Page 4 of The Heart of a Capricorn (BLP Signs of Love #19)

I wanted Lyric, and I would do what I had to do to get her.

I only planned to stay in Vegas for a week, but with Lyric being here, my time would be extended indefinitely.

I could be called for work at some point, but if that happened, I would come right back.

Nothing or nobody was waiting for me at home, so I could be gone as long as needed.

My aunt could go check on my place if I needed her to, but that was it.

I didn’t have a girl or anybody worth communicating with.

Lyric hadn’t really changed over the years, except her hair was red instead of black like it used to be. She was still the same chic from college, just more mature from what I could tell.

I didn’t care about anyone else in that bar except her. When I first sat down, she tried to act like I wasn’t there, but I noticed the moment her cheeks flushed. I was glad that I still had that effect on her.

The second I got close enough, her flowery scent engulfed my senses. I wanted to bottle her scent up and put it on my pillows and every surface in my room.

I knew she wanted me just as much as I wanted her.

It was obvious by the rise and fall of her chest and the redness of her cheeks whenever I looked at her.

It had been so long since I saw her, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Her face was the object of plenty of dreams over the years.

For us to spend such a short time together, Lyric imprinted on my soul.

I had to hold back when I walked her to her room, because I wanted nothing more than to go inside with her and reintroduce her to the chemistry we once shared.

An ambitious and smart woman turned me on. Lyric could hold a conversation about anything, and she was funny. We were able to discuss world events, to everyday shit like rap beefs and stuff on television. She was a homey and a lover. I needed someone like her in my life.

It had been two days since I had gotten the chance to talk to Lyric, and according to Ciara, Lyric and her team had been working hard on their project. I’d seen Lyric in passing, but she was always too busy to talk.

Ciara asked me questions about Lyric’s and my relationship, but I didn’t tell her anything. I assured her that I wouldn’t be a distraction to Lyric, and I would tell her about it when there was something to tell. As focused as Lyric was, I knew she wouldn’t allow me to be a distraction if I tried.

It was the weekend, and I knew Lyric would have some downtime, so I planned a date for us and prayed she’d say yes.

I went to the office to see Ciara and hoped to see Lyric. When I first got there, she was so engrossed in her work, she didn’t know I was there. The office she worked out of was all glass, so it was easy for me to see inside and know that she was alone.

I stood outside her office door, hesitant to go inside.

I could have any woman I wanted, but Lyric made me a little unsure of myself.

She could potentially say no, and I didn’t want that.

Her attraction to me was there, but that didn’t mean she would want to go out with me.

There was a difference, and that difference kept me from knocking on the door.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there watching her. Lyric tended to frown and bite her bottom lip whenever she was in deep concentration, and the small gesture made me smile. She was serious about her business.

My heart dropped into my stomach when Lyric looked up and spotted me. She tilted her head to the side, studying me. I drew in a breath and opened the door when she motioned for me to come in. I felt like I floated into her office. That was how entranced she had me.

“How long were you standing there?” Lyric asked as she got up from her desk.

She wore a navy blue skirt that hugged her curves, with a white shirt.

The top two buttons were undone, giving me a small glimpse of the top of her bosom.

Her hair was in a neat ponytail at the top of her head.

I couldn’t help but focus on the curvature of her neck.

I didn’t know why I was so drawn to it, but I was.

Lyric cleared her throat, and my eyes traveled up to her face. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me. I knew she had questions, but I also knew that she wouldn’t ask them, at least not yet.

I stuck my hands into my pockets. “I wasn’t there that long. I didn’t want to interrupt what you were doing.” That was partially the truth, but honestly, I just liked looking at her. Call me creepy, but that was what it was.

“Oh, okay. What brings you by? You came to see Ciara?”

I stepped closer to her as she sat on the edge of her desk. She crossed her legs at the ankle, and my eyes gravitated to the gold anklet she wore.

Damn. I needed to see that shit resting on my shoulder while I dug in her guts.

“Chauncey.” Lyric saying my name snapped me out of my thoughts.

“My bad. I came to ask you on a proper date. And before you lie, I already know you don’t have to work.”

Lyric was always in charge of things, but I noticed she wanted to be submissive at times. It just took the right person to make her comfortable enough to let her guard down.

Lyric rolled her eyes and dropped her arms to her side. She gently held on to the edges of her desk.

“I wasn’t going to lie. I enjoyed our time the other night, so yes, I would like to go on a date with you.” She giggled.

“Aight. How does seven tonight sound?”

“It sounds like I’ll be ready.” Her lashes fluttered as a smile spread across her face.

This went a lot smoother than I thought. I stood outside her door like a punk for nothing.

“Okay. I’ll come get you from your room at seven. Enjoy the rest of your day, Lyric.”

“See you at seven, Chauncey,” she said in a singsong tone.

I nodded and left her office. I didn’t want to run into any of the other ladies, especially the chick from the other night, so I took the steps. Since Lyric agreed to the date, I needed to finalize the details.

After finalizing everything, I took a nap and chilled around my room until it was time to get ready.

I scrubbed my body from head to toe twice, then I got dressed for the evening. Even though it was later in the day, the heat was still in full effect. Once the sun went down, it might cool off some, but not much.

“It’s only dinner. Don’t get ahead of yourself and get fresh.

You’ll scare her off.” I stood in the mirror giving myself a pep talk as I put the finishing touches on my look for the evening.

When I packed, I didn’t consider going on a date, so I almost packed nothing but shorts, jeans, and tees, but something told me to pack something a little more formal, and I was glad I did.

Maybe it was the universe speaking to me, and it knew something I didn’t.

It was ten minutes to six by the time I got ready. I sent a text message to my connect at the place where I reserved dinner, and they confirmed everything was good to go. I sprayed my cologne, put my phone in my pocket, and made sure I had my room key before leaving the room.

Lyric’s room was two floors below me, so I headed to the elevator.

I rubbed my hands over my pants legs because I was nervous.

I tried to calm my rapidly beating heart as I rode the elevator down.

By the time I got to Lyric’s room, it was two minutes before seven.

I hoped she was ready, but I would wait if she wasn’t.

Our reservation time wasn’t strict, but I didn’t want to get there too late either.

When I got to Lyric’s room, I tapped on the door with my knuckle. It only took a few seconds for her to open the door, and when she did, my pulse raced.

“Damn, you look good.”

Lyric wore a cream strapless dress that stopped a little above her knees.

She had on tan heels that had a strap that went around her ankles, but I still spotted that gold anklet.

In her hand, she carried a brown and tan circular bag.

A gold watch and gold accessories adorned her arms. Her hair was bone straight, and it fell right below her breasts.

She smiled and looked down at my shoes, then slowly let her gaze travel the length of my body.

“You look good, too, and you’re punctual. I like that.”

“There was no way I would keep a beauty like you waiting. Plus, I know you are about time. You were gracious enough to bless me with some of your time, so I didn’t want to waste a minute.”

Lyric’s eyes sparkled as she blushed. She stepped out into the hallway and let the room door close behind her. She pulled at the handle to ensure it was locked, then looked at me.

I put my arm out so she could hold on to it while we walked the short distance to the elevator.

“Thank you for being considerate.”

“I always will be when it comes to you. You smell good as hell.” I inhaled the sweet aroma of flowers on her skin. I couldn’t tell what kind of flower it was, but she smelled like the Garden of Eden. Fresh but forbidden.

“And so do you.”

Lyric had the kind of voice that made you listen. It was commanding and powerful. At least that was how I viewed it when I heard her speaking to her colleagues. But now, it was soft, but that power was still there.

“Thanks. I rented a car for the evening. Are you hungry?”

“Yes. I haven’t eaten since lunch. I didn’t want to get anything when I was done with work, because I didn’t want to ruin my appetite.”

We made it outside, and the car service I rented for the night was at the curb waiting.

I didn’t know how the night would turn out, so I figured a driver would be the best idea.

I also wanted to be able to enjoy the sights with Lyric.

I’d been to Vegas before, but it seemed like every time I went, there was something new to see.

I opened the door for Lyric and waited until she got inside before sliding in next to her.

“This is nice.” Lyric’s eyes wandered around the spacious, luxury car.