Page 7 of Wicked Dix

If looks could kill, Juliet would be a smoldering pile of ashes where she stands. However, I choose to ignore her and glance over at the elegantly set table. I’m thankful when I see two seats sitting opposite the other while a place is set at the head of the table.

“Here,” I say, pulling the chair out for Maddy.

She adjusts her dress before taking a seat. “Thank you.”

I kiss the top of her head and take the seat next to her, leaving Juliet standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. She gets the hint and unhappily sinks into the seat across from me.

“I hope you’re hungry,” announces Rachel, who enters bearing an assortment of food, Sebastian trailing close behind.

The moment he sees Juliet, his eyes light up. “Bonbon, I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Sorry, Daddy, I let myself in.”

He places the huge tray of lasagna in the middle of the table before bending forward and kissing Juliet on the head. “There’s no need to apologize. This will always be your home. Yours too, Button.” Juliet looks like she’s about to launch over the table and claw out Madison’s eyes.

I think back to our first session where I originally thought Juliet’s father may be the root of her addiction; however, getting to know Sebastian better, I realize he has nothing to do with his daughter’s deviancy. I now can’t help but wonder who is. This house may be rich in possessions, but what was lacking emotionally for Juliet to turn out the way she has?

“How’s the morning sickness going? Still having problems keeping anything down?” Rachel innocently asks, taking her seat.

When Juliet cups her small belly, I actually feel like I’m the one having problems keeping anything down. The bile rises, and I feel even more disgusted with myself that there is any possibility that the baby is mine.

“Oh, Rachel,” Juliet fawns, looking pointedly at me. “If this baby is anything like his father, he’ll give me trouble right till the very end.”

Rachel chuckles while I glare at a grinning Juliet.

“Dig in, everyone,” Sebastian says, waving his hands out to the feast in front of him. Sadly, I’ve lost my appetite.

Madison’s stillness reveals that she’s still uncomfortable, but she reaches for my plate and smiles. “What would you like?”

“You don’t have to serve me.”

“I want to.” The blush on her cheeks has me thinking about our earlier conversation.

Subtly gathering up the hem of her dress, I lightly rub my fingers along her inner soft thigh. “I’ll have anything you think I’ll enjoy,” I reply, relishing the sensation of her skin prickling at my touch.

“H-How about one of everything?” The plate wavers slightly in her unsteady hold.

“Sounds good to me. It all looks too delicious to deny.” I accentuate my sentence by giving her thigh a gentle squeeze.

Only I can hear her muted moan as Sebastian and Rachel are chatting to Juliet about the baby. She serves up a decent serving of lasagna, meatloaf, salad, and some garlic bread while I continue stroking her scorching skin.

“Dixon, tell me, is that lasagna as good as your mom’s?” Sebastian teases when Maddy places my colossal plate in front of me.

I look down at my meal and smile. “From smells alone, it’ll come close. She would have been proud.”

My use of the past tense alerts him to my mother’s passing. “Oh, I’m sorry. She’s passed?”

I nod. “It’s okay.” I wave my hand, as there’s no need for apologies. “She did. Close to a year ago now from breast cancer.”

Rachel’s kind face softens. “Oh, dear. That’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear that. What about your father?” she asks, reaching for her wine.

I shuffle in my seat. My father is an extremely touchy subject for me. I’ve barely detailed his condition to Maddy. “My father is still living,” I reply, picking up my fork, hoping to disguise my discomfort. “He’s in New Jersey.” I exclude where exactly in New Jersey he is.

“Are you close?” Rachel asks, oblivious to how uncomfortable I am. The entire table is quiet, awaiting my response.

There is no way I can avoid this, and I’ve done enough lying this week. “We were, but he suffered a breakdown aftermy mother and now—” But I can’t say it. I can’t say now he resembles someone I no longer know.

Madison slips her hand into mine. “I’d love to meet him one day.”

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