Page 130 of Seal the Deal

His hands tighten on my thighs, his pace becoming more urgent. The sound of the water hitting the tiles blends with the slap of our bodies, creating a rhythm that makes my head spin. My hands slide down to grip his biceps, feeling the strength in every thrust like he’s determined to own every part of me.

“That’s my girl,” he whispers, nipping at my earlobe. “You’re doing so good, taking all of me like this.”

I moan loudly, my eyes rolling back as the intensity builds between us. He smiles against my neck, teeth scraping my skin in a way that drives me wild.

“You ready to come for me, Charlie?” he growls. “You gonna come with me buried deep inside you?”

“God, yes,” I breathe, my body trembling as I feel the tension coiling tight.

“My good fucking girl,” he grunts, his thrusts becoming harder. “Come for me. Let me feel it, baby. I’ve got you.”

His words are all I need. The orgasm crashes over me, consuming me whole. My body trembles, the tension snapping as I come so hard I cry out, my entire world narrowing to the feel of him buried deep inside me.

“Fuck, Charlie,” he pants, his pace faltering as he thrusts one last time. His grip on me tightens as his own release follows, and he comes buried deep inside me with a hoarse moan.

For a moment, there’s nothing but the sound of our ragged breathing and the water still raining down around us. Slowly he lowers me, our bodies untangling as he pulls me close, pressing soft kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, each one a silent promise.

“You’re incredible,” he says, his voice softer now but still laced with intensity as his thumb brushes my cheek. “And I’ll remind you every damn day how strong you are, how perfect you are. My Charlie girl.”

I smile breathlessly, feeling his unwavering presence, the way he’s carved a space for himself in my heart.

“I love you,” I whisper, tracing the edge of his jaw with my fingertip.

His dimple deepens as he presses one last lingering kiss to my lips. “I love you too, and I’ll never let you forget it.”

Chapter forty

He’s tasted my wounds and loves me anyway

Charlie

The warmth of Jake beside me is the first thing I notice as I blink awake. His arm is slung loosely over my waist, chest rising and falling in that steady rhythm that always seems to soothe me. For a moment, everything feels calm. Safe.

I close my eyes again, soaking up the security of his presence. The way he held me last night, like he was shielding me from the weight of the world... I don’t know what I’d do without him. But the peace doesn’t last long. The anxiety over Alex still lingers, curling through my mind.

Last night was a mess. Alex showing up unannounced, throwing around those veiled threats. I hate this—the uncertainty, not knowing if he’ll show up or if he’ll let the kids down again. The thought clings to me, heavy and suffocating.

I shift slightly, trying to push it down, but Jake stirs and his arm tightens around me. "Mm, stay," he murmurs, voice heavy with sleep. "You’re warm.”

A soft chuckle escapes me, and I snuggle back into him as he presses a lazy kiss to the back of my neck.

“Morning.”

“Morning,” I reply softly, turning in his arms.

He’s barely awake, hair a mess and a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. I press my forehead to his chest, breathing him in. For a moment, the knot in my chest loosens, the tension dissolving in his steady presence. His fingers thread through my hair, a gentle rhythmthat quiets my mind.

“You good?”

I nod, even though I’m not entirely sure it’s true. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

Jake cups my cheek, tilting my face up to his. Sleepy hazel eyes search mine, watching for any sign I’m slipping back into my thoughts. His thumb strokes my cheek, quiet worry evident even though he’s trying to hide it.

“You’re thinking about him. Don’t let him take up space here.”

I nod again, but the weight of everything still presses down on me. “It’s hard to shake the feeling that he’s going to push things further. Last night felt like the beginning of something.”

Jake’s jaw tightens slightly, his arm pulling me closer. “If he pushes, we push back. He doesn’t get to walk in and disrupt your life, their lives.” His voice softens when he adds, “Our lives.”

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