Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104729 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Fish and coconuts and the occasional starfruit aren’t enough for us to live here long term.
Eventually, we will get sick.
The only option is to try.
There is an actual possibility we will die, but we both agree we would rather die fighting.
Which brings me back to the here and now.
We have spent days wrapped in each other arms, losing ourselves repeatedly in each other’s bodies.
I have never felt pleasure like what he has given me.
Since my life is hanging in the balance, I don’t think of what any of this means, so I just enjoy him.
Enjoy the comfort I can get from him, even if that means pretending.
It’s not really a lie.
I’m just ignoring the truth.
Looking to my side, I see that he’s still asleep. After our last romp, we both passed out.
The man certainly has stamina. I don’t think I have ever had this much sex in my life.
But when he’s inside me, I feel like anything is possible.
I feel like surviving is possible.
Again, with that lie.
Now the only question is, what will happen if we do?
What will it mean for us?
Nothing.
It will mean nothing.
It will just be two people who needed to find peace in Hell.
As if he knows my gaze is on him, he stirs.
A yawn leaves his body, and his arms reach over his head.
He opens his eyes to catch me staring at him.
“You’re up?” he asks as he rubs the sleep from his eyes.
“I am.”
His face grows serious as he watches me where I am. “It’s rare someone gets the drop on me.”
“You’ve taught me well.”
“Yes, your survival skills are really coming along. The fire you started today was good,” he says.
“It was on point,” I fire back before smiling.
“If you say so.”
“I do.” Reaching for my tank top, I move to put it on, but he shoos my hand away. “Don’t you think we need a break?”
His hand reaches out, and his fingers form a circle around my nipple.
“Speak for yourself. I never need a break.” He leans into me until his tongue is tracing the column of my neck.
“Be serious, Alaric.” I push him off and move to an upright position.
“I’m always serious about sex.”
“Sex … is that all that matters?” I huff as I reach for my tank top again, finally managing to put it on.
“Don’t start that right now.”
“Start what? Having feelings. Not wanting to be used.”
“Cut the shit, dove.”
“Dove. Dove. Dove!” I shout, acting like a petulant child, and I’m not even sure why. I knew that this wasn’t serious, so why am I acting like this? But as much as I tell myself to calm down, I find my emotions are over the place as I say, “Fuck that shit.” I move to a standing position and look down at him and snarl. “I’m not some little dove. I’m a goddamn Phoenix, no matter what happens. No matter who burns me, I’ll rise.”
I pace the little cave, and I’m not sure where my anger is coming from or when Alaric wraps his arms around me. But he does.
“You’re right.”
I stop moving.
This seems to be Alaric’s favorite way to hold me, my back to his front. He’s always holding me like this. Like I am a dove that’s trying to fly away.
“You’re not a dove. You are a Phoenix. I just like the way it sounds now. Habit.”
“As long as you know what I am.”
He spins me around, his hand reaching beneath my jaw and tilting it up.
“I know exactly who you are, Phoenix, no matter what nickname I call you. This isn’t just sex, but I don’t know what you want me to say.”
“We talk about everything but the truth.”
“Is it wrong that I don’t want to rock the boat?” I glare at him for his comment, and he smirks. “Terrible choice of words.”
“You think?”
“We’re taking pleasure in each other, not just physical but also emotional, and to go there would ruin this little ecosystem. Neither of us knows what the future will bring.”
“I know. I know you’re right … But—” I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words to convey why I am upset and what I want. “I can’t help but want to talk about it anyway.”
“Fine. But not now.”
“Why not …?”
“Because we just got into a fight. Our first fight and I want to make up.”
I level him with my stare.
“What?”
Placing my hand on my hip, I shoot him daggers with my eyes. “You know what.”
“Fine.” He leans down and kisses my mouth. It’s a chaste kiss, and it lightens the mood. “Let’s eat something and then venture outside to see about the storm.”
“Do you think it’s safe?”
He walks over to the area where his clothes are, and I watch his ass as he walks.
I shouldn’t judge him for always wanting to have sex. The man is a modern sexual miracle and his ass a work of perfection. Cut from marble. The truth is, I want nothing more than to touch him, but I don’t say that. Instead, I just ogle him longer before turning away.