Page 3 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

After another day at the clinic, I inhale the fresh, outdoor air as the door swings shut behind me. I make my way down the sidewalk, heading toward my apartment.

One of my favorite patients, Mrs. Orla, came in today. She’s in her eighties but is still impressively spry. She attends physical therapy to stay active. She walks two miles a day and can even use the stationary bike.

She brings me homemade goodies every week and always wants the gossip about my dating life. Unfortunately, for both her and me, it remains nonexistent.

She frequently pouts about only having granddaughters, or she’d set me up with a grandson.

She’s even offered to set me up with her granddaughter who prefers women, but I politely declined, not interested in women in that way.

If I were, I’d certainly be interested in her granddaughter, if only to be family with Mrs. Orla.

Mrs. Orla helped keep my day bright even after she left and Dr. Sanders got a little too interested.

It isn’t out of the ordinary, but he was more persistent today.

He’s a middle aged, married man, but sometimes his stare lingers too long and I’m always the tech he asks to assist him with his patients, even when I’m assigned to other therapists.

He brushes against me too often and although I try to tell myself it’s in my head, he triggers my fight or flight way too often.

But I won’t let any of that stop me from having a good day. I’ll find a way to save the day.

It’s a mental mindset Mamá taught me. When something’s dampened the light of my day, I find a way to Save the Day. Whether it’s cooking a delicious dinner, hanging out with my friends, or even just a nice cup of tea, I won’t go to bed until I’ve found something to save my day.

Maybe I’ll see if Leo is available to give me a massage.

Despite my yoga this morning, I already feel knots forming in my neck.

He’s one of my closest friends, and his hands are pure magic.

He took a masseuse course with one of his previous girlfriends, and although they didn’t work out, the skill stuck around, and I reap the benefits.

He’s now my personal masseuse, and although I’ve offered to pay him countless times, he always refuses, claiming he just enjoys spending time with me.

Gracie swears he’s interested in me, but I just don’t see it. He’s one of my closest friends; I’d never want to cross that line. And I don’t see him that way. He’s like a brother to me.

I take out my phone, ready to send him a text as I walk down the sidewalk, when a heavy force hits me.

I’m thrown off balance and start to fall.

I try to catch myself, but I hit my head against a metal pole and am sent flying in the opposite direction.

My eyes squeeze shut, prepared to meet the pavement, when I feel the motion stop.

I don’t feel the ground hit me.

I don’t feel the ground at all.

My eyes crack open, and my breath catches in my throat.

All I see is a chin.

The sexiest chin I’ve ever seen.

What a weird thought.

A sexy chin.

The chin drops down, and deep brown orbs meet mine. Confused deep brown orbs meet mine.

And although I lay stable in his arms, for the second time in as many seconds, I feel my world shift.