Lock and Load by Desiree Holt

get back.” He took the bottle of massage oil he’d bought, poured some into his hands and began working it into her sore muscles.
    “Are you kidding me?” She let out a slow breath. “It might hold me forever. After I get you to the ranch, I think I’ll come home and sleep for a week.”
    “Your boss might object to that,” he reminded her.
    His large, warm hands, which had been working such magic on her back, turned her over and began to do the same to her front.
    “Oh, right.” She sighed. “I forgot about him.” She grinned. “I guess I was otherwise occupied.”
    She waited for Beau to toss out another comeback, but his face was more serious than she’d seen it since last Friday night at The Edge.
    “What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?”
    He shook his head. “No. I just—” He stopped and shook his head.
    “Beau?” She pushed his hands away. “What is it? You’re scaring me.”
    “If I tell you I don’t want you with anyone else while I’m gone, I want you to know I’m not joking. Can you get with that program?”
    Her heart gave a funny little twitch. “Do you think any other man could even come close to giving me what we’ve shared this week? I’m disappointed you even have to ask.”
    “I’ve never done the exclusive thing before. And I’m not even sure where we’re going with this. I just know I don’t want another man’s hands on you. Maybe not ever.”
    She reached up and laid her palm against his cheek. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
    “I don’t trust women, Megan. The Army’s been my lover for ten years, and it’s given back more to me than any woman could. But you’re—different.” He leaned down and brushed a light kiss over her cheek. “I—want this.”
    “I do, too, Beau. I want you to believe me. I want to think we could have something here.”
    He rested his hand on her shoulder for a moment. “Can you stay away from The Edge while I’m gone?”
    She smiled back at him. “I can when I know what’s waiting for me when you come back here again.”
    “I’ll hold you to that.”
    He was silent after he finished working the oil into her body, paying careful attention to the marks left by the rope and to her ankles and knees. When he was finished, he gave her a soft, soft kiss.
    “You really need a hot bath now, but we need to head to the ranch.”
    “Not a problem.” She sat up and swung her legs to the side. “I’m good to go.”
    “I was going say, but we could settle for a shower.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “We can be quick about it.”
    Only not as quick as he probably meant. With the water sluicing over them, he teased her with his mouth, his tongue, his lips, his teeth. His hands coasted over every inch of her body and while he slid two fingers into her hot channel, she wrapped her own around his throbbing cock and brought him to a climax. As his semen spilled over her hand, she pushed down on his hand and came apart, holding on with her arm for dear life.
    Beau held her in his arms and kissed her until her brain was mush before he turned off the water. They toweled off and dressed then climbed into her car.
    They were silent for most of the ride, Beau driving since he knew where they were going. When he passed through the gate and down the driveway to the parking area, Megan looked around at the activity going on. Off to one side, on a large fat concrete surface stood a helicopter with the ranch logo on it. Two men jogged from the house carrying duffels, which they tossed into the bird’s cabin.
    Off to one side stood Slade and Kari, locked in an embrace so intimate Megan was almost embarrassed to look. This had to be so hard for both of them. Megan vowed to give Kari a call over the next few days. They knew each other casually from The Edge, so maybe they could get a friendship going.
    “Move it out,” Teo called. He was standing next to the helicopter.
    “It’s time,” Beau said.
    “I know.” She took his