Page 33 of Ravage (Dark Desires #1)

brEAKING UP IS SOMETHING THAT COUPLES DO

IMOGEN

Annika picks her phone up for the thousandth time since I sat down. It's annoying the shit out of me after she guilted me into coming out for lunch, when all I really wanted to be doing was riding my boyfriend's cock after a week of forced celibacy.

That's right, I said boyfriend.

Just not out loud.

"Okay, you're being weird. Why do you keep checking your phone?" I snap.

She drops the aforementioned phone onto the table and shoots me a guilty little smile. "Sorry."

I frown. "Who are you waiting for a message from? You never look at your phone."

She shrugs. "No one in particular."

I smell bullshit.

It's not like Annika to be cagey about anything. It's also not like Annika to be anxiously waiting for a message or phone call. She’s one of the chillest people I know, so this behaviour is definitely out of character for her.

"Has something happened with Connell?" I ask, trying to get to the bottom of the weirdness.

She screws up her face. "Nothing new. I wish I could work that guy out. I know he's into me, so I don't get why he's being all 'can't touch the pretty girl' with me. The other day, I bumped into him in the kitchen when I was looking for a midnight snack, and he could barely look at me."

I raise an eyebrow. "And you were wearing what at the time?"

She grins. "Absolutely nothing."

I laugh. "Poor man. You're going to give him a heart attack one of these days. You know that, right?"

She snorts. "As if. He's way too fit for a heart attack.

" She groans and lets her head fall back.

It's almost pornographic, and I cover my mouth to hide my smirk.

"Seriously, Im... What I wouldn't give for another ride on that cock.

It was a truly magical cock, and that body.

.. You know that arm sleeve doesn't just stop at the shoulder, right?

I just want to lick him all over. Is that too much to ask?

" The older couple at the table next to us shoot her a horrified look, but she just grins and wiggles her fingers at them.

"If that upsets you, wait til you hear how big his cock is," she says, and the woman gasps.

I don't even attempt to hide my laugh when they get up, giving us both dirty looks as they pass.

"That's what you get for listening to other people's conversations!" Annika calls after them, before turning back to me. "But seriously... Why is he being so annoying?"

I sigh. "I don't know, babe. I mean, you know I have never been able to say no to you, so I can't really relate to whatever he's got going on."

She pouts. "You mean you never used to be able to say no to me.

" I give her a warning look, but it has zero effect on her.

Nothing ever really does. "I still think you're over thinking this stuff with Cam.

The guy has told you he's fine with you playing with Sebastian and me, and he doesn't strike me as the type to say something he doesn't mean. "

I shake my head. "No. He thinks he'd be fine with it. But there is no way he'd be able to handle the reality of it."

She keeps pushing, despite my frustrated expression. "Why are you so convinced that he wouldn't be, though?"

"Because! We aren't like regular people, Annika! How we live our lives isn't normal," I snap, tired of having this same conversation over and over.

She raises an eyebrow, watching me quietly for a moment. "That was an interesting little tantrum."

I rub my temple. "I'm just tired of talking about this all the time. It's not going to happen."

She shrugs. "If you say so."

"I do say so."

She sighs dramatically. "Well, I guess you'll just have to keep denying yourself until you eventually can't take it anymore.

Then you'll resent him for something that isn't even his fault because he literally told you he's fine with it.

So, then you break up with him. But you're already in love with him, so you're going to end up heartbroken. "

I scowl at her. "Why are you pushing this so hard?"

"Because I want you to be happy. And right now, being with Cam makes you happy. But we both know that you're going to want more once the novelty of one cock -" She jabs her thumb at her breast. " And no pussy - wears off."

I don't reply. Because how can I possibly argue with that?

She's right. While things right now with Cam are amazing, I know I'm going to eventually want to seek out Sebastian and Annika for the physical release that comes with sleeping with someone that you have no romantic feelings for.

And the more I deny it, the more I'll blame Cam for me turning into a person I no longer recognise.

While I quietly stew over her words, Annika reaches over to squeeze my hand.

"Just... talk to him again, babe. And really listen when he answers you.

I feel like you're putting yourself through all this torture for nothing because you can't believe that maybe.

.. just maybe... he's as different as we are. "

I narrow my eyes, studying her closely. "How do you know so much about all this? You've literally spoken to him twice..."

She shrugs, settling back into her seat, her face the picture-perfect image of innocence.

"He came to a club night, Im. Anyone who agrees to come along to one of those has some stuff going on inside.

Have you ever stopped to consider that Cam is just like you, only a couple of years behind?

You weren't exactly little miss polyamory when you walked through those doors the first time, either, and now look at you. "

While I can see the truth behind what she's saying, something tells me there is more to this conversation than what she's telling me... And I'm not sure I like it.

Once I get home, Cam messages to see what our plans are for the evening. I'd told him that I wanted to just hang out with him at home tonight, so I'm surprised he's asking again.

Imogen

Was there something you wanted to do tonight? I'm still fine with just hanging out and doing unspeakable things to each other before you have to work again tomorrow night.

Cam

I'm down for the unspeakable things. I just have to do a few things but will be at your place around seven?

It's only two... what could he possibly have to do that would take him five hours?

Cursing Annika for interrupting our plans and giving Cam the opportunity to find other things to do, I send back a thumbs up and resume sulking. And trying not to think about all the things Annika said that made far too much sense.

By the time Cam arrives just after seven, I'm in a mood.

"You okay?" he asks, brushing his lips over mine when I step aside to let him in to the apartment.

I guess my face isn't doing such a great job at hiding my thoughts.

"I'm fine," I reply with a shrug.

The look on his face tells me he doesn't believe me, but he doesn't push it, simply nodding slowly.

"Okay then." He rubs the back of his neck as he studies me, and I avoid meeting his gaze, instead focusing on the paper bag in his hand.

"What's in there?"

He chuckles. "Nice change of subject. And you'll have to wait to find out what's in here. Have you eaten yet?"

I shake my head, and he pulls out his phone to order us something. Which is a very good choice, because he has tried my cooking exactly once and the less said about that, the better.

Half an hour later, we are sitting side by side on the couch inhaling a variety of sushi.

Usually, the conversation flows when we eat together, but tonight something feels off.

I don't know if it's just because of my weird mood, but Cam seems nervous, his leg bouncing intermittently as he eats.

When I can't handle it any longer, I reach over and slap my hand over his knee.

"You are bouncing around like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh right now. What is going on?"

He snorts. "Interesting character comparison there. Never pegged you as a Winnie the Pooh fan."

I flick him an exasperated look. "I was a child once, you know. And don't change the subject. Why are you all amped up? "

He shrugs, continuing to eat. "I'm not."

I grumble under my breath, but figure, if he didn't make me talk about what was bugging me, the least I can do is give him the same courtesy.

The silence continues until we finish eating, and I'm starting to think we should have just had a night apart. There is an awkwardness between us now that has never been there before, and I don't know how to deal with it.

Has he decided he can't do this anymore? Is he about to break up with me? Wait, he can't break up with me, cause we've never even admitted we're together.

Cam clears his throat, and I look up to find him watching me with a smirk.

"You right over there?"

"Yep," I reply far too quickly, trying to appear as though everything is perfectly fine.

Even though my insides are twisting in knots.

"If you say so." He gets to his feet and starts clearing away the empty food packaging, heading into the kitchen to get rid of them.

When he reappears, he’s sliding his phone back into his pocket with a blank look on his face. He sits on the coffee table, facing me, and I hold my breath.

This is it. He's going to tell me it's over.

"So..." He studies my face as I will myself not to crumble.

"So..."

He reaches over and plucks the paper bag off the floor next to the table. "I have some stuff in here for you."

I swallow hard, fighting the urge to cry. "Stuff I left at your place, right?"

His eyebrows fly up. "No... Why would you think it was that?"

"Well, you're ending things, right?"

"No. Definitely not. Do you want me to end things?" His eyes widen as a panicked expression flits across his face.

"No... But you've been acting off since you got here..."

He cocks his head to the side. "And the first thing you assume is that I'm breaking up with you?"

I shrug. "Well, I mean... maybe the novelty has worn off for you? I know I'm not the kind of woman a guy like you ends up with-" He cuts me off, placing his hand over my mouth.

"Okay, I'm going to stop you now. You are amazing and the novelty will never wear off. I have no idea where this self-doubt is coming from, because you are one of the most confident women I know."

I scrunch my nose as I study him. "Well, if you're not breaking up with me, then what's going on?"

He grins. "Well... Does the fact that you referred to it as breaking up mean that we're in a relationship?"

"I... What?" I trip over my words, wondering how I can take the question back.

"Because breaking up is something that couples do... Are we a couple, Imogen?"

I gape at him. "What is happening right now?"

He chuckles. "I didn't think I'd ever see the day when you were flustered. It's adorable." He lays his hand over my knee and squeezes. "As far as I'm concerned, we're in a relationship, Imogen Delphine. You're kind of stuck with me now, sorry."

I'm still trying to follow what just happened. "So, you're not breaking up with me?"

He grins and leans forward, smacking a kiss on my lips. "No, I am not, in fact, breaking up with you. I love you, you crazy woman."

I suck in a breath, my eyes so wide that I'd worry they might pop out if I wasn't so shocked.

"You... you love me?"

Still grinning, he nods. "I gotta say, was kind of hoping for a bit more excitement when I said it for the first time, but we can work on that."

"I just... I..."

He watches me try to find words. Any words.

Finally, I let out a long breath and shake my head. "You've just seriously broken my brain. You get that, right?"

He chuckles and squeezes my knee again. "I can see that."

"I love you, too."

"I know. I could tell when you were trying not to cry when you thought I was breaking up with you."

I groan and rub my temples. "So... what's in the bag?"

He laughs, moving to cup my cheek. "Some stuff that I think is going to help with some of the issues you've been working through lately."

Frowning, I glance at the bag, before meeting his gaze again. "What issues?"

"The one where I've told you I'm fine with you continuing to play with Sebastian and Annika and you don't believe me."

I swallow, staring at him. "What are you talking about?"

He sighs, moving back slightly to look at me properly. "I know you've been twisting yourself in knots over this, Imogen."

"How?"

He grimaces. "Annika."

I groan, looking up at the ceiling. "I'm going to kill her. I fucking knew she was way too involved when she brought it up at lunch."

He takes my hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of it, drawing my gaze back to his. "Don't be mad at her. I needed to know so that I can do something about it."

Intrigued, I reach for the bag, but he holds it out of reach.

"What do you mean, do something about it?"

He grins. "You'll see. But first, I want you to get your arse onto that bed of yours, completely naked. And wait for me."

I narrow my eyes. "What are you scheming, Cam Collins?"

"If you don't follow my instructions, you'll never know." His tone is teasing, but I can see the challenge in his eyes. And then his voice changes, becoming darker... More seductive. "Do you trust me, Miss Delphine?"

Eyes widening, my lips part as my name said in that tone sends a ripple of desire through my body. A name that I've never heard from him before... The name that only one other man has said in that tone...

How the fuck...?

Instead of answering, I rise to my feet and walk to my room, glancing back at him over my shoulder as I sway my hips.

He flashes me that smirk that has so often aggravated me. "See you in there, baby."