Chapter 3

I wasn't tired yet. My mind wouldn't turn off. Ever since we arrived at Moonlight Estates, everything had been strange. I absently rubbed my wrist where Dominic had grabbed me, the skin still tingling with phantom warmth.

Taking out my phone, I added Nina's number to my contacts and began typing.

"This is Riley. Sorry if I seemed a bit cold earlier. Didn't mean to be. The new environment has me a bit disoriented. Thanks for being welcoming."

Her reply came quickly: "A little cold, but no worries, haha just kidding!! Sorry about my brother's rude behavior. Told you he's a bit of an asshole, but he's got a good heart. Want to grab coffee tomorrow at Hunter's Moon Café? My treat."

I considered mentioning how Dominic had pulled me close and smelled me, but decided against it. Some things were too weird to put into text.

"Coffee sounds good. You can fill me in on what Wolf Creek has to offer."

"I'll pick you up at 11. Night Riley."

I set my phone to silent and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would come. But my fingers kept finding their way back to my wrist, and the memory of amber eyes glowing gold in the moonlight followed me into my dreams.

Morning came with aching muscles and a sore back. The temporary bedding wasn't comfortable at all.

"Hot water's ready to go," Sarah called. She'd been up since dawn getting things organized. Her energy level was surprisingly impressive for someone her age. "Added some cinnamon to the coffee. Hope you don't mind."

A worn book about local history sat next to the coffee pot, its pages marked with colorful tabs.

"Thanks, Gran. I'm going out with Nina at eleven for coffee. Need me to pick anything up?"

"That's not necessary, honey. I'll be out most of the day anyway." She glanced briefly at my neck, then away. "Need to get supplies and do some grocery shopping. You enjoy your day. How are those scrapes?"

"A little sore, but I'll be fine. Going to shower now."

"I'll leave money on the table. I'll be gone before you get out. This town runs on cash—people here don't much care for credit cards." Sarah left the money and hurried out.

The shower was heavenly. As the hot water cascaded over me, I noticed my knee looked better than expected. The scrape was already healing, the redness faded.

From my suitcase, I pulled out jeans, a t-shirt with ocean waves, my boots, and leather jacket—all carrying a faint scent. After drying my hair and running a curling iron through it, I grabbed a hat and scarf. Winter was coming, and Montana winters were nothing like California's.

In the mirror, I checked my reflection. My fingers unconsciously traced my neck where Dominic had buried his face. I heard a car horn and hurried downstairs, grabbing my bag and phone. I remembered the money Sarah left, tucked it into my pocket, locked the front door, and headed toward Nina's car.

As I crossed the yard, something moved in the forest shadows. Probably just my imagination.

"Hey," I smiled, climbing into Nina's car.

"Hat and scarf?" she grinned. Her golden hair shimmered in the morning light, and despite the near-freezing temperature, she wore only a thin sweater.

"It's freezing out, and not much warmer in here. Seriously, Nina, can you turn on the heat?" I hugged myself, wondering how she wasn't shivering.

"I'm running hot-blooded right now," she winked, but switched on the heating for my benefit. "I thought we'd hit Hunter's Moon for coffee, then I could show you around Moonmark Mall. Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect. Better than sitting alone in a strange house all day."

"Sarah out?" Nina asked, her eyes flickering with curiosity.

"Shopping for the house. She just wants everything to be perfect for me—for us." My voice revealed obvious tenderness.

"She seems cool for a grandmother," Nina laughed as we pulled up outside the café. "Not Starbucks, but they make the best coffee in town."

"Even better if there's something sweet to go with it."

Nina went to order while I found a window booth. I loved people-watching, observing the world around me. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes landed on a man.

Dominic!

He was dressed in simple but expensive dark clothes, an air of natural authority surrounding him. A girl sat intimately close beside him.

"Didn't know what you take, so I brought everything," Nina said, setting down my cup. I added sugar and cream, feeling someone watching me. I knew without looking it was Dominic.

"Hope you don't mind my friend Harper joining us," Nina said, removing her sweater. I mirrored her, taking off my outer layers.

"Not at all. Always up for meeting new people." I made the mistake of glancing over. My eyes caught Dominic's, and I quickly looked away. What disturbed me more was the unfamiliar jealousy that flared when I saw a girl sitting on his lap. I had known him for less than a day—why should I care?

"Ignore him," Nina said quietly when she noticed my gaze occasionally drifting toward Dominic.

"Huh?" I asked, somewhat confused as my eyes met hers.

"You haven't stopped looking at him since he walked in. My brother has that effect on girls, Riley. Please don't fall into his trap."

"It's not that—"

"Hey girls!" A mop of blonde hair slid into the seat beside Nina. "This winter's going to be colder than usual." The newcomer smiled at me. "I'm Harper. Nice to meet you, Riley."

"You too," I replied, wondering how she knew my name.

"I'll get some desserts. Then you can continue your topic about whether or not you've been staring at Dominic," Nina smirked, exchanging a meaningful glance with Harper.

My mouth fell open. How had she heard our whispered conversation?

Harper returned with three chocolate muffins. My stomach growled audibly.

"Dig in," she offered. I bit into mine, closing my eyes as chocolate hit my taste buds.

"What?" I defended myself. "I'm a sugar addict. Can't help it."

"Oh, we're going to be great friends," Harper winked. "Now, let's continue our previous topic."

"I wasn't staring," I protested, but both girls gave me skeptical looks. "Okay, I was. But I can't help it. It's weird—this has never happened before. Like something is pulling me toward him."

"Oh god," Harper said, exchanging a look with Nina. "Deeply attracted already, and you've just arrived."

"I don't even know him, yet I'm jealous about some girl on his lap. This isn't me," I admitted, confused. "Maybe I'm getting my period or something."

When I risked another glance at Dominic, the girl was gone. He was staring at me, looking almost angry, his eyes seeming to flash gold in the café lighting.

"After we finish, let's shop, then grab some alcohol for tonight," Nina suggested, returning with refills.

"What's happening tonight?"

"We go to the beach on Fridays. Beer, bonfire, basically just hang out and unwind for the weekend. You in?"

"There's a beach here?" I perked up immediately.

"Yes," Nina confirmed, sharing a look with Harper.

"I'm from Malibu. The beach was my life. Absolutely count me in!"

"Let's start our weekend early then," Nina smiled, something like anticipation dancing in her amber eyes.