The Ocean’s City
Chapter 16

Inside the house, there wasn’t a single sound.

I slowly crept out of bed and down the stairs. The house was all cleaned up, and no sign we had guests. It was still decorated, and the tree sparkled in the corner. I noticed an envelope perched inside of the tree, much like how my mother used to place them.

I walked to it, thinking it must be from Dalton’s Mom. In rigid old handwriting, it wrote Silvestia. I grabbed the envelope and carefully opened it.

As I read, I realized it wasn’t from Mom at all.

Silvestia,

Next full moon, at the pier, before midnight.

Get Dalton to trust you more.

My heart was pounding like crazy as I read it over multiple times. Then I heard the fireplace crackle as some embers were still glistening red. I squatted down and worked the envelope into flames. It slowly burned, and I prayed Dalton would miss me in the act.

The music was humming through the house as the pan sizzled with steaks. My body swayed back and forth while I had a glass of wine in one hand and a spatula in the other. I heard the door gently open, and footsteps stopped at the kitchen arch. I danced, knowing he had caught sight of me.

I glanced at his stunned expression as hungry eyes ate up every part of me. I wore a slim black dress that had a low cut in the back. I had elegant black heels, and my hair and makeup were complete.

In a seductively sweet voice, I sing sang to him. “Hello, Mr. Baxs, welcome home.”

He said nothing as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He walked to me like a lion on the prowl. Slowly, he stood behind me as I continued to blast the steaks.

“What’s this?” He asked, skeptical of my behavior.

“Dinner.”

I could sense he was behind me, his mind going a million miles a minute as to why I would give him such a grand gesture. So I added, “Yesterday, I was not fair to you.”

His hands hesitantly went to my hips. I could hear his breath quicken in need. I did what I could not to stiffen from his touch. I found it wasn’t hard to melt into his hands. A part of me wanted more of what he gave me.

No, stick to the game plan.

“Sit down. The food is almost ready.”

I could hear the clack of his shoes and saw he was loosening his tie, eyes fully locked on me.

I placed the steaming steaks with small baby potatoes and veggies onto the plates. The table was already set with everything a romantic dinner would need. He sat there, arms on his thighs, staring at me like a king thoroughly enchanted by me.

I set the plates down and leaned over ever so slightly so he could get a good view of my breasts as I poured him a glass of wine. He was silent as I approached my seat across the table, heels clacking.

I met his lustful stare, and it made my insides stir. “Bon appetite,” I said with a sip of wine. He slowly and almost hesitantly lifted his fork and knife to eat. He groaned as it melted in his mouth.

“How was work?”

He looked at me like I was up to something and couldn’t figure out why. “It’s a mess.”

“What is it you do?”

“All you need to know is I’m like an owner of a corporation.”

I frowned and didn’t press on. Dalton grimaced at my disappointed expression.

“Thank you for dinner.” He said in a way that sounded like he wanted to lighten the mood. I just gave a hmmm and played with the food on my plate.

“Silvestia,” he called, “one day before we have kids, I will tell you everything.”

I looked into his piercing eyes. “Why not now?”

“There are some rules in place that could lead to your disposal if I don’t follow them.”

I swallowed. “I thought you said you wouldn’t harm me.”

He shook his head. “No, not me. I’d do nothing like that to you.”

“Then who? You clearly have power over everything, including your family.”

“Let’s leave it as the higher-ups.”

“So there are more?”

He stared at his food, hesitating. “Is this why you are behaving like the dream wife? To get questions out of me?” There was a hint of sternness in his voice, and I blushed.

“No… I- I am trying to get to know you better.” I looked down at my plate again, feeling tiny in the conversation.

He stared at me for a moment. I could hear the gulp of his wine, the screech of his chair, the clack of his shoes. I felt the touch of his hand on my cheek. I looked up at him. He stared into my eyes, searching for something.

“Is that all?” He asked, and I nodded.

He leaned down to kiss me, and I let him, momentarily forgetting my boundaries. His kiss was passionate, and it sent me out of my chair to devour him. He was heated as I felt his hands claim my body with his touch. I was faintly aware of the jacket coming off, then his warm, calloused hand between my thighs.

My hand went to his wrist to stop him. I panted as I mentally fought myself for control. He leaned into me, breathing in my scent, waiting for me to make the call.

“I think… we should go slow,” I said, looking into his eyes full of need. He nodded, and I noted the pained expression I got from him as he removed his hand. “I’ll clean up.”

“I’m going to bed,” I said meekly.

“Goodnight, baby girl.”

I looked at him, nodded, and ran to the room before doing something stupid.

Thanks for reading the sixteenth chapter of The Ocean’s City. Let me know what you think! Grammar Nazis are welcome!

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