Coming Together: At Last, Volume Two Read online

  Ryder felt his cock stir. With a groan, he shut his eyes.

  What I don't need is to be attracted to her.

  Even as those words skated around in his head, he realized it was too late. His body was already reacting. And that's just from her photo.

  Opening his eyes, he touched the image of her face, backed out of the photo screen, and shut it off before shoving it back into his pocket. Hopefully, it wouldn't take him long to find her, get her out of there, and then he could get back to doing what he'd been doing when Nowell called. Drinking.

  The woman beside him smiled as she covered herself with a blanket and closed her eyes. He shut the shade and got as comfortable as he could.

  His dreams were filled with images of Henrietta. In fact, he and Henrietta in bed together. The blonde from his bed this morning had faded into nothing. Ryder couldn't even remember her name.

  As the plane continued on, Ryder slept and dreamt of a woman he'd never officially met, but was supposed to save.

  [Two]

  Zimbabwe

  The harsh afternoon sun beat down upon the back of her neck as she leaned against the door of her old Scout. Wiping her hand across her forehead, she smiled at some of the locals.

  "It's really warm today,” she said, taking a drink of water.

  "Yes, very,” a tall muscular black man answered in accented English.

  "Let's take a break for lunch, Taurean. Then we can dig and lay more pipe for the system after it cools down a bit. Especially since we have to go around that corner up ahead."

  "Sounds good. I'll pass the word along."

  "Awesome."

  She reached through the open window of her Scout and grabbed a pad and pencil. Then she headed for the quickly-erected tent that had people hanging out, trying to get a break from the sun.

  "Hey, Quanda,” she said as she took a bite of the fruit her friend handed her.

  "Afternoon,” Quanda responded with a smile. “Going good?” she asked.

  "Yes. Just taking a break. I'm going up around the bend to see what's in store for us, so if anyone wants me, that's where I'll be."

  "Be careful."

  "Of course.” With a wave of her notepad, she headed off.

  "Eddie! Eddie!” a voice yelled.

  "Over here,” she hollered back, without turning around.

  "There's someone here asking for you."

  That got her to turn. Jevonte strode closer and behind him followed a man she didn't know. She stood slowly as her gaze moved over the unknown man.

  Powerful was the first word that popped into her mind. He stood tall and straight as he moved, as if unaware of his own fluidity. He wore dark khaki cargo pants and a light gray tee shirt. A shirt that hugged his muscular torso showing off his rippled abs.

  Damn! Her gaze traveled up to linger on his face. Hard angles, sunglasses kept his eyes hidden, and there looked to be two or so day's growth on his face. Nice firm lips.

  "And who might you be?” she questioned, walking toward the duo.

  "Henrietta Buxton.” He made it sound like a statement and not a question. His voice was smoky and gravely, setting her nerves on high alert.

  A burst of laughter escaped from her. “Henrietta? Wow, not many call me that. But yes, legally that's my name, although most call me, Eddie. What can I do for you, Mr....?"

  He stepped closer and stuck out his hand. “Matthews, Ryder Matthews."

  Delightful shivers ran up and down her spine as his large hand closed over her smaller one. “Okay, Mr. Matthews. What can I do for you?"

  He tipped his head to the side as if watching her. “I'm here to take you home."

  Pulling her hand free from his, she narrowed her eyes. “Take me home? I don't think so. I'm not done with this project. Besides, I don't know you well enough to go anywhere with you."

  "Look, lady, I didn't fly around the world to have you tell me no. Get your things and we'll get going.” There was a bite to his tone.

  Glancing around him to where Jevonte stood, she said to him in Shona, “Send Tinashe down here, will you?” Then she turned her attention back to the imposing man before her. “Who sent you?"

  "Your godfather. Apparently your father is very worried about your safety."

  "You know my godfather? What's his name?” Doubt tinged her tone.

  "Colonel Richard Nowell."

  "Where do you know him from?"

  "He used to be my CO."

  "So you're military,” she stated. She knew he was telling the truth; she'd heard stories about him from her godfather, but she had to ask. There could be more than one Ryder Matthews in the world.

  "Ex. We're wasting daylight.” He gestured behind him. “Let's go."

  "I'm not going anywhere. These people need my help and I plan to do just that."

  "And this conflict brewing between the rebels and the army? What are you planning on doing about that?"

  Tinashe and Jevonte returned, and she headed over to them, leaving him standing there all alone.

  * * * *

  Ryder couldn't believe she just blew him off. Still, instead of following after her, he just watched her as she spoke to the two men who had walked up. Whatever they were talking about he couldn't understand; it wasn't English.

  Henrietta “Eddie” Buxton wore tight khaki shorts that hugged her toned legs, the color of whipped mocha. She had a white tank top on covered by a dress shirt that was rolled up past her elbows.

  Her voice rang husky, and it affected him in ways he wasn't ready to acknowledge. He groaned. He needed a drink. Her godfather would kick his ass six ways to Sunday if he even had a glimmer of the thoughts Ryder was having about her.

  "Must be the sun,” he muttered.

  "What must be?” Eddie asked.

  "Nothing,” he mumbled. “Are you ready?"

  "I already told you, I'm not going."

  He sighed in exasperation. “Look, I don't want to get in the middle of this trouble, so get your things and we can leave."

  "The fact that there are problems isn't anything new. There will be strife today and tomorrow as well. I'm staying. But I understand how you may not wish to get exposed to it. So go, tell my godfather thanks for his concern, but I'm fine.” She turned and headed off toward a huge boulder and hollered over her shoulder, “Tell him to tell my parents: it's all okay."

  Damn woman, it's like she doesn't think she's in danger. Rolling his shoulders, Ryder followed her and stood beside her as she talked to the others. He glanced down at the notepad in her hand. It looked like an engineering plan, but for what he wasn't positive.

  Against his better judgment, he asked, “What are you all doing?"

  "Building an irrigation system. The children and women in the village spend too much time going back and forth between the only water source and everything else. It's not always safe. So with this, we will give them the ability to pump water right in the village."

  She glanced at him, and his heart caught in his chest. There was such conviction in her stare. “We're almost done digging the trench and laying pipe, but not all the way done yet. And now we have to get through all that rock ahead of us. So we're going under the boulder. Between the two huge slabs of rock."

  "With what? I didn't exactly see huge machinery back there."

  "Nope. And you won't. We make do with what we have."

  Impressive. If it works. “What's the chance you'll leave willingly with me?"

  "Slim to none.” She turned her attention back to the men who were talking amongst themselves.

  He sighed again. Ryder took off his sunglasses and touched her cotton-covered shoulder. “I can't protect you if you don't let me."

  Her brown eyes met his gaze. “I'm not asking you to protect me. I know the danger. It's the same danger that was here when I first got here. It hasn't changed, and I'm not going to let my father's insecurities send me home."

  "I can't leave you here unprotected."

  The smile she flashed him made his
knees melt. “I've not had a protector in a long time, Ryder Matthews. What makes you think I need one now?"

  "The fact your godfather asked me to do it.” He leaned in close, inhaling the evocative scent she wore. “And I'm not about to go against the colonel."

  She blinked slowly and held his gaze. “Your eyes are amazing.” He arched a brow at her words and enjoyed the flushed look her skin acquired. “I mean,” she cleared her throat, “you are more than welcome to stay and work. Or you can leave."

  "I'm not leaving without you. But, when I say I'm staying with you, I mean with you, same tent and everything."

  Her eyes darkened before she pushed her glasses up on her nose. “Suit yourself.” Then she put her attention back to the task before her.

  Ryder watched in silence as she spoke with the two men and they lit the fire beneath the boulder. His eyes kept drifting back to the lone woman of the group. He knew she was a civil engineer, her mother was a college history professor, and her father was a congressman.

  Her parents didn't concern him at the moment. Right now, he just longed to release her hair from its confinement. He wanted to see her standing, glistening in the shower as the water cascaded down across her body.

  His erection grew. He shifted his stance to keep it concealed and to try and alleviate the pressure. It didn't work. Eddie sank down on her haunches, which gave him a direct shot of the firmness of her ass tightly outlined by her shorts. His cock grew harder, and he had to look away in order to try and control his reaction.

  Her laughter trailed over his skin, and he put his attention back on her. She seemed so comfortable with them, spoke their language, and had created a wonderful rapport.

  Patting the men on the shoulder, she turned and looked at him. She wiped her hand across her forehead before heading toward him. “Well, let's go get you settled in. I have to come back down here in a while, but Tinashe said he'd watch the fire for a while."

  He nodded and turned to walk beside her. “Tell me about you,” he ordered.

  She shoved her hands in the back pockets of her shorts. “Not much to tell. Something in particular you're looking to know?"

  Marital status. Boyfriend status. Will you sleep with me?

  "Whatever you wish to share."

  "Well, I don't share much. I'm really a very boring person."

  "I highly doubt that, Henrietta."

  "Oh, please call me, Eddie. Henrietta is a mouthful."

  "Eddie is a man's name."

  She shrugged easily. “Well, some think I do man's work, so it fits."

  You don't look anything like a man. He looked down at the top of her head. She was about seven inches shorter than his six-two frame. “I'll try to call you Eddie."

  "Thanks. Henrietta is something my father calls me. Well, him and Richard."

  Ryder smiled. “What about your middle name? Is it more to your liking?” She laughed again and he realized how much he liked her laugh. “What's so funny?” he asked as the tents came into view.

  "My name is Henrietta Ossian Buxton. I was named after Henry Ossian Flipper."

  He furrowed his brows and queried, “Who was that?"

  "An American soldier and the first black American cadet to graduate from West Point. Very impressive especially considering he had been born into slavery.” She smiled. “My mother teaches African-American History. And up until the moment I was born, they were under the impression I was going to be a boy. My father went to West Point, and so even though I came out a girl, they wanted to honor him."

  Ryder heard some hesitation in her voice. It stopped him and made him reach out to her. “I'm sure they are very proud of their daughter."

  A small smile crossed her face. “Perhaps. But somehow, I feel inferior. As if no matter what I do, the daughter of West Point graduate Congressman Thomas Buxton is still just a daughter."

  He couldn't help it; he had to touch her. His hand cupped the side of her face, his thumb tracing over her cheekbone before touching her lips. Ryder leaned in close and whispered, “You are selling yourself short, Eddie. No one would ever think of you as ‘just’ anything."

  "Sweet talkin’ me ain't getting me to leave and go home with you, Ryder.” She touched his face with her fingertips. “But thank you for saying them.” She moved away and began talking to a group of women.

  The second she touched him, he was rock hard, and the moment she stopped, he longed for more. Oh hell, I'm in trouble. Colonel Nowell had teased him about a woman who would knock him for a loop the second he laid eyes on her. Well, damn if it wasn't his former CO's goddaughter that had done it to him.

  [Three]

  Eddie only half listened to what Amadika was saying. Her mind was focused totally on the feelings that single touch from Ryder had created in her.

  I must just be very, very horny.

  Her gaze drifted over to where he stood talking to two men. His arms were crossed, showing off his intense arm muscles. He hadn't put his glasses back on. She had been amazed by the look of his eyes. They were a swirling mix of grays, blues, and greens. Such passion lurked in their depths, such awareness to everything around him.

  He was large all over. Tall, brawny, full of what seemed to be unending muscles. She gulped trying to moisten her throat. The sun shone down on his tanned skin. His hair looked brown with blondish highlights, and it was kind of shaggy, hanging unruly around his face. She liked it on him.

  There was the hint of a tattoo that she could see peeking out from under the sleeve of his shirt. I wonder what kind of tattoo you have, Ryder.

  He stood there talking to Tinotenda. Still, his eyes were waiting for her to look at him. A slow, sensual smile crossed his rugged face as he dropped his gaze to look up and down her body.

  She burned in response. Her nipples tightened, and she felt her belly quiver as his stare moved over her. He made her feel like she was standing there totally naked before him. Despite the heat of the day, goose bumps erupted all over her body.

  "You like him, Eddie, don't you?” Amadika asked.

  "He wants me to go home with him,” she replied, making sure she still spoke in Shona, just in case he was listening.

  A brilliant smile crossed her friend's dark face. “You can use my home."

  She blushed. “Not exactly what I meant."

  "Please,” Amadika admonished, “I've been with you since you got here. No man has turned your head until this one strolled in here looking all handsome."

  Eddie sighed and looked away from Ryder. She couldn't even attempt to argue the point. Amadika was dead on in her observation. Her senses had kicked into overdrive the moment she'd laid eyes on Ryder Matthews.

  What kind of name is Ryder Matthews, anyway?

  "Here he comes,” Amadika said with a teasing note to her voice.

  With a fortifying breath, she turned to watch his approach. She lost her breath. Her pussy throbbed, and she knew she was in trouble with this man. Serious trouble.

  "A word, Eddie,” he purred.

  It was like he knew what timbre to speak in to make her turn into a puddle of mush. She shoved her lust into the back of her mind.

  "Sure. Oh, this is Amadika. Amadika meet Ryder Matthews. The man my father sent to bring me home."

  "A pleasure,” her friend said, shaking Ryder's hand.

  "Indeed it is,” Ryder returned.

  "Oh, enjoy this one, Eddie,” Amadika said in Shona as she walked away leaving them alone.

  Eddie bit back a groan as her body seemed to agree with her friend's statement. “What'd you need to speak to me about? Did you get your bag put away?"

  "Yes, Tinotenda placed it in your tent.” His eyes darkened before he said, “I mean our tent."

  She shivered again in the hot sun. “Something you needed to say to me?"

  "I want to know why you aren't going home. This truly is admirable what you're doing, but very foolish and risky."

  "Look, Ryder. I don't want to hash this out with you. Bottom line, I'm not
going home. If the army or the rebels come, I'll deal with them just like the rest of those who live here."

  "What makes you think they won't try to use who you are against you? Hold you for ransom.” He grabbed her arm and yanked her in close.

  "No one knows who I am here. And furthermore, they don't give a damn. The man who put your bag in the tent, he's a prince. I'm not anything special. My worth is what I can offer them, not who my father is.” Her nose flared and she was swamped by his masculine scent. He smelled so good.

  "Besides, I know the U.S. doesn't negotiate. I accepted that when I came over here. My father didn't care I was coming, so if he's worried now it's to show concern to my mother."

  Ryder shook his head and placed his nose to where it touched hers. His warm breath floated over her. “I don't know your father, but I would bet he loves you more than the colonel, who happens to think the world of you."

  "We all have our own versions of the truth,” she breathed.

  "I have to know,” he whispered.

  "Know what?” she asked in the same low tone.

  "If your lips taste as good as I think they do."

  She whimpered as his mouth covered hers. He tasted divine. Warm, heady, addictive, and totally masculine. His tongue swept confidently into the depths of her mouth. She slid her tongue against his and shuddered as he thrust it deeper.

  Ryder moved through her mouth like he owned it and was checking out each nook and cranny. Each swipe of his tongue, sent electrical impulses straight through to her pussy. It convulsed in time with the strokes he delivered.

  Her hands moved up and latched onto his large arms. Her fingers dug into his biceps, and she used them to help hold her up for her legs wanted to give out on her. She sighed into his mouth as his arms wrapped around her and pressed her close to him. She could feel the muscles plus the ridge in his pants that told her he wanted her. Moisture drenched her panties.

  His fingers splayed across her bottom, gathering her close to him. His mouth devoured hers, and she gave as much as she got. He wasn't gentle, and she didn't want him to be. She wanted him to demand from her.