Page 79 of Seal the Deal

Closing the door behind me, I sit on the toilet and take a deep breath, my head falling into my hands. Why am I being a weirdo? That was fucking perfect. The best.Gourmet.It was so good I almost feel as if it wasn’t real.

But it was real. It was Jake.

Jake, who looks at me like I’m the only thing he’s ever wanted.

I shake my head, trying to slow my racing heart. I need a minute to get my head straight, because that was not just sex. It was everything.

And here I am, on the verge of a freak out, while the hottest man I’ve ever seen is in my bed.

I wash up and catch sight of myself in the mirror. My hair’s a mess, makeup smudged, but it’s my face that catches my eye. I have that glow. The glow people have when they’re in… I can’t say those words. Nope. I’ll settle for a safer phrase.

It’s a freshly fucked glow.

Yeah. Definitely not a glow that comes from a man slowly handling every broken piece of me with reverence, clicking each one back into place like he owns the very blueprint of who I am. No, definitely notthatglow…

Shit.

I just left him out there, while I freak out in here like a complete psychopath. I close my eyes, willing myself to quit being the biggest flake of all time. Then I take a deep breath and open my eyes, glaring at my reflection.

“Get it together, bitch,” I whisper. I know I want him. Every nerve in my body is screaming it.

I step back through the ensuite door, the soft click echoing in the stillness. The silence wraps around the room until Jake rises from the bed, eyes immediately locked on mine.

He steps closer, that irresistible grin deepening the dimple in his left cheek. “Charlie,” he says. “I’m just gonna say this before you freak out again... Be mine.”

I arch an eyebrow, crossing my arms in mock defiance. “Is that a question or a demand?”

He chuckles, undeterred as he takes another step. “A heartfelt request,” he amends.

I tilt my head, pretending to ponder, stalling to steady myself. “Hmm, I don’t know. Sounds like a lot of work.”

“Oh, it definitely will be,” he agrees, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “But I’m good at heavy lifting.”

“Is that so?” I quip, trying to suppress a smile. “Because I’ve got two kids, a full-time job, and a leaky kitchen faucet that says otherwise.”

He laughs, hands settling on my hips. “I’ve got two strong arms, a flexible schedule, and a toolbox ready for anything you need.”

“You make a tempting offer, but I’m not sure you know what you’re getting into.”

His thumbs trace slow circles on my sides. “I know exactly what I’m getting into,” he murmurs, leaning in close so his breath brushes my cheek. “And I want it all. The chaos, the laughter, these midnight freak-outs. Everything.”

I feel my resolve slipping, but I muster a playful retort. “What makes you think I’d want to share my freak-outs with you?”

“Because sharing is caring," he says, lips ghosting over my ear. "And I promise to bring wine.”

A laugh escapes before I can stop it, and I shake my head, lightly pushing his chest. “You really have an answer for everything, don’t you?”

“When it comes to you, absolutely.” His tone is light, but his eyes hold something deeper that makes me nervous.

I take a step back, trying to regain control. “Jake, this isn’t just about you and me. There’s more at stake here. The kids, our jobs…”

“I know. I care about them too Charlie, you know that. I’m not looking to rush or disrupt their lives. We can take it slow, be careful… But I want you to be mine. I want to know that when I look at you, I’m looking at the woman who’s mine. Who wasalwaysmine.”

“And what happens when things get tough? When life throws curveballs?”

He steps forward, his hands warm and steady as they frame my face. “Then we swing together,” he says softly. “I’m not afraid of the hard stuff. I don’t wanna miss out on this just because we’re scared of what might happen.”

The honesty in his voice wraps around me, and when I look into his eyes, I see a depth of emotion that’s so intense it’s almost terrifying. The thought crosses my mind that he actually might be insane, but if he is then I definitely am, too.

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