Bliss.

Why hadn't she thought about this before? On all those nightly runs through the city before she'd met Sheppard she'd never even considered doing this. Now she wondered how she'd ever gotten along with out it.

She eased back on the blanket and pulled the sun glasses down tighter over her eyes. The sun felt so good and she was completely alone. She was isolated. The edges of the wall completely hid her from view. No one would even see her unless they were really looking.

For a second she thought about stripping off the thin tee shirt and shorts then changed her mind. Sheppard might appreciate an all over tan, not that she really cared, but there was always the chance that a Puddle Jumper might fly by over head. It wouldn't look very good if she caused someone to crash into one of the towers. Besides, it would just give Sharon more ammunition to use against her.

She sighed. Why did she have to let a thought of that conniving bitch even get into her head? Damn it, this was her time. She was not about to let that...woman...ruin her day. She was warm and she felt peaceful. Nothing was going to bother her. At least she thought so until a small sound made her realize that she suddenly wasn't alone.

“Don't we look comfy.”

“Are you stalking me now?” Susan didn't even bother to move. She took a breath. She didn't need to open her eyes to know it was Sheppard standing over her. If his voice wasn't a dead give away she would have recognized that musky, spicy smell of him anywhere.

She peeked out from under the edge of her glasses as he sat down next to her. Wearing a red shirt and faded khaki shorts, he looked completely cool and relaxed. He leaned against the wall, kicked off his shoes and sat down beside her. Grinning, he rested his long legs over hers.

“You're a hard woman to track down, Suzie Q. If I didn't know better, I'd think that you were trying to hide from me.” He rubbed a hairy leg over her, pushing her knees apart with his bare foot. “You're not doing that are you, little girl?”

“Why the hell would I hide from you?” She laughed. His toes rubbed against the back of her knee and she tried not to fidget.

His foot slid along her thigh, nudging her legs apart even more until his ankle was pressed close against her. He wriggled his toes against her thigh and laughed. “Now that's weird.”

“What?” She tried to keep her voice calm even though the touch of him was making her nuts.

“You don't look like you've been swimming but you're awfully wet...” He dug his big toe under the edge of her very short shorts and gave her a nudge. “Especially right here.”

Damn! Was there a part of the man that didn't crave sex? She pushed at his leg but not very hard. “You are an impossible man. Don't you ever stop?”

“Not when I really want something.” He nudged her again and gave a low laugh. “Scratchy. Somebody forgot to shave this morning.”

“Twisted bastard.”

“I've got an idea.” He moved his leg, hooking his foot under the back of her knee as he eased down next to her. Lightly, he touched her stomach, his hand sliding across her belly, pushing back the edge of her shirt. His hand cupped her breast, his thumb sliding across her nipple in a gentle teasing touch.

“I've afraid to ask what it is.” She tried not to gasp when he blew a hot breath against her neck, his tongue flicking out to caress the soft spot behind her ear. “But knowing you, I'm sure its something extremely perverted.”

“I will tell you a couple of things-” He whispered, brushing his knuckles over her. “It involves a razor and a very gentle touch.”

“Not on your life.” She turned her head toward him.

“Don't you trust me?” He pulled the glasses off her face.

“When your cow licks lay down straight and hell freezes over...I might.” She smiled slightly.

He laughed and dropped a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. “I wouldn't hurt you, Suzie Q.” He grinned wickedly. “At least not deliberately.”

“Oh. So handcuffing me to a bed and spanking me are just your way of saying that you care about me.” She pushed away from him and tried to sit up but he wouldn't let her.

“Are you going to tell me that you don't like it? That you don't like a little pain with your pleasure?”

He nuzzled her neck and she couldn't help a shiver of excitement.

“I'll give you that, Sheppard. You definitely are a pain in the ass.”

He quirked an eyebrow and gave a husky chuckle.

She poked a finger in his chest. “That is not a suggestion so don't even think about it.”

“Obviously, you think that this is some kind of negotiation, Suzie Q.” He snickered, let go of her breast and slid his hand over her hip, his fingers dipping into the waist band of her shorts. “And I don't believe that I asked you what you were thinking.” He scratched his fingers over her and a fresh wave of wetness coated her already slick folds. “I just want to see every inch of you nice and clean.”

She grabbed his wrist. “If you think I'm going to let you get anywhere near me with a razor...”

“Think about it, Suzie Q.” He rolled on top of her, pinning her down with his weight, his hand still snug between her thighs. “You can be a good girl and let me do what I want...”

“Or?”

“Or you can be a bad girl and I'll do what I want to anyway.” He smiled slightly and nudged a knee between her thighs. “Either way I will get what I want.”

“Oh, so that's it!” She put her hands on his chest and tried to push him off of her. “You just want that remote.”

“Among other things.” He slipped a finger into her. “You said that if I wanted it, I had to come and get it. But you didn't say that I couldn't make you come with me.”

Before she could say a word, he sat up and pulled his hand free. He grabbed her arms and she winced slightly when his fingers tightened on the bruise hidden under the sleeve of her tee shirt. She tried to hide the expression of pain on her face but she wasn't fast enough.

“What is it?” He tugged on the sleeve, pushing it up. He looked at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Well?”

“Well what?”

He tapped a gentle finger against the bruise. “How did you get this?”

She shrugged. “Don't know. Probably bumped into something.”

“Really.” He withdrew his touch, easing his hands down over her arms to grasp her elbows. He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers so that she had to look him in the eye. “You wouldn't lie to me would you, Suzie Q?”

“No.” Susan tried to stay relaxed even though her body felt tightly strung. She kept her expression neutral, tried to keep her gaze steady so that he wouldn't suspect anything.

Jesus, if Sheppard knew...

“Then why are you so tense?”

“I'm always tense when I'm around you.” Okay, he's getting suspicious. Time to change the subject.

“Why?” His hands slid over her arms.

“Probably because you're a sneaky bastard.”

“Sneaky?” He let go of her arms and slid his hands over her belly, reaching up to fondle her breasts through her shirt. “I'm not sneaky. I just don't want everyone in Atlantis to know my business.”

“I suppose that includes me?”

He stopped. He tilted his head and gave her a suspicious look. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Come on, Sheppard. I'm not stupid. I know that you're keeping me a secret for a reason.”

“Keeping you a-” He threw back his head and laughed. “I think after your little performance on movie night everybody knows about you.”

“Not everybody.”

“Oh,” He laughed softly. “I get it.” He leaned close and brushed his mouth over hers. “You. Are. Jealous.”

“The hell I am.”

“Bullshit.” He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer. “You're so jealous you're practically a little green eyed monster.” He slid his hand over her breast, his fingers pulling roughly on a taunt nipple. “Okay, maybe not so little but you're still jealous.”

Anger flared up inside her even though a part of her knew that he was only teasing her. And even if she wouldn't admit it to herself, a little bit right. Roughly, she pushed his hand away. “Get off of me.”

“No.”

She pushed him. He tightened his grip, digging his fingers into her waist.

“Last time I'm going to tell you, Sheppard.”

“Or what?” The grin disappeared from his face. His eyes were dark, hooded and dangerous.

Susan knew that she was pushing the line with him but at this point she really didn't care.

“I asked you a question, Suzie Q.” His voice was a sandpaper whisper.

She gritted her teeth, wishing to hell that her insides weren't shaking like Jello. She took a deep breath and looked directly into his eyes. “Or things are going to get really serious.”

He leaned back, his eyes narrowed slightly. “Don't push me, woman.”

“And don't push me.” She shot back. She shoved him again and then this time he slid off of her. She got to her feet and stepped back before he could grab her again. “I'm not your play thing, Sheppard. I'm not at your beck and call and I will not drop everything just because you've got an itch that needs to be scratched.”

Slowly, he got to his feet. He moved closer, his every move a threat. He stopped and she thought that he was going to grab her but he only leaned down to pick up his shoes. Deliberately, he pushed past her. His mouth was set in a grim determined line and his body vibrated with anger.

Suddenly, he whirled around. Dropping his shoes, he grabbed her wrists and pushed her back against the wall. He leaned into her, pressing against her so that there wasn't a part of him that wasn't touching a part of her.

He tangled his fingers into her hair and roughly pulled her head back. His tongue slid into her mouth, tasting her. The feel of his mouth was fierce, desperate and hungry.

She tried to fight him, tried to resist him but it was useless. Her body opened to him, her mouth taking on the brunt of his kiss, her tongue as eager for the taste of him as he was for her.

She moaned into his mouth as his hands slid down to her waist. He kept his lips on hers while his fingers tugged at the waist band of her shorts. She groaned when he tugged them down over her hips, shivering a little when a cool breeze brushed over her wet sex.

“Kick them off.” He broke the kiss long enough to shove the offending cloth over her knees and down to her feet.

She did as he asked and then reached for him. Her hands gripping the zipper on his shorts and tugging it down. He pressed his mouth over hers again, his tongue snaking into her mouth. He gripped her fingers, forcing her hand over him. He was hot and hard and he groaned when she pulled him free.

His hand slid over her leg as he lifted her up. She wrapped her leg around his hip. The motion opened her up and he wasted no time. The tip of him probed against her entrance. He was huge, thick and ready.

With a grunt, he slammed into her, pulled back and slammed into her again.

She dug her nails into his shoulders as he surged into her again. Each thrust was hard, forcing her to take all of him. He pressed his hands against the wall beside her head as he leaned down to nuzzle her neck.

“John...”

“Don't talk.” He nipped at her throat, sliding his tongue over her. He slipped his arms under hers, pressing his hands against the wall, supporting her. He was breathing hard now, his groan filling her ear when she slid a hand over his chest. Her fingers scratched over his belly, following the light trail of hair. She slid her hand between them, her eyes widening slightly as her fingers wrapped around the smooth base of his penis.

He laughed, a low husky sound that made her shiver. “Skin on skin...feels good doesn't it?”

She tilted toward him and he slid into her completely. Liquid fire raced through her at the feel of his silky skin on hers and she nearly climaxed on the spot. She tightened around him, trying to draw him deeper. A hard knot of heat was building between her thighs. Each thrust bringing her closer and closer to the edge.

Then suddenly he stopped and pulled away from her.

“What the-” Her eyes popped open and she stared at him.

Breathing hard, he shook his head placed a hand over her mouth. “I want you, Susan and I'm going to have you.” He moved his hand and slid it over her belly. His erection, still wet with her juices, lay heavy against her thigh. “But not like this.”

Her heart was pounding in her chest. Shivers ran through her like electric sparks when he slid his hand over her mound. He leaned against her and his breath was a hot whisper against her mouth.

“I want to see all of you before I make you come.”

2.

Susan leaned back against the head board of her bed and wondered if she'd gone completely insane. This was nuts! She was definitely putting a lot of trust in him. Maybe too much. But the feeling...God!

Sheppard was in the bathroom. She heard the water from the tap in the sink turn off and looked up as he came out. He stopped beside the bed and looked down at her with a wicked grin. He held up the razor he'd taken from the cabinet and waggled it in front of her.

“Is this new?”

She nodded.

“Good.” He set the pan of water, a towel and a can of shave cream down on the bedside table. “I wouldn't want to use some rusty old razor on my delicate girl.” He slipped a hand between her legs, his fingers brushing lightly over her swollen lips.

Susan bit her lip and closed her eyes as he ran his hand over her, nearly fainting when he nudged her legs apart.

“Mmm...so pretty. But you'll be a lot prettier once I'm through.” He stopped for a moment and looked around. “But I don't think the bed is the best place to do this.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her up off the bed. Hands warm on her hips, he pushed her toward the couch. “Stay right here.”

He went back into the bathroom and came out with a huge fluffy towel. He moved around her, rubbing the cloth gently over her swollen nipples before he spread it out on the couch and made her sit down.

She watched him as he went back to gather up the things from the bedside table. When he turned back around, her eyes focused on the smooth skin at the base of his penis. Catching her look, a slight smile curled the corners of his mouth.

He moved toward her and she heard him chuckle as he set the things down on the floor next to him. He knelt down in front of her and slipped his hands beneath her knees. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the inside of her thigh. He looked up at her, his dark eyes glimmered with heat and her heart began to pound in anticipation.

“You know I won't hurt you.” He grasped her ankles and pushed her legs farther apart. “But you'll have to be still. Can you do that?”

“Yes.” She bit her lip and desperately tried not to squirm. He turned his head and she reached out to gently touch his shoulder.

He looked up at her. She touched his face, running her fingers over his stubbled jaw. “I'm putting a lot of trust in you.”

“I know.” He caught her hand and pressed his mouth to her palm, his teeth nipping at the soft pad of flesh at her thumb. He nipped at her wrist and then reached up to grab her other hand. He eased up and pressed his mouth to the soft skin between her breasts. When he raised his head and looked at her, his eyes were full of desire.

“When I'm through...when you feel the touch of me sliding into you...when I take what's mine...” He sighed and the feel of his hot breath made her nipples tighten. She quivered, her sex tingled hungrily. He pressed between her thighs, the rough hairs on his chest scratching over her as he leaned in to place a wet kiss on her mouth. “Oh, Suzie girl...I'm going to make you scream.”

Sweet hell...

Her belly tightened as he ran his hands over her, pulling her hands down and slipping them behind her knees.

“Hold them there...” He ordered. She was spread wide, giving him free access to do whatever he planned to do. He picked up the can of shave cream and gave it a gentle shake. He squirted some of the creamy foam into one hand, using his free hand to spread the stuff over her in swift sure strokes.

He wiped his hands on the towel and then picked up the razor. Using his free hand, he pushed at the skin above her mound, holding it taunt while he slid the sharp blade of the razor over her. His touch was gentle, his tongue sliding out to lick over his lips, his face a mask of concentration.

She kept her eyes on his hands, not daring to move. Not even daring to breathe. Her whole body was tense. The heat building between her thighs making her crazy as he shaved her completely bald.

When he was through, when he was satisfied that she was smooth and clean, he dropped the razor in the soapy bowl of water and used the hot, wet towel to gently wipe away any left over cream.

“Stay here. Don't move.” He got to his knees and padded into the bathroom. When he came back, he had a bottle that she had never seen before in his hands.

She tensed up when he eased back down between her spread legs, opened the bottle and poured a bit of the stuff into his hands. She caught the scent of strawberries as he rubbed his hands together and dug her nails into the backs of her knees when he slid his hands across her slick skin.

Gently, he massaged his hands over her, working in the oil until her skin warmed under his touch. He bent his head and placed a kiss on her sensitive skin. His fingers gently tugged at her folds, spreading her open so that he could flick his tongue over the sensitive nub.

Her body jerked, eager for the touch of him. A low moan slid from her lips as she edged forward on the cushions.

Damn the man! No matter how much she tried to resist him he always managed to flip her world upside down. Her head lolled back against the back of the couch, hissing slightly when he nipped at her with his teeth.

He hummed softly and made a low growl of pleasure as he licked the heat between her thighs into a roaring flame. He breathed over her, inhaling her scent. The oil warmed under his touch and a shiver ran up her spine at the sensation.

“Like that don't you?” He laughed softly. Sliding his hands over her thighs, he slipped them up to her waist and kept going until his hands were pressed firmly against her back. “Sit up.”

She gripped his arms and pulled herself up. He stood up and pulled her with him, pressing against her so that his erection was nudged tight against her folds. “Now...” he grumbled against her ear. “I think we were in the middle of something.”

He pulled her away from the couch, turning her so that she was facing the bed. He slipped his arms around her, pressing her back against his chest, one hand slid up to capture a nipple between his fingers while he slid the other down between her legs and over her smooth skin. Warm fingers nudged her legs apart giving him room to move.

He pushed her toward the bed. “On your hands and knees.”

“No.” She pushed back against him. She wasn't used to this position. It made her feel vulnerable...submissive. She wanted to be where she could watch his face, see his eyes so that she felt like she had some type of control...even if it was just a tiny bit. On her knees, bent under his will, he would have her where he wanted her. She would be under his command.

“I'm not asking. I'm telling.” He shoved her forward. His hand flat on her back, he pushed her down until she had to grasp the edge of the mattress or fall over.

“And I'm not obeying.” She scrambled up onto the bed and out of his reach.

“Don't make me come after you.”

Seeing him standing at the foot of her bed, hot angry and aroused was almost enough to make her do what he wanted. His eyes blazed. He reached for her and she scooted away from him.

“You're making a mistake, Suzie Q.” His voice was a low grumble. “When I catch you, you'll get more than a spanking this time.”

“Don't you mean, 'if' you can catch me?” She kept edging away from him, darting out of his reach before he could lay a finger on her.

“Funny.” He laughed sarcastically. “Your ass is mine. And when I catch you...”

He didn't have to finish that sentence. From the hungry look in his eyes it was obvious what he meant to do to her.

“Sorry, Sheppard. You're not gonna get that chance.”

Suddenly, she lunged at him, caught him off guard and knocked him flat on his back across the bed. The back of his head struck the head board, not knocking him out but stunning him long enough for her to reach down and grasp the manacles she'd kept hidden under the edges of the bed spread.

She straddled his chest, grabbed his arm and snapped the cuff around his wrist before he knew what was going on. He shook his head at the feel of the cold steel, his eyes going wide.

“Fuck!”

He bucked up against her, trying to throw her off. He tried to shove her off him but she sank her teeth into the back of his wrist. He yelped in pain and fell back against the bed, squirming against the pillows and cursing a blue streak when he felt the other steel bracelet snap around his wrist.

Laughing, she straddled his waist and ran her fingers through the dark curls on his chest, her fingers tugging at his nipples until he groaned.

“Look at me.”

Sheppard opened his eyes. He glared up at her, promising her with one scorching look that she was going to pay for this.

She eased up, sliding her smooth skin over him. She reached between them, watching his eyes as she slid her fingers over him, her fingers teasing the tip of his member. His skin was so hot beneath her touch. She wanted him inside her, wanted to feel the thick heat of him, wanted to ride him until she'd milked him dry and he had nothing else to give.

But there were other things she wanted to do to him first.

“Comfortable?” She slid her hands over him, her fingers tickling over his belly, easing up over his shoulders, laughing at the way his muscles bunched into hard angry knots under her touch.

“Let me go.” He tugged on the restraints.

“When I'm ready.” She smirked. “Or you're too sore to take it anymore.”

He growled low, like a trapped and extremely horny animal.

She leaned over him and pressed a light kiss on the corner of his mouth.

“You are mine and tonight you will do what I say. No sleeping...no getting out of this one.”

She trailed a finger over him and felt him tremble under her hand.

“Tonight, you're my slut.”

Dark desire flamed in his eyes.

“Tonight, I'm the one on top.”