Page 45 of Seal the Deal

That’s all I need. With a low groan I can no longer hold back, I close the distance, capturing her lips in a kiss that’s anything but soft. It’s hungry, intense, and full of everything I’ve held back all day.

Her hands tangle in my hair as I deepenthe kiss, pulling her close, needing to feel every inch of her against me and making damn sure she can feel every inch of me, too.

We stumble back toward the sofa, neither of us willing to break the kiss. By the time she falls back onto the cushions, pulling me down with her, my skin is buzzing with anticipation. My hands skate up her sides, gently pushing her top up to brush against the warm skin at her waist.

The quiet moans she lets out as she tilts her head back, giving me access to drop warm kisses along her throat, nearly undoes me. Her fingers tighten in my hair, and she pushes her hips up, grinding against me.

But as much as I want her, as much as I want to let this happen, I know I need to slow down. I don’t want to lose control tonight, I want to do this right.

“Charlie,” I whisper into her neck, my breath coming in ragged gasps. “I want you. God, I want you so much,” I say, pulling back so she can see my face. “But I need you to know this isn’t just a hook-up for me.”

She looks up at me, breathing deeply, dragging her fingertips from my hairline down to my jaw. “I know…”

I search her eyes, finding only sincerity. Still, I want to be sure. “Okay… Then let’s take it slow. As much as I want to get you naked right now, I wanna do this right.”

For a second, I think she might argue, might pull me back down. But instead she nods with a smile, leaning in to kiss me softly. “Slow is fine.”

I kiss her again, savoring the taste of her, before pulling back and helping her sit up with me. We both take a moment to catch our breath, the intensity gradually ebbing into a quiet sense of calm.

Pulling her close against my side, we settle into the sofa. My fingers trace patterns up and down her arm as the weight of the day settles over us. It’s not overwhelming—it’s comforting. Holding her here, feeling her steady breathing, I know that this is exactly what I want. All of it. The hurried frantic moments, the chaos, and all these slow, easy moments, too.

I feel her shift slightly, like there’s something on her mind.

“Jake…”

I tilt my head down to look at her. “Mm?”

She hesitates, staring at her hands. I can see the battle playing out in her head, like she’s deciding whether to let me in on something important. She’s searching for the right words, and I wait, giving her the space she needs. “There’s something you should know. About my time here in the States.”

I sit up a little, giving her my full attention, my arm still around her. “Okay…”

She bites her lip, and I can see the struggle in her eyes. “When I left New Zealand, Alex gave me an ultimatum. He said I had a year to prove that the kids were settled here, that this life was better for them. Otherwise, he wants me to bring them back.”

A protective instinct flares inside me. The thought of her ex trying to control her and the kids from halfway around the world pisses me off more than I can say.

But I keep my voice calm for her sake. Charlie and her kids have already become important to me, and the thought of losing them—of them being forced back into a situation that’s less than they deserve—lights a fire in my chest. “That’s not fair, Charlie. He’s using the kids to control you.”

She nods, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness. “I know. It’s been weighing on me since we got here. I don’t want to go back. I want to stay, but I need to be sure that this is the right choice for Noah and Meadow.”

I’m quiet, processing her words. I can tell she knows this move was a good choice for her, but her ex is clearly still in her head, manipulating her with doubt. The weight of it all hangs heavy, but I know one thing for sure, I’m not letting her go again.

After a beat, I reach up and gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s a lot to carry, Charlie girl,” I say softly. “I’m glad you told me.”

She exhales, like sharing this has lifted some of the burden. “I didn’t want to keep it from you. I want to make sure the kids are happy and settled, but there’s always that worry… like it’s not enough.”

I tighten my grip, brushingmy thumb over her shoulder. “It is. You’re a great mom. I’ve seen how much Noah and Meadow love it here already. You’re doing everything right.”

Her expression softens. “Thanks. I just needed to say it out loud, I guess.”

Tilting her chin, I make sure she’s looking right at me. The kiss that follows is slow, tender, full of what I feel for her. Her lips are soft against mine, and her response is full of that same deep pull.

I want her so badly, but it’s more than that, it’s a fierce need to be here for her and the kids, to fight for this chance to keep them here. I pull back, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “We’ll figure it out, Charlie. One step at a time.”

She settles into me, and I feel her relax further. “Yeah… one step at a time.”

The house is quiet, save for the soft sound of her breathing. I didn’t think I’d feel this attached so quickly, but it’s there, clear as day. Something about this family feels right, like they’re where I’m supposed to be.

Noah’s sleepy words replay in my mind, the way the little guy instinctively snuggled closer as I tucked him into bed. He’d mumbled that he liked I was his mom’s friend, and the innocence of it sinks into me like an anchor. I want to be someone they can rely on, someoneshecan rely on.

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