Page 26 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Nineteen

S tanding in her brother and sister-in-law’s kitchen, Dorian unloaded the groceries she brought with her. Hopefully, she hadn’t forgotten anything, but considering how well stocked their refrigerator was, she should be fine.

Finally, she’d get to cook for Lynix. Though she would’ve preferred to be at her apartment, where she knew where everything was, it probably wouldn’t have been a good idea.

At least at her brother’s house, babysitting the twins, there’d be less temptation for her and Lynix to pick up where they’d left off at his place the other day.

She trembled at the memory of them kissing, moaning, and grinding against each other.

The moment had been hot, and the feelings ignited—scorching.

At least until they came to their senses.

If they—or she—was going to survive this charade they were putting on for their families, she was going to have to catch herself before she got carried away with him like that again.

“What’s that?”

Dorian startled at the sound of Zion’s voice and whipped around to find him standing just inside the kitchen. She held up the large, covered container that she was getting ready to place inside the refrigerator.

“Sirloin steaks that I have marinating. Lynix is stopping by to spend time with the babies, and I promised to cook dinner for him.”

She quickly turned away from her brother. Lynix might’ve talked to him about them dating, but Dorian hadn’t. She knew there’d be questions, and she needed to be convincing when responding.

The main issue she had with Lynix’s plan of fake dating was deceiving their families.

Lynix didn’t seem concerned about the deception when it came to his parents, who she’d be meeting next weekend.

They agreed to only pretend to date for a couple of months, but the guilt of lying to everyone was gnawing on her nerves.

Zion leaned his hip against the counter and folded his arms across his chest. “How’s it going with you and Lynix?”

Dorian set the last item on the counter and started folding her reusable bags. “It’s going well. I know I’ve given him a hard time over the years, but he’s actually a nice guy.”

Zion grunted. “That’s one way to describe him.”

Dorian finally gave him her attention. “Does that mean you don’t think it’s a good idea for us to date?”

Zion hadn’t met many of her dates over the years.

He’d ask questions, or she’d share information about them, but he didn’t often give an opinion.

Except with Rodney. He didn’t like him the moment they met.

Claimed he looked shady, and in hindsight, Dorian should’ve listened.

Her brother didn’t dislike many people, and she could’ve saved herself from heartache had she’d seen what he’d seen.

Except she’d been excited to be in a relationship and excited to say she had a boyfriend.

“To be honest, you guys might be good for each other,” her brother said, surprising her.

“Lynix is ready to settle down and needs someone like you who can ground him, and I think he can bring you out of your shell. Not only that, but he’s also protective, trustworthy, and you’ll never want for anything. That’s all a big brother can ask for.”

Dorian laughed. “You do realize you’re my little brother, right?” He was two years younger than her, but he had always been protective of her and their sisters despite being the baby in the family.

He waved her off and chuckled. “That’s beside the point. Anyway, I know Lynix has a past, but he’s cleaned up his act, and I’ve seen the changes in him. I think he’s ready for a serious relationship.”

Wow. Okay, this whole conversation was unexpected, and Dorian wasn’t sure what to do with the information.

She’d been keeping Lynix at a distance because of his reputation and because he was Zion’s best friend.

There’d been a time when she didn’t think her brother would approve of her going out with any of his friends, let alone Lynix.

But if she was honest, those weren’t the only reasons why she’d been slow to give Lynix a chance.

He scared her. She knew he would never hurt her intentionally, but what if things turned out the same as they had with Rodney?

What if she clammed up the way she’d done with her ex when it was time to be intimate?

Who’s to say it wouldn’t happen with Lynix?

As soon as the last thought penetrated her mind, she recalled the other day on his deck. His kisses and touches turned her on more than she cared to admit. They made her want more of him.

Who knows, maybe she was different with Lynix. Maybe their pretend relationship and spending time with him would help boost her confidence.

Time would tell.

“I’m glad you’re okay with us being together,” she said to Zion. “We’re not serious right now. We’re still in the getting to know you stage.”

Zion nodded while he watched her intensely.

“What?” she snapped when he continued to stare. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

He shrugged. “No reason. Just be careful. Lynix is a great guy, but he’s umm…”

“Experienced,” she finished for him and started grabbing bowls and pots that she’d need to fix dinner. “I know. He’s… a lot of man,” she said and snorted.

She couldn’t believe she had just told her brother that, but she didn’t know how else to describe Lynix.

There were times when she was around him that she felt like a sheltered kid pretending to be an adult.

When in reality, they were only a couple of years apart, but Lynix seemed more accomplished and worldly compared to her.

Which was why she thought he was out of her league.

Instead of saying any of that to her brother, she said, “We’re just hanging out. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. Lynix already knows I’ll kick his ass if he hurts you.”

Dorian sighed. “Zion, I don’t need you to fight my battles. I can take care of myself. I’m not some little girl who doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

“Maybe so, but I warned him anyway,” he said and turned to leave without a backwards glance.

While Dorian started dinner, Zion and Raven finished last-minute tasks before it was time for them to leave, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the conversation with Zion.

What would he think if he knew she and Lynix were pretending to be a couple? Their little charade had clearly fooled him and her mother, but would it work on Lynix’s parents? She’d find out when they attended his mother’s gala Saturday night.

How do I get myself into this stuff?

Thirty minutes later, Dorian was alone with the babies and Onyx, the family dog—a boxer.

She glanced at the three of them and smiled.

They were so cute. She had moved the babies to the edge of the kitchen where she could keep an eye on them.

They seemed content in the bouncers that Lynix had bought them a month ago.

Dorian chuckled as she watched Onyx go from one baby to the other, sniffing them one minute, then nudging them the next, as if to say, y’all good ? It was adorable how attentive he was to them. And once he was satisfied they were okay, he lay on the floor between them.

Glancing at the clock on the microwave, she realized Lynix would be there shortly. She had hoped to have most of dinner prepared by the time he arrived.

Excitement swirled inside of her at the thought of cooking for him. In the big scheme of things, it was a simple gesture. Yet, she secretly wanted to impress him with her culinary skills. Seemed he’d been coming through for her over the last few weeks, and she wanted to do something nice for him.

Onyx leaped up and started barking just as the doorbell rang.

“Dang, I thought I had more time.”

Dorian hurried to the hallway mirror to make sure she looked okay.

She ran her fingers through her hair which hung in waves around her shoulders.

No matter how many times she told herself that she wasn’t trying to impress Lynix, she knew she was lying.

Fake boyfriend or not, she wanted to look nice… for him.

“Okay, good enough,” she murmured to herself in the mirror, then rushed to the door and opened it.

“Hey, beautiful,” Lynix said, looking like a tasty treat in the black polo shirt that hugged his pecks and biceps. Black pants covered his long legs that seemed to go on forever.

His dark gaze did a slow crawl down her body, and the appreciation she saw in his eyes as he took in her yellow sundress, sent warmth rushing through her body.

Whew! This man and his fiery gazes.

“I know I’m not supposed to kiss you, but I can’t help it.” He stepped forward and placed a lingering kiss on her lips before strolling across the threshold. But not before her internal temperature skyrocketed.

All he’d done was kiss her, and there wasn’t even any tongue action. Yet, her insides were on fire.

“These are for you.” He handed her a crystal vase with an exquisite bouquet of pink lilies, and Dorian inhaled their incredible fragrance while closing and locking the door.

“Lynix, these are breathtaking. Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he said, and chuckled when Onyx swiped at his leg and barked, determined to get his attention.

“What’s up, boy?”

Lynix bent down, giving Onyx some love with a rub down. When he was finished playing with the dog, she watched as he rinsed his hands and moved to where the babies were sitting.

Dorian set the vase in the center of the kitchen counter and smiled when she turned to the twins.

Even at five months, they were crazy about their godfather, especially Zanaya.

She started fussing, flailing her arms, and moving around in the bouncer as if trying to get Lynix to look at her while he talked to Andrew.

“What’s going on, baby girl?”

Lynix somehow managed to get both babies out of the bouncers and was holding one in each arm. When he suddenly turned to her and smiled, Dorian’s breath caught, and her heart slammed against her chest. The picture the three of them made together had her ovaries leaping to attention.

This man. This sweet, kind, and generous man. A man who adored his godbabies and was good with them. It was too much. He was too much, and she hoped like hell she wasn’t for real falling for how perfect of a man he really was.