Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

Riley

Be there in 5.

I stared at Eric’s text, feeling the beginnings of sweat already to starting to form.

I’d gone through the entire day feeling nervous as all hell, and Chris’s taunting didn’t help. I knew he was just trying to ease my nerves, but I wasn’t sure anything could take the edge off.

Nothing except probably a glass of wine, and I didn’t think it was polite or good etiquette to drink before a date.

It’s not a date.

It’s just... hanging out.

With a really hot guy who you have a crush on and who’s your plus one to a wedding.

As I delved further into a spiral of dread, my doorbell rang.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my panic as I straightened my shoulders, heading toward the door. When I opened it, I had to focus on breathing.

For starters, Eric looked divine. Like sex on a freaking stick wearing a graphic tee that had some cartoon characters on it I had no idea who they were. But it was the ripped jeans, frayed at the knees, that hugged the man’s thighs like a cradle and his shiny, perfectly spotless white tennis shoes that made him look like a polished magazine ad.

Mixed with his messy dark hair and bright blue eyes, and perfect jaw, I had to practically pick my mouth up off the floor.

It was a stark contrast to my dress pants and button down.

“Hi,” he said, his voice like caramel, making my insides turn to molten lava again.

“Hey...” I said as I took in the sight of him from head to toe.

“You ready for a night out on the town, Professor?” Eric said with a darkness that made my blood rush. Eric looked around me, at the inside of my house, and a part of me wanted to abandon this fa?ade altogether, grab him by the collar and pull him in here and lock the door.

Mine, mine, mine.

The realization, the feeling, was overwhelming and foreign. I couldn’t ever remember feeling this way about anyone, let alone this soon.

I nodded, shaking away the odd thoughts and feelings, instead focusing on the next right thing.

Just like Ana in Frozen, when I played it during class last winter.

“Yes,” I said as I grabbed my keys, stepping outside. I locked the door quickly, following Eric down my steps toward his... BMW?

Shit, maybe he really is a kingpin.

That’s okay, he can kidnap me any day.

Eric stepped up to the car, unlocking it with the remote, and I had to admit I was impressed. I didn’t have keyless entry.

Eric casually strolled past me to open my door, and it was then I noticed the shiny watch on his wrist, glinting off the sheen of the car, which was also pristine.

“Age before beauty,” he snickered, his lips turning up in the corner to reveal a perfect, white canine. I practically sunk into the seat because if I didn’t, I’d have melted into a damn puddle on the ground.

“Thanks,” I said as he rounded to the driver’s side and climbed in.

When he’d started the car, I’d finally gotten my bearings and spoke up.

“So, uh, how old are you anyway?” I asked, trying not to sound like a complete perv, but also because I needed to know for my own sanity.

Plus Chris told me I needed to ask real questions because those led to conversations. He didn’t understand my conversation skills were sorely lacking when it came to being in the same room with Mr. Perfect.

“Twenty-eight, why?”

“No shit,” I said, realizing the moment I said it I sounded like a complete asshole.

Eric put the car in drive and pulled out of the driveway. “What?” he asked.

“You just... I would have thought you were a lot younger than that,” I said, quickly recovering with, “Not that that’s a bad thing. I mean, looking young is great, like really great, but, uh?—”

Eric shook his head, a smile overtaking his lips. “Age isn’t nothing, but a number, Riley. Especially when it comes to... certain things.” He cleared his throat. “Which you should know being as you’re...”

I could tell by the tone of his voice he wasn’t offended. He was intrigued, and playing with me.

Which made me feel slightly more at ease, even if it was only a little.

“Thirty-eight,” I squeaked.

Eric nodded in approval. “You look good for your age too, just so we’re both on the same page,” he said, letting out a dark chuckle. “But let’s get something straight here, Riley Rabbit,” he said, flashing me a smirk that made me warm all over. “Just because you’re older doesn’t make you wiser. And it certainly doesn’t mean you’re the one in charge,” he said, taking his eyes off the road for a moment to cast a dirty look at me that brought my damn cock back to life.

No, no, no...

Not now!

“You understand?” he said, his voice dropping an octave, and I couldn’t help the way I instantly responded, my voice full of desperation and need.

“Yes,” I breathed.

Eric smirked, exposing that one perfect canine again, his shoulders squared, full of confidence.

“Yes, Daddy ,” he purred, and my entire being felt alive with electricity.

I don’t know why I said the words.

It was like some spell, some invasion of the body snatchers bullshit.

My voice vomited the words of their own volition.

“Yes, Daddy,” I said, with perfect dictation, my voice steady and strong.

“Good boy,” Eric said as he turned back to the road, turning on the radio.

I internally chastised myself, my cock twitching at the thick tension in the BMW.

Fuck.

It’s going to be a long night.