Page 23 of A Lesson in Deceit (Mystic Riegan Duet #1)

Riley

R iver gave me room in front of the door to my dorm so that I could tap my keycard.

He followed me inside, sitting down on my bed.

Corrin wasn’t here, so I slipped my phone out of my pocket checking on any messages from her.

I had one from my mom, which I would answer later, but nothing from Corrin.

I closed my eyes, holding my phone so tight that I felt a cramp in my hand.

“Lucky you with no class tomorrow.” River kicked his shoes off, laying back on my bed.

I blinked, bringing myself back into the present.

“I still have homework.” I walked over to my dresser, picking up the one picture I’d brought with me of me and my parents.

It was in a frame that I’d bought at a craft store because I thought it was cute.

I’d had to cut the picture down to make it fit, but it was in the shape of a heart, and I loved it regardless.

“Still, I wish I could hang out with you tonight, but I idiotically decided to take a night class.”

I swiped a tear from under my eye and focused on him. “I can see the appeal of night classes.

“Advanced Telepathy is a much easier class to grasp in the evening. I think my mind is a little more subdued.”

I walked over to him. He instantly sat up, swinging his legs off the bed and pulling me so I was standing in between them. “Hopefully not so subdued that you fall asleep. You’re supposed to be graduating soon.”

He gave me a tiny smile, cupping the side of my face. I leaned into his touch, shuddering at the instant comfort he gave me. “What’s wrong, gorgeous?”

My eyes were half closed, but then they shot open. “What do you mean?”

“Well, your cheek is a little wet, so I’m going to assume something is bothering you.”

Fuck, I thought I had caught the tears before they could propel themselves out of my fucking eyes. “A lot on my mind, that’s all. Nothing I can’t handle.”

River slid his hand down my arm, the cold metal of his power dampening ring cooling parts of my skin. “Is this about your dad?”

I reared my head back, stepping away from him. “Why would you say that? Did your brother say something?”

He raised his hands, telling me he was trying to come at this delicately. “He might have mentioned something, but whatever you tell me…I’m on your side. Being here can’t be easy and if you want to talk about it then I’m here. I’m always here.”

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 thought with 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. “I know he 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, more upset 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 would never do 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 out shaky 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.

I hadn’t thought about coming home fully, until I’d read her text and saw that she’d asked. Her response came quicker than I thought it would.

MOM

Perfect, I haven’t touched your room, so it’s all ready for you.

Okay, I lied. I washed your sheets, but that’s because Beau left dog hair everywhere.

He misses you.

I miss you too. I’ll also get your favorite little gummy bears from that convenience store that looks unsafe, but you always say it’s fine.

I chuckled to myself, remembering that the only reason why I loved those gummy bears was because of my dad.

I made him take me back to that place after I’d run out and my mom had a field day when she found out what this place looked like and that my dad had taken their seven-year-old daughter there.

My vision started to get hazy when the tears began to take hold, but Corrin’s name on my screen stopped them. I clicked to open her text.

CORRIN

You need to get over to my house. I’m sending you the address.