Page 93 of Seal the Deal

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” I murmur, still breathless as I move into him.

His arm wraps tighter around me, stubble grazing the soft skin beneath my ear. “You’remyfucking girl, Charlie. And I’ll remind you like this anytime you forget.”

A hum of contentment escapes me as I move closer, resting my head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat matches the way his hands stroke down my back, but the thought of him leaving tomorrow hangs over us.

“You’re staying tonight, right?” My voice has an edge of vulnerability I can’t quite hide, and I know he’ll catch it.

He nuzzles into my hair, inhaling deeply. “Yeah, I’m staying. Got my bag right by the door.”

“I’m gonna miss you,” I whisper, fingers tracing the curve of his bicep.

“Mm, get ready for a week of calls and texts,” he says, his grip tightening like he’s never letting go.

And I don’t want him to.

Chapter twenty-nine

Go kick some ass, Captain Thunder

Jake

Morning light filters through the curtains as I stir, still caught between sleep and waking. It’s too early to be conscious, but it’s time for me to get going. I feel Charlotte’s hand reach out, pulling me back as I try to move.

“Charlie,” I whisper, my voice rough with sleep, “I’ve gotta get going or I’ll miss my flight.”

She mumbles something incoherent as she nuzzles into me, her warmth tethering me to the moment. I’m supposed to leave before the kids wake up, to slip out quietly and catch my flight, but the way she holds onto me makes it impossible to pull away.

“Just five more minutes,” she murmurs.

I groan softly. “You know I can’t say no to you.”

Just as I’m settling back, the soft click of the bedroom door handle catches my attention. I freeze, glancing up to see a small figure standing in the doorway.

“Mama?”

It’s Meadow, clutching her stuffed unicorn, her eyes wide and teary. She looks so small, so fragile, and every protective instinct in me flares.

“Meadow, honey, what’s wrong?” Charlie asks, her voice calm even though I can feel her pulse quicken under my hand on her arm.

“I had a bad dream,” Meadow whispers, her voice trembling.

Without a second thought, I sit up and hold out my arms. “Come here, Princess.”

For a second I think she’ll hesitate, but she doesn’t. Meadow climbs onto the bed and snuggles up between us like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I pull her close, feeling her small body relax against mine, and my heart swells in a way I didn’t know it could. I glance at Charlotte, who looks as surprised as I feel.

This wasn’t part of the plan. We were supposed to ease the kids into the idea of us being together, to protect them from any confusion. But as Meadow settles in, her eyes drifting shut, I realize this might be how it was meant to happen all along.

Charlie watches us, her eyes soft as she takes in the scene. She reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from Meadow’s face. “Jake was just about to leave for his trip.”

“Stay,” Meadow mumbles, her voice already heavy with sleep as she clings to me.

I drop a kiss to the top of her head, the weight of this unexpected moment hitting me hard. “I’m not going anywhere just yet.”

As Meadow drifts off, I glance at Charlie, our eyes meeting in the quiet morning light. This wasn’t how I imagined it, but holding Meadow here, trusting me to keep her safe, makes everything else seem unimportant.

“Charlie,” I whisper, careful not to wake Meadow, “when I get back, we’ll figure out how to tell them. Properly.”

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