Free Out of the Dark by April Emerson Page A

my neck and into my hair. “I guarantee I’m going to make you very, very happy.”
    He kisses me, and I believe him.
    We make love right there in the earth of the vineyard with my eyes on the emerging stars. Night has fallen, and afterward, I lay spent in the crook of his arm, gazing at a sliver of moon.
    “There’s something I must share with you, Carina.”
    “What is it?”
    “This may change the answer you’ve given me, and I understand if it does.”
    Fear ripples through me, and I sit up. I don’t want anything to come between us, and my heart is already breaking in anticipation. “Tell me.”
    He takes a deep breath. “I don’t want to have children. I don’t feel I could be a good father. I have to tell you this now. It wouldn’t be right for me to keep this from you, and if you want to leave me, I understand.” He covers his face with his hands.
    I straddle his lap and pull his hands away, holding them in mine. “Stefan, look at me.” His cool eyes meet my gaze, and I know that what I’m about to say is true. “There’s nothing that I want more than you. Nothing.”
    I’d always assumed I’d have a family, but that assumption floats away from me like a forgotten balloon. All I want is him.
    “You have no doubts? No reservations?”
    “Not one. I love you.”
    He sighs and his whole body relaxes. “Carina . . .” He smiles, shaking his head. “I love you, too.”
    That night, we eat dinner together in the formal dining room.
    Bianca presents lovely steaks, and I can’t wait to dig in.
    I slice the meat and find it to be a bit tough, but I don’t mind.
    Stefan does.
    He slams his steak knife down, and I jump. “Bianca!”
    She hurries back into the room.
    “Take our plates back to the kitchen, and throw this shit in the trash. Tell Fabrizio he better make them medium rare, not fucking burned to hell!”
    Bianca doesn’t flinch at the outburst. “Yes, sir.” She behaves as if this is typical and clears both plates in an instant.
    I, on the other hand, am horrified. “Stefan, was that necessary? They were just a bit tough. Did you need to shout like that?”
    He sips his wine and wipes his mouth on his napkin. “Darling, I don’t pay anyone on my staff to make mistakes. That was unacceptable, and now Fabrizio knows it. I guarantee you it will never happen again.”
    I say no more but eat my new, perfectly cooked steak in its entirety when it’s set in front of me.

Chapter Six

    “Rocco is picking Lorenzo up at the airport and then meeting up with me. I have some matters to take care of so I’ll be out for the day, but I’ll return home for dinner. I’d like for you to see to it that Lorenzo is comfortable and have Bianca make up the guest room for him.” Without giving me a chance to respond, he kisses me on the cheek and is gone.
    I’m left standing in our bedroom, bewildered. He had just given me orders like I was one of his servants. I stare at the ring on my hand.
    I’m the woman of the house now. He just wants me to keep things under control while he’s gone. It’s how he is, that’s all.
    I head downstairs later that afternoon and hear a bellow of laughter coming from the kitchen.
    “I can cook just as well as you! Now don’t criticize until you’ve tasted it. American food isn’t all bad.”
    When I enter the room, I see a tall, lean man with tan skin and short, warm brown hair. He’s very muscular and standing at the stove, encircled in smoke.
    Fabrizio and Bianca are seated at the table laughing so hard they look as though they can barely breathe.
    “I’m not even going to ask how you want your burgers because these are all well done. ”
    They laugh even harder, and I can’t help but giggle myself.
    The tall man turns and a bright, white smile blazes across his face. “Hello. You must be Carina.” He steps close, and I extend my hand. He shakes it and leans in to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Congratulations on your engagement. Welcome to the