CHAPTER 67: SAY IT AGAIN (9)

Georgia’s POV

I couldn’t feel my legs anymore.

I was completely wrecked—a trembling, breathless mess.

Nick kept one arm around my waist, the other working to undo the rope from my wrists. One, then the other. The moment they were free, I nearly crumbled, barely catching myself before I collapsed into him.

Without a word, he scooped me into his arms and carried me toward the stream. We were both soaked in sweat, skin streaked with dirt and water, our legs muddy, slippery from whatever the hell just happened to my body.

He settled behind me in the shallow stream and began pouring water over my shoulders with his bare hand—slow, gentle strokes that contrasted everything that came before.

"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice a low murmur against my ear.

I hesitated. "I... don’t know. I still can’t wrap my head around what just happened. I told you to stop... but you didn’t. You were enjoying it too much."

"Of course I was," he said without shame. "You think I’d waste a moment like that? Not every woman can come the way you just did. I was proud of myself back there. And I thank you for that," he added, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

I blinked at the water, still not fully understanding everything my body had done, but whatever it was, it was powerful. Maybe Google could explain it better tomorrow, when we are back in the land of Wi-Fi and civilization.

"Let’s go back to the cave," he said, his hand trailing slowly down my arm. "You must be starving. And exhausted."

I turned my head and gave him a tired glare, half playful, half serious. "For real this time? Because I swear, Nick, if you try anything again tonight, my soul will straight-up leave my body. I’ve got nothing left."

He chuckled darkly. "Alright, alright. I hear you... We’ll continue—tomorrow."

I jerked back to face him. "What?! We’re leaving this island tomorrow! There won’t be any time for that."

"Oh, there will," he said with a crooked smile. "And if there’s not, I’ll make time."

God, this man...

He stood up, stretched, then offered me his hand. "Can you walk, or should I carry you?"

I raised my arms like a child asking for a piggyback and pouted. "Carry me, please, Daddy. My legs are all wiggly like Jell-O."

He stopped. Smirked.

"Say that again, and I’ll spank you while fucking you to endless."

My eyes widened. "I mean... Captain..."

We both burst into laughter before he carried me on his back. "Pick up our stuff," he said, and walked towards the rock where he placed them.

I clung to him, my cheek resting against his warm, solid shoulder. "I like your back," I murmured sleepily. "So warm... so wide. I fit against you perfectly."

He let out a soft breath, his arm tightening around me. "My back is yours anytime. But don’t fall asleep just yet. Eat something first," he said, clearly hearing the drowsiness thick in my voice.

Finally, we made it back to the cave, our rugged little sanctuary these past few days. Nick gently set me down onto the makeshift bed of woven blankets and dried leaves, then stepped outside to hang our wet clothes on the branches.

I watched him as he moved with quiet confidence, adding firewood to the dying flames before he returned to me. My body was still buzzing, my mind hazy. Everything about him stirred something primal in me... and still, I just wanted to collapse into sleep.

He slid in beside me, eyes scanning the blanket wrapped around me. "You’re not dressing up?" he asked, arching a brow.

"Nope," I said, nestling deeper into the covers. "I want to save our clean clothes for tomorrow... at least look half-decent when we’re finally rescued."

"Fair enough," he said, brushing a damp strand of hair behind my ear. "But use that blanket like a damn cape. If I see your body again, I swear to God, Georgia... I won’t stop myself."

Oh god. This again?

I sighed internally. How is he still like this after what just happened?!

"You’re insane, Nick. Like—actual maniac-level," I teased, narrowing my eyes.

He chuckled darkly. "Maybe I am. I don’t even understand myself lately. I’ve never craved anyone like this before. I used to get bored fast. One night, and I’d move on without looking back."

His hand grazed along my arm, slow and knowing.

"But you... You’re something else. You’re like a drug. The more I have you, the more I want. It’s dangerous. You’re addicting, Georgia," he whispered.

I immediately dove under the blanket, yanking it up to my chin like a shield. "Okay! No more of that. Stop thinking about me naked, or you’ll go berserk again."

I turned my back on him. "I’m napping first. Food later. My eyes are shutting whether you like it or not."

I didn’t hear if he said anything after that.

Because sleep swallowed me whole—and I gladly let it.

The next time I opened my eyes, morning sunlight was already creeping into the cave.

My heart dropped.

Nick wasn’t beside me.

Panic surged before I could think rationally. My eyes darted around—nothing. No trace of him. Just the fire reduced to embers and the faint rustle of leaves outside.

No. No, no, no—

My chest tightened as a sickening thought slithered into my head.

Did he... leave me? Go back with his brother without waking me up?

It sounded insane. Completely irrational. But after what Nancy did to me, how easily she decided to leave me in the open sea, I couldn’t stop the fear. The trauma carved into me like it was still fresh.

The dread of being abandoned... again.

"Nick!" I called out, voice shaking as I scrambled to wrap the blanket around me. I shoved my feet into my shoes and sprinted outside like the earth was on fire.

Then—thud.

I collided hard with someone.

"Whoa! Easy there, watch where you’re going," a familiar voice said, steady and grounding.

Nick!

My body moved on instinct—I flung myself into his arms and clung to him like a lifeline.

"Thank God... you’re still here!" I gasped, my voice breaking as the tears welled up faster than I could hold them back.

He immediately held me, then gently eased me back just enough to see my face. "Georgia? What’s wrong? You look terrified."

"I..." I hesitated, swallowing hard. "I thought you left. That you were gone."

He stilled for a beat, then cupped my cheeks with both hands, his thumbs brushing away the forming tears. "Why would you think that?" he asked softly. "I told you—I’d marry you. I’d protect you. I’m not going anywhere."

My heart cracked open all over again. His words wrapped around my wounds like a balm I didn’t even know I needed.

I blinked away the tears and tried to shake it off. "Forget it. I’m okay now. Just had a moment. Where did you go?"

"To the shore," he said, eyes still locked on me like he was afraid to look away. "They’re here."

My breath caught.

"What?" I whispered.

"They’re here," he repeated calmly, his lips curling into the softest smile. "We’re going home."

My knees nearly gave out. My heart pounded wildly.

Finally...

We were going back. To the cruel world that had tried to break us.

But this time, we weren’t going back alone.

We were going back together.

*********

Thank you for the Golden Ticket Kris_K16!