Read Out of the Dark for Free Online Page B

don’t mind.” He gestures with the scarf, indicating that he wants to blindfold me.
    I feel parts of myself quivering. All I can do is nod.
    He slides the soft scarf across my eyes and ties it at the back.
    My old self would have never done something like this, but the new reckless me is enjoying it with gusto.
    “I guarantee you’re going to like this,” he whispers in my ear.
    Submerged into darkness, I grasp his hand, and he seats me on what feels like a quilt. Several minutes pass, and I’m tempted to peek, but I don’t. I think of the wine tasting with Stefan, the sensory experience that took place, and try to let myself live in this moment. With my vision obscured, I take in scents and sounds—birdsong and earth. Then he brushes his hands against my hair as he unties the blindfold. I open my eyes and squint in the bright sun.
    Stefan kneels beside me, and laid before us is a tantalizing spread of food. A dish of olives, hummus, bruschetta, mozzarella marinated in pesto, sopressata, prosciutto wrapped melon, panzanella salad, and sweet panna cotta. Of course, a bottle of Savano wine is the centerpiece for our picnic.
    My mouth waters and my heart swells.
    “Do you like it?”
    I more than like it. And I more than want him.
    I rise to my knees and face him, pushing any hesitance away and letting my impulses take over. I can see him fighting an internal war as he watches me, trying to resist his desires. I grip his shoulders, crawl into his lap, and then lower my lips to his, kissing him.
    He cradles my face in his hands.
    I can feel him holding back, and the only way for me to get closer is to push the limit. I begin to swivel against him as we kiss. I feel him getting harder and harder beneath me as I move both my lips and my hips.
    He removes his hands from my face and lowers them to my back then down to my ass. He presses his fingers into my flesh, encouraging me to keep moving against him.
    It’s unexpected, but it’s the green light I was hoping to get. I let my hand slip beneath his shirt and run my fingernails down his back.
    He moans, and I respond by pressing harder. He replies with nibbles on my bottom lip.
    I’m afraid he’s going to stop at any moment to keep us from going too far so I cling to him, rubbing against him in a fevered motion. His hands move to my waist, and I’m so afraid that he is going to push me away.
    But he doesn’t.
    Instead, he rocks forward, eases me onto my back across the blanket, and lowers his body over me, pressing into me. He looks into my eyes, and I see his desire fighting its way through. He wraps his lips around mine and commands the kiss.
    This is what I’ve been waiting for—his body between my legs, moving against me. I feel his hardness through our clothes, and he teases my most delicate places.
    I grip his hair, tugging lightly on the ends, and he moves faster.
    He reaches back and grabs my leg. He holds me in place and never stops moving. He trails his lips over my cheek and down my neck.
    I open my eyes and look up at the puffy, white clouds floating over the hillside. My heart is pounding. Reaching down, I find the waist of his pants and fumble with the buttons, trying to unleash him.
    He keeps kissing my neck and doesn’t stop me.
    I reach inside and feel him, smooth and warm and hard. He moans against my neck. Wrapping my fingers around his shaft, I begin to stroke him. His body tenses as I rub my palm over the head and back down again. His breath quickens and I know I’ve found the right rhythm.
    He confirms it, whispering in my ear, “Carina, your touch . . . so good.”
    I turn my head toward him so our mouths meet, and our tongues tangle together with passion. I begin trying to wriggle him out of his pants.
    His phone rings—and to my utter dismay, he rolls over and answers it.
    My heart sinks.
    He speaks between panting breaths. “Savano. Yeah? Goddamn it! Fuck. I’ll have . . . I’ll have to come out myself. I have no choice. I’ll