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Megan jerked and a soft cry escaped her mouth. But in the next minute she let out a slow breath to show him she was ready for the rest.

  “Reach down and grab the handles on the side,” Beau said. “Hold them until we’re finished. It will help to steady you.”

  He smiled when he saw how tightly she gripped them. He could have restrained her for this, but her very unrestricted position would tell him to what level of pain he could take her. Weeks had passed since their last session and he didn’t want to get this wrong.

  He rained another blow on her. And another. Slowly, but with an irregular cadence so she could not anticipate when the next one would fall. Her skin turned a gorgeous shade of red as stroke landed on stroke, marking her from her waist to the backs of her thighs. Her moans of pleasure were erotic music to him.

  Megan gave no sign of retreating. In fact he was excited to see her push herself up on her tiptoes to raise her ass even more, silently begging for the fierce slap of the leather. He finally had to force himself to stop before he went beyond appropriate boundaries. He never gave more pain than a sub could take, always backing off if he saw he was pushing too far. And he and Megan had not really set the upper limits of those yet. But the way she embraced the pain from the strap, as many blows as he’d given her, told him they’d hardly begun to scratch the surface.

  Tossing the strap to the side, he bent to kiss her heated skin, running his tongue over the red stripes, savoring the feel of the warmth on his tongue. Running his fingers through her slit, he became even more aroused, if that was possible, to feel how wet she was. For good measure, he pinched her clit and she tried to squeeze her legs together.

  He slapped her buttocks.

  “Legs apart. All night unless I tell you differently.” He stepped back. “Push yourself up and turn to face me.”

  When she did so, he saw the bright hunger in her eyes, matching his own in its intensity. And something else. Complete trust. Not that she hadn’t trusted him from that first meeting, but there had been limits. Parameters. Every action was defined by the safeword hovering invisibly over them. Still, that inner conflict he’d sensed had hung between them like an invisible barrier. One she could lock into place if she thought he was demanding too much of her emotionally. One created by the conflict between the two sides of her personality.

  But tonight, for whatever reason, it shimmered and slowly disappeared.

  God! Was there enough time to do everything to her he wanted?

  Slow. Go slow. She was with you all the way before, but you need to make sure you read the signals right.

  “You know,” he began in a conversational tone, “one of the things that really turns me on is restraining a sub in a way that makes any movement impossible for her. Then I can do anything I want, however I want, for as long as I want.” He studied her expression. “Tell me if you think that would be too much for you.”

  One of the many things he’d learned about being a Dom was that every situation involved negotiation. A testing, of sorts. Even when the two people had been together previously. Or maybe especially because of that. It was too easy for a Dom to push a sub beyond what made her feel good, ignoring the signals because of that familiarity.

  “I would like whatever pleases my Sir.” The words were deferential, but that touch of sassiness was back in her voice.

  Okay, then!

  He lifted and carried her to a wide table in the middle of the room, its surface at just the right height so if he pulled her to the edge he could fuck her for as long as they both could stand it. After placing her so her ass, which had to be stinging, rested just at the edge of the surface, he retrieved lengths of silk rope from yet another drawer and carried them back to where she waited, along with some other items. Pulling out a side extension of the table, he placed them there for the moment, keeping only the silken rope in his hands.

  “I learned a lot of things during my play time over in the Middle East,” he told her. “One of them was how to restrain a sub in a very intricate position.”

  As he talked, he wound the end of one length of rope around an ankle, securing it before extending it to the matching wrist. Again he wound the woven silk around her skin, tightening it so her wrist was effectively locked to her ankle with very little play in the rope. Lifting her at the waist with one hand, he threaded the rope behind her and completed the same intricate pattern with the wrist and ankle on the other side. She was now effectively stretched wide open, unable to move, her cunt and her breasts helpless to whatever he chose to do with them. He gathered a small pillow from a pile on the floor and used it to prop her head up so she could watch him. He wanted her to see everything.

  He glanced up at her face, checking for signs of discomfort, but all he saw was an avid eagerness for whatever came next. Despite the fact that his cock was pressing hard to come out and play, he was determined to take his time, spending a long moment tracing the lips of her cunt, brushing over her clit before sliding two fingers into her channel. Jesus! She was sopping wet. When he finally slid into her she’d have no trouble taking him, despite his size.

  Giving in to an impulse, he leaned forward and dragged his tongue through her slit, her taste both sharp and sweet. Electricity shot through his balls and he wondered who was being teased the most here.

  Using the tip of one finger, he massaged her clit, watching her breathing increase and more liquid gather at the entrance to her pussy. When it swelled even more and turned a darker shade of rose, he picked up a tiny clamp like the ones on her nipples, attached it to her clit then drew the chain between her breasts down enough to hook all the clamps together.

  “Okay?” he asked, studying her carefully. From now on he needed to watch for signals even more because he had a feeling that for whatever reason, Megan would let him push her too far.

  “Yes, Sir.” Her voice was unsteady, her breathing uneven.

  Okay then.

  Tamping down the growing desire inside him, he lifted a fire wand from the table extension and used a cotton pad to cover the surface with isopropyl alcohol. A flick of a button at the end of the wand and the alcohol burst into flames. With a sureness born of practice and experience, he ‘bounced’ the wand over Megan’s body, first her breasts, then her belly, then the inside of her thighs. And finally over the bottom curve of her ass, still blazing red from the leather strap. He watched her carefully as he played heat on heat, and listened to the sounds she made, knowing it was his responsibility to be aware if she was in real distress.

  But the fire play apparently turned her on as much as it did him, even on those areas of her skin still blazing from the strap. Watching the flames ‘bounce’ over her body then quickly extinguishing them gave him an incredible rush. The fact that she seemed to be enjoying it as well only turned him on even more. This was the fourth time he and Megan had been together, the first time where he’d pushed the envelope this much. The excitement was growing so strongly inside him he was sure if he didn’t exert control over himself, his part of the party would be over almost before it started.

  But Megan was totally into this, moans of pleasure bursting from her mouth, her face flushed. She was deep in subspace now, that place where a submissive gave over complete control to the Dom. Something inside him warmed at the sight.

  One more time he played the wand over her body, this time making sure to tap every inch of her breasts. Beau was sure the sting of the flame would pile sensation on sensation if the nipple clamps were doing their job. He held the wand just barely away from her nipples, loving the way her muscles tensed and contracted as her body responded to the multiple stimuli.

  “Aahhhhh.” The cry burst from her as she did her best to arch up into his touch.

  She was wild now, completely open to him, nothing held back. Beyond restraint, hungry for a real taste of her, he clicked off the wand and tossed it onto the table, knelt between her outstretched thighs and placed a wide open-mouthed kiss on her pussy. This time her shout shot through him like a thun
derbolt. She was so ready, her cunt juicy, the lips a dark pink.

  Taking the chain connecting all the clamps between two fingers he tugged on it rhythmically as he thrust his tongue in and out of her with a rapid motion. Her skin was so hot, he could feel it radiating next to his cheeks. With his other hand he smoothed the lower curve of her bottom before giving her light pinches where it was still striped red.

  Megan rocked and moaned as he took his time, withdrawing his tongue then stabbing it back inside her. But then, because he wanted it as much as she did, he gave her what he knew she needed. Tugging hard on the chain so the clamps tightened even more on her nipples and clit, he took her up and over. She exploded like a rocket, her juices flowing into his mouth and down his chin, the walls of her pussy convulsing around his tongue.

  He loved it, Megan on the table bound in a way to be totally at his mercy, her very responsive body his to do with as he wished. He sucked and licked until the last of her tremors subsided before lifting his head to study her. A deep flush suffused her face, her hair lay in wild disarray and that pulse at the base of her throat beat as rapidly as a bird’s wings.

  And the look in her eyes told him two things—despite the intense orgasm, she still wasn’t satisfied and somehow during all of this she had completely given herself over to him. Not just for the play period. Not just because of the sexual attraction. Everything had coalesced inside her and she was no longer just a sub—she was his sub. She might not even realize it yet herself. But now he needed to respect that and make sure he did nothing to make her change her mind.

  Slowly he rose to his feet, stroking his hands over every inch of her body. He watched until her breathing slowed, until her body relaxed as much as possible under the circumstances. Until she achieved a small measure of calm. Then, very carefully, he removed each of the clamps and undid the ropes. He took care to massage her muscles to ease them from their constricted position. With his mouth he soothed the taut buds of her nipples as the release of the clamps brought a surge of pain.

  But now he needed to take care of his own raging need. After stripping off his clothes and rolling on a condom, he turned Megan over, arranged her on her hands and knees. Positioning himself at her opening, hands on her hips to hold her in place, he then drove into her with one strong thrust.

  Sweet Jesus!

  That pussy was so wet and tight around him he was afraid he’d come before he got to the good part. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before beginning a steady, rocking, in and out motion. It didn’t take long before he felt Megan responding to him, her body ramping up for another explosive release. Which was a damn good thing since he was right on the edge himself.

  Once more, twice, then they soared over the edge together, bodies shuddering and convulsing, his semen pumping into the thin latex shield while Megan’s cunt squeezed him like a tight fist.

  He had no idea how long he stood there, his cock still inside her, hands still bracing her until his heartbeat returned to some semblance of normal and he was sure he could breathe again. Slowly he withdrew and disposed of the condom. Then, mindful of his responsibilities, he turned her over, got a bottle of massage oil and proceeded to carefully knead every inch of her body, working in the fragrant substance. He brought her a bottle of water from the tiny fridge in the corner of the room and cradled her to his chest while she sipped on it. When he was sure he’d taken her down from the high, had attended to every sore and aching spot in her body, he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  “So. How’d you like to go to a wedding with me?”

  Chapter Three

  Beau knew he’d shocked the hell out of Megan when he asked her to be his plus one at the wedding. He’d stunned himself just as much. He wasn’t used to being with a sub outside the walls of a dungeon. For most of his adult life he’d kept the components of it separate—sex, hanging out with his friends, the army. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d been on a date. They didn’t seem to offer anything for him. His family life hadn’t given him warm and fuzzy feelings and he’d seen the landscape littered with the ruins of too many military marriages. So Delta Force had become the focus of his life. What would he do with a date? He just didn’t see any future in it.

  But Megan was different. He felt things for her he’d never felt for any other woman. He wanted to see her outside The Edge. He wanted to talk to her, dance with her, share a meal. Holy fuck! What was going on with him?

  Even so, for a little bit there he’d been afraid she’d refuse. Maybe if she hadn’t known Kari from The Edge she might have turned him down, but he used that as a bargaining chip to get her to accept his invitation. She had suggested meeting him at Mission Hills Gardens where the ceremony and dinner were being held, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Teo, grinning all the while, had been only too glad to have one of the hands wash and detail a ranch SUV for his use.

  Megan Welles. He considered it a major victory that she told him her last name and agreed to let him pick her up at her home. He nearly swallowed his tongue when he rang the bell at her townhouse and she opened the door. The dress she was wearing was a shade of blue that matched her eyes and set off both her tan and the streaky gold of her hair. She wore it loose today, the ends dusting her shoulders, so tempting that Beau wanted to run his fingers through it, but he was afraid he’d mess it up. Her eyes were wide and luminous, her lips so tempting with a light gloss on them that he wanted to sink his tongue into her mouth. Or his cock.

  Only Megan’s musical laugh had jerked him out of his reverie.

  “I love it when a man can’t take his eyes off me.” She smiled. “Makes it worth all the effort ahead of time.” She tilted her head. “You don’t look so bad yourself, soldier.”

  The members of Team Charlie had all brought their uniforms with them, determined to shine with spit and polish for the event. This was the first time Megan had seen him in anything but the slacks and shirt he wore to The Edge and it pleased him to see the admiration in her eyes. And something else. Not just heat or desire. Maybe the same ephemeral thing dancing around in his own body that he was afraid to put a name to.

  He had big plans to spend the night with her if he could talk her into it. Sometimes, between missions, he’d meet a woman outside a dungeon and end up in bed with her. But he always made sure it was nothing more than a physical exercise, sex to fulfill a need and relieve tension. Anything else would take him down a road he had no intention of traveling. But Megan made him want to break his own rules. He’d wanted to suggest she pack an overnight bag and take her to a fancy hotel but one thing at a time. Despite the fact that she’d finally let down the barriers at The Edge, he sensed a wall of resistance—no, of protection—still in place deep inside her. He didn’t know what it would take to break down that wall but he was determined not to let her hide behind it, either. So he’d play it by ear, see how the evening went after the ceremony and dinner.

  Then it occurred to him she probably had to work the next day. He had no idea what she did. She’d never given him even the tiniest hint. Should he ask her? He sure didn’t want her going into work looking as if she’d been run over by a tractor, but he also wanted to maximize every moment with her.

  Shit. He’d never been so conflicted about anything. What the hell was going on with him? He’d always considered himself prime material for a sniper because he never allowed his emotions out to play, but with Megan it seemed he didn’t have much choice. It both worried and excited him.

  Beau shifted in his seat and eased his arm across the back of Megan’s chair, taking a moment to look around. Slade and Kari had chosen a venue called Mission Hills Gardens for the event and they’d been blessed with perfect weather for the five o’clock ceremony. Chairs had been set up in a grassy area surrounded by colorful gardens and a white runner led from the Spanish style building to the arbor where the couple would exchange their vows. The couple would each have one attendant, he knew, and to avoid hurt feelings among the team
by choosing one over the others, Slade had tapped Teo to be his best man.

  Now the members of Team Charlie, spit and polished in their uniforms, waited for the bride to walk down the aisle and for the ceremony to begin.

  Slade married! What a concept. It wasn’t until the team had begun taking their down time at the ranch that any of them could even see their leader in a permanent relationship, planning for the future. Operating in the dangerous situations they did, they were usually just happy to get to the end of a week.

  Not that Beau was complaining. He was totally dedicated to being a part of Delta Force and Team Charlie. But he’d begun to realize that the things that made him a good sniper also closed him off from personal relationships. But like Slade, he realized he wasn’t getting any younger. And the instant, unexplainable connection with Megan had lit something inside him. Maybe that explained why just the word ‘wedding’ let alone the ceremony itself wasn’t making him break out in hives.

  Kari had chosen a violinist and a harpist to play the wedding music, and while Beau had a hard time putting that with Slade, he had to agree that the sound set the right tone. They played through an entire composition as late arrivals seated themselves. Then at a signal from one of Kari’s friends, the music changed and everyone turned to face the building. A woman he didn’t know walked slowly down the white runner, in cadence with the music, before taking her place opposite Teo at the arbor.

  And finally, the music changed to the traditional wedding march and Kari appeared in the doorway. She stood there by herself, yet she looked anything but alone. Beau watched her eyes track to Slade and when he glanced at his team leader he saw Slade’s hungry gaze fixed on her.

  Lucky bastard!

  But he was glad for him. It was obvious the look on Slade’s face was so different from that of the tough soldier he was used to. And he wished them both all the happiness in the world.

  Almost without thinking, he tightened his arm around Megan’s shoulders, his fingers tracing a light pattern on her shoulder. He relaxed slightly when she didn’t pull away from him. Damn, but she smelled so good, her light scent reminding him of a garden. He captured a few strands of her hair between his thumb and forefinger, rubbing them lightly. Like silk, he thought. Finely spun. He shifted closer to her just a fraction, wishing they were someplace where he could pull her tightly against his body.