Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!
Chapter 15: Desperate For You

Chapter 15: Desperate For You

"So..." Georgia began cautiously, "what are we going to talk about, Captain?"

Nick gestured to the sofa. "Sit. I want to know your plan once we reach the port."

She obeyed, slowly lowering herself onto the cushion. "Honestly? I don’t have a clear one yet. I’ve been trying to piece things together, but nothing feels solid."

Nick leaned against the table, arms crossed. "How about this... I will contact my sister. She’ll arrange a private transport for you—quiet, secure, and completely off radar. A private jet will take you back. No ports, no coast guard, no authorities. It’ll be clean."

Georgia’s brows drew together. "That sounds... expensive. I don’t think I can afford anything like that."

"You won’t have to pay a cent," he replied, eyes briefly flickering. "I just want this to be over. I want you to be safe. I can’t—" he paused, jaw clenched, gaze turning away. "No one else dies under my watch. Not again."

That struck something deep in Georgia. The way his voice dropped... the weight of grief behind it.

’He’s still haunted by it,’ she realized. ’Maybe... maybe he really doesn’t have any participation in my brother’s death. Maybe everything I’ve believed was wrong.’

She nodded slowly. "Alright. I’ll take your offer. It’s the best option I have. But someday... I’ll pay you back. I mean it."

"Suit yourself," he muttered, pushing off the table and glancing around the room. "Now—about your next task."

He allowed the corner of his mouth to twitch into a half-smile. "You cleaned this place better than Evelyn or I ever could. I’m impressed. So let’s keep that momentum going—next, laundry duty."

Georgia blinked. "Laundry?"

"Yes. Sheets, uniforms, linens. Nothing personal, don’t worry. Just the basics. Since I’m asking my crew to keep their mouths shut about you, it’s fair you pitch in a little."

He looked at her knowingly. "Besides, word has it you’re already counting birds out the window. Any longer in that room, you’ll be naming the stars and giving them backstories."

Georgia laughed, easing back into her usual sass. "Okay, fine. I’ll help. Beats going insane with boredom."

"Good." Nick stepped toward the door and opened it for her. "Head back to your room. Evelyn will bring your dinner there. Once you’re done, she’ll guide you to the laundry room. Don’t worry, we’ve got industrial washers—you won’t be hand-washing uniforms on your knees."

Georgia smiled as she stepped past him. "Thanks, Captain."

His voice softened just a little. "You’re welcome... Georgia."

And for the first time since she woke up on that ship, she didn’t feel entirely lost with no plans.

**********

In the dim-lit confines of her cabin, Sarah stalked back and forth like a predator trapped in a cage, her phone gripped so tightly her knuckles whitened.

Her mind raced. Her pulse roared in her ears.

’She’s getting too close to him. Too comfortable. Too... relaxed.’

"No," she whispered to herself, breath sharp and ragged. "I won’t let her take him. Not her. Not anyone."

A cruel spark flashed in her eyes as she unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts. She hesitated for a beat, then tapped a name she’d long promised herself she’d never call again after that incident years ago.

The line rang twice.

Then, the voice answered, velvet and venomous.

[Sarah, Sarah, my beautiful Sarah. What is it about this time?]

"I need your help," she said without a trace of fear, but with the chilling conviction of someone past the point of morality.

A slow, amused chuckle crackled through the speaker.

[And you remember what my help costs, don’t you?]

She rolled her eyes, but her voice stayed cold. "How could I forget? We dock in thirteen days. There’s a storm coming, so we might be delayed."

[I’ll clear my schedule. I’ll book the hotel for three nights.]

"Make it one," she snapped. "I won’t get a longer shore leave without raising questions."

[Two and one, then. Take it or leave it. Two days and one night. You sound desperate. Desperation has its price, and I’m desperate for you, too. It’s been so long since I tasted you.]

Sarah exhaled through her nose, jaw clenched. "Fine. But no costumes. I’m not here to be your fantasy."

[Oh, but you are my fantasy,] he drawled, [just one I love unwrapping. Don’t worry, I’ll strip you out of anything you wear.]

She didn’t respond. She simply pointed a middle finger at the phone, suppressing the bile rising in her throat.

He was disgusting. Dangerous. But effective.

And right now, that’s exactly what she needed.

[So tell me, my sweet little princess... what’s the assignment this time?]

**********

Inside the laundry room, Evelyn showed Georgia how to operate the four sets heavy-duty machines.

"I’d suggest you load them all at once," Evelyn said, patting one of the washers. "You’ve got laundry for twenty-two people. Take advantage of all four machines if you want to finish before sunrise."

"Got it, boss," Georgia said, giving her best tough-girl flex. "Watch me conquer this mountain!" They both burst into laughter.

"Alright, soldier. I’ll leave you to battle. Call me if the machines start talking back," Evelyn joked, waving as she returned to her duties.

As the door clicked shut, Georgia’s cheerful façade melted. She glanced at the intimidating piles of very dirty uniforms and sweat-soaked linens and slumped onto the cool tile floor.

"Well... this is my life now." She sighed dramatically. "Twenty-two people’s laundry. I’ll be lucky if I finish by next week." She shook her head but pushed herself up and got to work.

She started with the sheets—bulky but manageable—then sorted the uniforms by type. Midway through loading the machines, she found a familiar white polo shirt. The crisp polo had N. Knight stitched elegantly above the chest pocket.

Georgia blinked.

She caught herself smiling.

’No. Nope. Cut it out. Why are you thinking about his laugh earlier?’

She shook off the thought, cheeks burning, and went back to work.

Surprisingly, the job wasn’t as bad as she’d feared. The machines were modern, industrial-grade beasts, and easy to operate.

"The captain was right. These things are amazing!" she muttered with glee as she transferred sheets from the washer to the dryer.

Just then, the laundry room door banged open.

Evelyn rushed in, breathless, eyes wide. "Georgia! You have to come. Now. The captain needs you in his office—immediately!"

Georgia blinked, confused. "What? Why?"

"No time!" Evelyn grabbed her wrist without waiting for an answer and practically dragged her out the door.

Georgia’s heart raced, fear settled in; whatever it was, it wasn’t just laundry anymore.