Ray grabbed a handful of her hair as she worked him with her mouth. His hunger building, building … He pulled her away as he reached the edge.
“What?” Her eyes were at half-mast, her tone as hot as her strawberry-red tongue sliding across her plump coral lips.
“I want us to come together.” He slipped a hand around her bum and tugged at her cotton panties. She let go of him, stood, and slipped them off before straddling him once more. Taking his hand, she slipped it between her thighs.
“Sweet fuck, you’re as slick as a seal, baby.”
“Only you’ve ever done that to me.” Her heated words washed over him.
He paused and searched her face.
“There’s been no one else since you.” She placed one hand on his cheek as she gripped him in her other.
Elation, relief, and a demon’s desire surged through his body at her confession.
Slipping two fingers inside of her and placing a thumb on her nub, Ray’s hand rode her as hard as hers rode him. She threw her head back.
“Look at me, baby,” he ordered, and she complied.
He held her gaze as they worked each other into a frenzied climax. Mina slammed her mouth onto his as they came, groaning their relief together.
Mina closed her eyes and allowed the peace of the moment to blanket them where they lay in each other’s arms on the sand. She’d come down to the beach for some fresh air and wide open space. Her mind and spirit had been overwhelmed with everything that had happened over the last few weeks. She needed some me time, to digest, and figure out her next steps. She had to face a future with Ray in it, and accept that there was a possibility that both her trusted manager and a woman who’d come knocking on her door, begging for a piece job so that she may feed her and her son, were possibly backstabbing thieves. Her mind still balked at the thought.
So much for second chances.
Mina sat up. “I’d better get back before someone comes looking.”
“Yeah, that goes for the both of us.” Ray followed her action.
They stood and dusted sand from their limbs before righting their cloths, “Can’t say the beach is the most comfortable place to do this,” Ray joked.
Mina shook her head. “Yeah, I got sand in you-don’t-wanna-know places.”
They both erupted in laughter before catching their breaths. Mina stopped and stepped toward him. She cupped his face. “I missed us so much.”
“Do you regret it?” Ray placed his hands over hers.
She bit her bottom lip. “Never,” She rose on her toes and placed a kiss on his lips.
“Where to from here?” His question mirrored her thoughts.
She shrugged. “Like I said this morning, one step at a time?”
“It does feel like we’ve skipped a few steps.” Ray smiled down at her.
“I need to figure out how we”—she waved an index finger between them—“won’t interfere with you completing the program. You’re still under court order.” She slipped her hand into his, and the pair began the walk back to the farm’s beach entrance.
“Things okay back at camp?.” Mina asked.
“It’s good. I want to make a success of this Mina. It’s important to me to not skip any steps.” Ray squeezed her hand in reassurance.
“Agreed.” She stopped and tugged on his arm so that he faced her, “I’m proud of you.”
Ray’s face turned a subtle pink, “I don’t think I’ve earned that yet. But thanks.”
They strode on then came to stand facing the water.
“I need to know.” Ray broke the silence. “Was there anything ever between you and Ben?”
Mina shook her head, “Geez, that obvious? No. But yes, I’ve been aware of his feelings for me. It’ll be one of the obstacles we’ll need to overcome.” She tugged again and they continued to walk. “But he’s a good man, Ray. I need him if Redemption is to move on from here.” God, she hoped it all worked out and that Ben wasn’t who Thomas suspected he was.
“Okay.” Ray nodded, and Mina relished the small pocket of relief tucked in his reply.
Their walk continued in silence until they reached the entrance. A fuming Ben pacing its width.
“And just where the fuck …” He began until his eyes landed on their clasped hands.
“Ben.” Mina let go of Ray’s hand and stepped toward him.
Ray remained where he stood. It wasn’t his place to do or say anything, even if the urge to smack Meintjies stomped like a wounded buffalo in his gut.
“After everything this piece of