Road to Redemption - Michelle Dalton Page 0,45

his chair. His eyes burned with pain and anger.

A thread of fear wound its way around Mina’s heart. His words caused her to second guess her fighting for him to stay. “I don’t. But I also expect more integrity from you as a manger and a leader, Ben.” She made sure her words drove home her meaning, and her tone made it clear she’d not tolerate his childish bullshit.

Ben nodded, straightened himself, and sat. “If that’s all, I have reports to complete and get to you.”

Mina stood a few more moments as silence embedded itself between them. Ben glanced at his computer screen, he was obviously done discussing the situation. Mina turned and left.

Outside, workers and inmates were busy with their duties. The sun bore down on the earth, and the waves crashed loudly as they spat driftwood and used shells on to the beach. Mina walked along the strand instead of through the warehouses on her way back to the farmhouse.

Was there a future with both Ray and Ben on the farm? She didn’t know anything right now—and that irked her.

Was Thomas right about his suspicions? This, she couldn’t even begin to conceptualise. Either way, until proven otherwise, and whether Ben wanted it or not, she had his back. As for Becky and Klein Piet, she had no idea.

14

“Sis says they’ve hit a dead end in the investigation,” Ray whispered as he traced the line of vertebrae down Mina’s bareback. The pair lay on a picnic blanket, spread over the old bed.

He’d had a hard time getting away this afternoon. Ben finding one aimless job after another for him to do when all the other inmates were on free time.

It’d been Thomas asking to chat with Ben that had eventually given him the gap to escape.

“I’m pleased to hear you and Rochelle are on speaking terms,” Mina said.

“It’s awkward, but yeah. It was Vestra’s idea.” Ray shook his head at the memory of Rochelle sitting with her legs and arms crossed, squinting at him suspiciously as Vestra suggested they try and discuss their tumultuous history.

“Mmm, coulda guessed. Vessies’s turning out to be one of my better decisions.” Mina turned her head so that her cheek rested on her hands.

Ray sucked in a breath at her words. Did she believe she was making a mistake with him?

Split seconds of wordless moments froze between them.

“I’m not sure how I feel about it all,” Mina continued. “It’s frustrating and frightening all at once. Who do I trust … Who can I trust?”

Oh, she meant the poachers. Thank goodness.

“Patience. They’ll slip up sooner or later. I’ll keep my ears close to the ground.” He wanted her to know he wasn’t the Ray from fourteen years ago and that she could trust him. He also knew that it wouldn’t be an easy task to prove. “I’ll never let you down again.”

Mina opened her eyes. Her gaze was intense, searching, uncertain. Lifting her head, she reached out and touched his cheek, her lips parted as she pulled him to her. His mouth touched hers. Her kiss soothed the awkward silence stirring between them.

Ray shifted so that his body came to lie between her legs, his chest on her back.

“We can’t go on like this either, Ray.” She twisted her head and spoke over her shoulder.

“What do you suggest?” He began trailing kisses across her shoulders and on her neck as he pushed her legs farther apart with his own, reaching for a foil packet at the same time.

Mina groaned as he bit and tore open the condom and slipped it on.

“Later,” he whispered as he slid inside of her.

Ray placed both his palms flat on the bed beside her as he moved, slowly, in and out.

“God, Ray. You’re killing me.” Her groan increased his hunger for her.

She tucked her head in as her hands grabbed the blanket and she pushed up on her knees, forcing her arse back and giving him deeper access.

Ray gripped her thigh and arched his neck; timing was everything. He alternated between slow and hard.

“I’m gonna come,” she mewled.

Ray slowed right down. Every inch of him wanted to take her, but his longing to have her wrapped around him for longer won.

“Not yet, baby.” He pulled out, cupping her breast, then allowing his fingers to find their way between her legs. She rose with her back against his front. Ray thrilled in cupping his free hand around the front of her neck as the other worked her.

“Just fuck me again already,”