Page 23 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, repeating my mantra of the day.

Kindness brings in goodness.

“You look great!” Gracie exclaims as she walks into the bathroom.

I’m in a burnt orange, flowy maxi dress.

It has a lowcut V neckline. The flowy top cinches at the waist then flows to my ankles.

The sleeves are so flared, they’re practically drapes.

I have beaded green and orange bracelets on my wrists, my normal gold stack of rings, a pair of gold filigree earrings, my other normal ear accessories, and a long jade elephant necklace.

I left my hair down in its natural waves and kept my makeup light. I wanted to stay true to myself.

It’s so easy to want to become someone else who you think will impress others. Or wear a mask to protect yourself. But then you aren’t true to yourself.

There’s bravery in being your raw self, and I’m tapping into that courage now.

I want Roman to see the real me and stay because he likes it. Because he likes me. And the only way to do so is to stay true to myself.

“Are you excited?” Gracie asks with a grin. I think she’s almost as excited as I am.

“Yes. I’m really looking forward to seeing him… but I’m also nervous. I’ve never been on a date with a guy I’m actually interested in,” I confess.

The few dates I’ve been on have all been first dates, and the guys didn’t interest me afterwards. Roman already interests me, so I’m nervous.

“Don’t be. He’s already obsessed with you. Look at all the lengths he’s gone through to take care of you,” she counters.

“That’s just because he’s a decent guy. I’m worried I don’t know how to do this,” I sigh. “He’s also a decade older than me. I’ve never done more than kiss a guy until Roman. What if I’m not experienced enough for him?”

Gracie scoffs. “Seriously? Come on, Cecilia. Men love an inexperienced woman. He’ll probably come in his pants when he finds out you’re a virgin.”

I wrinkle my nose at her crudeness.

“Do they actually? Wouldn’t they want a woman who knows what she’s doing?”

“Babe, I can assure you, men like teaching you about sex,” she promises.

“Plus, he knows what he’s doing. He’s not going to need you to show him.

Wasn’t the dance floor orgasm the hottest thing ever?

” She fans herself as if she’s the one who had the blinding orgasm, and for a second, I regret telling her. But I couldn’t have kept it from her.

“Yes,” I mumble. “But how do I tell him that’s the furthest I’ve ever gone with a man? When would I even tell him that?”

I seriously don’t know how to do any of this. I’m regretting waiting on intimacy until I find my soulmate. I should’ve explored and experienced more in college. Now I’m in my twenties and haven’t even seen a man naked.

“You don’t have to tell him, but I think you should. But wait until you start getting physical. Don’t just blurt out, ‘I’m a virgin’ at dinner. That’d be oof.”

“Okay, thanks.”

A knock at the door interrupts my train of thought.

I take a deep breath. “I guess this is it.”

“It’s going to be great. Don’t worry about it,” Gracie says as she heads to her room to give us some privacy.

I open the apartment door, and there he is in all his glory.

He’s wearing a black button up with the top buttons undone, showing a tasteful amount of tattooed skin.

The sleeves are folded below his elbow, exposing more tattooed, veiny flesh.

His corded forearms are on display. His black slacks have to be custom made to fit his huge build.

His facial hair has grown out a little longer than a five o’clock shadow.

The dark stubble looks sexy. All of him looks sexy. And tempting.

My thighs clench as a wave of arousal tears through me.

His eyes are on me, gliding from my head to toes and back up again.

“Fuck, sunshine. You look enchanting. Bewitching. Ethereal.” The awe in his voice catches me off guard. “You’re a goddess.”

I’ve been called pretty, beautiful, even gorgeous, but I’ve never been called those. I’ve never been told I don’t look of this earth. My cheeks flush at the compliment, and my heart soars.

“Thank you, héroe. You look dashing,” I say, returning the compliment with one just as true.

His cheeks tinge red a little, and he smiles so cutely.

He offers me his hand, “Come on, Cecilia. It’s time for our date.”

I take his offered hand, and we exit my apartment as a happy couple.