Page 114 of Seal the Deal

Jake

I’ve always liked waking up early. Hockey drilled it into me. Early morning practices, ice time before the sun’s even up.

But this morning feels different.

This isn’t waking up for the grind, or the game. This is waking up to something I didn’t even know I was allowed to want.

Before I even open my eyes, I can feel Charlie next to me. Her body soft and warm, tangled up with mine. My arm’s draped over her waist, holding her close. I lie here for a moment, remembering how many more times I made her moan my name last night. I savor the way her hair tickles my chin, the sound of her slow breathing. Everything about this feels like home.

Yeah, this is different.

She shifts beside me, the subtle movement enough to pull me out of my dozing. I keep my eyes closed, soaking up the moment. But an unmistakable feeling of being watched prickles at me. She’s staring at me. I know it.

“Mmm… caught you staring, Lady Lightning,” I mumble, eyes still closed.

She huffs out a quiet laugh. “You were sleeping. I was admiring.”

“Admiring the view?” I finally crack an eye open to find her watching me with that half-amused, half-in-awe look.

She still doesn’t get it. She looks at me like I’m everything, when really, it’s the other way around.

“Stalker’s privilege,” she teases. “You looked so peaceful. It’s rare.”

“More than just peaceful, judging by the way you’re staring.” I run my thumb lazily along her side. “But I get it. I’m a pretty good Christmas gift to wake up to.”

She scoffs, but I see the smile tugging at her lips.

“What? You don’t like this gift?” My hand drifts lower, tickling her side just enough to make her squirm.

“Jake, stop!” she laughs, trying to wriggle out of my grasp.

“Say it.” I trap her under my arm, fingers tormenting her in just the right spots. “Admit I’m the best Christmas gift you’ve ever had.”

She tries to escape, but I’m stronger and she knows it. Her giggles fill the room, breathless and free. “Okay, okay! You’re the best gift ever!”

I pull back, grinning like I’ve won something big. “Damn right.”

Her eyes roll, but I can see it—the way her whole face lights up, that warmth that she brings out for me. Every second with her reminds me how lucky I am, how right this all feels.

She's bright enough to rival the sun itself, like I've been orbiting nothing until her. All I want to do is be close to her, to bask in her light for as long as she'll let me.

We settle back into the pillows, my arm still wrapped around her. For a moment, everything’s quiet. It’s just us in this little bubble we’ve built together, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Then, out of nowhere, her voice cuts through the stillness.

“I love you.”

Something shifts inside me every time she says it, like a part of me that’s always been missing just clicks into place. I’ve heard those words before, sure—but never like this. Not from someone who sees me the way she does, who gets me down to my bones.

“Say it again,” I say, my hands roaming up her back.

Charlie lets out a soft chuckle. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Come on,” I coax, tilting my head to look at her. “It’s Christmas.”

“I love you, Jake Brooks.”

“You have no idea how much I love hearing that,” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s my favorite thing you’ve ever said.”

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