Page 107 of Wildest Dreams

“Of course, I have Dixie,” I turn my face to look at her and she gives my mum a wide grin. My gut knots, her eyes look empty, her mind elsewhere maybe.

Shit, did I do something wrong?

Slipping my hand from her thigh, I bring it back on top of the table and pick up my knife and fork as I cut into my chicken, coating it in the thick white wine sauce.

“I'll look after him,” she reassures my mom as she takes a mouthful of her own drink as if she is trying to wet her dry mouth.

“I have no doubt about that,” my mom responds, placing her napkin over her half full plate before she pushes it away. Her voice is cold, her eyes glazed over with tears.

“Mom, you need to eat,” I say softly, reaching across to try to place my hand over hers.

“I'm just not very hungry,” she admits, giving me a sad smile and standing from the table. “If you'll excuse me, I'm going to clean up before I leave for the hospital.”

We both nod as my mom lifts her plate and glass then walks away into the kitchen, just leaving me and Dixie alone. My heart aches and I wish I could do so much more.

“Is everything okay?” I find myself asking as I look at her, studying every little marking on her face.

She doesn't look at me, just keeps her eyes on her plate of food as she pushes it around and after what feels like a lifetime, she gives me a nod.

“Have I done something to upset you?” and that's when she turns her face up to look at me, eyes brimming with tears as she shakes her head from side to side. “Dix, fuck,” I rasp, turningmy body to face her as I cup her cheek in my hand, brushing my thumb across her soft skin as I wipe her tears away and hold her still so she has no other option but to look at me, eyes burning into my soul.

“Honestly, I am fine. I'm tired,” she chokes, half laughing as a sob breaks in her voice.

“Then how about we get to bed, hm?” I say softly as I lean into her and place a delicate kiss on her forehead.

She nods, sniffling.

“Okay, well eat up then we will settle down.”

I know she is lying, when you've known someone as long as I've known Dixie, you come to notice their little traits and quirks. Dixie can't lie for shit. Her bottom lip quivers ever so slightly, and if you weren’t looking for it you would never notice it. Her eyes fixate on yours, slightly widening. It's like her whole body freezes.

But I won't push.

There is a reason she isn't talking, and I will find out eventually, but tonight I just want to wrap her in my arms and have her head on my chest as she falls asleep to the sound of my steady heartbeat.

We finish dinner in comfortable silence and once we're done, she stands and clears the table. I protest but let’s be honest, she is quicker than me at the moment. Dishes cleaned, and kitchen tidy, she is leant across the countertop, eyes fixated on the view in front of her.

The sun is beginning to set, the skies a mix between pink and lilac as a blanket of navy begins to creep in.

My eyes roam up and down her body. Cute satin pyjama shorts that cut off just above the crease of her ass cheeks, the frill of her satin matching vest sits on her lower back, most of it hidden by her long brown hair.

I wheel closer to her, my fingertips delicately brushing up the back of her legs and her breath stutters at the feel of my soft touch on her skin. She averts her gaze from the evening and looks at me over her shoulder.

“Hey,” her voice is soft, a small smile picking at the corners of her mouth.

“You would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn't you baby?” my voice is low as my fingers curl around the inside of her thigh, my lips pressing softly where my fingertips were just dusting.

“Yes,” she breathes, my fingers digging into her skin a little harder, my kisses still soft.

“Good,” I murmur between my lips touching her thighs.

“It's just been a long few weeks,” she admits just as I lift my mouth. She spins around, fingers curling around the edge of the worktop, hair falling gently and framing her pretty face. Her head tilts as she looks down at me.

“I know,” nibbling on my bottom lip, “but it'll get better. It won't be like this forever.”

She nods, pulling her eyes from me for a moment.

“Do you know...” my voice is hushed, a boyish smirk tugging at my lips as I curl my finger inside the waistband of her shorts. “How desperate I am to taste you on my tongue Dixie?”

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