Satin Bruises

The girls sat in the parking lot outside of their apartment complex. The quiet dark pressed against them in the car. The last few tears trickled out of Reilly, and she took a shaking breath.

"I'm sorry if I ruined your relationship with your co-worker," she finally said, quietly. Raleigh made a disgusted sound.

"Technically she's my boss. I mean, she's training me, after all," Raleigh said, looking very hard at the wall in front of her.

"She's your boss? YOUR boss. As in...thinks she's better than you. Don't fucking kid me," Reilly said, working up to a smile.

"Reilly-" Raleigh started, still not looking at her sister.

"Still, I'm incredibly sorry. I fuck everything up," she continued, covering her face in her hands.

"Jesus Reilly! Knock it the fuck off! I hate it when you do your tortured martyr thing," Raleigh snapped. Instantly she regretted it. Reilly looked like she had been slapped.

"Oh," she said simply, looking away from her twin.

"God," Raleigh sighed, "I'm sorry Rye. I just...I'm upset and I'm taking it out on you. I'm sorry this didn't work out, when we both needed it too. We'll figure this out." Raleigh hung her head and then looked at her sister. Reilly's face was inscrutable, blank and tired. Raleigh reached across the seat and hugged her sister hard. "We will get him back." Reilly nodded, and lightened a bit. She sighed.

"Yeah. Next city then?" She asked.

"Let's see how this goes first," Raleigh suggested. "I have a good feeling about St. Louis."

Reilly snorted, amused. "I guess I should trust the sometimes future-reader," she said, almost jokingly. Raleigh grinned.

"You were good back there. I thought Anita was going to kick your ass," she teased, unlocking the car doors.

"I got lucky. She was mad and sloppy, and I was faster," Reilly said realistically. "Can we make some cocoa tonight?"

Raleigh gave the first genuine smile of the day, and the girls headed upstairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Raleigh smacked her head against the steering wheel in time with Static X's "Black and White" while she waited for Anita to come out of her apartment. Of course, Anita was running late. Finally, Raleigh turned the music down to call her mentor, but there was no need. Anita was storming out to the car, followed by a slender man with short black hair and no shirt. Raleigh unlocked the passenger door and pushed down her sunglasses so she could see better.

"I don't know what the problem is," the man said angrily. "But you need to figure it out, Anita. I'm not living here to be screamed at constantly. Especially for something that I didn't do."

"Godammit Micah, go inside," Anita growled as she got in the car, slamming the door. Raleigh, having gotten her fill of Micah's good looks, pushed her glasses up, put the car into drive, and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Sounds like you're having a good morning," Raleigh said snidely.

"God, you have no idea. What was your first clue?"

"You have a broken arm, you have taken the Lord's name in vain twice in a minute and a half, once at your boyfriend," Raleigh explained.

"He's not my boyfriend," Anita sighed.

"Husband?"

"Yeah right."

"Homosexual friend?"

"Definitely not."

Raleigh smiled secretly, having tricked Anita into divulging valuable information. "Then what is he?"

"My lover."

"Thought you already had one of those?"

"I have many."

Raleigh paused for a moment. "How does that work with your whole Episcopalian thingie?"

"Not well, I am not proud of it, but I need them."

Raleigh shrugged and turned up the tunes. She pretended to be interested in the diatribe of self loathing Anita was going on, but really she was thinking about this Micah character. She had briefly met his eyes, green and cat-like. He was a were, no doubt about that, but she was curious as to what kind of were exactly. She was thinking something graceful, probably a big cat. Either way, she knew one thing, she wanted him for herself. Finally something Anita was bitching about caught Raleigh's attention.

"-and your fucking sister-" she was saying, as Raleigh's head snapped around.

"You really don't want to go there," Raleigh said, not hostile yet. "Look, what happened sucked, but I'm not going to sit here and let you act like an ass about my sister when you were the one who was wrong. We can still be friends and co-workers, but you are not going to say a word about my sister, got it?"

Anita glared daggers, literally seething. Raleigh could see the huge effort it was taking for Anita to not start screaming then and there. Raleigh checked herself on her usual impulse. Provoking the woman was not going to help right now. Especially not when she needed to be in Anita's good graces to meet this 'Micah' character...

With a graceless grunt, Anita turned away from Raleigh, settling back into the seat to pout until they reached Animators Inc.

The work day passed slowly, Raleigh mostly met with clients to review their cases. She was excruciatingly bored by the time lunch rolled around. Anita had actually even left an hour ago, leaving the paperwork to Raleigh. With a grumpy sigh, she sauntered out into the reception area, really enjoying the feel of the linen pants that she had 'borrowed' from Reilly this morning. She was, however brought up short by the person entering the waiting room right that second.

Up close his hair was curlier, and looked baby fine. It shimmered in the bad fluorescent lights like an oil spill, many colors all caught up in the black. His green eyes were spiked with a tiny sunburst of yellow in the center. His skin had a light golden cast to it, and arched high brows gave him a slightly amused look.

Raleigh in that moment felt a totally liquid, overwhelming rush of lust. Her fingertips tingled, her whole body tightened, and every inch of her skin suddenly needed to be touched right that second. Screw the watching clients. Micah turned and looked up at her, and with a brilliant smile, sealed his own fate.

"Are you here looking for Anita?" Raleigh asked him, politely. Silently, she congratulated herself on her total composure. Being able to speak around her libido at all right now was an accomplishment. He walked over to Raleigh, holding out his hand.

"Yeah," he answered, looking Raleigh up and down in a curious way, "I don't believe we've met Ms...?"

"Gallion," she supplied, with her man eater smile firmly in place. She took his offered hand, and lower parts of her thrilled. He looked startled for a second before discreetly sniffing the air between them. With a smile that was more secretive now, and a little expectant, Micah leaned forward a bit.

"Ms. Gallion. It is a pleasure," the look in his eyes implied everything that the even tone in his voice hadn't. She smiled back, indicating the brown paper sack he held loosely in his left hand.

"Ms. Blake has stepped out for the moment, but if you're willing to share, I haven't eaten today. Whatever you've got smells heavenly," Raleigh said lightly, praying he would agree. His smile grew even larger.

"Perhaps we could step into your office...?" He suggested, gesturing. Raleigh led the way, cheering internally. Chinese food AND this! How could today get better?? She held the door open for Micah, sneaking a look at his rear end, which was perfectly shaped and toned. Raleigh suppressed the urge to grab two handfuls of it. The lithe and gorgeous man was unloading the food before she even shut the door.

"So, what's your vice?" he asked. "Lo mein or shrimp fried rice?"

"Have any General's Chicken?" Raleigh inquired, hopping onto her desk and peaking into the bag. She made sure to lean just right so, if he dared to sneak a peek, Micah could see the long, flawless line of her neck and her cleavage.

"Actually, I do," Micah replied after a short pause. He extracted the little take out box from the bag and handed it to Raleigh. She graciously took the box from his hands and picked up some chop sticks.

"So, this is definitely the first time I've seen you come in here," Raleigh said lightly, secretly probing him for more information just as she had done with Anita.

"I used to come in more, until Anita told me to stop. She said it interfered with her work," Micah explained before adding. "This is an apology lunch."

Raleigh nodded sympathetically. "That was an interesting spat this morning."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Micah apologized with a small grin.

Raleigh shook her head. "Not at all."

A moment passed between them silently before Raleigh realized that Micah was looking at her. He wasn't staring, it was more like he was examining her. Raleigh's skin tightened and burned again. Micah's power pushed against hers, heightening her lust. Trying to keep her composure, Raleigh met the were's shocking green eyes.

"Can I help you?" she asked teasingly before popping another tasty piece of chicken in her mouth.

Micah said nothing, just cocked his head to the side and smiled. He reached out and grazed his fingertips across her cheek while smirking impishly. Raleigh realized suddenly that he knew the effect he had on her and he was teasing her for it. The medium sighed and grasped Micah's hand.

"You're not funny," Raleigh whispered. Micah's smile widened.

"I'm not trying to be funny," he replied, coming dangerously close to Raleigh's face. For a split second, Raleigh considered asking him to leave, but the lust got the best of her. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against Micah's. The kiss was electric and sensual.

He pressed back, gently wrapping his fingers in her hair. The kiss deepened, and Micah's tongue caressed her lips, before plunging into the warm wetness of her mouth. Raleigh couldn't hold back a tiny moan, and Micah growled in return. Abruptly, he leaned across the desk, and without breaking the kiss, brought her up out of her chair to rest inches from him on the cheap wood. His fingers went to the buttons on her blouse, deftly undoing every one. He stroked her breasts through the silk of her brassiere, running too-warm fingers across her taught nipples. She rose to meet him, pressing her body against the length of his. They moaned in unison, and Micah grabbed her, cupping her tight ass as she wrapped her legs around him.

He rubbed them together, catlike and slow, making every inch of Raleigh burn. She leaned back, gasping, and he let her lay across the desk. He leaned over her, running his tongue under the lace of her bra, barely brushing her hard little nipple. She arched, with a little cry, and he was on her. The bra snapped off, fabric no match for his shifter's strength. With another growl, he worked her breast into his mouth, taking as much as he could. His hand traced the length of her abdomen, before resting hotly against her crotch.

Cupping her, he bit her nipple. Gently at first, it became a tearing, savage movement, and Raleigh bucked against his hand and the desk, whimpers falling from her throat. Micah pulled back, and with a look into her face that satisfied him, she was enjoying herself, he kissed his way down from her breasts to nibble her bellybutton, and put a wet little tongue under the waistband of her pants. He undid the first button, watching her as the fabric gave. Her hips made agonized little thrusts as she gripped the sides of the desk. He smiled to himself, and went to the second button. Even more slowly, he worked this one open, loving the half-crazed look on her face.

The last button popped free, and Micah slid Raleigh's pants and undies out from under her as she moved underneath him. With one hand keeping her hips still, Micah guided his fingers between her legs, rubbing the silky wet flesh there. Raleigh could barely stand it. Her head tossed back, and her body tightened. She bit her lip, holding back the first of many screams. Micah scooted her body down the desk, so that her butt was right on the edge of the wood, and his mouth worked at hers at the same time his fingers did.

"Micah, please," Raleigh moaned, pulling his body into hers with her long legs. His fingers ceased their maddening caresses, and he fisted his other hand in her hair.

"Oh this won't do at all," he murmured, breath warm across her lips. "Did I say you could talk?" Raleigh froze, half excitement, half apprehension. Micah moved off her, seating himself in the rolling desk chair that she had so recently vacated. With a few quick movements, he was out of his pants, and his erection elicited a little gasp from Raleigh.

"You're huge," she half-whispered, forgetting for the moment about the rule. Micah shook his head.

"There we go talking," he said, a hot gleam in his eyes as he looked her over. Raleigh looked back, challenging. He grinned almost playfully, and then he had reached over the desk, grabbed Raleigh, and had her prone form across his lap, ass up, before she could even blink.

"Do you know what happens to bad girls?" He asked, squeezing her tight bottom in his right hand. He felt the perfect cream of her skin and leaned down to plant a tiny kiss on her left cheek. She squirmed, afraid to say anything. He ran his smiling mouth up her spine, and at the base of her neck, when she started to actually shiver in pleasure, he raised his hand, and brought it down on her ass in a ringing slap. She squeaked, and started to struggle, bringing her hands under her to get up. Micah grabbed her again, holding her down by the back of her neck, and another slap rained down on her tender backside.

Raleigh moaned, squeezing her eyes shut as another heavy blow hit her skin. Unceremoniously, she was dumped onto the floor, confused for just a moment, she looked around, trying to spot Micah. He was already behind her, pulling her tight little body onto his own. He worked his way inside of her, and ever inch was a white hot bliss. She bucked on the carpet, not helpful in the least, but finally he came to the end of her. With a little wiggle that put Raleigh into spasms, Micah worked his way slowly back out. Satisfied that he had the hang of it, Micah thrust back into her with enough force to send her sprawling against the carpet. He pulled out again, and started thrusting at a punishing pace. Too fast for Raleigh to catch the rhythm, he worked her body, occasionally seasoning her throaty moans with sharp slaps of her ass.

Finally after too much speed, and so much fullness, Raleigh could feel her vision getting hazy. Her back arched, and with erratic little motions, her orgasm came crashing over her. Not to be outdone, Micah grabbed a handful of her hair, and pulled her body upright against him. She shivered, wave after wave of gleaming pleasure making her rock on Micah's hardness. He let out a grunt in her ear, grabbing her jiggling breast in one hand, and they rode each other into total bliss.

With blissful little sighs, they collapsed under the desk, curled around each other, enjoying the moment. Raleigh relished the sound of Micah's heart racing against her ear, how incredibly hot his body was. She reached up and ran her hand through Micah's thick black hair. He closed his eyes, smiling softly. When his eyes opened again, his gaze fell on the red welts on Raleigh's derrier. Gently, carefully, he ran his large hands across them.

"Sorry about that," he whispered against the top of her head. Raleigh laughed to herself.

"Don't be, I enjoyed it... in an interesting sado-masochistic way."

Micah chuckled as Raleigh handed him his jeans. She was impressed to discover that there was also no underwear to accompany the pants, but she kept to herself. Raleigh donned her sisters pants and her own bra and blouse while Micah still sat underneath her desk, kissing and nibbling at her ankles, massaging her feet. As Raleigh reclined in her chair, the door opened and Anita slid into the office. Raleigh jumped slightly and waved her hand under the desk to tell Micah to be still and quiet.

"Hey," Anita said, then paused. "When did you get lunch?"

"I had it delivered," Raleigh explained, keeping her cool. "You want some? I have lo mein."

Anita eyed her before taking the little cardboard container. "Just thought I would let you know that I'm going home, so you can leave any time."

"Alright cool," Raleigh replied while handing her boss a pair of chopsticks. Underneath the desk, Micah bit into Raleigh's thigh. She bit back a moan as Anita was leaving. When Anita stopped at the door way, Raleigh thought the cat was out of the bag, no pun intended.

"Thanks for the food," Anita said genuinely. "And by the way, I don't know if you've noticed, but your office smells like sex for some reason."

"Really?" Raleigh asked, inhaling deeply. "I hadn't noticed."

"Just open a window," Anita shrugged as she shut the door of the office. Raleigh casually munch on some fried rice until Anita was out of sight, then she slid the chair back and gazed at the crouching man under her desk.

"You can come out now," she teased. Micah slid out from underneath the desk, brushing his cheek against Raleigh's thigh much like a cat would. Raleigh rubbed his head.

"You're a good kitty aren't you?"

"I can be."

Micah rose from his knees and stood in front of Raleigh. He watched her sea foam green eyes flash behind her auburn hair. Her pink lips twisted into a little smirk as her cold hands rubbed his firm abs. Suddenly, he felt guilty for doing this to Anita, but as he still looked into Raleigh's eyes...he didn't care. If Anita can have more than one lover...why couldn't he? Raleigh sensed something was wrong now.

"If you want to leave...you can," Raleigh said softly, letting her hands fall onto her lap.

"It's not that, it's..."

"You feel guilty because of Anita. Micah, you don't have to explain anything to me," she said as she took a pen from a little cup on her desk and grabbed a sticky note. "Now, if you ever want to do this again, or anything else for that matter...dinner, movie, bar, whatever...here's my cell. Give me a call."

Micah smiled at her again and took the little sheet of paper. Raleigh winked at him as he left her office, feeling just a little bit sleazy, then her phone rang. She plopped back into her office chair and answered it.

"Hello, Raleigh Gallion's office," she said pleasantly.

"Hey 'Leigh, it's Reilly."

"Hey honey, what's up?"

"I need you to go by Dad's and pick up Conner at three. Can you do that?"

"Yeah, but question, why can't you?"

"Because...Jean-Claude decided to give me that job after all! Anyway, I have to head over there to get started and all that stuff. It'll be you and Conner tonight. I'll be home sometime in the morning," Reilly explained.

"You're working nights now?"

"Well duh, Raleigh."

"I'm just saying, it's been how long since you've seen Conner? And your rushing off to be at the side of the sexiest vampire alive. Shameful," Raleigh teased, fidgeting with her pen.

"You just got laid, didn't you?" Reilly's voice asked tinnily from the phone.

"Yes I did," Raleigh announced, putting her heels up on the desk. She could hear Reilly giggle to herself on the other end.

"Did you get a name?"

"Micah," Raleigh said, ponderously.

"How'd you meet him?"

"Oh, he's Blake's boyfriend or something," Raleigh said, unconcernedly. She rocked the chair a little, and started at the ceiling.

"Slut," Reilly said cheerfully, trying not to laugh. Raleigh grinned from ear to ear and set the chair back down.

"Of course!" Raleigh exclaimed, grabbing for her purse so she could get the hell home.

"Love you!" Reilly said, disconnecting.

"Love you back," Raleigh said to the empty line, still full of herself. She left the office with a decided sway to her stride.