Out of the Dark by April Emerson Read Free Book Online Page A

want her to hear then you better be quiet,” he says.
    I hear kissing and find myself moving even closer then I hear metal clinking.
    “Do you have to use those?”
    “We both know you like it. Don’t act like you don’t,” Rocco says. “First, take my clothes off.”
    I cover my mouth, trying not to breathe and give myself away. The sound of other people having sex is something I’ve heard more times than I’d like to admit through my paper-thin dorm room walls.
    “Now, take off yours.”
    I hear a zipper.
    “Bend over.”
    I can’t believe it. Bianca and Rocco have an interesting relationship to say the least. I hear her moan, and then skin meeting skin.
    I peek out the window and in the light of the full moon, I see Bianca handcuffed to the next balcony and bent over the railing, her body stuttering as Rocco fucks her. He’s rough, holding onto her hips and pulling her ass into him. She struggles to hold the rail with her restrained hands.
    “You little slut. You love it when I fuck you this way. You like being tied up while I fuck your ass, don’t you?”
    “Yes. I like it when you fuck me. I love your cock, baby.” She sounds robotic, her voice devoid of any emotion.
    This isn’t sexy. It’s . . . sad.
    “Tell me what a dirty—little—whore—you—are,” Rocco says, punctuating every thrust through gritted teeth.
    “I’m a dirty whore. Only for you. I’m your little, fucking whore.” Bianca lifts her face.
    From where I stand, I can see her expression is blank, but she moans with pleasure. I can’t tell if it’s real or fake.
    “That’s right, baby. Fuck me just like that.”
    I’m disgusted with myself for spying on the intimate life of two people. It’s not my place to witness this or to judge them, and what they do in private is none of my business.
    I shut the window and try to forget what I’ve seen. I rummage through the bathroom and find cotton balls and stuff several into my ears then grab a book and read until I fall asleep.
    It’s fitful and restless, and I don’t have dreams . . . I have nightmares.
    I wake first thing in the morning and drag my clothes out of the closet and drawers, determined to get out of here.
    I’m going to forget my silly, romantic dreams of Stefan. I’m getting on a plane, and I’m flying home to Michigan—to my nice little house with my nice little parents in my nice little town . What happened on the balcony last night made me so uncomfortable that there’s no way I can stay here.
    I don’t even shower. I just fling my things into my suitcase under the rays of the morning sun. I have no idea how I’m going to get to the airport, but I’m not about to ask Rocco for a ride.
    I look at the clock. It’s still early.
    Maybe I can call a cab .
    I zip up my bag and sit down beside it as flashes of Stefan move through my mind—the first time I saw him, smiling in his slim suit on the plane, barefoot and handing me roses over breakfast, kissing me passionately in the vineyard, in the cellar, on the hillside. My whole body responds to the memories of him.
    How can I abandon what we started? The intense pull and need . . . will I be able to forget?
    I know the answer is no.
    If it was just the two of us, I would stay, but something is off with Stefan’s employees.
    It’s better this way .
    I decide to call him from the airport and say I’m just too homesick, that I need to be with my mother. She’s in poor health, and I should go back home. My absence can’t be easy on my dad. He needs me, too. Staying here is selfish.
    Maybe I can mail Stefan a letter when I get home .
    I pick up my suitcase and close the bedroom door behind me. I don’t look back as I creep down the stairs toward the phone in Stefan’s office to arrange some transportation. I hope everyone is still asleep, but when I reach the bottom of the stairs, I freeze at the sound of Rocco’s voice coming out of Stefan’s office.
    “Yes, sir, absolutely. What order has