Chapter 8

I didn't want to wear anything too revealing. That was always a tell that I was up to something, and Sarah was great at figuring me out. I decided on my black jumpsuit—shoulder-less but with sleeves. Matching it with a thin black belt around my waist and a pair of glittery pumps, I grabbed my leather jacket. My golden curls hung over my left shoulder, my makeup natural.

"Riley, are you ready? It's almost seven," Sarah called from the bottom of the stairs.

Slipping my arms through my jacket, I gave myself a final once-over. Ready to go. Grabbing my purse, phone, and some cash, I headed downstairs where Sarah was waiting.

"Oh God, you look so much like your mother," she said, her voice catching. I paused on the stairs. I never quite saw the resemblance myself, though I knew I had her blue eyes. "With every year that passes, you look more and more like her."

"Don't cry," I whispered, fanning my face as I felt my eyes starting to water.

"She would be so proud of your growth," she whispered, wiping her cheeks. "Come on, honey, let's get going."

Walking down the rest of the stairs, I noticed the box Sarah was holding.

"Grandma, did you bake a pie?" She could cook, but baking wasn't her strong suit.

"No, I bought one," she laughed as she closed the door behind us and we started our walk.

"Holy cow, Riley, their house is beautiful," Sarah exclaimed as we approached the Blackwood estate. It had to be the biggest in Moonlight Estates, the power of money.

"It's massive," I whispered as we neared the front door.

The door was already open, and I could hear soft music coming from inside. There were clearly more guests than just us, and suddenly I felt nervous.

"Come on in," Elizabeth welcomed us with a warm smile. I'd almost forgotten how beautiful Nina's mother was. "Riley, Nina is in her room. Sarah, let me take your coat."

Sarah obliged, and I could tell immediately that the Blackwoods had money but didn't flaunt it. They didn't seem pretentious at all.

I was already heading upstairs but couldn't miss the stares I was receiving. Following the music, I stopped outside Nina's door and pushed it open.

"So you have a house here and you share a house with Dominic? Just how rich are you?" I teased, closing the door behind me. Nina sat in front of her mirrored closet applying makeup.

"I'm not rich, my parents are," she replied, sticking out her tongue. "I stole a little something to get us started." Winking, she produced a bottle of Jägermeister.

"If you expect me to eat dinner, I can't touch that," I said as she cracked the seal and passed me the bottle.

"Just a little one," she grinned. "Seriously, you look fucking hot. He's going to be seething if he sees you out in that tonight... Shit." She hissed, realizing her slip-up. But instead of questioning her, I took a sip and passed the bottle back. I could pretend I hadn't heard.

I did wonder what she meant, though. Dominic wasn't interested in me. He had that other girl with him.

"So what's your plan to get us out of here?" I asked. I knew if I texted Sarah telling her I was going out, she'd be fine as long as I wasn't drunk and got back before curfew.

"Already sorted," she winked, taking another drink. "My mom doesn't mind if we miss dinner. As long as I meet up with Dominic when I'm ready to go home." Rolling her eyes, she passed the bottle back. "I can't get drunk alone, Riley, so drink up, please."

And I did. By the time we were ready to leave, I was tipsy but happy, buzzed. For the first time since arriving in Wolf Creek, I was starting to feel like myself again.

"Nina, you are beautiful," I said, staring at her in awe. Her hair fell in perfect waves down her back, and her makeup was flawless. This girl was gorgeous.

"Look in the mirror, beautiful girl," she replied, blowing me a kiss. I couldn't help but laugh. I was glad I'd met her—I knew we were going to be great friends. "Lucas is going to drop us off," she added, face buried in her phone. "He'll be here in ten."

"Is that a good idea?" I asked. After what happened today, I wasn't sure it was wise to be around him—especially for me. For some reason, Dominic didn't like Lucas around me.

"Dominic won't be there—he's at the training ground with Hunter and some others. No one will bother us tonight," she assured me. I wasn't going to lie, I felt a little disappointed that I wouldn't see Dominic. I still felt oddly drawn to him, free when I was around him.

"Don't look so disappointed," she teased, making my cheeks flush.

"I'm not," I lied, but she saw right through it.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll see whose bed you end up in by the end of the night."

"Nina!" I groaned. I had no intention of finding a hookup. I just wanted to dance and let loose.

"I'm kidding! Now come on, he's parked down the street."

Turns out Dominic wasn't at the training ground anymore. He stood in the kitchen, shirtless and covered in sweat, a pair of shorts hanging dangerously low on his hips. His body was glistening, and my insides tightened. How was it possible for someone to be so attractive? I wanted to devour him, taste every inch of his body. Feeling my cheeks grow hot, a little giggle escaped my lips.

The Jägermeister had finally hit.

"Something funny, little one?" Dominic's voice was pure sex.

It only turned me on more.

The drunker I felt, the worse my hormones became.

Dominic's eyes darkened as he threw his head back, inhaling deeply.

"Okay, we need to leave," Nina said, lacing her arm through mine and pulling me toward the back door. As we passed, I couldn't help glancing back at him. Licking my lips, I ran my eyes over every inch of his body, smirking when I noticed the bulge in his shorts that he definitely wasn't trying to hide.

My confidence was through the roof, thanks to the alcohol. It always brought out bold Riley. As I dragged my eyes back up, they met his. I was in too deep—I couldn't look away. He had some sort of hold over me that I couldn't break.

"Come here, little one." His voice had changed—deeper, rougher. He wasn't asking; he was commanding.

I wanted to go to him. My body wanted to go to him.