Page 103 of Seal the Deal

“Okay, I’ll bite,” I say, keeping my tone light. “Maybe it’s not so bad. But I think I like it better whenyou’resinging it.”

Her laugh is bright and genuine, then she goes back to scrubbing the pot. “That’s because I’ve gotsoul, Captain Thunder.”

“You’ve definitely gotsomething, Lady Lightning.”

We both laugh, her voice filling the kitchen as she finishes the song. And as I stand there watching her, I realize there might be more to this song than I gave credit for. Or maybe there’s just more to Charlotte than I ever expected.

***

Jake - Present Day

The bar is packed, buzzing with the electric energy of holiday cheer and drunken karaoke performances. It’s the 22nd of December and we’ve just had our last home game before the break, so the whole team’s making the most of it.

It’s been over a week since Meadow’s illness, and life’s finally starting to settleagain. Meadow’s back to her playful self, and I’m with Charlie every chance I get.

Most nights when I’m in Denver, I’m at her place. Things between us are shifting and getting deeper. Normally, this is when I’d start feeling that itch to pull back. But not with her.

With Charlie, the old rules don’t apply. The kids, too. Telling them about us had been nerve-wracking as hell. Charlie and I sat on the couch like two awkward teenagers, overthinking every word, while Noah and Meadow watched us like we’d grown three heads. We were braced for a million questions or maybe even tears. Instead, Noah had just looked at us with this deadpan expression and said, “Yeah, I figured. You kiss all the time.”

I’d choked on my water and Charlie had gone bright red, but before she could say anything, Meadow climbed right into my lap and declared, “Good. ‘Cause you’re my Jake.”

It was so simple for them, like they’d already decided I belonged there long before we did. And damn, if that didn’t knock me flat.

Those kids mean the world to me, just as much as their mom does. Every moment of the past twelve years feels like it was leading me back to this life with them, to Charlie. And the way she’s looking tonight? I’m ready to set the whole place on fire.

I scan the crowd, drink in hand, looking for her. Zoe and Charlie came here earlier with some of the WAGs, while I stayed behind to wrap things up at the arena.

Nothing could have prepared me for the outfit she wore to the game. She looks fucking incredible. When I saw her from the ice in those leather pants, my brain short-circuited.

Every time I glanced up at her, I lost focus. She’d thrown a blazer casually over her shoulders, but it did little to hide the skimpy camisole underneath. She knew exactly what she was doing, and I’ve been a ticking time bomb ever since.

I catch sight of her now at the bar with Zoe. Her legs are crossed, that damn blazer draped over the back of her chair, the casual vibe she had at the arena replaced with a sultry confidence that’s driving me out of my mind. She’s glowing, her auburn hair tumbling over her shoulders, cheeks flushed from the heat of the room or maybe the espressomartini she’s holding. Every teasing glance she throws me is a playful dare, and I’m more than ready to collect.

I weave through the crowd, feeling the eyes of far too many guys lingering on her, and I’m about two steps away when I hear Logan calling out behind me.

“There she is, Brooks! Damn man, you sure you’ve got that locked down?” He’s a few drinks in so I forgive this rookie for being so bold.

I smirk, pushing past him. “Trust me, Pooks, it’s locked down.”

When I finally reach them, Zoe has her sass turned up to eleven, clearly enjoying the show. “Well, well, look who finally decided to show up.”

Charlie turns, her gaze locking on mine. That familiar pull hits me, the one that clears everything else from my mind. Her smile quirks, like she’s letting me in on a secret only I’m worthy of. It takes every ounce of restraint not to grab her and haul her home immediately.

“Hey, you,” she says playfully. There’s a spark in her eyes—a mix of challenge and quiet certainty, like she’s been waiting for this moment as much as I have.

I slide a hand around her waist, fingers grazing the bare skin under her top. “Distracting me with this outfit?” I murmur, lips brushing her ear. “You think you can just walk out of the arena after that and not expect payback?”

She laughs, the sound traveling straight to my cock. “Payback, huh? What did you have in mind?”

I don’t answer. Tugging her off the barstool, I guide her to a dim corridor, away from prying eyes. The second we’re alone, I press her against the wall, crashing my mouth onto hers the way I’ve been dying to all night. Her hands tangle in my hair, nails scraping lightly against my scalp, and I grip her hips, fingers digging into the smooth leather.

She moans softly into my mouth as I press my body closer, letting her feel exactly what she’s doing to me. “You’ve been driving me crazy all night,” I growl against her lips.

“Good. That was the point.”

My hands slide to her ass, grabbing a handful. “These pants... no VPL, huh?”

She bites back a grin, eyes glittering with mischief. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

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