Page 71 of Seal the Deal

Laughing, I tilt my head to give him better access. “Areyoudoing okay?”

His mouth brushes just beneath my ear, and I can feel his subtle smirk that’s now my undoing.

“No… it’s agony keeping my hands off you.” A hand slides down to my hip.

I stifle a laugh, leaning into his chest. “Really? In here?”

“Just one kiss,” he says, lips grazing my earlobe. “Maybe two.”

I swallow. This is far too dangerous for me to remain composed for just one kiss. The man is a walking pheromone, all I want to do is shred his shirt right off him.

“Jake Brooks.” I nudge his chest to create some distance, but he doesn’t budge. “This is a family-friendly event”

“Not in this bathroom, it isn’t.”

“Get off me, you creep,” I chuckle, pressing against his chest again.

“Make me.”

He’s too close, too magnetic, and my brain scrambles. I clear my throat, trying to regain some control. “Seriously, Captain Thunder? That’s the best you've got?”

“Stick around and you'll find out, Lady Lightning,” he husks, the edge in his voice deliciously dangerous. Before I can retort, he speaks again. “And it should be illegal that you’re allowed to walk around like this.”

“Like what?”

His voice drops to a low rumble. “Why aren’t you wearing any underwear?”

“VPL,” I say matter-of-factly. “Don’t you know a visible panty line can ruin an otherwise perfect outfit, Jake?”

He chuckles, gripping my sides. “You’re killin’ me.”

“Only if you’re lucky.”

“I’m feeling very lucky,” he says, head dipping closer. His eyes roam my face as he lets out a tortured groan, then his lips are on mine. Hands skim down over my hips, finally settling at my ass as he pulls me tighter against him. I melt into him as he deepens the kiss, his mouth stealing every coherent thought.

His lips are warm, and I can taste the faint hint of the beer he had earlier. The bathroom suddenly feels too small as he presses me back further against the door, his touch everywhere.

Finally, he pulls back, breath hot against my lips as he rests his forehead on mine. “You have no idea how hard it is to stop.”

I exhale shakily, my hands still gripping his shoulders. “Maybe I don’t want you to stop…”

“Then we better get out of here before I bend you over the sink.”

Letting out a shaky laugh, I step back as he reluctantly releases me, eyes still filled with heat as he adjusts himself. He opens the door, brushing a final kiss to the corner of my mouth, thumb grazing my cheek as if he’s memorizing every second of this.

I smile as he takes my hand and leads me out, his lips still lingering on my skin as we rejoin the gathering.

Chapter twenty-three

Fashion crime or not, I’m not complainin’

Jake - 12 years ago

The camp buzzes with energy, a mix of excitement and chaos as kids race around, getting ready for the evening’s big event.

We’ve spent the past week planning this; our very own mini celebration for the kids. It wasn’t on the official schedule, but we thought they could use a night to look forward to before summer ends.

“Think they’re going to like it?” Charlotte loops another balloon around the makeshift party area by the campfire, stepping back to assess her work.

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