmured, not meaning to pose the question out loud and with such distaste in her mouth.

Yet, that was the effect Lynix had on her. He was so… so beautiful and a major pain in the butt with his arrogant, God’s gift to women persona. That attitude had seemed to multiply over the last couple of months, ever since their conversation during Zion and Raven’s wedding reception.

Granted, Lynix was all that and then some, but the fact that he knew he was hot got on her nerves.

Some of the crap he spewed made her want to punch him.

Playfully, of course, because she didn’t want to break her hand on his rock-hard muscles.

Then other times, she wanted to leap into his arms, kiss him hard, and claim him as hers.

Too bad I’m not brave enough to do either .

He had told her he wasn’t giving up on them being together. He was just waiting for her to catch up with what he already knew—that they were made for each other.

It was just more of the cocky crap he kept whispering in her ear every chance he got, which had been often lately. With them being the godparents of her niece and nephew, Zion and Raven’s twins, they’d been forced to see each other more than Dorian preferred.

But right now, despite trying to look away, she couldn’t help but check him out. As usual, the tall, gorgeous man was hard to miss and practically sucked all the air out of the room with his imposing presence.

Why’d she have to be attracted to him? Why? She hated noticing the way his black Polo shirt hugged his muscular upper body, especially his impressive biceps. Or the way his long, thick legs looked in his black dress pants.

Just stop looking.

“I invited him,” Raven said, snapping Dorian out of her thoughts.

Her sister-in-law looked pleased with herself as she grinned.

“He was over at the house yesterday hanging out with the babies, and I suggested he stop by the party. He was so gracious in letting us use his family’s house for our wedding and reception.

The least I could do was invite him to a family gathering since he’s like family.

Wait. I’d think you’d be happy to see him. ”

Dorian frowned at the woman who had not only become her sister but had quickly become one of her best friends. “Why would you think that? I can’t stand him.”

Raven narrowed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips, giving Dorian a yeah right look.

“I can’t believe you can say that with a straight face. Why are you lying? More importantly, why are you lying to yourself? I’ve seen you two together, and you guys are always stealing glances at each other.”

Dorian didn’t respond because she found herself looking at Lynix more often than she preferred.

How could she not? The man was too good-looking to be ignored, and the way he made her body stir, even without touching her, was starting to be a problem.

He was always a perfect gentleman, but she didn’t miss the way his potent gaze always took her in.

“And clearly, you have forgotten how I saw you and Lynix sneaking around on his family’s property during my wedding reception,” Raven added.

Heat spread to Raven’s cheeks as the memory slammed into her like a ninety-miles-per-hour baseball pitch.

Yeah, she remembered that night at the lake well.

It was one of the few times that she and Lynix hadn’t argued, bantered, or got on each other’s nerves.

He told her a little about the property, which his wealthy family owned, and how he used to hang out at that lake a lot as a kid.

He’d claimed the stars seemed a little brighter in that particular spot at night, and after witnessing it, Dorian had to agree.

But then he kissed her.

The kiss had been long, passionate, and there were times, even months later, she could almost feel his mouth on hers.

It was hands down the best kiss she had ever experienced, but Dorian knew his type.

Heck, she had even dated a man who reminded her of Lynix in some ways.

Confident. Determined. And a player. Her ex had been her coworker, which should’ve been one of many warnings to stay clear of him.

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.”