Page 34 of A Lesson in Deceit
I sighed, feeling the heavy weight that had landed in my chest subside. I couldn’t talk about this because then it would make me want to divulge everything to him, and I wanted all my facts straight. I didn’t want loose ends and plot holes. I didn’t like my stories with them, so I didn’t want them in my actual life.
I rushed back over to him, leaning down and kissing him. He was the best and I understood why nearly every person fell in love with him. He was insanely good looking, but he had a heart big enough for everyone he cared about. As much as he thoughtwith his cock most of the time, he knew when to turn down the heat and just let it simmer so he could focus.
I hummed against his mouth, changing the subject. “So, a party, huh?”
He raised one of his eyebrows. “What?”
“Marianne texted me and told me you were having a party. I was a little confused since that was the first I was hearing about it.”
River scrubbed a hand down his face. “I was going to tell you. Well, really I was just going to pick you up and bring you over. I didn’t think I needed to invite my girlfriend to my own party.” He rolled his eyes, his tone filled with humor.
“And what if I had plans?”
“Bring your plans along.” He stood up, holding me close to him. “A big party downstairs, we go sneak off and have our own very sweaty, naked, private party alone upstairs.”
I giggled when his lips ghosted over my jaw and towards my ear. With all the feelings about River, my dad and all the things I still didn’t know, I let my mind drift. I didn’t realize what I was saying until the words were out of my mouth. “And what about Grayson?”
River lifted his head to look at me. I thought I would see a hint of annoyance or even jealousy at the idea that I just brought up his best friend while he was attempting to seduce and flirt. I didn’t see any of that when I looked into his eyes. I saw that same twinkle of something familiar that made my heart speed up. I saw mischief.
“I’m sure Grayson can take care of himself.”
I broke our eye contact, looking down at the ground. “Oh yeah, of course. I don’t know why I said that.” I could have let the floor swallow me whole at any moment now.
River crooked his finger, tilting my chin up to look at him again. “Riley…”
“I think…” I paused, rephrasing. “Iknowhe was watching us the other night and I think we should all talk about it.” My voice trembled a tiny bit towards the end as if I was losing my confidence. I really didn’t know another time when a topic like this could be appropriately brought up.
He cocked his head to the side. “Would you like me to talk to him myself? If you feel some type of way about it, I promise he’ll get the message.” His eyes had turned a little dark as if he was ready to ruin his friendship for me.
“N—no…don’t. I mean, I don’t…feel some kind of way about it. I mean, well, I feel something about it…” I could hear myself rambling, but the words were just tumbling out until he hummed appreciatively, as if he understood.
“Maybe we do need to talk about it then.” River gave me a side smile that would have melted my insides if I wasn’t a little taken aback. His free hand had traveled to my waist, under my shirt and his fingers were tracing little circles against my skin. “Together.” He still held my chin, but he gently lifted his thumb to follow the curve of my lower lip.
“You aren’t upset that I’m not, I don’t know,moreupset about it.”
“Mmm...no. If you were uncomfortable then I’d deal with it, but clearly you have something else on your mind and discomfort is not the word I’d use for how you felt about being watched.” He leaned down, speaking against my lips. “I’m more than willing to give you everything you want and more, gorgeous.” His words implied so much more than I was prepared for.
I reached down, placing my hand over his, stopping his intoxicating movements. “Have you and Grayson ever…”
His shoulders moved as he laughed lightly, withdrawing his face from its place so close to mine. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
I plunged my teeth into my bottom lip. “No, not a problem at all. I’ve maybe actually thought about it…if you both had…” I shook my head when he grinned over at me. I pressed my lips together. “Did you guys get together when we started…”
“No, no, what we did, what we had was back in high school and a few times here and there before I met you.” He quickly added. “He’s my best friend and I love him. Do I still have a connection with him that is special to me? Yeah, but I wouldneverdo that to you. The fact that he cares about you just as much as I do is really a bonus.” I found myself liking that piece of information. Yes, Grayson cared about me, but I enjoyed knowing that they cared about each other. That their relationship could go beyond friendship, yet if friendship was all they desired they would be okay. River wanted all the good and happy things for me, but I wanted the same for them, for both of them. Perhaps our little talk needed to be about more than just me.
I nodded, pulling away a little, but he didn’t ease up his hold on me. “If you want to change things, Riley, all you have to do is say the word and you can have it all. Me and him both need you to say what you want out loud and mean it. How about tomorrow after my class and his work study, we sit and figure this out?”
I pursed my lips. “You make this sound so easy.”
River shrugged, reaching up and grabbing the back of my head with both his hands. “You won’t let me read your mind, so you’re going to have to use your words. You know how to do that, don’t you?” He pressed his forehead to mine and I nodded, swaying a little bit.
“That’s my good girl.” He kissed me, licking at my lips and taking my bottom lip between his teeth and pulling enough to make me whimper. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.”
He grabbed his bag and walked out the door without another look over his shoulder. I inhaled deeply and my exhale came outshaky but filled with just a miniscule bit of excitement I didn’t quite comprehend. That was a tomorrow issue, but today I’d missed my opportunity to speak to Oliver St. James. That could also be tomorrow’s issue.
I took out my phone, sending a reply text to my mom.
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, I’m planning to come home this weekend.
