Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!
Chapter 31: Island (5)

Chapter 31: Island (5)

"We need an agreement," Georgia said, her voice calm but commanding. "A contract. Something binding... so we both know exactly what we’re getting into."

Nick raised a brow, the corner of his mouth lifting into a slow, amused smirk. "Always the businesswoman. I like that. So what are you proposing?"

"One year," she replied without hesitation. "We will stay married for one year. After that, we go our separate ways."

Nick’s gaze narrowed with interest. "One year... tempting, but not quite enough. It won’t take just a year to flush out the person who framed me or find your brother’s killer. And it definitely won’t be enough time for me to recover the money I’ll use to wipe out your debt with the Davises."

He leaned in. "Let’s stay married until both goals are met, justice and payment. No loopholes. No escape clauses. Just results."

Georgia met his gaze. "Okay. You clear your name, and I get justice for my brother. My debt is paid, and you get every cent back. Win-win."

Nick stood tall and extended his hand. "Then we have a deal. We can draft something more... official once we’re back in civilization."

She placed her hand in his, firm and deliberate. The contact sparked something unspoken between them.

Georgia felt the roughness of his hand. Something that only a person who worked hard will have, not a rich playboy, like what Nick is famous for.

"Thank you. I’m looking forward to finishing what we started as soon as possible."

Nick’s eyes lingered on hers. "Fast might not be in the cards, Georgia. But thorough? Definitely."

A shiver crawled down her spine as she watched him smirk.

He turned toward the edge of the trees. "Let me find a good signal spot. If I can reach my sister, we’ll be one step closer to ending this mess."

"I’m going with you," Georgia said, already packing a bag. "If we come across any edible plants or fruits, I’ll know what’s safe."

Nick gave a single nod. "Alright. Let’s prep then. Two bags—one for supplies, one for food. And let’s hang the damp clothes on the trees. I don’t want anything rotting while we’re gone."

Georgia moved quickly, focused but alert. Meanwhile, Nick climbed into the liferaft and began clearing out the heavier items to preserve its air pressure. He folded her clothes with surprising care, placing them on a log near the bonfire.

The third bag, now holding the hand flare, smoke signal canister, and a few essentials, he hoisted into a tree branch, away from moisture and out of sight. Easier to access, too, in case they need to.

Georgia placed the remaining canned goods and bottles of water on a large flat rock nearby.

Their eyes met, and Nick said, "If you’re all set, let’s go."

Nick pointed toward a ridge barely visible above the tree line. "There," he said, his voice firm with purpose. "That high ground. It looks close from the beach, but it’ll take us at least an hour. Maybe more."

Georgia followed his gaze. She gave a quick nod and moved beside him, instinctively closing the distance between them as they stepped into the jungle.

"Stay sharp," Nick murmured, scanning the forest. "We don’t know what kind of poisonous creatures call this place home. One wrong move, and it could get ugly."

"Great," Georgia muttered. "Just what I needed to hear when I am already scared. But thanks—I’ll be careful," she jested, making them both chuckle a bit.

They pressed deeper into the forest, their bodies weaving through thick vines and sharp leaves. The air was humid, the heat clinging to their skin, making every breath feel charged with more than just adrenaline.

Along the way, they found clusters of banana trees weighed down with fruit, ripening papayas, and a few wild vegetables Georgia recognized. Nick slashed subtle marks into the bark with his knife, leaving a trail behind them—one that would guide them back if needed.

Georgia kept pace until her legs began to tremble and her breath came in short, shallow gasps.

"Wait—stop!" she finally cried, hand on her chest. "I’m not an athletic person. I can’t breathe... Let’s rest."

Nick turned, eyes flicking over her flushed face, sweat-drenched skin, and he let out a soft laugh. "Alright. We’ll rest. It’s noon anyway—good time for lunch." He held up his watch, showing it to Georgia.

"What? We’ve been walking for more than two hours?" Georgia exclaimed.

"Yup, but we are near," Nick answered.

Georgia dropped her pack onto a flat rock and unzipped it, pulling out two bottles of water and a pair of canned goods. Without waiting, she handed one of each to him, their fingers brushing. Well, Nick’s hand was over hers, to be specific.

His touch lingered a moment longer than necessary. Her eyes darted up, catching the flash of heat in his.

She quickly pulled her hand away and focused on her food.

They were in the heart of nowhere—sweaty, tired, breathless... but undeniably aware of each other.

And the silence between them was starting to feel dangerous.

Georgia kept glancing at him as they ate, but Nick didn’t spare her a single glance and just kept eating until he was done.

By the time they reached the ridge, both were flushed and breathless, their clothes clinging to sweat-slicked skin. But Nick didn’t waste a second.

He pulled the satellite phone from his pocket, powered it on, and began pacing the rocky clearing, his eyes scanning the screen.

Then there it is. Two bars.

His pulse quickened. Without hesitating, he typed out a message to his sister, fingers flying over the keys.

[Be DISCREET: I’m on an island with the woman I rescued. Locate me and send rescue. Ask Liam for help. No one else must know, just the two of you and essential personnel—especially Raymond Davis.]

Seconds later, the phone buzzed in his hand.

[Thank God you’re alive! How long can you hold out? There are search parties circling nearby. Hide everything visible from above. They might find that island soon.]

Nick turned toward Georgia, a wicked gleam in his eyes, and held up a thumbs-up. "She replied. Veronica’s on it. I knew I could count on her."

He turned back to the screen and quickly replied.

[Take your time. We’ve still got the liferaft—enough food for a month.]

Another buzz.

[Good. Give us a week. I’ll feed the search teams false coordinates to draw them away. Save your battery. We’ll check in after three days.]

Nick powered the device down and slid it back into his pocket. "We’ve got a week. Veronica’s buying us time. Rescuers are already looking for us."

Georgia’s brows furrowed. "She knows where we are?"

Nick gave a short nod. "This phone is encrypted; only a few people can track it. She’s one of them. Now come on, let’s head back to the trees. We need to collect our food."

They started down the slope, the sky above them beginning to darken with ominous clouds. Thunder growled in the distance, then cracked violently overhead.

And then a sudden downpour.

Rain burst from the sky in heavy sheets, drenching them within seconds. Lightning split the sky in a jagged arc, and a deafening rumble followed.

"Shit—move!" Nick shouted, grabbing Georgia’s wrist tightly. "We need to cover now! I don’t want to get toasted today!"