Page 27 of Ravage (Dark Desires #1)

I THINK YOU'RE PRETTY AMAZING

IMOGEN

One week after meeting Cam's family, we somehow end up having brunch at Diana and Steven's place.

I'm not entirely sure how it happened... One minute I was casually mentioning to my sister that I was seeing someone and had met his family... the next... Well, here we are.

I'd enjoyed watching how a normal family interacts when Cam introduced me to his parents and brother.

The casual way they all spoke to one another, and joked together was so foreign to me, yet so refreshing.

I have no memory of ever being that relaxed around my parents and extended family, save for when my grandmother, the only family member to ever not treat me like shit, used to take care of me.

My father used to tell me I was so much like her in a tone that told me that wasn't a good thing, as far as he was concerned.

The high-strung and outspoken Spanish woman didn't give two shits what my arrogant arsehole of a father thought of her, and she'd always had a strained relationship with her judgemental daughter - aka dear old Mum.

Of course, neither of them hated her enough to keep her from babysitting Diana and me for free while they swanned off to any events they went to where they didn't need to put on the fake 'happy family' face.

The day she died when I was thirteen had been one of the worst days of my life, and that small glimmer of happiness in my shitty life was snuffed out.

So, seeing how a family is truly meant to be, whilst a little overwhelming, had been pretty amazing.

And to have them welcome me so easily...

I'd never experienced that before. I'd only met my ex-husband's parents a handful of times as they lived overseas and he wasn't close to them, but when we were with them, they were standoffish and cold.

Guess that explained where Chris got his attitude from.

"So Cam. You're a paramedic?" Diana asks, pulling me from my musings as she brings a tray of bacon and scrambled eggs to the table.

Tabitha lets out an excited squeal from her highchair beside me, her eyes locked onto the delicious smelling food. I subtly rub my ear, trying to make sure Diana doesn't notice.

I don't know why she insists on seating me next to my niece whenever I'm here for a meal.

Whilst she's cute and all, I have no experience with children and have no desire to do more than give her a cuddle when she's not crying, pooping or something else gross.

I'll be around for cool aunt duties when she's in her teens and hates Diana and Steven, though.

"Yep, going on twelve years now," Cam replies after finishing the mouthful of coffee he'd taken.

"That's pretty cool. I don't think I've met an ambo in person before. You guys must have such a hard job," Steven says from where he's stationed in front of the stove.

Cam shrugs. "Yeah, it has its moments, I guess."

I've noticed he does this a lot, downplaying the stresses of his job.

He's only told me about the funny stories, but I know there have been cases, even while we've been hanging out, that have been traumatic. He hasn’t said much, just that work was a bit rough that day.

I wonder how long it will take before something finally breaks him.

Diana waves the platter of food in front of me, indicating it's my turn to serve myself. "Well, I think it's great. About time we had someone in the family with a selfless job."

I don't know which part of that statement I'm the most concerned about... Probably the part about Cam being part of the family.

I shoot her a warning look as I take the platter from her, avoiding looking at Cam to see how he reacted to her words.

We still haven't defined what we're doing, and I'm happy in my little 'we're just fucking' bubble, even though I'm fully aware I'm lying to myself. Denial is a place I'm very happy in, and I plan to stay there as long as possible.

"I resent that statement," Steven says, coming to join us and placing the last of the food on the table. "My work is selfless."

She shakes her head. "I don't think working in insurance counts as selfless, babe."

Fried tomatoes, onion, spinach and halloumi to go along with the bacon and eggs. It's enough food to feed an army, and my mouth starts watering.

Once everyone has served themselves, I pick up my knife and fork, but Diana smacks my hand. "Hey, we still say grace in this house, sister."

I roll my eyes. "How about you and Steven say grace, and I'll sit over here eating my food and plotting my descent into hell?"

She glowers at me, but this is not the first time we've had this discussion. Hell, it wouldn’t even be the twentieth time we've had this argument.

Cam clears this throat beside me, shifting in his seat. Steven simply shakes his head.

"Diana, you know how Imogen feels about it, so just drop it."

I shoot him a grateful look, and his lips twitch.

My brother-in-law is a total teddy bear and often has to remind Diana that I'm old enough to make these decisions for myself.

I don't think he particularly cares for the religious nonsense either, because he only goes to church for the major holidays, and from what I've heard, it's under duress.

Diana sighs and bows her head.

I think it's laughable how determined she is to continue living the lies we were brought up believing. But then, she was the good daughter. The light to my dark.

As we start eating, Diana's phone rings between us on the table, and we both look down at the screen. I grimace when I see 'Mum' flash up.

She sighs, giving me an apologetic look, before answering.

"Hi Mum," she says, pushing her chair back from the table and going into the living room.

"She still talks to your parents, then?" Cam asks quietly.

Steven sighs. "Unfortunately."

Steven has a pretty low opinion of our parents, having met them after I escaped their clutches.

"Diana is the good daughter. I'm pretty sure my name is only said in horrified whispers these days," I add.

Steven grimaces, telling me I'm right without uttering a word.

Cam looks troubled, and I reach over to squeeze his hand. "It's okay. I'm much better off without them in my life."

"She's right." Steven points towards Tabitha.

"I won't let them have her without us around, and I'm pretty sure that's what Cassandra is calling about.

She's trying to lay on the guilt about not getting to see her grandbaby, even though I have no problem with them having supervised visits with us there. "

"Fucking narcissist," I mutter, and Steven nods in agreement.

Diana comes back, frowning, but doesn't give us any details of the phone call.

We continue to talk while we eat, and I'm grateful that the conversation has moved away from talk about my parents.

I've never regretted walking away, but it still stings to imagine what my life could have been like if I'd had parents like Cam's .

We head back to my apartment after leaving Diana and Steven, and the drive is subdued. When we walk back into my apartment, I sink down onto the couch with a sigh.

"You okay?" he asks, taking a seat next to me.

"Yeah. Just wish I understood why Diana is so determined to keep in touch with our parents. I know they hated me more, but her childhood wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows."

He squeezes my knee. "I wish I could relate. It must really suck not being able to talk to your parents."

"Yeah, it does, but there is no way I'll ever go back. Not unless they both get personality transplants and actually become decent people."

He huffs a laugh and pulls me into his side. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you're pretty amazing and they are the ones missing out by not having you in their lives anymore."

I turn to look up at him, and he pushes my hair back behind my ear. "Thank you."

He brushes a kiss to my cheek, and I turn my face to press my lips against his. He chuckles as he pulls me in closer, deepening the kiss.

A month ago, if someone had told me I would be content with just kissing, I'd have laughed in their face. But kissing Cam has become as important as breathing to me in such a short period of time.

We kiss lazily for a while, neither of us pushing for more. He strokes my cheek with his thumb while holding me close, and I slide my hand to the back of his neck, letting my fingers weave through his hair.

But eventually, he kisses his way down my neck, and I sigh, closing my eyes and just enjoying the feel of his lips against my skin .

"I wonder if I'm ever going to not want you," he murmurs, gently tugging my head back.

He runs his tongue over that sweet spot below my ear, and I shiver.

"I don't want to find out," I reply quietly.

He slides his hand down my throat before slipping his fingers inside my low-cut top and teasing my nipple through the lace of my bra. A little moan slips out of my mouth, and he pinches my nipple, causing the moan to turn a gasp.

Pulling away slightly, I pull my shirt over my head and his eyes light up.

"Front access bra? Fuck yeah." He reaches over and snaps it open.

My breasts come free, and I toss the bra aside.

He bends to bring his mouth to my breast, and I arch my back, silently begging for him to suck hard.

While his tongue runs over my pebbled nipple, his hand slides up my thigh under my skirt.

He finds my clit and lightly runs his finger over the fabric of my G-string.

"Always so wet for me," he murmurs, reaching beneath the elastic to snap it against my skin. I give a little yelp, and he laughs. "I want you naked."

I bite my lip as I raise my gaze to his.

Rising to my feet, I unzip my skirt, and he keeps his eyes on mine as he works the skirt down my hips along with my underwear.

Once the last of my clothes fall to the floor, he yanks his shirt over his head before lifting his hips and pulling his jeans down.

When he's as naked as I am, he tugs me into his lap, and I laugh, straddling his hips.

His erection sits between us as he pulls my head back again and returns his attention to my breasts.

I trace my finger over the intricate lines of the tattoo that runs from his pec, covering his shoulder and flowing down his arm.

He'd explained that he'd gotten it in his mid-twenties when he'd gone to Ireland to meet his family there for the first time and had fallen in love with the Celtic knotwork that he'd seen everywhere.

Usually, once we get naked together, I'm too preoccupied to do anything more than admire it briefly, but we're in no hurry today, and once I've traced every line, I push him back so I can run my tongue over his pec, feathering kisses along it.

For once, he allows me to control my movements, and I take my time exploring his body with my hands and mouth while he runs his hands up and down my back.

But eventually, our bodies decide enough is enough, and I rock my hips, allowing my clit to slide up and down the underside of his shaft.

He groans, gripping my hips and urging me to move faster.

It's not long before I'm coming, and I dig my fingers into his shoulders as I moan, continuing to rock back and forth.

He pulls my face down to his and kisses me hungrily as he smacks his hand around on the side table, searching for the box of condoms I've taken to keeping there for easy access when we fuck on the couch.

He eventually finds it and rips open the packet.

I lean back so he can roll it on, and he grabs my hips to lift me up, then helps me slide down, taking him all the way in.

"Fuck, yes," he grinds out. Whilst he may be beneath me, he's controlling my body entirely as his fingers dig into my hips, sliding me up and down his cock like I weigh nothing. "So fucking perfect."

I allow him to use my body, giving myself over to him fully.

When he grows tired of lifting me up and down, he holds me still and thrusts his cock up into me.

The new angle has him sliding right along my g-spot and I gasp, shuddering as he hits it over and over.

The muscle in his jaw tenses as he grits his teeth, and I can tell he's close to his own release.

"Rub your clit. I want us coming together," he commands.

I moan as I follow his instructions, and the pleasure rolls through me as my eyes roll back in my head.

He groans as his own orgasm starts, his movements becoming sloppy, and he pulls me back down to bury himself deep inside me.

"God I'm going to miss fucking you daily over the next two weeks," he murmurs as we sit with our foreheads touching while we regain our breath.

He's starting two weeks of night shifts tomorrow, and I've been low-key dreading it.

"Yeah, I'm probably going to explode," I reply, only half joking.

He chuckles and kisses me. "Guess we'll see just how strung out we both are for each other."