Page 48 of Out of the Dark

"He fucking left!"

Dani gasps. "No!"

"Uh-huh. He stood up, said he ‘didn’t have time for this,’ and walked away. Itoldhim I was a brat beforehand, that it’s just how I play, and somehow it’smyfault that he didn’t like it?"

"Ridiculous."

That familiar feeling of discomfort threads through my body, the same way it has every time I’ve caught Claire in the midst of a conversation involving Club Caliber, BDSM, or sex in general. But she’s clearly getting a little more comfortable with it, because she laughs along with Dani, and I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse.

I’d give anything to know what goes on in her mind when she sits in on those conversations. Is she embarrassed but too polite to walk away? Is she curious? Is she fantasizing aboutwhat it might feel like to be in such a sexual relationship?

As if my curiosity was a beacon, Claire glances over and catches my eye. She smiles shyly and quickly looks away, like she’s been caught doing something she shouldn’t. It’s adorable and weirdly hot. Her sweet, innocent demeanor combined with that sexy-as-sin swimsuit might be melting my brain a little.

Dani hangs up the call with Audrey a moment later and looks over at Claire with a grin. "Race you to the beach?"

"You’re on."

They both pop up and sprint across the sand toward the water, and my traitorous eyes watch every inch of Claire’s exposed skin as she runs.

She and Dani make it to the water at the same time, and as they fall down laughing and grabbing at each other, another part of the wall around my heart comes crumbling down.

I push the feeling aside, but deep down, I know that there’s no way things will be the same between us after this vacation.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

MARK

After a long, relaxing evening of dinner and drinks, we finally arrive back to the hotel room and I realize that, once again, I forgot to talk to the front desk about getting a larger room. But tonight, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal.

Or maybe that’s just my dick talking.

Either way, the bed somehow feels even smaller than it did last night as I climb in next to Claire after my shower.

Unlike last night, she’s still awake, which makes the whole thing ten times more awkward. The curtains are still parted slightly, the moonlight casting a soft glow over the room and providing just enough light for me to see Claire’s silhouette. She keeps shifting as she tries to fall asleep, and I lie there staring at the ceiling and willing my mind to stop imagining her in that goddamn swimsuit.

What a day it’s been. Waking up to Claire’s head on my chest, spending the morning with her, going out of my mindwatching her at the beach this afternoon, and now back to lying in bed with her and desperately tryingnotto think about touching her.

This morning was a mistake, though. Waking up to her snuggled against me, her hair tickling my nose, her body fitting perfectly into the curve of mine—it was too much. Too real.

Now, as we lie here in the dark, the memories of the day replay in my head. The beach, the sunshine in her hair, the laughter with our friends. It all felt sonormal. And yet, here I am, feeling anything but normal. I'm acutely aware of every inch of space between Claire and me, my heart beating too fast and my breathing quicker than it should be.

As if reading my mind, Claire speaks softly beside me. "Today was fun."

I turn my head to look at her, even though I can only see the outline of her face in the dim light. "It was," I agree. "You seemed to enjoy the beach."

"I did. I never thought I’d get the chance to see the ocean."

I smile at the memory of her running through the waves. "I’m glad it made you happy."

She shifts onto her side, facing me, and I turn my head to look at her. We're close now, too close, but I can't bring myself to move away. "It did. Thank you for bringing me."

We lie there in silence for a moment, the air thick with unspoken words. Gratitude fills her eyes, and I have to clench my fists to stop myself from reaching out to touch her.

"Can I ask you something?" Her question is hesitant, which only makes me more curious.

"Of course."

She inhales and asks, "Is it normal for so many people to be involved in a Dominant and submissive relationship, or does it just seem that way because of the people you hang outwith?"

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