CHAPTER 58: MAKE LOVE

Georgia’s POV

I frowned, trying to make sense of his words. What does he mean by that?

Well, there’s only one way to find out—I had to ask.

Still, the thought of it made my heart jitter. I laughed nervously, brushing off the tension, then turned to him. "You mean... you would’ve done everything just to get me to like you?"

He gave a small nod, then gently tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. That simple touch sent a rush down my spine.

"But why?" I asked quietly. "I remember when we first met... you were always so mad at me."

"I wasn’t mad at you," he said, voice low and heavy. "I was angry at the world. At myself. I’m sorry if I took it out on you. I didn’t mean to." His gaze dropped for a second before meeting mine again, more serious now. "I’ve got demons, Georgia. Ones I’ve been battling every day. Some days I win... most days, I lose. And when life gets in the way, it just becomes too damn hard."

I didn’t say a word. I just sat there, heart aching for him, and listened.

"I’ve already come from darkness," he continued. "And when your brother died, they blamed me, while I was still broken from a different heartbreak... I completely lost it. I didn’t know how to keep going. So I stopped trying. I shut everything out and ran."

His voice was steady, but beneath it, I heard something else. Raw pain. The kind you can’t fake.

"The ship became my sanctuary. I don’t take vacations. I live there. After every contract, I sign the next. Within days, I’m back out at sea. I’ve been doing that for the last two years."

His truth hit harder than I expected. I wasn’t ready for this version of him—unguarded, wounded, real.

"Then I met you. The unexpected," he said softly. "And suddenly, I could breathe again. You were like light creeping into a place I’d accepted would stay dark forever. You didn’t even know you were doing it. Just by being you... laughing, talking, showing up, you pulled me back to life."

My breath caught.

"You made me smile without pretending. Do you know how rare that is for me?" His eyes searched mine. "You’ve been saving me, Georgia. And I don’t even think you realize it."

A storm twisted in my chest.

"I’m grateful I met you. And I swear to God, I’ll protect you and everyone you love. No matter what."

He paused... then smirked, but it didn’t hide the intensity in his eyes.

"I like you, Georgia. More than I thought possible. Maybe... maybe I’m even falling for you. And I promised myself I’d never fall again—because love, for me, has always meant pain."

I was stunned. My thoughts scattered like wild waves, crashing and pulling me under. I didn’t even know what I was feeling. I mean, yes—I liked him. Of course, I did. Who wouldn’t be drawn to him? But the way he just laid his heart bare... it felt deeper than anything I was ready for.

"I... I don’t know what to say," I murmured, my voice barely steady. "I appreciate you telling me this. Really. But, Nick... I just ran away from my last relationship. I’m still trying to breathe. I don’t know if I’m ready to fall into another one right now."

I meant every word. I didn’t want to lie to him—especially not to someone who just offered me that much of himself.

To my surprise, he smiled. Warm. Understanding. Like he already knew what I was going to say.

"That’s absolutely fine," he said, voice calm but strong. "I’m not expecting anything from you, Georgia. I didn’t tell you this to ask for something in return. I just needed you to know how grateful I am. That’s all."

He leaned back, water glinting on his skin, his tone honest and unpressured.

"I’m not here to push or corner you. I’m just letting go of what’s been weighing on my chest. Like a friend confessing something he’s kept bottled up too long. That’s okay, right?"

My lips curled into a small smile. I knew that feeling all too well. Ella and I did this all the time—spill the heart just to lighten the load.

"Yes. That’s more than okay," I said softly. "And I’m glad I was able to help ease something in you."

I cupped a handful of water and let it pour over my shoulders, letting it cool the heat blooming across my skin. But then—

"But," he said with that wicked grin of his, "a kiss on the cheek wouldn’t hurt, would it? It might make me feel even better."

I narrowed my eyes playfully. Oh, I know that smile.

"You’re impossible," I muttered, but I couldn’t fight my own smirk. So I leaned in—fast—and kissed him on the cheek, thinking I’d catch him off guard.

But he moved quicker.

His hand caught my face mid-retreat, fingers firm against my cheek as he turned me to him.

"I changed my mind," he murmured, his voice suddenly darker, deeper.

His gaze locked onto mine—smoldering, intense, hungry.

"I want something more than that."

In a heartbeat, his lips crashed against mine. It was sudden, startling, even, but the way he kissed me... soft, gentle, like he’d been aching to do it for far too long.

I didn’t fight it. I melted into him.

Without thinking, I climbed onto his lap, straddling him so our bodies aligned in the most intoxicating way. His hands slipped beneath my shirt, warm and possessive, and expertly unclasped my bra.

I didn’t stop him. I didn’t want to.

He tugged at the hem of my shirt, his voice rough and breathless. "Can I take this off?"

I didn’t answer. I just yanked it over my head and tossed it aside.

His gaze dropped to my bare chest. His eyes darkened, lips parting slightly as his hands came up to cup my breasts, slowly, reverently, like he was trying to memorize the way they felt in his palms.

Then his mouth found me.

He leaned forward, lips wrapping around one of my nipples, while his other hand teased the other peak—pinching, rolling, driving me wild.

A gasp escaped me. I arched into him, my breathing coming faster as his tongue circled, then flicked, then sucked hard enough to make my thighs clench around him.

"You’re not sore anymore, right?" he asked, his voice rough against my skin.

I managed a nod, barely able to speak.

"Good," he whispered. "Because that means I can make love to you... from now until tomorrow—without stopping."

My heart slammed in my chest.

Love?

Till tomorrow?

Nonstop?!

My mind screamed, spinning in chaotic disbelief. Wait—what?!

But my body?

My body didn’t want to wait at all.