Claim Me Captain! I'm Addicted to You!
Chapter 45: Are You Sore?

Chapter 45: Are You Sore?

Nick didn’t hesitate. The moment he saw the tears shimmer in Georgia’s eyes, he cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs brushing the dampness away as panic flared in his chest.

"Hey—hey," he murmured, voice thick with concern. "What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did I... did I hurt you?" His grip faltered for a second as guilt crashed into him. "If I did—I’m so sorry, Georgia. That was never my intention."

She leaned into his touch for a heartbeat, then whispered, "That’s not what this is about."

Nick’s brows furrowed. He eased back, just enough to see her face clearly. "It’s not?" he asked, his voice low and uncertain. "Then what is it? Please... talk to me."

Her eyes searched his, cold resolve flickering in her trembling voice.

"Will you still help me now that you’ve had what you wanted?" she asked, sharp and direct—like a knife to his chest.

His jaw clenched. "What?"

Nick’s expression shifted from confusion to wounded disbelief.

"Let’s get one thing straight," he said, stepping back slightly but keeping his gaze locked on her. "I didn’t sleep with you just because I wanted sex. That’s not all I want from you. I meant it when I said I’d help you—and I still do. So why the hell would you think otherwise?"

Georgia didn’t flinch. "Because that’s what men do," she said flatly. "They take what they want and disappear. And now that I’ve given you my body... maybe you see me as someone easy."

A muscle ticked in Nick’s jaw. "Yeah," he said slowly. "Some men are like that. But not all of us. And definitely not when we actually feel something for the woman we sleep with."

The words left him before he could stop them—and as soon as they did, time seemed to freeze.

His heart slammed against his ribs. His thoughts scrambled.

’Fuck... What the hell did I just say? WHAT THE FUCK?!’

Georgia’s eyes widened, her breath caught. She didn’t know whether to step closer or pull away.

Nick cleared his throat and dropped his arms, taking a breath to calm himself.

"Look... was I able to explain what you’re afraid of?" he asked carefully.

Georgia nodded slowly. "Yes. And just to be clear—I’m not holding you accountable for what happened between us." Her voice steadied, even if her heart still thundered. "I’m only asking you to honor your word. Help me get what I need, and I’ll help you too. After that, you’re free to walk away."

Nick’s eyes softened. "I understand."

There was a beat of silence.

"So... are we good now?" he asked. "No more doubts? No more fear hanging over us?"

Georgia gave him a small smile—barely there, but real. "Yes," she said softly. "Everything’s clear now."

"The sky still doesn’t look clear," Nick said, eyes scanning the moody clouds rolling above the treetops. "We should clean up while we’ve got the chance. It might pour again soon."

Georgia hesitated, then nodded. "Okay... but turn around. And don’t look."

Nick blinked. "Turn around? Don’t look at what?"

She looked at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "At me. I’ll be naked."

For a second, he stared at her, stunned. Then his lips twitched, barely holding back a laugh. ’Naked?’

He had literally been inside her hours ago—had tasted, touched, and memorized every inch of her body. And now she was suddenly shy?

He turned his back obediently, though amusement sparked in his eyes. "As you wish," he murmured, smirking.

Behind him, he heard her soft footsteps moving away. The rustle of the blanket slipping off her body made his skin prickle. Curiosity got the better of him. He glanced over his shoulder—just briefly.

His breath hitched.

There she was—completely bare, her skin glowing under the soft gray light as she stepped into the deeper part of the stream. Her movements were graceful, unguarded, beautiful in their simplicity.

’Ahh, she’s got nice ass. Didn’t get to see it much earlier,’ he thought before realizing what he was doing.

Nick cursed silently and tore his gaze away, jaw tightening. He looked down, only to find his manhood already reacting.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath. "Forgot I’m still naked."

The water didn’t help his growing problem, especially when he heard her voice again.

"You can turn around now!"

He instinctively cupped himself with both hands before pivoting. Georgia was sitting away from his spot, her back to him, hair damp and clinging to her spine, her shoulders slightly hunched like a goddess unaware of her own power.

His brow twitched.

She was still hiding from him. Even after everything they’d shared.

’She’s really not letting me see her, huh?’ he thought, lips curving into something darker. ’We’ll see about that. Now that I’ve tasted you. There’s no way that I would stop craving you from now on. Challenge accepted.’

Nick moved through the stream with calculated quiet, the ripples barely giving away his approach. When he was just a breath away, his voice came low and smooth—right at her back.

"Mind if I sit behind you?" he asked. "You know... just to watch each other’s backs."

Georgia didn’t think much of it. The request sounded reasonable—practical, even. "Alright. I won’t take long anyway."

She heard the shift of water behind her as he lowered himself into the stream. The silence was comfortable for a heartbeat—until his voice broke it again.

"Are you sore?" he asked, soft but direct.

The question caught her off guard. Her body stiffened for a second before she forced herself to relax.

"I was... but I think not anymore, maybe the fresh cool water helped," she replied, running her fingers along her skin. "It’s soothing. Better than the salt water sticking to me."

There was a short pause before Nick spoke again, his voice deeper this time—more deliberate.

"Georgia... can I ask you something personal?" He didn’t wait for a full answer before continuing. "It’s about our marriage plan."

She stilled, her pulse beginning to thrum under her skin. "Go ahead," she said tightly, trying to sound unaffected.

"What happened between us earlier..." he said, his words bold, heavy with implication, "will that happen again—once we’re officially married?"

Her breath hitched. The water no longer felt calming—it felt like a trap. One part of her wanted to shut him down, deny him. The other part burned at the memory, wanted more.

"I—I don’t know..." she managed.

Nick leaned in, the heat of his presence crawling up her spine. "What if I want to?" he asked, voice low and dangerous. "Will you let me?"

She turned her head without thinking—ready to confront him, maybe avoid his gaze.

But Nick was already facing her, eyes locked on hers, intense and unreadable.

The moment snapped like a wire pulled too tight.

Her breath faltered as she realized how close he was... how much tension sat between them, unspoken but ready to ignite once again.