A Dinner Party.
Carina had managed dinner without uttering a single word if it could be helped, answering only when spoken to and with minimal word use. Under no circumstances did she want to come across as rude or disobedient by not using her words but that still didn't stop Carina from digging her heels in about making eye contact. So instead Carina counted the tines on her fork and thought about her dollhouse.
Esme had laden the formal dining room table with a spread fit for a Thanksgiving feast: garlic and herb-roasted pheasant, cream potatoes, French cut green bean casserole, lightly buttered dinner rolls, a house salad (vegetables picked from the garden) with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and bread pudding for dessert. Yet even with such a magnanimous feast, Carina only picked and shifted the food around on her plate.
Carina occasionally lifted her eyes from her plate, only to catch Aaron making eyes as Matt. She now found herself infuriated, forcing herself to lower her line of sight. The thought of an outburst became more tempting by the second. Matt must have been able to sense the shift in her mood because he had made sure to survey her mannerisms from time to time. They were what she came to know as behavioral checkpoints, and she'd gotten scrutinized more than twice tonight. Her only consolation being Matt never really seemed vested in any advances that Aaron had made.
"Dinner was amazing," Aaron beamed at Matt and then a glance in Carina's direction, she didn't look up, let alone return the smile.
"I'm glad everyone enjoyed themselves," Matt bore his eyes into Carina, his hands clasped at his chin, "right little one?"
Carina nodded.
"Use your words Pretty Girl," Matt furrowed his brow.
"Yes. Sir," Carina stared back at him and spoke with sarcastic defiance, "it was lovely. May I be excused?"
Matt looked at her curiously, "Are you not feelin' well?"
"I'm fine. I just figured you'd like to spend more time with Aaron, I mean Mr. Tomlin," Carina was never allowed to call anyone by their first name but Esme. Matt's breathing picked up speed and his chest dramatically puffed in and out like a ventilator; he'd caught her insinuation that he'd want to spend more time with Aaron than her. He was both upset that she was acting bratty and that she'd assume he'd put anyone before her.
"You're excused," Matt looked at her a thunderstorm brewing within his rich oak eyes.
Carina placed her napkin on the table, stood, curtseyed mockingly, and then curtly nodded to them both before exiting the dining room.
Matt quieted, listening to Carina stomp down the hallway like a sullen child.
"If you'll excuse me," Matt stood, placed his napkin on the table, and then proceeded to stalk down the corridor after Carina.
In a few long strides, he'd caught up to her and snatched her by her arm and spun her around with such strength she nearly tripped over her own feet. Her patent leather shoes would be scuffed, the idea of that made Carina frown harder.
"Carina Michelle Thorpe, just what the fuck was that?" he interrogated; rage fiercely barricaded behind his teeth.
Carina's eyes just widened at his fury. Opening and then closing her mouth, she choked on every word she tried to force out. Matt had used her full name, if she hadn't been worried about punishment before she damn well was now.
"I said to behave like a young lady, and you did the exact opposite!" she'd never heard him shout so viciously before not even when they first fought about her Jetta, but now his voice reverberated throughout the halls and then he sent her to her room. His voice stilled itself to a sharp edge without warning and left her in silence as he sauntered off back towards the dining room. Matt's words and wild eyes still lingering with her.
Matt, like a gracious host, returned to the table.
"I don't think your Carina is very fond of me," Aaron spoke in something of a hushed tone.
"It's Carrie and she isn't fond of anyone," Matt spoke seriously, "I like her that way. But please forgive her she is still being broken in."
"Isn't that going to make things hard?" Aaron sounded apprehensive.
"Carrie is as obedient as she is beautiful. She just hasn't yet come around to the idea of sharing. You have to remember here at the estate she is free to be herself and that happens to be a bratty eight-year-old who's just moved into a new home." Matt replied, confident he could get Carina to see things his way.
Aaron noticed for once that Matt was actually looking at him for the first time tonight. He drank in the mess of Matt's light brown hair and deep oak eyes. Aaron also noticed that Matt had a scar that began at the side of his left nostril and stop just before the corner of his mouth. He wasn't conventionally handsome, but the doubtless way he carried himself, how elusive and exclusive he was made Aaron all the more aroused.
"Sharing huh?" Aaron smiled and tried to reach for Matt's hand. Matt moved his hand and stepped over his guest's confusion.
"Let's get this started, shall we?" always to the point, Matt stood pushing his chair back, waiting for Aaron in kind.
Aaron's 6'2 solid frame towered over Matt's 5'11, it made Matt let out a shallow breath.