Chapter 12 : Contrasting Partners

The next morning, Raven gulped down painkillers and a strong cup of coffee before heading into work. The day was a thin, hazy kind of summer heat that felt as if it clung to her skin as she walked. She cursed the heat and the early hour for the weight of the hangover pounding in her head. That was partly what the painkillers were for. The rest of the reason was the deep, distracting ache on her inner thighs where she knew bruises were forming.

It wasn’t the first time, and it wasn’t necessarily the discomfort she was trying to dull. No, it was the fact that each step she took, the soreness reminded her of the sweet, brutal pain of the night before, as Kade bent her over the back of the sofa and tore every thought from her head with each ramming thrust.

Andre and Sharon were at the elevator as usual. Sharon had a very welcome cup of coffee in hand that Raven accepted gratefully.

“Bless you,” she said, sipping at it greedily.

“Careful, it’s hot,” Sharon cautioned.

“As hot as th