Page 122 of Seal the Deal

I laugh, but inside, the thought lingers. A ring, a future. Kids—more kids. That used to scare the hell out of me, but now it’s something I want more than anything. Only with her.

“Well, Mr. NHL Superstar, it’s your turn.” She grabs her own gift from the coffee table and hands it to me.

I tear the paper carefully, revealing a leather-bound notebook. It’s sleek and polished, the leather soft under my fingers. I flip through the blank pages, imagining the thoughts and ideas I’ll jot down in the months to come.

“I’ve noticed you always have one around,” she says quietly. “Thought you might need a fresh one for the new year.”

She doesn’t know it, but my notebook is more than just a place for hockey plays and strategy. It’s where I’ve written every thought I’ve had about her since she crashed back into my life.

It’s where I’ve drawn little stars for every fleeting moment I’ve thought about her, the kids, about this life we’re building. The fact that she noticed this, and didn’t push me to share it—it’s everything.

I look up at her. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

She just smiles softly, fingertips running over my jaw.

I set the notebook aside and pull her onto my lap, holding her close. The warmth of her against me, the way she fits perfectly in my arms—I'm home. For a moment, neither of us says anything. We just sit there, the fire crackling softly, the warmth of the room wrapping around us.

“You’re it for me, Charlie,” I whisper against her ear. “I hope you know that.”

She presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth, her lips trailing across my skin. “You’re it for me, too,” she whispers back.

The kiss that follows starts slow, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. Her hands slide up my chest, and I feel her body pressing closer, everything in me lighting up.

“Think you’ve had enough Christmas spirit for the day?”

“Enough? Sweetheart, I’ve got enough Christmas spirit to last all night.”

Before she can respond, I scoop her up and toss her over my shoulder. She yelps, laughing as I give her ass a playful smack.

“Jake!”

I carry her toward the stairs, her body wriggling in my arms. Every step feels like I’m walking toward something more permanent, something I want to hold onto for the rest of my life.

“Let’s go, Lady Lightning.” I playfully bite her side as we head upstairs. “Time for bed.”

Chapter thirty-eight

Bear Jake doesn’t play nice when his territory’s threatened

Jake - 12 Years Ago

The campfire sparks into the night sky as the kids huddle closer, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.

"Are there bears out here?" Tommy asks, voice trembling a little.

A couple of kids shift nervously, and I catch Charlie’s eyes flick toward me. She sits up straighter, her eyes darting around the kids and out to the woods, like she’s scanning the shadows.

"Nah, no bears around here," I say, keeping my voice calm. "You’re safe."

Tommy exhales with relief, but tension lingers in the group. I can feel it—even Charlie’s trying to play it cool, but her shoulders are a little tighter than usual.

"But... what if we were somewhere with bears?" Annie pipes up.

I chuckle, hoping to ease the mood. "If we were, you’d be fine. Bears don’t mess with people unless they feel threatened. They’re mostly protective of their territory and their young, so as long as you give them space, they’ll leave you alone."

Charlie’s watching me now, her eyes steady but with a flicker of unease. It’s subtle, but I catch it. And I don’t like it.

Without thinking, I add, "And if you ever ran into one, I’d be right there to make sure it didn’t come close. You wouldn’t have to worry about a thing."

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