Page 11 of Ravage (Dark Desires #1)

SHE WAS MORE THAN SATISFIED

CAM

I don't think I've ever had someone run out of the room after sex before. I know she enjoyed it. She'd come so many times, and her moans and cries are still echoing inside my head, two days later.

"What's up with you? You've been quiet all evening." My brother, Michael, cracks his beer open as he takes a seat across from me on the back deck of our parents' place.

"Nothing. Just tired."

My brother is pretty open-minded, but not sure how he'd take it if I told him I'm fucked up over a woman I slept with in a sex club.

"You work too hard," Mum says, patting my head as she comes to join us.

Dad follows behind with a tray of meat in his hand, heading for the barbecue. Michael's wife, Felicity, appears a few moments later with my two-year-old nephew on her hip.

"I don't know how you do your job, Cam. All that blood, and stress... No thanks," Felicity says, putting Jordan down so he can scramble into Mum's lap.

"It's not so bad," I say with a shrug.

The truth is, I can't see myself doing anything else. The idea of being stuck behind a desk fills me with dread. I helped in admin once, when I injured my back playing footy, and it was the longest month of my life.

I listen to my family talk about Michael's new job, and the latest round of illness to hit Jordan's daycare, but I'm distracted.

After Imogen had literally fled the room on Friday night, I'd dressed slowly, trying to work out what the fuck had happened.

I thought we'd had fun.

I'll admit, the second round was pretty intense, but she'd still had another screaming orgasm, so I don't get why she'd run.

I wasn't going to run after her, though.

I'm not into self-sabotage. So I'd thanked Annika for an interesting evening and found my driver to take me home.

I'd not seen Imogen anywhere, and the knowledge that I'll probably never lay eyes on the beautiful woman again makes me feel hollow.

Friday night was definitely a one night only thing.

It had been an eye-opening experience, and some of the things I'd seen had me acknowledging my interest in exploring sex with multiple partners.

But there's no way I could ever afford the price to go again, and I'm not interested in paying for sex, even if I could.

"Seriously, dude, wake the fuck up." Michael smacks his hand on the table in front of me, and I jump.

"Michael! Language!" Mum says, glaring at him.

"Sorry. Just getting annoyed."

I fix him with a glare. "Why is me being quiet annoying for you? It means you get to talk about yourself more, arsehole."

Michael and I have always had an interesting relationship. He's two years younger than me and has been a pain in my arse since he was old enough to crawl. He's a massive shit-stirrer, and it's always grated on my nerves. Which just makes him do it even more.

"That's enough, boys," Dad says, silencing us both with a look .

Felicity sighs and kicks her husband's calf lightly. "Leave him alone, babe."

I flick her a grateful smile and attempt to concentrate on the conversation happening around me.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.

Connell

So, what'd you think about the club?

I raise an eyebrow, glancing around to make sure no one is looking over my shoulder before typing my response.

Cam

It was interesting, that's for sure.

Connell

Yeah, we seem to be having a run of bad luck with incidents the last fortnight. Trust me, that wasn't a usual night.

Are you free for a drink tonight?

We haven't seen each other in years and now suddenly he's wanting weekly drinks? Something tells me there's more to this request than just a casual catch up. It’s probably Sebastian making sure I’ve stayed quiet.

Cam

I'm just at dinner with my family but can probably meet up after?

Connell

No problem. Let me know when you're free and we can meet at the pub again.

I pocket my phone and do my best to take part in the rest of the evening's conversation. All the while wondering what the hell Connell wants now.

Instead of heading home after dinner, I drive to the pub, arriving at the same time as Connell and Sebastian exit one of those fancy Audi's I'd seen lined up outside the mansion. Guess that answers who really wanted to meet with me tonight.

I wait for them to go inside before climbing out of my car, needing a minute to get my aggravation under control. All this secrecy is annoying the shit out of me.

When I enter the pub, I see they've set up in a booth in the back and make my way over.

"Connell. Sebastian." I give them each a curt nod, and they exchange a look as I sit down next to Connell.

"Mr Collins," Sebastian says, nodding back.

"Can we drop the Mr Collins stuff, please? It's Cam."

He regards me thoughtfully for a moment. "You seem angry."

I grit my teeth. "Just annoyed. If you wanted to speak to me, you could have called me yourself. No need to keep relaying messages through Connell."

Sebastian sits back in his seat and pushes his shirt sleeves up before crossing his arms. "Understood."

Connell shifts next to me, and I glance at him just in time to see him hide a smile.

"So. What do you want this time? I haven't spoken to anyone about the club and don't plan to."

Sebastian nods, continuing to study me with those intense blue eyes. Never in my life have I felt a magnetic pull like this towards another man, and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. He radiates power and wealth.

He also seems like he could be dangerous if pushed.

"I wanted to personally thank you for your assistance on Friday night. We've never had an incident at a club night, and it was fortuitous you were there to jump into action."

Some of the tension in my shoulders eases, and I nod again. "It was nothing. Hopefully, they will be able to return to fulfil whatever itch they needed to scratch by attending."

Sebastian's eyes twinkle with amusement. "Yes. Imogen offered them a free, private booking with a partner, or partners, of their choice, and I'm sure they will be more than satisfied once they return."

At the mention of Imogen, I have to force myself not to react, but he must pick up on something, because he goes still, the amusement dissolving.

"Did something happen between yourself and Miss Delphine on Friday night?"

Connell stiffens at my side.

"I'm not entirely sure that's your business," I reply.

A dangerous glint appears in Sebastian's eye, and he leans forward to rest his forearms on the table. "Everything that happens in that place is my business. Especially when it has my director of operations acting out of character afterwards."

I cross my arms. "Fine. We fucked. Which she initiated, by the way. And she was more than satisfied, several times."

Sebastian's expression turns almost lethal. "Then why was she behaving so strangely immediately afterwards?"

"Did you try asking her that? Cause I have no fucking idea. One minute, she was having a screaming orgasm, the next she was thanking me for a' fun night' and bailing."

"She... thanked you for a fun night?" He glances over at Connell, who shrugs.

The bearded Irishman seems pretty nonchalant about this entire conversation, and I wonder what's going through his head.

I turn my attention back to Sebastian. "Yes.

I thought that was weird as hell, too. Look, I'll admit I was a bit dominating, but she was one hundred percent onboard with that.

She got all excited when I told her to call me sir.

" Sebastian's eyebrows fly upwards as I continue speaking.

"It was kind of a joke at first, but she was so into it that I played along.

So I honestly cannot tell you what happened.

Did she say anything? Cause I've been wracking my brain all weekend trying to work out what I did to make her run off like that. "

Sebastian sits back again, looking confused. Honestly, it's kind of nice to see, cause it seems like he's the sort of guy who knows about everything.

"I asked her if someone hurt her, and she insisted she was fine.

She would have been truthful if she'd been hurt or upset in some way, given how important it is for us to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone at Dark Desires.

But I'm as lost as you are... Imogen is.

.. How you described the interaction is not outside her comfort level, so it truly is a mystery.

.." He continues to study me closely, though the threatening glimmer behind his eyes has disappeared.

Now it just seems like he's trying to work me out.

Likewise, buddy.

Something he said has me straightening in my seat again. "Wait... So you know what Imogen's comfort levels are?"

Connell chuckles beside me, but Sebastian's sharp glance shuts him up.

Sebastian's gaze drifts back to mine. "I do."

I swallow, as disappointment makes my stomach sink like lead. "I had no idea you were involved. I never would have gone along with anything if I'd known, I swear."

Sebastian laughs, which is a little weird. He doesn't seem like someone who laughs much. Just broods in a corner while he counts all his money.

"Believe me, our involvement is not exclusive, and I would never dream of telling her who she can and can't sleep with."

I'm so confused right now.

"So... she's not your girlfriend, or whatever? "

Sebastian continues to watch me with amusement. "No, Mr Co - Cam. She is not my girlfriend, or whatever ."

I look at Connell, who just smirks and shrugs. It just occurred to me he hasn't said a word since I walked in.

"Right... So if I was to ask her out if I ever see her again... that wouldn't be an issue?" I ask Sebastian, waiting for a reaction.

All I get in response is a shrug. "Not for me. But given she ran out on you, she may be the one with an issue."

I let out a breath and lean back in my chair. "Yeah, that would be a problem. I have no intention of pursuing someone who has no interest in me, but I definitely didn't get 'fuck off' vibes from her while we were... partaking of each other, so I'm seriously stumped."

"Imogen can be a little complicated. If things between you are meant to go further, I'm sure fate will find a way."

That isn't an annoying response or anything.

Guess I just have to hope he's right and fate finds some way to throw us back together again. Cause honestly... One night with that woman was never going to be enough.