Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!
Chapter 20: Innocent

Chapter 20: Innocent

Nick’s head jerked toward Georgia just as she spun on her heel in sheer panic. Realizing his towel was still wrapped around his head—not his hips—he yanked it down and hastily covered himself.

Georgia, meanwhile, had her eyes shut tight and was tapping her forehead with her fist like she was trying to knock some sense into herself. ’Damnit! Of all the things to accidentally witness on this ship... why did it have to be his generously looking ding-dong?!’ her inner monologue screamed.

Nick caught her little meltdown and had to bite his lip to keep from bursting into laughter. He cleared his throat, trying to sound offended—but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.

"It’s a little late to turn away when you’ve already seen the goods. So... are you planning to stay for an encore, or what? What are you even doing here?"

Georgia gasped. "I—No! You told me to come in!"

"I said drop the uniform on the bed—not throw yourself into spring cleaning," he replied, cocking a brow and failing to look even remotely mad.

"I didn’t throw myself into it—I just thought you’d take longer in the shower! And how was I supposed to know you’d stroll out of the bathroom like a Greek god without your armor?!"

Nick raised a brow. "Greek god, huh? So you did take a good look."

"I did not!" she snapped, then immediately clutched her mouth. "Okay, maybe just a little—by accident! It was a reflex! Pure shock!" she babbled, her cheeks flaming.

"Then turn around and face me. It’s rude to talk to someone’s furniture," Nick teased, crossing his arms—towel firmly in place now, but with way too much amusement in his voice.

"I’d rather not. I just need to finish these last two pillows and I’m gone!" she said in a rush, practically attacking the pillowcases like they’d insulted her family name.

Nick leaned against the wall, still dripping from the shower, and watched her with a mix of amusement and intrigue. She’s flustered. ’She’s adorable. And dammit, she’s trying not to look at me again.’

"Take your time," he said casually. "I’m enjoying the view too."

Georgia nearly choked on her own breath. ’What the hell kind of ship is this?!’

"Leave it, I’m kidding. I’ll do it later," Nick said casually, a lopsided grin on his face.

But Georgia didn’t stop. She was determined, focused until she wasn’t.

Just as Nick stepped forward to lightly tap her shoulder, she spun around—too fast. Her eyes went wide, and her heel clipped the edge of the bed. With a surprised yelp, she lost her balance and instinctively reached for the nearest thing to save herself.

Unfortunately, that "thing" was his towel.

Georgia landed on her ass on the bed with a soft thud... and Nick’s towel came flying off, landing somewhere behind her.

Her mouth dropped open. Her eyes locked on a very naked Captain Knight standing directly in front of her, in all his bare glory. His dick right in front of her face.

"Oh. My. God," she squeaked, staring at it like it had its own gravitational pull.

"The fuck?!" Nick blurted, scrambling to grab the towel and wrap it around his waist. "Seriously?! You’re that desperate to see my dick—?!"

He cut himself off mid-sentence. Georgia had covered her face with both hands... and she was sobbing.

’Shit!’

"Hey, hey, whoa, don’t cry!" Nick quickly dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands gently rubbing her arms. "It was a joke! A really, really bad one, okay? I wasn’t trying to be a pervert, I swear. I just thought I could lighten the mood."

Through her hands, she choked out, "It’s not you... it’s me. I’m so embarrassed—I can never look you in the eye again!"

Nick froze... then laughed. Hard.

Like... Belly-laugh, can’t-breathe, tears-in-his-eyes laughed.

Georgia peeked through her fingers, fuming. "Are you seriously laughing right now?!"

"I’m sorry, I can’t help it!" Nick gasped between laughs, clutching the edge of the bed for support. "I mean—it’s just a dick! You act like it’s a mythical creature! Every guy has one!"

Georgia scowled and shoved his shoulder. "It might be normal to you, Captain Exhibitionist, but I don’t have one, so it’s not normal to me!"

That only made Nick laugh harder. "God, this is the best laugh I’ve had in years. I swear, I can’t breathe!!!"

"Laugh all you want! But for your information, not everyone’s used to seeing random dicks pop out of nowhere!" she snapped, arms crossed.

Nick finally calmed down, still chuckling. "Okay, okay. Point taken. But you’re engaged, right? So you’ve at least... You know... seen one?"

Georgia froze.

Nick’s eyes widened. "Wait—don’t tell me... You haven’t even seen your fiancé’s?!"

Georgia’s cheeks turned crimson. "I’m not telling you! That’s none of your business!"

"Oh. My. God. You’re a virgin!"

*BAM*

Georgia shoved him with both hands, sending Nick straight to the floor. She stormed past him, red-faced and furious, heading straight to the office to grab her crate.

Nick scrambled up and caught her by the wrist just before she could flee completely. "Georgia! Wait, wait. I didn’t mean it like that—I wasn’t teasing. It’s rare these days, okay? I was just... surprised that you’re so innocent."

She glared at him, fuming. "You called me innocent like it’s a bad thing."

"I didn’t mean it as an insult. I’m sorry. Seriously. I’m just—look, I admire it, okay? It was supposed to be a compliment."

Georgia narrowed her eyes, then slowly tilted her head. "You admire it?" she repeated, voice low and dangerous.

Nick nodded.

Big mistake.

A devilish spark flashed in Georgia’s eyes.

"Innocent, huh?" she whispered. "Let’s see who’s innocent."

Before Nick could blink, she grabbed his head with both hands, yanked him close, and kissed him.

Not a soft, sweet kiss.

A scorching, toe-curling, tongue-deep kiss that left Nick breathless, wide-eyed, and gripping her waist like the room had just tilted.

The door was still wide open.

But neither of them gave a damn.