Page 32 of Daring to Love You (Priestly Family #3)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“ L ynix is going to lose his mind when he sees you in that dress,” Cree said, and Dorian smiled as she took one last look in the full-length mirror hanging on the inside of her bathroom door.

Dorian laughed. She didn’t want her fake boyfriend to lose his mind, but she did want him to take notice. She wanted him to see what his money bought, and she couldn’t have been more satisfied with the choice.

An all-white fundraiser gala would be a first for her, and the dress was perfect for the occasion. The strapless, satin, high split, mermaid dress hugged her body and flowed to the floor revealing her right leg. The four-inch high-heel sandals added to the elegance of the gown.

She turned slightly and glanced over her shoulder into the mirror so she could see the back, and she couldn’t help grinning. Oh, yeah, he was definitely going to lose his mind when he saw how most of her back was showing.

After a few minutes, Dorian stepped out of the bathroom and into her bedroom and found her mother standing in the doorway with a sour expression on her face.

“I don’t like that dress,” she said. “It shows too much skin, and I’m tempted to snatch it off you and sew up that split.”

Dorian knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help laughing, and she laughed even harder when Cree joined in.

“Mom, you’ve made your feelings known about the dress,” Cree said, shaking her head as she approached Dorian. “I think she looks beautiful.”

“Of course, you would because some of the dresses I’ve seen you in should be outlawed. I’m going to make coffee.”

She turned to leave, and Dorian called out after her. “You don’t need coffee because you guys aren’t staying!” She wasn’t sure if their mother heard her, but then Dorian looked at her sister. “Why’d you even bring her?”

“Like I had a choice. You’re the one who told her about attending the gala. Then she called, told me to pick her up, and bring her over.”

Dorian huffed. “Well, can you leave before Lynix gets here?”

Cree sat in the small, upholstered chair near the window and crossed her long legs. “Nope. He’s the main reason she wanted to come. I don’t think she likes you and Lynix dating.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because she said she didn’t.” They both laughed before Cree sobered.

“Well, she didn’t actually come out and say it like that, but I think she’s worried about you, as usual.

She still sees you as her little girl and is having trouble letting go.

Just get married, have a few kids, and she’ll be fine. ”

“Ha! Sure she will,” Dorian said and ran her hand down her stomach, trying to calm her nerves. Lynix would be there soon, and though she couldn’t wait to see him, she was nervous about meeting his family.

She adjusted the dress and sat on the bed. Hearing Cree mention kids made Dorian think about their time at the boutique the other day.

“Your updo is cute, but it looks like you might need a few more hair pins,” Cree said. She stood and grabbed a couple that were on the dresser and walked over.

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened at the boutique the other day? Who was the mystery man?” Dorian asked. She’d been trying to get info out of her sister since that day, but Cree’s lips were sealed.

“Leave it alone, Dee.”

“But you be all up in my business. I deserve to know a little of yours. Besides, it’s not like I’m going to blab to anyone.

Whatever we discuss stops right here. So who was he?

I’m assuming he plays football or basketball because the guy was huge.

Is he an ex-boyfriend? Friend with benefits? Former client with benefits? What?”

As an entertainment lawyer, she represented entertainers as well as professional athletes. Him being a former client wasn’t a stretch.

Cree didn’t respond as she stuck another hairpin into Dorian’s hair and not too gently.

Dorian flinched. “Ouch! Cree! If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t, but don’t take your frustrations out on my head.”

“You keep talking, and I’m going to knock you upside the head. Or better yet, maybe I should get Mom in here and let her finish it up for you.”

“Please don’t,” Dorian murmured. “I’d rather you convince her to leave. I don’t want her to embarrass me in front of Lynix.”

“Girl, she lives to embarrass us. Just suck it up and deal with it.”

After the words left Cree’s mouth, a knock sounded on the apartment door, and Dorian’s pulse spiked.

“I’ll get it,” their mother called out.

“No!” Dorian and Cree said at the same time.

Dorian didn’t want her mother anywhere near Lynix. She hurried to stand up, but it was too late. She could hear Lynix’s deep voice as he greeted her mother.

“Gawd! I just can’t with her,” Dorian grumbled and looked at her sister. “Please take her and go. Please, and I promise I won’t ask anything else of you.”

Cree laughed and grabbed her oversized purse from the chair she’d been sitting in. “Fine. I’ll get her and go but let me give you a couple of tips for tonight.”

Dorian would willingly accept any advice her sister had to give on attending the gala. Cree had mentioned she’d attended the same fundraiser several times over the years and spoke highly of the event. Some of the people in attendance? Not so much.

“You walk into that ballroom like you own that bitch,” Cree said, and Dorian laughed at the fierceness in her tone.

“As for Lynix’s parents, I’ve only met them in passing, but I heard Mr. Mathews is a real piece of work.

Don’t let him intimidate you if he tries.

Just because they have a shitload of money don’t make them better than you.

Remember that. And because there will be some pampered princesses in attendance, stay close to your man.

Don’t be afraid to get a little catty if you must.”

Dorian snorted. “I don’t do catty.”

“Maybe not before you started dating Lynix, but now? Get your cattiness on, girl. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of his exes or women who want to date him are there tonight. I’ll tell you like I told you at the hotel the other week, channel me and yo mama, and you’ll do fine.”

Dorian laughed and shook her head. She wasn’t sure what to expect of the evening, but she hoped it didn’t come to that.

Cree and their mother weren’t to be played with.

You step to them wrong, and they’ll give you a tongue lashing to beat all tongue lashes.

Especially Cree. Virginia was the same, except she could curse you out without using a curse word.

“Got it,” Dorian said and saluted her sister.

“Okay, now, chin up and shoulders back. You might as well start acting like the sexy woman you are,” Cree said and strolled out the bedroom as if she owned the whole world.

Dorian grinned. “Man, when I grow up, I want to be just like her,” she mumbled.

Lynix was laughing at something Mrs. Priestly said when Cree came into view. The apartment wasn’t huge—two bedrooms, two bathrooms—but it was bright and cheery just like Dorian.

“Cree,” he said in greeting as she strolled into the living room, which was a part of an open floor plan.

Instead of saying hi or hello or what’s up, she pointed a hot pink, manicured nail at him and narrowed her eyes. He grinned, unable to help himself.

“Don’t forget what I told you that day at Moody Days. I’m watching you,” she said and turned to her mother. “Grab your stuff, Mom. We’re out of here.”

Lynix didn’t hear anything else they said because the magnificent vision in white, standing in the hallway, stole his breath.

Hot damn. Talk about a transformation. Dorian was pretty enough to grab a man’s attention on any given day. But tonight? The way she was looking in that white evening gown, she could bring a grown man to his knees.

The day of her shopping spree, she had called to thank him.

She also told him that if she spent too much to let her know, and she’d pay him back.

Lynix had laughed at the absurdity of the conversation.

The woman clearly didn’t understand he’d do anything for her, and he didn’t give a damn what the cost of the clothes added up to.

If her other outfits were anything like this one, it was money well spent.

“Wow,” was all he could seem to get out of his mouth, and when she smiled at him, Lynix reflexively grabbed his chest. “You are absolutely the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on,” he said, meaning every word as he walked toward her.

He handed her the single white rose that he’d been holding, then slid his arm around her and pulled her against his chest.

“Hi,” he whispered.

Her smile grew even brighter if that were possible. “Hi, yourself, handsome.”

And then he kissed her. He didn’t care if they had an audience, and he sure as hell wasn’t trying to play up a role for her mother. All he could think about was how he’d been waiting all day to get a taste of this incredible woman.

“Okay, you two. We’re leaving now,” Mrs. Priestly said loud enough for people down the street to hear her. But Lynix was half listening, unable to pull his mouth from Dorian’s. “And Dee, remember your home training. Don’t be out in these streets acting like you…”

“Oh, for the love of God, Mom! Would you stop? Leave her alone and let’s go,” Cree grumbled.

Lynix and Dorian pulled apart and laughed before hearing the door slam shut.

“Your mother is a trip,” he said.

Dorian shook her head as she wiped lipstick from his lip with the pad of her thumb.

“You don’t know the half of it. I’m afraid to admit it, but she probably would’ve purchased a ticket to the event if I’d told her about it sooner. All so she could be my chaperone.”

Lynix smiled, and as if they had magnets on their lips, he was drawn back to Dorian’s mouth and kissed her again. Her sweet lips were becoming addictive, but he guessed there were worse addictions to have.

When he’d gotten his fill, he lifted his head and looked at his beautiful woman. “Are you ready for this?” he asked.

Though he wanted the world to know she was his, he was a little concerned about taking her around some of the people who’d be in attendance. For the most part, guests would be on their best behavior, but he wasn’t looking forward to introducing her to his father.

“Yes, I’m ready, and I promise not to embarrass you.”

Lynix cupped her cheeks and stared into her gorgeous eyes. “Sweetheart, you could never embarrass me. If anything, you’re going to be the highlight of this event and of my night. All right? Now, let’s do this.”