Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59739 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59739 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
I don’t have the energy to scream, but it feels just as good, if not better, than all the rest.
My shuddering takes a while to die down, but that doesn’t stop him from continuing his gentle lovemaking, his jaw tight, and I know he is close to the end, too. When the pace picks up, and I feel his body tense, I know he has found it. I take a moment to truly watch him, to relish the way his mouth drops open just a little, and his moan is raspy and thick.
Arms tensing, then releasing as his muscles flex. He’s the most beautiful man I have ever seen, looking down at me, all bronzed skin and sun-kissed hair. The island life suits him, the long unkempt look makes him edgier, even more dangerous. Throw in the tattoos, and he is the ultimate bad boy. Yes, this man is perfection.
His cock pulses, and his breath is warm against my face as he finally lets go, dropping down onto me, holding his weight with his elbows and slowing his thrusts until he is simply dragging his dick in and out, waiting for the pleasure to die down. Then, his mouth is on mine, a gentle, warm kiss that is deep and unwavering. My hand cups his cheek, beard scratchy against my palm, as I return that kiss.
I wonder to myself, does he feel this as deeply as I do?
The answer to that question scares me.
Because what if this is just some fantasy, a tormented story about a group of people forced to fight for survival, but when reality comes back, will it still feel the same?
“I missed you,” I whisper, because it’s the only way I can express just how everything feels right now.
He buries his face in my throat. “Me too, baby.”
He rolls me to my side, keeping me in his arms, and we lie like that, clinging, until the aftershocks fade and our heartbeats start to slow. My head nestles against his chest, breaths evening out to match his.
Then, of course, my stomach betrays me.
A loud, angry grumble erupts, so loud it vibrates against him, and I’m mortified.
Ace chuckles, low and throaty as he pulls back and looks at me. “Hungry, sweet pea?”
“Starving,” I admit. “Like, actually, I think I might die...”
He grins, then rolls away from me, stands, and pulls on his pants.
“Where are you going?” I ask, stretching.
“To feed my woman,” he winks, then disappears out the door.
He is gone maybe ten minutes, and comes back into the room with an armful of items and a half-smirk on his face. “Close your eyes and open your mouth.”
I prop up on my elbows. “What? Why?”
He gives me a look. “Trust me, baby.”
God, as if I can say no when he talks like that.
I playfully sigh and do it. Eyes closed, lips parted. Suddenly, something sweet and impossibly perfect is set on my tongue. I clamp down and taste it—silky, creamy, melty.
“Chocolate!” I gasp, opening my eyes wide.
He winks and gives me another piece.
I moan, and I mean really moan. I let the chocolate dissolve in my mouth, milking every second, every tiny melt of sugar and cocoa butter as if it’s the last candy on earth. It might be. Hell, we don’t know what the next chapter brings for us. We could capsize out here and...
Ace, thankfully, cuts off my spiralling thoughts by handing me a protein bar. Cookies and cream flavoured. What pirate eats a cookies and cream protein bar?
I’m not complaining.
I tear it open, bite off a chunk and nearly sob at the taste of chocolate and cookies and something that isn’t fucking fish or island fruit.
As if enjoying my rather intense reactions, Ace hands me an apple and a tin of orange soda.
Oh.
My.
God.
Yes.
I take a bite of the apple as he cracks the soda, and then I chug it like a woman possessed. The fizz is sharp, a spike of pure joy in the back of my throat. When I finally stop, I press the can to my forehead, eyes shut, and just bask in this feeling.
Ace watches me with an affection so deep it nearly undoes me. There’s that softness again, tempered at the edges by that wild, cracked Ace who’d break a man’s jaw for one of my tears.
When we have both had our fill of food, he crawls back under the blankets.
I roll to him, without hesitation, burrowing against his chest, the world squeezed out to a single point of warmth and breath and his heartbeat under my ear.
Neither of us can fight it much longer.
In seconds, we’re both asleep.
Safe and warm.
Like a fucking miracle.
11
IT’S AMAZING HOW THE smallest glimmer of hope can change everything.
We go from being scared, lonely, on edge and broken to excited, determined and hopeful.
Like a switch has been flipped.