As the realization dawned upon the others that Georgia and Jack had not returned, a collective sense of unease and concern rippled through the group. Fearing the worst, they hastily set sail to search for the missing pair.
Beside him, the woman who had been his companion throughout this unexpected ordeal had fallen into an uneasy stillness. Jack, ever vigilant, turned his head to observe Georgia. It was then that he noticed that her eyes had drifted shut, succumbing to slumber's seductive embrace.
Sleeping under such inhospitable conditions posed a significant risk to their well-being. Jack's brow furrowed, and he voiced his concern, "Georgia, I cannot sleep."
Startled from her unintended slumber, Georgia struggled to open her heavy eyelids. Her eyelids fluttered in a futile battle to stay awake as she admitted, "I... I didn't mean to sleep."
Her intention had been to stay awake, but the cold and the exhaustion of their predicament had betrayed her resolve.
Seeing her fragile state, Jack's expression darkened. Without uttering a word, he promptly extended his arm, enfolding her within the cocoon of his embrace. In a commanding tone, he ordered, "Hold on a little longer; help is on its way."
Nodding faintly, Georgia sought solace in his warmth. She reached out, her trembling hand finding refuge in his, fingers greedily savoring the comforting touch.
Jack, unaccustomed to such intimate contact, instinctively tensed. He frowned and cast his gaze downward, contemplating whether to withdraw from her grasp. Ultimately, he chose to endure this unfamiliar closeness.
As time wore on, Georgia's eyelids waged a battle they could not win, closing in the face of overwhelming fatigue. She slipped into a fitful slumber, her breathing growing shallow and uneven.
Determined to keep her awake and ward off the encroaching cold, Jack engaged her in conversation. He reached out to rub her arms, attempting to revive her body temperature. Yet, his efforts yielded unsatisfactory results. After a while, Georgia's eyes once again fluttered shut, her form unresponsive.
Panic began to gnaw at Jack's resolve. He realized that this perilous situation demanded immediate action. Clenching his teeth in frustration, he admonished, "Georgia, we must talk."
Her response was a drowsy murmur, "Mmm...okay."
He persisted in conversing with her, determined to keep her awake. His hand moved rhythmically, rubbing her arms in an attempt to stave off the cold. However, the outcome remained elusive. Georgia's eyes closed sleepily, and she remained unresponsive.
"You cannot sleep now!" Jack's desperation was evident in his voice as he admonished her. His gaze shifted to her lips, which had turned a worrisome shade of purple. The urgency of the situation spurred him into action.
Without further hesitation, he gently tilted her chin, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. The warmth and softness of their connection jolted Georgia awake. Her initial daze gave way to bewilderment as she registered the sudden intimacy of their encounter.
"Why did you...kiss me?" Her voice quivered, and her cheeks flushed crimson.
In response to her choice of words, Jack arched an eyebrow in mild amusement. He couldn't quite fathom how his actions could be labeled as theft. "Steal a kiss?" he mused silently.
Before she could fully process the situation, he tightened his grip behind her head, bent down, and deepened the kiss. Georgia's initial confusion was swiftly replaced by the intoxicating rhythm of their connection. Her thoughts became a swirling whirlpool, lost amidst the sensation.
The kiss lingered, deepening with each passing moment until the air grew thin, and their need for oxygen prevailed over their desire. As they parted, Georgia's chest heaved, her breaths uneven, and her mind a maelstrom of emotions.
Her gaze met Jack's, their eyes locking in a charged exchange. She felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she stuttered, "Jack... Why did you... kiss me like that?"
His voice was a low murmur, a testament to the undercurrents of passion that still coursed through him. "Is it still cold?"