Coming Together: At Last, Volume Two Read online

  He wrenched his mouth off hers. His eyes met hers, and she got lost in the dark gray-green surrounded by a blue ring. They took her breath away.

  "Well?” she asked trying to control her heart beat.

  "Better than I expected.” He dropped his arms from around her and stepped back. His eyes still burned with a fierce fire she longed to release.

  "You weren't too bad yourself,” she snapped. “Of course, I've been without a man for a while.” Eddie stomped off, heading out to where a group of men dug into the hard earth.

  * * * *

  Ryder mentally kicked himself as he followed her over to the ditch. His eyes were glued to the sway of her hips and the way her shorts clung to her stunning, smooth legs. How could he have kissed her? How could I not? Her lips just begged me to kiss them.

  He knew the colonel would skin him alive if he found out, but he didn't give a damn. If he had his way, he'd be doing a lot more of kissing her and other things.

  His eyebrows rose as she picked up a pickaxe and began to work alongside the men. For a moment, he followed the movement of her body. It was obvious she'd done this many times before. Her motion was practiced and easy.

  He'd felt calluses on her hands as she squeezed his arms. Walking up to the trench, he nodded at a guy who handed him a shovel and got to work.

  The time was passed with them swinging tools and the locals singing. The music was uplifting and had a wonderful beat to it. Ryder noticed that Eddie sang along with them. As they worked the line nearer to where the boulder was, he reached up and wiped the sweat off his brow. His body ached, muscles burned, but he felt better than he had in a long time.

  Her laughter reached him, and he turned his head to look. She stood beside another man, one he didn't know, and they were sharing water. He bit back the growl that threatened to erupt from his throat.

  She nodded at something the man said and then got back to work, swinging that pick in an effortless motion. Her body was full of lean muscles, each second in her presence his appreciation for her grew. He'd met many children of senators, congressmen, and other wealthy people, but Eddie was the only one who seemed to care about others more than herself.

  A call for dinner stopped the work, and everyone gathered around fires and talked while they ate. Ryder sat beside Eddie. It was a tasty rice dish with small pieces of meat in it. Filling.

  "So tell me about you, Ryder. What did you do in the military, and why aren't you in anymore?” Eddie asked, fixing her brown eyes on him.

  "I was a Marine.” Ryder saw no reason not to tell her. He expected her to trust him. “But the Marine Corps decided I had become a bit unstable. We came to a mutual agreement, and I left."

  He glanced at her. There was only acceptance of his words in her eyes. No fear, disgust, or mistrust.

  "What rank were you?” she asked, turning her attention back to her plate of food.

  "Major."

  "Okay. And what exactly did you do for the Marine Corps?"

  Setting his fork down, he asked, “Doesn't it bother you they think I'm unstable?"

  Her head was shaking before the question died from the air. “Nope. The fact Richard sent you speaks enough for your character,” she paused briefly, “even if I don't need you here."

  Ryder wasn't sure what to make of her. Still, it seemed the right thing to do to brush a loose strand of her hair away from her oval face. “You need me. You just haven't accepted it yet."

  She wiped her mouth and sent him a devilish grin. “Ain't but one thing I ever needed a man for and since God's created batteries,” she leaned in close, “I don't even need a man for that."

  His eyes widened before they narrowed in amusement. He winked and said, “Baby, batteries can't begin to compare to what I'll do to you."

  "You'll be snoring before I even get to the tent, but thanks for the offer.” She wrinkled her nose at him and walked off.

  Ryder took his time finishing dinner. He knew full well his erection would be blatantly obvious. Some of the remaining men watched him with huge knowing smiles on their faces.

  When his body had calmed down a bit, he left the fire and headed to the tent. He pushed past the flap and froze. Eddie stood with her back to the entrance in only shorts and her bra.

  He could only stare.

  Her skin was all the same dark shade of rich, tempting mocha. The white of her bra sliced through the darkness.

  He groaned aloud, and she turned. Her breasts appeared as tasty as he'd believed.

  "Sorry,” he muttered, “guess I should've knocked."

  She reached for a shirt on her cot. “Don't worry about it.” Eddie covered herself. “I'm sure it's nothing you haven't seen before. I'll be back in a bit."

  Those words shoved his desire to the rear as the need to protect raced to the foreground. “Where are you going?"

  He didn't want her going alone, but she spoke before he could voice an objection.

  "Jevonte and Taruean are going with me back to the boulder. I'll be fine and back before you know it.” She smiled and slipped out before he could say anything else.

  Ryder told himself that she knew the area better than he did. And with some of the locals, she should be fine. So he readied himself for bed. As his tired body stretched out, he sighed in relief. It'd been a while since he'd worked that hard.

  His mind drifted toward Eddie and how he felt around her. He felt good, like he actually had a purpose.

  [Four]

  Eddie rubbed the back of her neck as she walked toward her tent. She was exhausted. Today honestly seemed hotter than the previous few days. The addition of that hottie, Ryder Matthews hadn't done a damn thing to help either.

  She was content the boulder wouldn't create too much hassle. They had a good fire burning under it. Four men were there to keep an eye on it, and each other.

  Opening the flap, she stepped in, her gaze immediately drawn to Ryder. He'd left a lantern on low for her. He lay on his back, eyes closed, and there were deep, even breaths coming from him.

  Eddie hesitated as she reached for the light after checking her bedding. Her eyes lingered over the way Ryder's lashes rested against his cheeks.

  "Goodnight, Ryder,” she whispered as her fingers turned off the light.

  She stretched out and had just closed her eyes when a low voice reached her. “How're your batteries?"

  Eddie grinned in the dark. She should have known he was not really asleep. “Never better."

  "You should upgrade,” he said in a whisper.

  "Upgrade to what?"

  "Me,” he said right by her ear.

  Eddie knew it might not be the smartest thing, but she didn't care. There were parts of her body she'd ignored way too long. Tossing back her blankets, she said, “I hope you aren't bluffing about how good you are."

  He slipped in beside her. “I'll let you decide."

  She groaned as his hands began to explore her body. Callused skin slid under her shirt, skimming her ribs, and teasing the undersides of her bare and sensitive breasts.

  "Take it off,” he commanded, tugging on her tank top.

  She did and groaned as he covered her body with his own. Strands of his chest hair teased her taut nipples. Eddie trailed her hands down the muscled expanse of his bare back.

  His lips nibbled along her jaw line, his stubble sending extra shockwaves through her. One hand moved toward a breast. She moaned as he cupped it and flicked the pebbled tip. Ryder licked and nipped his way down her neck and sternum. His tongue swiped the inside slope of each breast before he sucked one tip completely into his mouth.

  Oh, shit! Her back arched off the cot, and her hand threaded into his thick hair, pressing him as close as possible. His mouth moved between her breasts, keeping her tense and so close to an orgasm. It was like he knew and backed off before she reached it, and then got her all worked up again.

  Torture. It was exquisite torture.

  Eddie could feel the moisture leaking down the inside of her thig
h. Her hips undulated against him, his long, hard cock pressed against her, tantalizing her.

  She spread her legs wider, craving the feel of him between her thighs. Desperate to have that ridge stroking her clit. She whimpered as she felt it. Eddie tried to move faster, but he wouldn't let her.

  "Impatient,” he murmured in her ear.

  "Stop teasing me,” she growled trying to push down his pants.

  "I'm not teasing. If I was I'd do this."

  Before she knew what happened, he'd shoved two of his large fingers deep inside her pussy. Lights flickered behind her eyes as the orgasm swarmed her. “Ah!” she screamed.

  A scream he cut off with a kiss.

  The kiss was anything but gentle. His fingers slammed into her over and over as his tongue plundered her mouth.

  He stopped as fast as he'd started. “If I was teasing, I'd leave you like this."

  "No,” she begged. “Please don't leave me like this.” Her body longed for so much more.

  "Don't worry, Henrietta,” he purred. “Your hot pussy needs to be fucked. Thoroughly."

  "Yes,” she sighed, her skin on fire. All that mattered was his touch and the ecstasy it brought her.

  Ryder helped her out of her pants, and when his body rubbed against her, she reveled in the feel of his nakedness. His thick cock pressed against her wet slit but didn't enter.

  "I can't wait to feel you milking my dick,” he rumbled against her ear. “I know you're so fuckin’ tight just by the way you squeezed my fingers. My cock was made to fit in this hot pussy."

  She dripped even more onto her blankets. Reaching between them, Eddie wrapped a hand around his warm erection and guided it into her pussy.

  "Yes,” he groaned. “Bring me home, baby.” His hips flexed, and he sank completely into her heat.

  "Oh!” she hissed in pleasure. Dear God, this feels so good.

  Ryder kissed her, gently this time as he slowly began moving inside her. Deep, even strokes.

  She dug her nails into his shoulders as her ankles hooked behind his back. The cot squeaked with every thrust and was followed by a low moan.

  Eddie sucked hard on his tongue and clenched the muscles in her pussy as an orgasm bore down upon her.

  "So tight,” he muttered into her mouth. “So blessed tight."

  "Faster,” she ordered, desperately needing the relief he could bring her.

  Ryder was rapidly losing his control. Her hot, wet channel held him like a custom made suit. There was only one person designed to wear it. For him, it was Henrietta Buxton.

  His balls were so close to exploding. He had known she'd be amazing, but this ... this was off the charts.

  Each stroke brought a mewl from the back of her throat, which enhanced his passion. He began to thrust faster, sinking balls deep in her velvet heat and drawing back groaning as her muscles clenched around him as if begging him to stay.

  Ryder had no intention of leaving the bounty before him. Her body writhed beneath him, hips arching to allow him deeper penetration.

  "More,” she begged over and over until it became her mantra.

  "Oh yeah,” he promised and picked up his speed again. He placed his hands by her ears and plunged in and out.

  Harder.

  Faster.

  Deeper.

  A low rumble was born in his chest as he pounded into Eddie. His balls tingled, and he knew he couldn't last much longer.

  "Please,” she panted.

  "Please what?"

  "I need ... I need..."

  He knew what she needed. Supporting most of his weight on one hand, he slipped the other between them and played with her clit.

  "Ah!” She bit back her scream and pressed her face into his shoulder.

  Her body shuddered as she orgasmed. Her pussy contracted hard around him, the rippling muscles working him like no woman had ever done before.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Ryder propelled himself as deep as he could and unloaded his sperm within her. The roar escaped from him as his cock ejaculated. On shaky limbs, he lowered himself on top of her.

  "Are you okay?” he asked, feeling the rapid speed of her heart rate.

  "Uh huh,” she mumbled.

  Rolling in the narrow cot, Ryder maneuvered them so he was on the bottom and her body lay on top. He pulled the blankets up to the top of her shoulders and fought to find his breath.

  She sighed and burrowed her face into his chest, raining little kisses all over it. “I bet that wasn't in the colonel's plan."

  Ryder wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. One hand moved in an idyllic motion. “No, I don't suppose it was."

  And I don't give a damn.

  "While I'd love to further my exploration of your talents, I have to get some sleep.” Her words were soft and laced with exhaustion and contentment.

  He smiled in the dark. His heart melted as she reached up and kissed him once. Softly. It wasn't long, and Ryder knew she was sound asleep.

  He woke alone. Voices from outside of the tent were loud, and with a groan, he sat up. He was still in Eddie's bed.

  "Ryder,” a man said before his dark face peeked in the tent. “Come, Ryder. Breakfast almost finished."

  Who is he? His mind scrambled for the man's name, and he sat up exposing his bare chest. Oh, I know.

  "Thanks, Jevonte. I'll be right out."

  "Okay.” A wide perceptive grin crossed Jevonte's face. “Bye.” Then he was gone.

  Ryder got dressed in moments. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he stepped out into the early Zimbabwean morning.

  His eyes scanned the wide open plains, and he couldn't stop the smile. Africa was truly a magnificent place.

  "Excuse me,” a woman said.

  Ryder looked down at a woman holding a bowl out to him.

  "Thank you,” he said.

  She smiled and turned to leave. “Wait. Do you know where Eddie is?"

  The woman nodded and pointed behind him. “There."

  "Thank you. How do you say it in your language?"

  "Thank you, Maita basa."

  "Maita basa," he repeated.

  She smiled again and walked away. Ryder ate the bowl of fresh fruit and washed it in the water that sat there. Then he headed off in the direction she had pointed, toward the boulder.

  He heard them before he saw them. The fire was burning hot under the boulder. All of them were shoveling mud and digging a trench. The same ratty vehicle he saw when he arrived was down there as well.

  He couldn't understand what was being said, although the gist was clear. Jogging toward the group, he allowed his eyes to travel over the woman he'd spent the night with.

  Dried mud caked her arms and legs as she worked alongside the men. Her hair was gathered back in a loose ponytail, and she wore another pair of short shorts and a tank top. The only difference today was the shirt was blue and there was no longer shirt over it. His eyes traveled over the muscles in her arms and legs as she worked.

  "Morning,” he said.

  "Ryder,” she responded without stopping. “Morning. Can you go to the vehicle and bring over some of the long pipes on the top, please?"

  "Sure.” He strode quickly to the vehicle and grabbed two of the pipes. Damn, these are a lot heavier than I thought they would be. Ryder took them over to her and set them down. “Here you go."

  Eddie stopped and walked over to where he was. “Thanks,” she said with a smile.

  "Hey.” He latched onto her arm, his body reacting to her nearness. “Are we okay?"

  Her gaze rose up to meet his. In an instant, Ryder was lost in them. Eddie winked at him. “Unless you've done something you regret."

  "No. I most certainly don't regret it.” He reached for her and wiped a smear off her face. “Not at all."

  She held his gaze for a moment before she stepped in closer to him, reached up with one arm, and grabbed his shirt, yanking him closer to her. Then she kissed him. His cock was rock hard the
second her tongue thrust inside his mouth.

  He groaned and reached around to cup her ass with his hands, his fingers massaging the tight muscles. His hips rocked against her, allowing her to feel his rock-hard erection.

  When she pulled back, her eyes were dark and swirled with building passion. Her tongue ran over her lips and she said, “Good.” She ran her gaze up and down him, igniting flames along the way. “Not afraid of getting dirty, are you?"

  He flashed a grin. “Not at all. I love getting dirty. Will you help me get clean afterward?"

  She licked her lips and sucked the lower one in her mouth. It was like a jolt to his groin. “Perhaps."

  "Work me hard, woman. Work me hard."

  Grabbing his hand, she led him back to the narrow and deep trench. “We have to keep digging this down, so the pipes will be hidden and not scare the wildlife."

  "How will they get water at the village, and what the hell is going on with the fire under that boulder?"

  Wiping her forehead, she crossed her arms, drawing his eyes to her breasts. “We'll be pumping it up. And the fire is to explode the boulder, so we can move the smaller pieces and keep going."

  He was very impressed. “I didn't have any clue about using fire like that."

  She grinned. “Me, either. But I must tell you. They are very resourceful here. Very."

  "So,” he gestured toward the trench, “why is it so deep everywhere?"

  "Don't want the rains to expose it. There aren't many outrageous storms here, but there's no reason to take a chance and have to do the same amount of work again."

  Ryder glanced down at the woman beside him. Her eyes oversaw the work, and he could tell how proud she was just by watching her. He wasn't positive what he was feeling standing there next to her, but the need to get her out of the country was not anywhere at the top of his list. She was happy here, and he was as well.

  [Five]

  Eddie smiled as she sat in the modified roof seat area of her vehicle. She'd taken out the seats, except one, and had left the metal railings. A few clouds had rolled in, and she enjoyed the breeze that blew across her.

  Masculine laughter drew her attention down toward the Sabi River where the men were playing football, true football. Ryder had joined the game and ran shirtless with everyone else. He had an anchor and globe tattoo.