Page 159 of Seal the Deal

This time is different. I take my time, exploring every inch of her like it’s the first time all over again. I kiss her slowly and deliberately, like I’m sealing the night's confessions into her.

She presses closer, her body so warm and plaint under me, breath catching as I sink inside her, but there’s no rush. No frenzy. It’s something deeper, almost sacred. Like worship, like prayer. I’m cherishing every second, every inch of her, revering the feel of her skin under my hands. Like every touch is a vow.

My hand cradles her cheek, and I watch—her parted lips, the way her eyes soften and turn dreamy as she pulls me close. She’s the one who sees the parts of me I’ve kept hidden, the dark spaces where I thought nothing good could grow.

And she fills them all.

Her fingers tighten in mine, our hands tangled above her head as I dot featherlight kisses over her throat, my breath catching as the weight of it all settles in.

She’s everything.

I love her in the cracks of time, in the pauses, in the places people forget to look. Even in the dark spaces where nothing else exists, she’s there. Filling everything.

The thought crashes over me, and I kiss her again, letting it sink deep into my bones. She’s not just a part of my life, she’s the best part.

She always was.

Her breath hitches, and she whispers my name as her body trembles beneath mine. I watch her let go, and it undoes me. The moment is infinite and quiet, stretching as I hold her tight, anchored in her as we fall apart together.

For a while we just lie there tangled in each other, breathing in sync with the soft rhythm of the night around us. My hand trails up her arm, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

She shifts beside me, turning to face me fully, her fingers drawing lazy circles onmy chest. “I think I love you in every universe,” she whispers.

Her words thrum through me, and I press a hard kiss to her temple, lingering there, trying to gather myself. All I can manage is a hoarse, “Me too,” before I bury my face in her hair, holding her close.

We fall asleep like that, wrapped up in each other. No noise, no chaos. Just us and the quiet hum of the night, steady and sure.

Chapter forty-seven

Oh, don’t worry bud—I’ve got plans

Charlie

The soft hum of cartoons drifts from the living room, mingling with the rich scent of coffee. Noah and Meadow sit curled up on the couch, their eyes glued toPaw Patrol, yesterday’s drama already forgotten.

Jake hands me a coffee, pressing a kiss to my temple, his fingers lingering just enough to make my skin spark. He slides onto the stool beside me, the warmth of his knee brushing mine.

Before I can speak, a sharp knock at the door breaks the peace. My stomach knots. There’s only one person who would show up unannounced this early. I glance at Jake, who’s already put down his cup, his body rigid.

“Stay here,” I say, but he shakes his head, following me to the door.

I open it cautiously, and there he is—Alex, dressed in a suit despite it being barely 7 a.m. on a Saturday. His gaze flicks over me in my robe, then to Jake, standing just behind.

“Lottie,” he says, voice dripping with condescension as he greets me.

Before I can even respond, Jake steps forward. “Call her that again, and I swear to God, we’re gonna have a real problem.”

Alex’s smirk falters for a second, but he quickly recovers. “Alright, alright. No need to get allhockey playeron me. I’m just here to see my kids.”

I cross my arms. “Now’s not a good time. We haven’t discussed what happened yesterday.”

Alex waves his hand, dismissing me. “We found him in the end, didn’t we? Shit happens. He was fine.”

Jake’s fists tighten, anger simmering close to the surface, but before he can speak, Meadow’s voice breaks the tension.

“Jake, guess what!”

She bounds into the hallway, her face lighting up when she sees him. He immediately softens, scooping her into his arms as she giggles.

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