"And your father?"
"Strict," he smirks. "But also kind and caring, like her. They were polar opposites in some ways and so very alike in other ways."
"You must miss them." I want to slap myself for saying it, but he nods, not even flinching at my words.
"Every day."
"Do you have any other relatives?"
"No." He looks away, and it makes me realize just how alone he is in the world. I don't have just one family - besides the Oakes’, I also have my Wildwood family, and my mother somewhere out there, too. Dex has nobody. It's just him and this huge, empty, dusty house. I vow then and there to help him, to make him happy. I want to see a look of genuine happiness on Dex's face. I know it's possible, and I'm determined to work hard until I see it.
"Well, you have me now." I pass him a slice of mozzarella cheese I've just chopped up with a grin. "Here. Something else to ruin your appetite."
He laughs, making butterflies swarm in my stomach. I blush, leaning forward so my hair blocks the view of my flushed cheeks. Dex keeps me company while I cook, and we chat about our likes and dislikes. I'm surprised to find we like some of the same music, but that's the only thing we have in common. Dexter is well-read and smart, making me feel ashamed for always treating school like just a boring necessity. He takes it seriously, and his straight As are a sign that he truly pays attention.
Half an hour later, I set the table with dinnerware and our meal. Dex tells me the plates were a wedding gift to his parents from mine, so I take special care putting them down. They must have sentimental value. Everything probably does, now that his parents are gone.
We dig into our chicken parmigiana - recipe courtesy of my mom back in Wildwood - with fettuccine. Dex even pops open a wine bottle, and we giggle while we check it for any added, unwanted ingredients. Though I'm secretly hoping for a repeat of the other night, I don't mention it. I remind myself to play hard to get and never, ever reveal my true feelings. Dex can't know I'm starting to fall for him... I have to keep my feelings hidden.
Once we're finished with dinner, we take our wine glasses to the living room and Dex peruses the bookshelves while I sit in front of the fire. It's starting to die, so I ask Dexter where the poker is after I add some logs.
"Should be in that wire basket," he says, but I tell him I can't see it. He furrows his brows. "Strange. Where else would it be?"
I shrug, but he's already distracted by the books again, and he brings back an older edition of George Orwell.
"Read Animal Farm yet?"
"No," I shake my head.
&nb
sp; "You should." He deposits it in my lap and grins. "You'll like it. It's our kind of depressing."
The word our makes me needy for him to say it again, but I manage a smile instead and touch my fingertips to the book's cover. "I'll read it tonight."
"No, you won't."
My eyes shoot up and I stare at him with a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
"You're not reading tonight. We're doing something else."
"What's that?"
His eyes sparkle with mischief as he sets his wine glass down. "I'm going to have my way with you, and you're going to be too much of a mess to read a single sentence..."
13
Dexter
My promise hangs heavy in the air as Pandora watches me with anticipation. I'm going to take it slow, though. Now that I officially own her, I'm in no rush. In fact, I'm going to take my sweet time bending Pandora to my will. I'm going to torture her painfully slowly until she's begging for more.
But before I drag her to my bed, I want to get to know Pandora better.
"Tell me about your Wildwood family," I suggest.
"So different than the Oakes," she mutters. "They were warm. They loved me."
I nod. Can't really argue with that - the Oakes aren't a particularly warm or loving bunch of people. No one in Eden Falls is, not even Pandora.