Page 95 of Wrecked
And I couldn’t be happier.
CHAPTER 41
ELLIE (PRESENT)
Early morning sunlight filters through the narrow crevices of the stone walls. Dripping water echoes in the distance, stirring me awake from the best sleep I’ve gotten in years. The harmonious cadence is a sweet reminder of the events that transpired well into the morning hours.
I smile as my eyes flicker open, still blurry with sleep. I blink rapidly against the gentle light leaking in from the mouth of the cave and stretch my arms out in front of me. They collide with the broad chest of the man lying next to me.
Nate.
I trail my fingers down his chest and watch as goosebumps erupt on his flesh. My heart swells as I take in his sleeping form. His face is relaxed and peaceful, a small smile framing his lips as he sleeps. I snuggle against him, craving the warmth of his body. I smile to myself as I remember the feeling of his hands on my body, his lips pressed to mine, the way he moved against me.
Last night was the first time in eight years I gave freely. He didn’t take what wasn’t his because I’ve alwaysbeenhis. He washed away years of heartache, first with his possessiveconfidence and filthy mouth, and then with his gentle touch and sweet words.
I gave him my body, and he loved it with every part of his heart and soul.
We stayed up for hours talking, laughing, kissing…making love. When he told me he was going to use my body until I couldn’t take it any longer, he wasn’t lying.
My bodyknowswho it belongs to now.
He did take pity on me when he heard my stomach growl. Once the weather let up a bit, Nate went to gather the coconuts and bananas he saw while out searching for me. He cut some fresh bamboo and brought back rainwater to fill our bellies. He even surprised me with some yucca leaves so that we could wash our bodies in a small pool we found when we explored the deeper caverns. Thankfully, the cave system was full of dried foliage that had been blown in with the wind over time. Nate made us a small fire and continued to use my body until I couldn’t see straight. I am deliciously sore this morning andstillaching for his touch.
But…I’m also famished. We need something a little heartier than fruit today. We also need to set up a permanent shelter. The thought unsettles me. I turn over, lying flat on my back. The wordpermanenthas my stomach aching. How long will we be here? Will we ever be rescued?
I’m ready to start my life with Nate, and I’d prefer to do that in ahousewithair conditioning.
“What are you thinking?” Nate’s finger trails up and down my arm, sending chills all over my body. His arm tickles were always my favorite, and I find myself pushing into his touch. I turn my head to face him and see that his eyes are filled with mischief.
“NO.” I giggle, knowing that look all too well. He pouts, grabbing my hip and turning my body into his. My leg automatically lifts over his thigh, twining our lower limbs and aligningour bodies perfectly. He thrusts against me, awakening that spark that seems to always come to life for him. I can’t help but push back against him despite my wonderfully sore center. “Behave yourself!” I swat at his chest, and he captures my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it gently. Our eyes connect as he kisses my wrist, my palm, my fingers.
“Good morning.” He grins, satisfaction from the night before is written all over his face.
“Morning,” I murmur. My chest flutters, and I feel lighter than I have in years.
“You know,” he raises an eyebrow, “I can feel how badly you want me when you’re pressed up against me without any clothes on,” he says, laughing when I immediately unhitch my leg from around his hip and scoot away.
He winks at me as he sits up, reaching for our discarded clothes. Handing me my shirt, he leans into me and murmurs into my ear. “That wasn’t a complaint.” He kisses the spot below my ear, down my neck and back up, nipping at my earlobe. “Drench me, baby. I want to smell you on my cock all day.” His deep voice and hot breath make me shudder.
“Shit,” I hiss, immediately turned on. At this rate, we are never going to leave this cave. I scurry away from him like he’s on fire, and his smug laugh makes me want to make himbegforme.
Two can play this game.
My stomach has other ideas and decides to let out an ugly growl, demanding something other than coconuts. The obnoxious noise quells my teasing thoughts before I can see them to fruition. Nate’s face transforms from flirty to concerned, and he quickly puts on his jeans.
I could really get used to him missing his shirt.
“We need to get you fed and energized because I fully plan to deplete that energy again tonight.” He winks, grabbing my hands and pulling me to my feet. I can’t help the blush thatcreeps up my cheeks. Sex was a big part of our relationship as teenagers, but it never felt quite so…sensual. Our bodies came together and communicated in a way that our words couldn’t do justice. Love. Apologies. Forgiveness. I felt it all in his touch, his kiss. His complete and utterneedfor me.
“Come on.” He grabs my hand after I finish dressing. “Let’s go back to the beach and collect some sand. We are going to mix it with mud and use it for insulation.”
“Are we staying in the cave?” I ask, not at all opposed to the idea.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Pip. We can’t secure the entrance, and we don’t know what is coming through the other openings. This is a whole cave system. It looks like it might span most of the island. If we’re even on an island.”
“What do you mean?” I pull my hand back, halting our movement.
“Our plane was flying too low to the ground, so I couldn’t make out how big the land mass was. Being there is a whole cave network here, we may be somewhere in the Amazon jungle, rather than an adjacent island.
