Page 17 of The Heart of a Capricorn (BLP Signs of Love #19)

“What was that about?” Ciara asked, but I didn’t answer right away.

I sat back in my seat and rubbed my hand over my face. Lyric’s actions surprised me, but I couldn’t blame her. I knew how it looked, but it wasn’t like that. I planned on telling her but didn’t know how. I wouldn’t have left without saying something, but I was sure Lyric didn’t see it like that.

Everyone had gone back to whatever they were doing before Lyric created a small scene. Ciara reclaimed her seat in front of me. I could feel her watching me, but I was trying to wrap my head around Lyric’s outburst. I wasn’t trying to fuck up what we’d built over the last couple of weeks.

My head was down, but I didn’t miss when Ciara leaned over the table, with her head tilted, to look at me.

“What’s going on, brother? I have never seen Lyric act like that.”

“A lot, and I hope her actions don’t warrant reprimanding.”

Ciara shook her head. “Of course not. She wasn’t on the clock when it happened, and I know she had a good reason for her actions.” She flashed a sympathetic smile my way.

I was glad that she wouldn’t get into any trouble, but I still felt bad that I hurt her feelings. That was never my intention, and I knew I had to rectify the situation.

I glanced around the dining area, and I noticed the chick Lyric entered with, but she quickly looked away when I caught her.

I turned my attention to Ciara. “I fucked up, sis.”

I went on to tell Ciara about Lyric and me knowing each other in college, and how we’d been spending time while in Vegas.

I expressed my feelings for her and how I wanted to be with her once we left.

I also explained how I didn’t tell Lyric about my assignment, so her overhearing it probably shocked her.

I didn’t mention my true thoughts about why Lyric reacted like that, because I wasn’t sure how much Ciara knew about Lyric’s personal life, and that wasn’t my place to tell her.

The look on Lyric’s face when I looked up at her, made my heart fall into my ass. I had just gotten her back and felt like we were on the right track. This incident was enough to set us back, if she chose to speak to me again at all.

Ciara reached across the table and rubbed my forearm. Her eyes were soft and full of concern.

“While I think she’ll talk to you again, I suggest giving her some space.

From what I’ve learned about Lyric over the years is that she needs time to process her feelings when she goes through something.

You don’t have to stay away for long, especially because you are leaving, but maybe try talking to her in the morning before you leave. ”

I wanted to go after Lyric, but when she ignored me, I knew my best bet was to chill. Ciara’s suggestion that I should give her space was confirmation. My flight the next morning was scheduled to leave early, but Lyric was going to see me before that happened.

“Oh, I definitely will, and I’m going to make sure we are on the same page before I leave.”

“You really like her, huh?” Ciara crossed her arms over her chest. “How come I didn’t know you guys were talking?”

“Yes, I really do like her. And I felt it wasn’t time to tell you yet. I wanted to have that conversation with Lyric about us telling you, but then this assignment came up.”

What Lyric did outside of work wasn’t important to Ciara, but I did want her to know so she wouldn’t be surprised if she saw me at the office in Vegas, or whenever they went back home. Ciara met any other woman I dated, so Lyric wasn’t a secret.

“I can tell your feelings are deep, because I’ve known you to forget about a woman the minute she did something out of the norm, especially in public.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I hope it works out for you two.”

“Me too.”

The staff were starting to put the food away, so I got up and grabbed a fresh plate because my food had gotten cold. I didn’t have much of an appetite, but I needed to put something on my stomach.

Once I got a new plate, I joined Ciara back at the table and listened to her tell me about the new guy she was dating.

I informed her that I needed to meet him to make sure he was a good fit.

She laughed it off, but I was serious. Ciara worked too hard to be dealing with someone who could jeopardize everything she worked for.

Her track record wasn’t that great in that department.

After I finished my food, Ciara and I went to walk the strip a little bit.

We didn’t get to spend that much time together, because I was always working, and I’d been spending all my free time with Lyric.

It felt good to spend time with my sister, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Lyric.

I pulled my phone out multiple times to call or text her, but Ciara stopped me each time.

I would take her advice and enjoy the rest of the day as much as I could.

I’d packed my belongings after spending most of the day with Ciara. I wanted to be ready so I could have enough time to see Lyric before I left.

We’d gotten word that our target had checked in online for his flight, so I didn’t have much time. We didn’t need him getting to the airport early and doing something crazy there. Terrorists didn’t have an issue with changing their plans at the last minute.

Once I was dressed, and my bag was by the door, I picked up my room key from the dresser. By the time I left Lyric, I would only have time to grab my bag and head out.

Terrance had agreed to meet me in the lobby at a certain time so we could head out together.

I left my room and headed to Lyric’s. I knocked on the door and waited for her to answer.

I had to keep shaking my hands to release the nervousness that flowed through me.

Concern filled me with each passing second.

Was she not in her room? Or was she ignoring me?

I didn’t like either option because I couldn’t leave without seeing her.

It would bother me the whole time, and I wouldn’t be able to focus like I should.

My chest caved in, making it feel heavy as I waited patiently. I took deep breaths to calm the knots in my stomach.

I checked my watch for the time, and I had been waiting for five minutes. Time was of the essence, but my feet wouldn’t let me leave.

Just as I was about to give up, I heard the locks turn, and my heart soared.

The minute Lyric opened the door, I pushed my way inside and pulled her into my arms. I let my hands travel to her ass, then her hips and thighs.

My hands were all over, and she didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

I wanted her so bad, and my hard dick was proof of that.

I wanted to curse because there was no time to feel her again, and I really wanted to clear the air.

“Mm.”

I pulled back when Lyric moaned from me squeezing her left breast. All she wore was a white T-shirt with some writing on it, and a pair of shorts that showed the bottom of her ass. I licked my lips as I stared down at her.

“Listen. I know I should have told you about my assignment when I came back from the meeting, but I didn’t know how to.

We were doing so good, and I didn’t want to ruin it, but I did anyway.

I also know why you reacted the way you did.

You’re afraid that I won’t come back, and while I can’t a hundred percent assure you, I do trust that God isn’t through with our story yet.

I promise, I will make it back in one piece, and we will talk for real.

I have to go, but I’m coming back for you, Lyric, believe that. Can you do that for me?”

Water pooled in her eyes, and I wiped away the tear that had fallen.

“Please, Lyric. I need to know that we are okay before I leave. Please, baby, for my sanity.”

She looked away but then put her soft hand on the side of my face. When I looked into her eyes, I knew that no matter what, I had to make my way back to her.

“Chauncey, I swear that if you don’t make it back in one piece, I’m going to dig up your grave and kick your ass.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist as I chuckled.

“I don’t know why I believe you, but I do.” My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I knew it was Terrance. “I have to go, but I’ll talk to you soon. Don’t worry, okay?”

She nodded, but I could still see the fear in her eyes. I knew she wouldn’t fully be okay until I was back and safe. It made me wonder if she would react like that every time I had to work. It wasn’t the time to dwell on it, so I pushed it to the back of my mind.

“I need to hear you say that you aren’t going to worry.”

“I won’t worry, Chauncey.”

She and I both knew that was a lie.

I bent down to kiss her lips. “I’ll call you as soon as I can. I really have to go,” I reminded her as my phone rang again.

“Okay.”

The sadness in her tone bothered me. I kissed her a couple more times before I released her and left the room.

I couldn’t look at her for too long, because I would have ended up staying.

I felt better knowing we would be okay. I rubbed my hands together as I waited for the elevator.

Adrenaline pumped through me as I rode the elevator down. Shit was about to get real, but it was okay because Lyric was willing to work on things.

I prayed that this job would be quick and there wouldn’t be any casualties. The quicker it got done, the quicker I could get back to Lyric.