Riven places his arms around me, kissing me on the cheek before bringing his gaze to mine in the mirror. “Mmm. You look absolutely stunning, darling.”
I lean my head back against him, my deep red lips smiling from ear to ear. “Thanks,” I say back.
I’ve recently grown to be more accepting of his compliments, letting go of the version of myself that existed before him. The version that averted eye contact at the notion of a compliment, unaware of how to respond to such things that I had never seen myself when I looked into the mirror. Except now, looking at my reflection and the man behind me, I know that I’m worthy of it. Riven has somehow given me the permission that I needed to release that self-doubt that’s eaten me alive my entire life.
“What are you thinking?” he asks, releasing me to grab his cloak and stage mask.
“That I can’t wait to see the look on Lydia’s face tonight when I tell her we’ll be watching from our own VIP area,” I say.
He eyes me skeptically, knowing that I changed the subject, but allows it. “I still can’t believe Callum texted back and agreed to a date. That guy does not date,” he says, walking out of the bathroom and flicking off the lights. He grabs my cross-body and leather crop jacket from the bedside table and hands them to me before heading out of his room and down the stairs. I follow behind him.
“I know. It’s insane. Do you think he’s into her? I mean, how crazy would it be if they hit it off?” I ask, following him out of the door and toward his Mustang.
“Hard to say when it comes to Cal. He’s not exactly an open book when it comes to stuff like this,” he says, opening the passenger door for me before walking over to the driver’s side and climbing in.
“Such a gentleman,” I say, buckling my seat belt and grabbing the AUX wire before he can. I plug my phone in and hit play before he can say a word. He flicks his eyes to the song title before narrowing them at me, but doesn’t turn it off.
He starts the engine and backs out of the garage, shifting into drive. He turns toward me with a devilish grin. “Would you still call me that if I fucked you over the hood of my car, darling?” I swallow, the image of his threat flashing through my mind. “I bet that lipstick would look so good smeared across your face with you on your knees for me. Would you still call me a gentleman, then?” His hand moves to my thigh, climbing up and up before returning to the shifter.
“Can you drive stick?” he asks, immediately regretting his choice of words.
“In more ways than one,” I say, laughing.
“Good. Grab the shifter, darling. Shift for me. I need my hand for something else.”
My eyes widen in surprise as I do as I’m told. His hand leaves the shifter to slide up my thigh and under my dress. I moan, head falling back against the seat.
“Sloane.” His voice is low and rough, laced with warning that has my cheeks on fire. “Where the fuck are your underwear?” Despite the subtle anger in his voice, his hand still finds my clit and massages it in slow circles.
“I—I …” I can’t find the words, my brain unable to form a coherent thought.
He brings his fingers down, slipping two inside of me. “Did you do this just for me, darling? God, you’resoaked, Sloane,” he groans.
“Y-yes,” I say, panting as I manage to shift into fifth gear right on time. God, having to make sure we don’t die while also nearing an orgasm is somehow only heightening the pleasure.
“Mmmm. Such a dirty girl,” he says, bringing his fingers back up to my clit and circling faster. I feel the building pleasure, the forward momentum toward the cliff’s edge. I come, hard and fast, with his name on my lips and the chorus of “Give” by Sleep Token playing through the speakers.
We pull up to Moonvale and park. I reach for a napkin in the center console to clean myself up before getting out of the car. Riven grabs my wrist, holding it firmly in midair.
“No way. I want the reminder of what I did to you to be dripping down your thighs while you watch me tonight,” he says, dropping my wrist. I bite my lower lip and suck in a breath. That should not be as sexy as it sounds, but tell that to my thighs that are now keenly aware of what he’s done to me. I shift in the seat. He laughs, getting out of the car and walking around to open my door. It turns out that if you find the right guy, chivalry is not dead. He reaches a hand toward me.
“Little nightmare,” he says. I look up at him and take his hand, a playful smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
We’re walking toward the venue, hand in hand, when I become aware of the spectacular view. I’ve read about this place, heard stories, but never had the pleasure of seeing it with my own two eyes until now. Against the setting sun, it isbreathtaking.
Moonvale is an outdoor venue, tucked deep into the folds of the mountainside. As we make our way to the band rooms, I can’t help the way that it feels less like a venue and more like hallowed ground. The actual concert arena is an area that’s naturally carved out of the jagged rock that lines the walls on either side, enclosing the center stage like an amphitheater. Even the air around us feels thicker and cooler, as if charged by ancient ruin. We walk past massive evergreens that loom overhead, lining the outer rim of the venue ahead.
We’ve arrived a few hours before the event starts, currently occupying the grounds with only ourselves and the staff. The waiting area for early guests isn’t close enough for anyone to see us. As we get closer, my view of the stage becomes clearer. I gasp at the beauty of it. Riven stops, marveling at it himself.
“Wow,” he says, the view rendering him otherwise speechless.
“Yeah,wow,” I say back. We continue walking. As we grow closer to the stage, I can see that it appears to have been built from blackened stone and steel. It is partially embedded into the earth below it, as if grown by the mountain itself. The path that leads to the stage is aligned with lanterns that glow warmly, welcoming you with an open invitation. It feels like this place not only hosts performers but also bears witness to them.
“This way,” Riven says, breaking my gaze away from the beautiful arena before me. We turn left and keep walking until we come upon a large stone door. Once inside, I hear a familiar voice that brings warmth to my very soul.
“Lo!” Lydia runs up and pulls me into a constricting hug.
Once she releases me and I can breathe again, I say, “Lydia. What are you….how did you…” My eyes pan the room and find Callum, eyeing him suspiciously. Then, I turn my gaze to Riven.
