Chapter 17 : “Drugged”

*Roanne’s POV*

It didn’t happen, that is what he wanted me to believe. My body was feverish yet he wanted to forget what he just did.

The warmth of his embrace and touch was still a tangible presence around me, when a rap at the door shattered the fragile shield Aaron had shared. He stiffened, and with a last glance at me, he disentangled himself from our tangle of limbs and crossed the room to answer.

"Blake," he said tersely as he swung the door open. The scent of roasted coffee beans wafted into the room, and there stood Blake, his hands cradling the lifeline of caffeine and pain relief. His solemn nod toward me suggested this was more than a mere courtesy call.

"Brought what you asked," Blake said to Aaron, holding out the steaming cup and a small bottle of aspirin. Looking beyond him, I saw no traces of the early morning light; the world outside felt as distant as my grasp on the events that led to this moment.

"Thanks." My voice was a hoarse whisper, but it carried the wei