Death is found in pleasure.

Death is found in sex.

And the ultimate death is found in the purest of orgasms.

Taken from the notepad of E.E.

...

WHAT IS HE doing?

What am I doing?

What the hell was going on?

Galloway hadn’t uttered a word but every footfall held entire conversations with their thunderous intent.

I’m done.

I can’t stop it.

I don’t want to stop it.

His fingers branded my wrist with fiery irons, and his limp was ignored in favour of storming through the wooded area to the tip of the island where the beach met ocean almost by the treeline, no matter high or low tide.

Breathing hard, he let me go, dragging both hands through his hair before pinching the bridge of his nose.

For a second, he didn’t move.

I didn’t move.

But then he spun to face me, his eyes more alive than I’d ever seen, his heart more visible than I’d ever hoped.

“Estelle.”

I waited for more.

It never came.

“Galloway.”

His gaze searched mine. Uncertainty fogged their depths like a tropical storm. His hands opened and closed by his sides. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

My lips parted. “I didn’t think you would.”

“Good because I would never hurt you. Ever. Do you understand?” He took a step closer.

My toes glued themselves to the beach. “I—I understand.” His blue eyes turned into torpedoes tearing into me, whizzing around my body.

“No matter what you read, who you speak to, what my past indicates...I. Will. Not. Hurt. You.”

Goosebumps broke out like a cape of worry. “I know that, G. Why...why are you saying this?”

His throat worked as he forced back the discomfort and anger he never managed to shrug off. “I just needed you to know that. That I’m not all bad.” He splayed his hands. “Actions don’t define us. Isn’t that what some stupid quote said? Well, I don’t agree. My actions do define me, and I can’t get away from that definition, no matter how hard I try. I don’t want it to ruin what we might have. I don’t want you to hate me—”

I stepped forward, the sand whisper-hissing beneath my feet. “Galloway...stop.” I stopped within touching distance, within kissing distance. “I could never hate you.”

“You could. If you knew what I was.”

“Wrong.” My hair slid over the bow in my bikini, tickling my back. My hand hesitantly landed on his chest. Immediately, his gonging heart slammed into my fingertips. Thud-thud, thud-thud.

He sucked in a breath, covering my hand with his.

I struggled to focus on words when all I wanted was his touch. “I know I could never hate you because I know who you are. This island doesn’t allow us to hold secrets, no matter how hard we try. I know you’ve done something. And I know it was something big. If you want to tell me, you don’t need to be afraid that I’ll turn away from you. I’d never judge you that way. But if you don’t want to tell me, then don’t be afraid that your past will ruin your future. I don’t know if we’ll ever get off this island. But what I do know is I’d like you to be in it. No matter where we end up.”

His body tensed as if Medusa herself had frozen him. “I want you, Estelle.”

“I know.” My voice thickened. “I want you, too.”

“So you don’t want to run?”

“I don’t want to run.”

“That night I asked you if you wanted more than friendship. You said you didn’t.” His voice lowered. “Did you lie?”

“Yes.” I struggled to admit. “You were right. I don’t just want to be your friend.”

“You want me more?”

I blushed. “Do you really need to ask? The night I took your splint off...I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I wish...I wish...”

His eyes narrowed. “You wish?”

“I wish I hadn’t stopped.” I licked my lower lip. “I wish I’d taken your hand and led you away from the camp to finish together. I want you, G. I’m sick of trying to deny it.”

I didn’t make a sound as his lips touched my hairline. His breath warmed my scalp. And his body unravelled every fear and restraint I had left.

Sighing heavily, I gave into him, melting into his embrace.

“I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you.” He kissed my eyelids. “Never been so bloody desperate to be with anyone as much as I am with you.” He kissed my cheeks. “I’m going to have you, Stel. I’m going to claim you, satisfy you, corrupt you.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “I’m going to seduce you, and once you’re thoroughly seduced, I’m never going to let you leave me.”

His gaze shot bullets into my mind.

“Can I kiss you?”

My lips tingled in invitation and surrender. “I feared you’d never ask.”

His height towered over me, but his neck bent with grace and purpose, bringing his mouth to mine.

Every cell relocated in my lips, transforming into mirrors and prisms, desperate for his reflection.

He paused one final time. “I won’t be able to stop.”

“I don’t want you to stop. Not this time.”

A moan caught in the back of my throat as my breasts pressed against his chest. The tatty grey t-shirt he wore was sun-faded and wave-ruined, but he’d never looked more handsome. Everything—from his overgrown sorrel hair to his soft beard and stark cheekbones.