Page 41 of A Lesson in Deceit (Mystic Riegan Duet #1)

Riley

I made sure my hair was set and that my dress looked good enough to pass Corrin’s party test when she saw me.

She told me when she decided to stay with Mateo last night that if I came to my own boyfriend’s party looking far too casual for her liking, she would be driving me back to the dorm to change.

The dress was short, but not so short that I would flash anyone the minute I bent over.

My ruby gem necklace sat comfortably at my chest. The weather had been warm today, breezy, but the nights were getting chiller than I liked so I unhooked my jean jacket from the hanger.

I pulled my braids out once I had it on, letting them fall down my back.

I slipped my Converse on and put on the most minimal amount of makeup, looking down at my phone at Marianne’s text.

MARIANNE

I have arrived so hurry up. Take your time but do it quickly.

We had to park on the street a few houses down since plenty of cars I didn’t recognize had gotten closer spots. I had told River we were coming far later than I would have liked since Marianne took forever picking me up. Despite telling me to hurry up, she always ended up being the one not on time.

The music had a deep bass and my body was vibrating with it the minute we stepped inside.

There was loud laughter and the thick smell of alcohol in the air.

Marianne moved out of the way as other people pushed open the door to get inside.

I took her hand and guided her into the living room, finding that the couch and the armchair were already taken.

“So, where’s your boyfriend, or is it boyfriends ?” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

I slapped my hand against my face. “I shouldn’t have told you that.”

She shook her head, her blonde hair moving from side to side. “Oh, no. I loved learning that my best friend got plowed by two guys who are obsessed with her. Honestly, we all deserve to be worshipped like that.”

“Please, any louder so everyone can hear you,” I said sarcastically, placing a finger over my lips.

“Mhmm…” She nodded over my shoulder, but before I could turn around, large arms wrapped around my middle.

“There she is.” River pressed his lips to my ear, squeezing me. He gave Marianne a simple wave, kissing my cheek.

“Where’s the other part of your triangle?” Marianne asked, looking around.

“He’s around. How about we get you two something to drink?” He took my hand, leading us to the kitchen. He asked Marianne what she wanted, since he already was well aware of what I enjoyed. He opened the fridge handing her a beer and pulled out various bottles and two different fruit juices.

“What’s that?” I asked, watching as he placed everything on the messy counter.

“Everything I need to make your favorite.” He bent down, opening a cabinet and straightening back up with a shaker in his hand.

“River, you are not about to do that.” I pressed my hands to my cheeks, taking into account all the things on the counter that made a Sex on the Beach.

Marianne took a swig of her beer. “That is so disgustingly sweet I think I’m going to puke.”

He started to add the different ingredients to the shaker, heading to the freezer for some ice. I couldn’t help the smile that spread on my face at how this very filthy mouthed man could be so cute.

“Don’t fuck it up.” Grayson appeared in the doorway, creating a V with his fingers and pointing from his eyes to River’s.

He moved around my boyfriend and over to me, kissing me on the cheek and giving me a hug where his hands landed right above my ass.

I could hear Marianne choke on her drink, but she didn’t say anything.

“Hand me a glass, will ya?” River looked over at Grayson who nodded at him, opening one of the cabinets up top, setting a crystallized glass down on the counter. My boyfriend opened the shaker, poured the drink into the glass and slid it over to me.

“No fancy umbrella?” Grayson joked, nudging River who shoved him back.

I picked up the drink, bringing it to my nose. It smelled just fine, but that didn’t mean much. I brought it to my lips, tipping it back so I could take a sip. Both boys and Marianne were all looking at me with bated breath.

I smacked my lips, purposely prolonging my reaction. “It’s actually really good. You could always put bartending skills on your resume.”

“You can come work under me.” I heard Mateo’s voice and turned around. Corrin hurried around the counter and hugged me, pulling back and assessing my outfit. She gave me one small nod that spoke volumes.

Introductions were made and the conversation flowed seamlessly.

Mateo had mentioned that their sister was tending the bar, so she was sorry she had to miss us tonight.

The music entrapped us and soon the beat was one that I could move to and River knew exactly how to find a rhythm with me.

Marianne was chatting up a girl in the kitchen, while Corrin and Mateo danced enthusiastically with each other.

I held my drink in one hand, careful to keep it in the glass.

River spun me around and pressed me against his chest, bringing his forehead down on mine.

He grabbed my hips, sliding his hands back and gripping my ass, which bunched up my dress.

“Any higher and the whole worlds going to see what we share.” Grayson came up behind me, his body heat surrounding me. His fingers played along with River’s, teasing at the hem of my dress.

“We have a lot of plans for you tonight, gorgeous.” River leaned in to kiss me. Grayson slipped my drink from my hand and I pulled away from River’s kiss.

“Hey, I wasn’t done with that.” My tone was playful.

“We need you to be coherent and willing tonight, aking sinta .” That phrase again. Something about it made my insides flutter.

“Well then, water it is for the rest of the night.” I placed my hands on River’s chest, reaching up to try to kiss him and then I heard a crash.

“What the fuck was that?” River’s mouth formed into a hard line and he groaned. “I’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere.” He kissed my forehead and then went in search of the reason for breaking up our good time. Grayson followed him and I pressed my hand to the back of my neck.

Water actually sounded amazing right now since I felt like I was burning up. I started to head towards the kitchen when a hand gripped my forearm. I turned to come face to face with a burly guy who I’m pretty sure I’d seen around campus.

“Can I help you?” I asked, trying to pull my arm out of his hold.

“You can dance with me.” His voice was a little slurred.

“I’m okay, thanks.” I tried to remove myself from him, but he just held on tighter. “You can let me go now.”

He laughed a little, teetering on his feet. “It’s just one dance. You had no problems with the two guys before.”

I gave him a forced smile. “Well, I know those guys and I don’t know you, so let me go.”

He pulled me into him, causing me to smell the alcohol on his breath up close and personal. “You can get to know me then, come on.” He started trying to drag me to where a throng of people were dancing, but I planted my feet and pulled back.

“Just let me…”

My entire body was yanked backwards into a hard chest. Fingers held my arms, moving me to the side. I looked up, coming face to face with the person who had pulled me away.

Asher. He had on a grey henley that shaped his body nicely; it was hard not to look at him.

The burly guy blinked, looking more annoyed. “Go find your own girl.” He shoved his hands against Asher’s chest.

River’s brother let out a deep laugh. “I wasn’t aware she belonged to you.”

The guy looked past Asher at me, scanning my body in a way that made me think I was completely naked. “She might if you’d stop being a massive cockblock and let me show her a good time.” He tried to move past Asher, who didn’t hesitate to pull his arm back and connect his fist with the guy’s face.

I watched him stagger back, shaking his head, becoming even more unstable on his feet. He lunged toward Asher who moved out of the way, grabbing a beer bottle from the coffee table and smashing it over the guy’s head. He stumbled and fell on the ground with a loud thud.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” River placed his hands on either side of his head, looking at the mess around us.

Asher placed the other half of the broken bottle on the coffee table. “I fucking live here.”

Grayson pointed to the unconscious body on the ground. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”

Corrin and Marianne fought through the crowd, crouching down next to the body.

Corrin pressed her fingers to his neck. “No, he’s fine.

His pride will probably hurt like a bitch though.

” She fluttered her fingers, moving her hand over his body.

A shimmer of magic laid over his body and then disappeared.

“Just for good measure, but he’ll be fine. ”

She looked up at Asher, her eyes widening. Both she and Marianne looked at me, mouthing ‘are you okay’. I nodded, more concerned about the people now giving me way too much attention.

River came over to me. “Baby, are you okay?”

“You really shouldn’t leave your girlfriend alone for drunk idiots to try to prey on,” Asher chastised.

River pointed at me, facing his brother. “I wasn’t aware I needed to hire the fucking Secret Service to watch her like she’s a fucking child.”

Grayson cleared his throat. “Guys, this is really not the time for this.”

“Better yet, maybe you shouldn’t have parties without my say so, like you’re fucking sixteen sneaking out of the house,” Asher ordered.

River barked out a laugh. “Oh, don’t blame the party. The guy was an asshole and you saved the day, good for fucking you. I’m sure Riley is very grateful that you knocked him unconscious. Would you like a medal for doing something nice for someone?”