Johnny & I : The Island by Daria Paus (hardest books to read txt) 📕

sight, reveling in the feel of his warm hands on my skin. His eyes locked on mine and for a few seconds, the world stood still. There was nothing standing between us, no barrier, neither physically nor emotionally. He was all mine, body and soul—and I was his. Johnny Grey. Mine. How I wanted it to stay that way, for more than one night of passion. I wanted him for life. But if a few moments like this was all I was going to get, who was I to ask for more?

His skin burned my body as I slid down on top of him and the gasp coming from him made my heart skip a beat. He whispered my name, and for a brief second, I hesitated. Then his arms wrapped around me and I buried my face into his neck. His breaths came in irregular gasps, and mine quivering and shallow as I tried to remember how to even breathe at all.

I kept my eyes locked on his face. The way his eyes fluttered and lips parted in a silent cry would be forever imprinted in my mind. It was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. It was enough to throw me off the edge as well. And as the last energy pulsated through his body, I let mine sink down onto his. I lay there, trembling and gasping for air, and he did the same.

14

Defenseless

The sun shone through the bedroom window the next morning.

I squinted at the rays seeping through the curtain. They shone so brightly, taunting me with their positivity. Didn't they know they meant the end of us? Of me?

Would Johnny feel relieved? The chance to finally get rid of me had come. A calm sea. He could easily take me to the boat and ship me out of his life, as he’d wanted from day one. The only thing that had kept me here was the storm . . .

I sighed, hoping I wouldn’t wake him up. I could stay like this forever, tightly wrapped in his arms, head on his chest.

Listening to his heartbeat and feeling the light movement of his chest as he breathed made my throat tighten with emotion and that familiar burn of tears form in my eyes. Even if we stayed in touch, which in reality wasn't very likely, there would never be another moment like this.

"Fuck, the sun?" His sudden voice made me jump.

I shifted, untangling myself from him so I could see his face.

"Storm is over," I stated the obvious.

He let out a deep sigh. "Bloody hell.”

"You have to go back?" I made it sound like a question, even though I already knew the answer.

"I can’t.”

I completely understood. And even though it wasn’t gonna happen, at least not for me, I blurted, "We can stay here."

He gave me a sleepy smile. "Screw the rest of the world, ay?"

He hadn't said no. My heart started to beat faster. Was it possible he wanted me to stay?

"A few more days?"

He scoffed. "Hell, a few more weeks."

I gasped. Did he really mean that? Weeks? With me?

He looked at me, a frown forming on his forehead. “Unless you wanna go home?" He asked. "I can take—"

"No!" I blurted and immediately blushed. Too much, and definitely too obvious. "No need," I said in a calmer voice. "I wanna stay, just . . . just let me call my family."

He chuckled. "Of course." He reached out to brush a few strands of hair out of my face, and the second his fingers touched my skin, images of last night flooded my mind.

I still remembered every inch of his perfectly sculpted body, still felt the taste of his salty skin as I'd trailed kisses down his body.

Nervousness was nothing but a dim memory, now trivial and shallow in comparison to the moment we’d shared. I’d never felt closer to any other man, not even those I’d known for years. Being with Johnny made me feel so much and so deeply that it seemed impossible to leave him.

He must have sensed where my thoughts were, and when I refocused on him, the way he eyed me caused small shivers to ripple through my body.

I flashed him a quick smile, still amazed how he could affect me like he did. Just one intense gaze and I was practically gasping for air. I made a mental note to have my nervous system checked out. Surely, I was not reacting like a normal person anymore.

"You kill me you know," I said with a grin.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Like this?" Before I had a chance to react, he rolled over and trapped me under his body, then kissed me until we both gasped for air.

The smile on his lips took my breath away all over again, filling my heart with a warmth that had nothing to do with lust. That smile was genuine, as real as I'd ever seen him smile. In that moment, all the sadness that seemed to have taken permanent residence in his eyes was gone. As much as I loved his dark mysterious look, I realized now, that it was nothing compared to the way he smiled. Without the weight of the world on his shoulders, without the haunted look on his face. Without it, he looked younger. Free. Could it really be because of me? Was I responsible for this unforgettable smile?

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

I was tempted to tell him the truth, but didn't want to ruin the moment by being emotional. Instead of replying, I slid one hand into his hair, pulling his face down to kiss him. He responded without hesitation, letting his delicate hands caress my body until I trembled under his touch.

"Johnny," I breathed his name onto his lips.

His reply was nothing but a growl and I shivered under the weight of his rock-hard body.

At that moment, everything I’d ever done, every failed relationship, every boring guy I’d turned down—led me to this moment. I