WARNING: Sexy chapter ahead.

After insisting I text Liz for advice on how to get my pain back under control, Steph made a quick detour at a Walmart along the way, to pick up items my sister suggested. I offered to go in with her, but she maintained that I should stay put and relax, promising that she'd only be a few minutes. I swear she must have raced through the store throwing what she wanted in the cart as she went, because she was only inside for a total of ten minutes when she reappeared.

She opened the back door and placed three bags and six pack of bottled water in the back seat. "That was quick."

"You're in pain and you need to rest," she replied. "Now wasn't the time to go shopping."

Twenty minutes later, she turned up the drive to the Lodges at Gettysburg and her eyes widened at the sight of the large structure that looked a lot like a converted barn. "How did you manage to score a room here?"

"I called," I replied as if that was all the answer she needed. She pulled in front of the entrance to the main building and stopped. "Do you need help?"

I shook my head. "I got it. This shouldn't take long." Then, careful of my shoulder, I eased out of the seat, opened the door and went inside. The blonde woman behind the check in desk looked up and smiled when she spotted me. "Welcome to the Lodges at Gettysburg. Are you the gentleman I spoke to about forty-five minutes ago?"

"That would be me," I said as I pulled out my wallet, then using my bad arm to hold it, fished through it with my good hand to pull out my license and credit card.

"It's a good thing you called," she said as she took both from me. "Our website would have told you we were book, but we happened to have had a last-minute cancellation earlier today. After making a copy of my license, she handed it back to me. "I just wanted to let you know that cancellation covered three nights. So, if you're looking to stay more than one night, we could accommodate you."

"I don't know." I glanced back toward the front doors. While I still wanted to get back to Trenton, the idea of staying an extra day or two did have merit. After all, before the incident on Monday, I'd been thinking about leaving early just to go hide somewhere with Steph for some alone time.

While this certainly wouldn't be the alone time I originally planned, it would provide us with some quality bonding time. Plus, Steph would be happy because I'd be agreeing to stay in one place and rest. So, what if I slept like shit for a couple of more days? "You know what? Yeah, I'll take the extra two nights too."

"Fabulous," the woman said as she began tapping keys on the computer. Then she pulled a paper off the shelf and set it down in front of me. "Your cabin will be at the top of this hill and then it's the first one on the inside drive. Each cabin is named after one of the states. Yours is named New York."

She then handed me the papers to sign, the credit card slip, and my card, and finally the key. "There are brochures on the rack over there that can provide you with all kinds of things to do while you're here. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let us know."

"Thank you," I replied as I accepted everything from her.

"You're welcome and I hope you have a nice stay with us."

"I plan to do just that," I said then turned and headed back for the Explorer.

"Everything good?" Steph asked when I eased back into the seat and closed the door.

"All good." I gave her the directions to what would be our cabin for the next three nights. She parked right in front of the door, then followed me out of the vehicle to the door. Using an actual key and not a keycard, I slid it into the lock and gave it a turn. The door swung open, and we stepped inside.

"Holy crap," Steph murmured as she looked around the room. "This place is freaking gorgeous."

With its cathedral ceiling, cream-colored walls, and exposed wooden beams I had to agree. The entire room held a rustic feel with a king size sleigh bed taking up one side and what appeared to be a gas burning stove in the corner on the other. On the same side of the room as the stove, two doors flanked a dresser with a television mounted above it. One door led into a small kitchen area where a countertop ran the length of the wall and contained a small sink. The open cabinets above it revealed actual dishes and cups for our use. There also was a mini fridge, toaster and coffee pot along the counter side. On the opposite side was a small table and chairs positioned under a window that looked out over an open field.

We stepped back into the main room and Steph opened a matching door, but opposite from the one we entered. "Oh, Ram…come look. We have our very own back porch."

I stepped up to the doorway to peer out. Even in the dark it was cute and if my shoulder didn't hurt like hell, I'm sure those Adirondack chairs would probably look a lot more comfortable. "This is going to be so wonderful to sit out here in the morning with my coffee."

I had to agree. It would be nice to see her snuggled in one of those theirs, coffee mug in hand and happy. Above all else, I wanted her happy. "Come." I reached for her hand. "Let's see what the bathroom looks like."

She headed back in with me and we crossed to the door on the other side of the television. It opened into a large bathroom with a shower, sink with a large counter and a toilet. There was plenty of room for two people both in the bathroom itself and in the shower. I was totally getting ideas.

"This place is so amazing," Steph said again. "I mean I've been in some nice places because of Ranger, but nothing this romantic."

I reached out with my good arm and pulled her back against me, so we were facing the large mirror above the bathroom sink. "It is romantic, isn't it?"

She turned her head and pressed a kiss to my jaw. "Makes me really wish that you weren't injured and in pain."

Me too. "I know what you mean. From the moment we stepped into the place, my brain has been racing with all the ways I could enjoy you in a place like this."

"Oh really?" she asked, her voice turning just a bit husky as she spoke. "You want to share some of those idea with the class?"

I grinned at her in the mirror. "Well, for starters, bending you over this counter, so you can watch me take you would be pretty high on that list."

Her eyes widened just a bit and a cute flush began to pinken her skin. "Tell me that wouldn't be sexy as hell," I leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Both of us bare ass naked, you watching me shuttle my dick in and out of your sweet body as your beautiful breasts swayed with the rhythm our joining would cause."

"What else," she asked. Her voice now laced with fresh arousal.

"I have a fantasy where you're soaking wet and on your knees in the shower." I motioned to the stone tiled shower enclosure. It would comfortably fit both of us. "I can picture it," I said as I slid my good hand around her front, splaying it against her abdomen as I ground myself against her backside. "The water cascading over you while you're on your knees in front of me. That gorgeous mouth of yours working its magic on my dick while you looked up at me."

The idea of it had me aroused in an instant, but talking about it, had me fucking hard as a railroad spike. She whimpered when my hand worked its way beneath her blouse to touch her bare skin. "What else?" she managed to ask.

I turned us so we were facing the doorway into the main room. "If I was healthy, and I'd planned this better, I would have brough my toy bag with me." I moved my good hand to point up at the exposed beams. "I'd drape two ropes over those beams, then secure your wrists to the ropes, so you would be naked and restrained." I returned my hand to its place under her shirt and inched my pinky beneath the waistband of her jeans. "They'd be just tight enough for you to feel restrained, but loose enough that you could get free if you really wanted to."

Slowly, I moved my finger lower, breaching the lace of her thong. "Then, with you standing naked and bound, I'd take my flogger and slowly work it over your skin. Can you imagine it, pet?" I asked as I slid my hand under her thong. "Can you imagine the leather strands of the flogger thudding against your skin, warming it with its gentle sting."

A whimper tore from her as I slid my finger between her folds, encountering wetness. "You entire body is warm and tingly with energy and arousal. Maybe I'd apply just a bit more force over your luscious ass, giving you more of a bit of pain there."

Slowly, I rubbed my finger around her clit, careful not to get to close. "Then, maybe I'd stop and play with your clit, just like I'm doing now. Being restrained, you wouldn't be able to do anything but accept and enjoy the pleasure I'd give."

Her body jerked as she sucked in a gasp and reached out to grab the doorframe for stability. "You like that idea." I murmured against her ear.

Another whimper escaped her throat.

"I can feel how wet you are, sweetheart. How you're flooding my fingers with your arousal. So, there's no point in hiding from your feelings. You like the idea of me restraining and having my way with you."

"Yes," she said on a hiss as her head fell forward, her curls hiding her face from me. "God, yes."

"Oh, but it would get so much better," I continued. "Once you were mindless with need, and still restrained, I'd spread your legs, then slide my cock deep inside your tight body. With your hands still bound you'd be off balance and be forced trust me to take care of you completely."

She moaned.

"I would too," I said as I continued to work my finger around her button. "I'd keep you safe and give you everything you both wanted and needed. Just imagine it. Can you imagine it? Can you picture my cock shuttling in an out of your sweet body while I held you tight, keeping you safe?"

Her body tightened. "Yes," she nearly whined. "Ram, oh please."

"What do you want, pet?"

"I want…" she gasped, then paused and shook her head. "No. No. We can't do this. You're injured and I won't cause you more pain."

Damn it! I thought I had her right where I wanted her. Yet, somehow, she managed to keep her wits just enough to prevent me from getting what I wanted most for us. Well shit. It wouldn't be fair to get her all wound up only to leave her hanging because I was hurt. Just because I couldn't have sex right now didn't mean she should have to suffer too.

She started to pull away from me as she repeated. "We can't-" The rest of her sentence morphed into a cry of pleasure as I shifted my hand and stroked my fingers directly across her clit. She froze and her body shook as her orgasm tore through her.

When I finally let her come down, she turned her head and pressed another kiss against my jaw. "Thank you, but what about you?"

"What about me?" I asked as I removed my hand from her pants, then lifted it to my mouth and licked my fingers clean. Fuck, she tasted amazing, and my dick throbbed in protest at being ignored.

"You're aroused too."

"I started this," I replied. "I'll deal with it."

She looked from me to the oversized chair across the room, then back to me. "Go sit in the chair."

I arched a brow. "Bossy much?"

Instead of replying to my comment, she remained silent, staring at me. Damn, but she was getting good at picking up on our tricks at Rangeman. "What are you up to?" I asked.

"You'll see," she replied, "but you need to go sit in the chair."

I did as she instructed and watched as she spent the next few minutes scurrying between the vehicle and the cabin, hauling in our duffels and then the Walmart bags, before finally turning and locking the door behind her. She then crossed to the kitchen pulled a cup off the shelf and popped open a water bottle. I could make out the sounds of crinkling plastic and then a couple of minutes later she reappeared with a small plate holding a cup of water, some sort of liquid in a medicine cup and what appeared to be one of my pain pills.

"What's this?" I pointed to the suspicious liquid.

"Liquid Tylenol PM," Steph replied. According to your sister's text, you should take it along with your pain medication. It will help to enhance the pain relief while also helping you to sleep."

I wanted to argue that I didn't need it, but in truth, I'm still hurting, and I probably should. "What do I get for taking my medicine?"

Her lips immediately tipped into a grin. "Besides no pain and a good night's sleep?"

"Besides those things," I said.

Her grin widened. "It's a surprise, but I promise you'll like it."

Feeling a bit playful, despite the pain in my shoulder, I decided it would be fun to banter with her again. "Wasn't it just last night that you told me how coach put me on the DL. So, if there are no homeruns in my future, why do you think I'll like it?"

"There's more to baseball than just hitting homeruns, slugger. Now take your medicine like a good boy and maybe I'll help you work on your pop flies."

That comeback had me laughing as I reached for the medication. The guys haven't got a clue as to what they're missing when it comes to the flirty side of Steph. I'm thrilled that she's comfortable enough with me to not be embarrassed by what we say to each other anymore.

Once I took my meds, she returned the plate and glass to the kitchen, then crossed back in front of me. "Let me help you lose the shirt and the weapons," she said. I stood and allowed her to ease me out of my t-shirt, then removed my gun. She placed it on the bed, then crouched in front of me to pull up my pant leg and removed the knife sheathed beneath.

Satisfied that I was now unarmed, she motioned for me to return to my seat. Then she dropped to her knees in front of me. "We might not be able to do things the traditional way, but that doesn't mean I can't make it good for you too," Steph said as she raked her nails down my chest, before moving to unbutton and unzip my jeans.

I watched with rapt attention as she reached in and pulled my hard length free. "I love that you don't wear underwear," she said as she gave me a slow, firm stroke. "It makes for easy access."

Right now, I was pretty happy about that fact too.

With her eyes still on me, she lowered her head and parted her lips. The tip of her pretty pink tongue flicked out and swept up the outside of my shaft as if she were licking an ice cream cone. She repeated the process a second then third time before pausing to grin up at me. "Just sit back and let me do all the work," she said, then broke her gaze with me as she once again lowered her head. This time, warm wet heat engulfed my dick and I sucked in a breath at the sensation.

Her mass of curls covered my lap, blocking my view, but just knowing what she was doing underneath those brunette locks nearly had me coming on the spot. Her head continued to bob up and down, working her lips over me. One of her hands played with my balls while the other held the base steady for her.

The coil in my belly tightened, bringing with it heat. No way was I going to be able to hold off the impending orgasm. I'd barely managed to verbalize a warning when liquid lightning blasted through me. "God, Stephanie I'm coming," I ground out, expecting her to heed the warning and pull away.

Instead, she took me deeper and held there as my orgasm erupted. I couldn't keep my eyes open and on instinct, threw my head back and thrust my hips as she accepted a part of me, I rarely ever shared with other women. Her name tore from my throat on a cry so guttural for a moment I wondered if maybe I was actually dying.

She stayed with me, milking ever last drop from me before I sagged into the chair, panting and gasping as if I'd just run ten miles in ninety-degree heat. Despite her wanting to do all the work, that last thrust had put stress on my back and shoulder and once again it began to throb. It was so totally worth the pain.

When she was satisfied that she'd licked me clean she sat back on her heels and looked up at me, a cheeky grin on her face. "I'd ask if that was good for you, but I can tell it was."

All I could do was chuckle as I stared down at her.

Thirty minutes later, Steph helped me settle into bed, then she took my Sig Sauer and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. She took the baby Glock I used as a backup and placed it on her side of the bed. Then, while I watched, she went through the cabin and secured every window and door before leaving the bathroom light on and pulling the door partially closed so only the glow edged into the main room.

She returned the bed and climbed in next to me. "I know you don't think I understand why you're so desperate to get back to Haywood, but I do."

"You do?" I repeated only my words sounded more akin to a question.

She slid down flat then turned on her side to face me. "You're injured and feeling vulnerable and it's the one place you know you'd be safe."

"Not just me," I said. "But you too. I don't feel as if I can really protect you when I'm injured. I know the guys would."

"I think by now, I've proven I can take care of myself," she replied.

"I know you can, but you shouldn't have to. As the man who loves you more than anyone else on this planet, I see it as my job now."

My declaration earned me a smile. "Well, as the woman who loves you more than anyone else on this planet, I'm telling you I got this." Her smile faded just a little as she reached out to cup my cheek. "I know you worry that I sleep so deep I wouldn't hear if someone tried to break in." She inched closed to me then leaned forward to brush a kiss across my lips. "I promise, I'm on alert and I want you to really sleep tonight. Okay?"

"Okay," I said after a minute of internal debate. If she was asking for me to trust her to do this, then I need to find it within myself to allow her to take care of me.

"How's your pain,' she asked after a few minutes of silence.

"It's a lot better." My eyes were heavy, had been pretty much since my earlier orgasm. Yet, guilt nipped at the edges of my mind as I tried to fall asleep. "Steph?"

"Mmmm?"

"I'm sorry about earlier."

She opened her eyes then lifted her head to look at me. "What about earlier?"

"Back in the truck, when I yelled at you."

She snorted. "You didn't yell."

"Okay, snapped then. I'm sorry about getting angry with you when you were only trying to take care of me, and you were right. I was in a lot of pain."

She lowered her head and snuggled against me. "Apology accepted and just so you know, as long as you allow me to, I'll always take care of you."