Page 4 of His Dark Cravings

I climb into bed, the soft sheets nice against my skin. My mind is still full of Max, his smile, the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs. I reach down into my panties, my hands moving of their own accord.

This is what's got me so worked up. I just need a quick release.

I imagine Max's hands on my body, his lips on my neck. I close my eyes, letting my fingers explore, gently circling, teasing. I bite my lip, my heart pounding in my ears. I can feel my pulse throbbing between my legs, a sweet ache building. My breath comes faster as I imagine Max's voice, his whispered words of encouragement.

I let out a soft moan as I apply pressure, circling gently, slowly building the intensity. My body arches slightly, my back pressing into the mattress. My fingers move in rhythm, my breath quickening with each stroke.

I can feel the pleasure building, a delicious tension coiling tight within me. My hips buck slightly, involuntarily, as I lose myself in the sensation. My mind is a blur of images—Max's smile, the feel of his hands on my body—and I let out a soft, wordless cry as I surrender to the pleasure, my body bucking with the force of it. I lay there, my breath ragged, my body tingling. My fingers come away glistening.

Short and disappointing, as usual.

As I lie there, my breath slowly returning to normal, I can't help but feel a twinge of shame. I bury my face in my hands, my body still buzzing with the aftermath of my release. What am I doing? Fantasizing about my friend, my colleague? It feels like a betrayal, even though I know these are just private longings.

I roll onto my side, pulling the covers up to my chin. My heart is heavy, my body feeling strangely hollow despite the pleasure I just experienced. I know I should be moving on, putting these feelings for Max behind me. But it's not that simple. He's woven into the very fabric of my life, and untangling myself from him feels like an impossible task.

I close my eyes, willing the turmoil of my emotions to settle. Tomorrow is another day, I tell myself. A new beginning. I'll put this behind me and focus on the work that truly matters. The world needs Ember's Glow, and I can't let my personal life get in the way of that.

But as I drift off to sleep, I know I'll just repeat this cycle of yearning.

The next afternoon, I'm back at Ember's Glow, my mind still lingering on the events of the previous night. I'm sorting through some donation boxes when my phone buzzes with an incoming call. I recognize the number immediately—it's my brother, Talon.

I answer with a sense of trepidation. Talon and I have a complicated relationship, to say the least. He's always been the wild card in my life, the source of chaos and uncertainty.

"Everly, I need your help," he says, his voice tight and panicked. "I'm in way over my head."

"What is it, Talon?" I ask, my heart sinking as I recognize the desperation in his tone.

"I lost a fortune gambling last night," he admits, his voice cracking. "I was at this casino, the Ravenwood, and I just kept losing. I owe them a ridiculous amount of money, and they're not letting me leave until I pay up."

My protective instincts kick in immediately. Talon may be a source of frustration, but he's still my little brother.

"Where are you? I'll come get you."

He gives me the address, and I hang up, my mind already racing with plans to extract him from this mess. I know the Ravenwood by reputation—it's a lavish, exclusive casino, known for catering to the rich and powerful.

Wish they'd throw their money in our direction, do some good for once.

As I make my way there, I can't shake the feeling of being out of my depth. This is a world I don't belong in, a world of high stakes and dangerous games.

I feel wildly underdressed in my simple outfit as I step into the casino. The air is thick with the scent of money and power. The clinking of glasses and the soft murmur of conversation fill the air. I feel eyes on me as I pass, aware that I stand out like a sore thumb. Still, I make my way through the crowd, searching for any sign of Talon.

A hand lands on my shoulder, and I jump, spinning to find myself face-to-face with a burly security guard.

"Miss Fields?" His voice is deep and gruff, and I can't help but feel intimidated.

I nod, my throat suddenly dry. "Yes, that's me. I'm here for Talon."

The guard nods. "Follow me."

I swallow my nerves and trail after him, my eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of my brother. We weave our way through the casino, passing private gaming rooms and exclusive lounges. Finally, the guard stops in front of a nondescript door, his hand resting on the doorknob.

"Mr. Ravenwood will see you now." He opens the door, gesturing for me to enter.

I step into the room, my heart pounding in my chest. My eyes land on a tall man standing by the window, his back to me. There's an air of power and command about him, and I find myself holding my breath, unsure of what to say.

The man turns, and I find myself looking at Xavier Ravenwood, the owner of the casino. I recognize him from his obnoxious commercials. His green eyes assess me coolly, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. There's an intensity to his gaze that unnerves me, and I have to force myself to hold his stare. I can tell by the look in his eyes that he's thinking about something, almost appraising me.

For what?

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