Page 8 of Deceptive Desires (The Syndicate #2)

Cecilia

There’s a knock at the front door. I rise from the couch, but Gracie beats me to it.

“Sit your ass down. You’re still healing,” she grumbles at me. Under all her grouchiness, is sisterly love, and that’s why she bosses me around. “Do you have anyone coming over? Ugh, please tell me it’s not Leo.” She fakes a gag at his name.

She’s not a fan of my guy friend. She never has been.

“The concussion was two days ago, I’m pretty much healed. But thank you for grabbing the door. And no, I have no idea who it could be. I haven’t even told Leo about the concussion. I didn’t want to worry him. He’s a sweet guy. I don’t know why you dislike him so much.”

“I don’t dislike him. I hate him. I don’t trust the weasel.” She swings the door open, then her jaw drops. I can’t see past the door as to who it is, but she eyes whoever it is up and down and raises a brow. “Definitely not Leo,” she practically purrs it. “How can I help you?”

I’m taken aback by her tone. I’ve heard her answer our door, her phone, and many others with a rude, ‘What do you want?’ more times than I can count. Why is she being nice?

“I’m here to see Cecilia. Is she available?” the sexiest voice carries into the room.

I instantly straighten. My body reacts instinctively. Goose bumps spread across my skin.

Roman.

He’s here.

“She may be. Who are you? What do you want?” Gracie’s flirty demeanor shifts to a protective one. She’s not about to let in any man who she doesn’t know. Especially not if he could be after me. Gracie is nothing if not paranoid and pessimistic.

“Gracie, please let him in,” I plead, not wanting her to make him suffer. He’s already such a selfless, kindhearted man. He helped me, a stranger, for no reason except for it being the right thing to do. And now he’s back to check on me.

“Who is he?” she addresses me but never turns from Roman. She glares at him, as if trying to uncover his ill intentions.

“He’s the one who brought me home and took care of me after the concussion,” I confess.

Her head snaps to me, and she raises a brow. “It seems you left out a few crucial details. I expect a full, honest retelling soon.” She checks him up and down one final time with an eyebrow arched, then steps aside. “Welcome,” she says dryly.

Instead of going to her bedroom to give us some privacy, she sits on a stool at the island and faces the living room.

Roman walks in and his eyes immediately find mine. A warm smile breaks out on his face, bringing one to mine.

I start to stand, ready to greet him properly, but he rushes to my side and gently pushes me back on the couch.

“Don’t get up on my account. You’re still healing, sunshine.”

I nod at him and try to force my skin not to redden at the nickname. I try and fail.

I look him over. His buzzed hair calls to me.

I still feel the phantom prickle on my fingers.

His tattoos peak up his neck from his shirt neckline and down his arms. I want to trace them with my tongue.

It darts out and licks my lips instead. I didn’t realize just how big he is.

He’ll tower over my five-foot seven-inch frame.

I clench involuntarily at the realization.

I didn’t realize big, muscular men were my type, but Roman is definitely doing something to me.

“Hey, Celia.” It comes out low and gravelly. My eyes shoot up, and up, and up, to meet his, and I find them dark.

The energy between us is palpable. I can feel the electricity.

“It’s Cecilia,” Gracie corrects from the kitchen, snapping us out of the moment. I turn to see her eating a banana, watching us. She’s not even trying to hide it. She’s not on her phone or anything.

He takes that as his cue to sit in one of the armchairs. He takes the whole thing up. I’m not surprised when I hear it creak under his weight.

“I know her name. Cecilia María álvarez Rivera.” I giggle as he butchers the pronunciation. He doesn’t tear his eyes from mine as he answers her. And suddenly, the room feels hot again.

“I guess high school Spanish didn’t help with pronunciation,” I tease him. When his face drops a little, I quickly lift him up. I’ll never be the one to tear someone down. “It’s okay. I’m surprised you remember.”

His grin is immediate. “I remember our whole interaction. Every second of it. However, I’m surprised you remember. With your concussion, I was afraid you forgot me.”

“How could I forget my hero? Is that why you came back? To reintroduce yourself?” I ask teasingly.

He brightens at the nickname.

I couldn’t help myself. It’s too fitting for him. He saved me. He is my hero.

“Well, my phone never rang with a call from my sunshine. I had to come by and make sure you were okay.”

“I haven’t been on my phone. You’re supposed to avoid screens after a concussion,” I explain to him.

“So, you haven’t been on any screens? You’ve been taking care of yourself?”

“Yes. I’ve been just lying on the couch the past few days in total darkness. Abiding by Dr. Roman’s orders. I’ve taken up podcasts.” I wink at him.

“Good girl.” Shivers shoot down my spine. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m great. I’ve been healing rather nicely. I think by tomorrow I’ll be back to normal.”

“Great! What podcasts are you listening to?” His interest surprises me. Not many men actually care about that sort of thing.

“I’ve been listening to a few. I’ve rotated between ones about yoga, meditation, gardening, and cooking.” I love my passions any way I can get them. Since I can’t physically do them at the moment, I at least wanted to listen and see if there was anything I could learn.

“Any good ones you’d recommend to me?”

“Do you do yoga? Or meditate? Those are my favorites!” I get excited at the idea I can share this with him.

“I’ve never done either, but I’d be willing to try. What about the other ones?”

“Those two are in Spanish. I’d probably need to translate them for you if you wanted to listen to them,” I offer, not wanting him to feel bad about not speaking my language.

“That’s okay, sunshine. But I wouldn’t mind learning from you? If that’s something you’d be open to?” He seems almost apprehensive.

“I’d love to teach you! What do you want to learn? Yoga? Meditation? Cooking? Gardening? Spanish?” I’d do anything with him, just to be around him. I can’t explain the pull I have towards this gentle giant.

“Anything you’d like. You seem so passionate about it all.”

“It’s a date!” I say, returning his grin with one of my own. My excitement has me practically jumping off the couch.

Before I realize what I’ve said, that I’ve demanded a date from him, he agrees. “Perfect. When you feel better, text me, and we’ll set it up.”

I blush at my forwardness. I didn’t mean to be, but it seemed to work out.

“We can start now if you’d like? I can show you some basic yoga poses,” I offer, excited to be around him.

“No, you don’t!” shouts Gracie from the island. “No yoga for you until you’re completely healed.”

She effectively crushes my dream while also reminding me of her presence.

“You heard the boss, no yoga today. I need to leave anyway. I have something I need to do for work. I just wanted to stop by and check on you.”

I can’t help the rush of disappointment I feel at his words. “Oh, okay. I really appreciate you stopping by. And for helping me the other day. I’m not sure I would’ve made it home without you, héroe.”

My eyes start to droop, the remnant exhaustion from the concussion catching up to me after our interaction. I can’t hold back my yawn either.

“Anytime, sunshine.” He makes his way over to me and brushes my hair out of my face. He leans down, as if to hug me, and I get a waft of him.

“Mmm. You smell like lemons,” I tell him.

He tenses and a dark gleam takes over his eyes, but it’s gone in a blink. “It’s the soap at work. I had an eventful morning.” He looks me over again and smiles sweetly. “Lie down, Celia. It’s time for a nap.”

“Yes, sir,” I say with a wink.

He mutters something under his breath and stares at the ceiling for the five seconds it takes for me to get situated. He then covers me with my blanket and just stares.

“Call me when you’re better. We have a yoga date to go on.” He grins, then heads out.

He says something I don’t catch to Gracie, and she leads him out.

I pretend to fall asleep, so I don’t have to answer her questions.

I want to bask in what just occurred.