Dark Light (The Dark Light Series)(39)

We walk down to a secluded grassy area, away from the prying eyes of teenagers and senior citizens. Dorian spreads the blanket out on the grass in one swift flail. After we sit, he begins to remove a feast from the basket. He’s thought of everything! Piles of delicate Italian meats, cheeses, a warm sliced baguette, fresh strawberries and grapes, stuffed olives, and wine. Everything looks mouthwatering and I’m thankful once again that Dorian has thought of food. He must know the way to my heart.

I distribute a bit of each delicacy onto small paper plates while Dorian pours the wine. It feels…nice. Normal. Like what real couples do. I smile at the romantic prospect, as ridiculous as it may seem.

“What?” Dorian asks, handing me my disposable glass.

I smile and shake my head. “It’s nothing, really.”

Dorian gives me a knowing look, challenging me to speak my mind. I never back down from a challenge. “I was just thinking how nice this is. Like something you’d see in a movie. It feels good.” I know the blush on my cheeks could rival the red, juicy strawberry I bite into.

“Yes, it does feel good,” he says thoughtfully. It sounds more like a question though. “You’ve never come here for a picnic before?”

“No, not quite like this,” I respond then break into a tirade of chuckles. “Honestly, most guys I’ve dated would consider a soggy hot dog from the cart and a warm Coke a picnic!”

Dorian laughs along with me. He gives me a long scan of his eyes and I squirm under his sensual gaze. “Your hair. You changed it.”

“Just straightened it. Why, you don’t like it?”

“It’s nice. But I like the other way too. Any way you wear it is beautiful, Gabriella. You’re beautiful.” I blush my gratitude and return my attention to my drink, taking a hearty sip.

We enjoy the sounds of nature and distant children’s laughter with our lunch. It’s all delicious and we nearly finish it all between flirty chatter. When we have had our fill, we lay side by side on the blanket, soaking in the sun’s warm rays.

“Dorian, how did you know I was out last Saturday?” I had almost forgotten to ask him being how I’m so easily distracted in his presence. It seems like all thoughts not pertaining to my carnal urges for him escape me whenever we’re together.

“I wasn’t sure. But it was St. Patrick’s Day, and you are a college student. I remember when I was a wild college kid.”

“Well, that wasn’t that long ago.” You’d think he was 60 years old, the way he’s recalling the memory. “Where did you go to college anyway?”

“Overseas.” He offers no more information and I figure it’s because he knows I wouldn’t know where it is anyway. Oddly, I am pacified by his vagueness. Where did my usual skepticism go?

Dorian rolls over onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow, gazing down at me with lust dripping from his angelic blue eyes. I turn my head towards him, revealing the fiery desire I also emanate. This is it. What I’ve been waiting for this entire week. As if reading my wicked thoughts, he bends down to place a soft kiss on my wanting lips. It’s enough to flood my body with a barrage of tingles, and when he pulls his face away from mine, I can’t hide my disappointment. I want more. So much more.

“You don’t know what you’re doing to me,” I utter, between gasps. I’ve lost all sense of censorship and modesty. I just want him and I couldn’t care less how it makes me look.

“Then tell me,” he breathes. His breath is cool and sweet, and I want to taste it once again.

“I’d rather show you.”

And with that, I grab a soft handful of his black, silky locks, and pull his lips down to mine. God, my body needs this. The feel of his mouth breathes life back into me after such an emotional few days. I invite his nimble tongue into my mouth and savor the wine and strawberries all over again. It tastes even better mixed with his luscious flavor. I let my hands explore his soft hair, the back of his neck, the solid ripples of his shoulders. But before I can let my hands wander south, Dorian rolls his body on top of mine, totally imprisoning my frame with his. My excitement rises as I feel his hardening length against my thigh, and I gasp. The darkened look on his face tells me that he’s taking back control, and I gladly relinquish it.

Dorian exhales noisily into the base of my neck. “Mmmm. You have no idea what I want to do to you.” His soft lips brush a trail from my collarbone to my chin. “And I’ve got you out here all alone. Undisturbed. To do with you as I please,” he whispers into my throat.