Page 48 of Wrecked
He releases a heavy sigh, and his gruff voice cuts through my train of thoughts. “We need to make a shelter before the sun sets.”
I step closer to Nate, away from the tree. “I love you too,” I whisper softly. I don’t mean to say it. His words were playing on repeat, and it just slipped out. It’s the truth though, so I stand by it. I still want answers, but more than that, I need him to know that I feel what he feels. Even though it complicates things. Even though right now isn’t the right time for these confessions. Or maybe it’s the best time. If we die tonight, he needs to know that he still has my entire heart. That he always has.
His eyes snap to mine, locked like magnets as he searches for the truth in my words. I keep my gaze trained on him, letting the sincerity of my confession penetrate his fixed stare. The corner of his mouth lifts in a soft smile, dimples on full display. He studies me for what feels like decades.
“It was worth it,” he mutters, nodding his head as he confirms something for himself.
“What was?” I ask, confused.
“Everything I had to do,” he answers cryptically. “Tell me you’re still mine.” He releases the hold he had on my wrists and glides his hands up my arms. I shiver at the caress.
“Always,” I admit. “I’ve always been yours.” It flows out easily, knowing it’s a truth I’ve rejected for far too long. Guilt lingers as I think of the implications of my candid admission. I’ve put myself last for so long that I don’t know how to be first. Does putting yourself first always hurt the people you love most? Because if that’s the case, I probably had it right the first time. Regardless, I’ve gotten a taste of what it feels like living forme. Going after what I want. It’s too late, I won’t become that other version of myself again. I’m going to be selfish when it comes to Nate.
“Say it again,” he demands as his touch whispers across my collarbone, his hand spreading wide as it approaches my neck. He doesn’t have to tell me what he wants to hear. I already know.
“I love you,” I say again, louder, more confident than before.His hand reaches my neck and closes around it. He uses his grip to push me back against the tree, pinning me in place by my throat. He narrows his hold, squeezing slightly and causing a flood of arousal to soak my panties. Leaning forward, he kisses my jaw, the corner of my mouth, and slowly inches his lips toward mine. His grasp on my neck tightens, constricting my airflow and sending a spark of electricity between my legs.
Finally, he makes his way to my mouth.
“Good girl,” he whispers against my lips, lighting my core on fire with his praise. He slams his mouth over mine, biting my bottom lip, demanding I open for him. Our tongues engage in a battle of possession, claiming each other with a raw hunger I’ve never felt before. He releases my neck, his hands reaching underneath my thighs as he lifts me higher against the tree. I wind my legs around his waist, bringing our groins together. He thrusts against me, releasing a raspy groan when I match his motion. I tighten my legs and shift my hips, positioning his cock right where I need it. I gyrate against him, using his body to fan the flames that are already burning me alive. I set the rhythm and pace, and he rotates his hips, making sure to hit my clit every time our groins meet.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers against my neck as he sucks the flesh into his mouth. I let out a low, heady moan, and a tremor builds in his throat, almost like a growl.
I need to stop this.
“Wait…” I say, barely able to get the words past my lips. Not really wanting to. He stops immediately, pulling back to look at me with hooded eyes. Our chests rise and fall rapidly as we stare at each other with unmatched desire. Almost enough to make me say “fuck it” and continue down the path this is headed. “I don’t want to have sex with you,” I blurt out. He arches an eyebrow, pulling back and looking down at the wet spot between my legs.
“That so?” His knowing grin infuriates me. I push at hischest, and he lowers me back to the ground, backing up and giving me space.
“I do want to…I just…not now, okay?” I’m flustered, and half tempted to slap that smug smile off his face.
“You mean you don’t want me to fuck you for the first time in eight years, up against a palm tree?” He laughs, amused by my inability to string together words.
I glare at him, and it makes him laugh harder.
“Keep it up, and you’ll go another eight years.” I scoff. “I don’t want to…dothis. Not here. We need to talk about a lot, Nate. And…I need it to be over between you and Katie, before we…you know.”
“Before I make love to you?” he states matter-of-factly. I blush at the words, not used to hearing them from him. Not in a long time. “It’s already over between me and Katie.”
“I needherto know that it’s over, Nate. I won’t help you cheat on my sister. I’m already going to hurt her enough. It would kill her if she knew I…I slept with you. I have personal experience with that level of pain, Nate.” I don’t say it to burn him. I’m just being honest.
His face hardens as a shadow passes over his eyes. I can see it in his face; he doesn’t want to hurt her either. That, somehow, makes what we are doing feel…better.
He takes a deep breath and looks down at me warmly. His eyes are full of emotion as he gives me a tender smile. “No, you don’t, Pip.”
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t tell me what I did or did not feel, Nate.”
“I never slept with…her. And I’ve never slept with Katie. You might have felt that pain, but there wasn’t a reason for it. I haven’t been with another woman, not since you. You’re the only woman I plan to be with for the rest of my life.”
I stare at him with a fixed expression, my shock evident. That can’t be possible, it’s been eight years.He’s a man.
“How?” I cast a skeptical eye.
“You want me to explain how I avoided having sex with your sister?” He arches a brow.
“How did you go eight years without having sex?”
“I have a hand, Pip. It does the job. Anything else would have felt like…” He cuts himself off, his eyes flicker past me.
