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Chapter thirty-nine

I’ll make you forget everything but me

Charlie

A s we climb the stairs, Jake’s hand grips mine, grounding me with his presence. Reminding me he’s here. His eyes are on me, scanning for cracks, like he’s bracing himself to catch any piece that might shatter. I try to smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. Not after tonight.

At the top of the stairs, I glance at him. His brow is furrowed, watching me carefully. He lets go of my hand, his fingers trailing up my arm as we step into the bedroom. I sink down onto the edge of the bed, the weight of Alex’s visit settling over me like a heavy fog. I can handle him—I’ve done it for years. But every time he shows up, it’s me left picking up the pieces.

It’s exhausting.

I run a hand through my hair with a sigh. I hate how much space Alex still occupies. Hate how he shows up when it suits him, pushing his way in with that smug smirk. Hate how he calls me Lottie like he still has a claim on it. On me.

Jake steps in front of me, his eyes soft but cautious. He’s waiting for me to say something, to let him in. But the words are stuck. My skin feels too tight, my muscles tense, and all I want is for this night to be over.

“He’s always like this,” I finally murmur. “Shows up, throws everything off balance, then disappears again. I’m always left to fix it.”

He crouches down, hands gently covering mine. “You’re not alone in this, Charlie girl,” he says qui etly. “I’ve got you.”

I swallow. “I want the kids to have their dad. I really do. But they deserve better.”

Squeezing my hands gently, something protective flickers in his eyes. His reaction to my words could have been jealous or bitter, but it’s not. He hasn’t tried to push Alex out, even though I know he wants to. He knows how much I want the kids to have their father, no matter how hard things are between us.

Tonight, he didn’t come barreling in like some knight in shining armor. Jake stood beside me, letting me handle Alex. But I felt his presence, his eyes on me the whole time. You’re not alone in this. He keeps saying it, and his actions keep proving it.

“You’re doing right by the kids, Charlie,” he says. “Don’t let him twist that.”

Another sigh escapes me, and I nod. Jake’s right. Alex is the inconsistent one, not me. But that doesn’t make it any easier to navigate.

I feel the burn behind my eyes and clench them shut. I refuse to give Alex one more tear. Jake’s silent support is everything Alex never was. When things got tough, Alex bailed. When the kids needed consistency, he was onto the next business trip. Onto another affair.

But Jake—despite his own crazy schedule, training, media commitments—is here. Never hesitates. My throat tightens as I think about tonight, about how he stood quietly beside me for Noah, giving him the space to choose without pressure. It’s the kind of support that makes my heart ache.

“What you did for Noah tonight... You have no idea what that meant to me.”

Jake stands and pulls me up with him, wrapping his arms around me. I feel the weight of his chin on top of my head, breath warm against my hair as I melt into him. “You don’t need to thank me,” he whispers.

“I need a shower,” I say, exhaustion clinging to me like a second skin. “Need to wash tonight off.”

Jake nods, stepping back. “Want me to leave you to it?”

I consider telling him yes, that I need a few minutes alone. But I feel the pull—the need to be close to him.

“No,” I say softly. “I want you with me.”

Jake’s eyes flash, a slow smirk forming. “Yeah?”

“Yeah... I missed you.”

Without another word, Jake pulls off his t-shirt, and my pulse quickens. He’s just back from a stretch of away games, and I haven’t had a chance to really feel him yet. To remind myself that he’s home.

We step into the ensuite and turn the shower on, letting the steam rise around us. I strip out of my clothes, each piece falling away like the weight of the day. The heat of Jake’s body is immediate as he steps in behind me, his arms circling around my waist. His lips gently brush my shoulder, sending warmth through me that’s entirely different from the water.

"Missed you, too," he murmurs, hands gliding up to my ribs, fingers tracing lazy patterns that make my breath hitch.

I lean back into him, tilting my head onto his chest. The hot spray hits my skin, and I sigh as the tension starts to melt. His lips move to my neck, pressing soft kisses that ground me in the moment. With Jake, I don’t have to think about anything else. It’s just us.

He kisses up to my ear, his breath hot. “Let me take care of you tonight.”

“I hate that Alex can still get to me like this,” I whisper before I can stop myself.

Jake’s grip tightens, his voice possessive. “Don’t mention his name right now. He doesn’t belong here, not with us.”

A shiver runs down my spine at the tone of his voice. “I’m sorry,” I say, turning in his arms. “I just hate that he’s still part of our lives.”

Thumbs brush over my cheeks as he cups my face. “He might be part of the kids’ lives,” he says, leaning in. “But he’s not part of yours. Not anymore.”

My hands slide around his neck, and his grip tightens around me.

“I don’t want to think about him,” I say. “Wanna forget everything but you.”

“I’ll make you forget,” he whispers.

The water washes over us, but it’s Jake’s warmth that grounds me, his touch that makes everything else fade. My mind whirs, and I try to silence it. I don’t want to hold it all together. But the tension clings to me, stubborn.

“Jake…” I lift my head to meet his eyes. I know he sees it—sees how worn down I am, how badly I need to let go.

His fingers brush my cheek, wiping away droplets of water. “Tell me, Charlie,” he says softly. “What do you need?”

I swallow, hands sliding down to rest against his chest. Strong, solid, hot as hell. Jake. I want to lose myself in him. To stop thinking, to stop holding it all together.

“Take control,” I whisper, barely audible above the hiss of the shower.

A flicker of heat passes through his eyes as he registers. His grip tightens, pulling me closer. There’s no space left between us, just the feel of him growing harder against me.

“You sure?” His voice is low and gravelly.

“Yes." My voice trembles, but not from fear. From need. From the overwhelming desire to let go. "Tell me what to do.”

His lips curl into a wicked smile, and he makes a noise low in his throat as his hands glide up to stroke my nipples.

“Good. Get on your knees.”

My legs almost buckle from the command alone, but I sink to the ground, keeping my gaze on his. He adjusts the shower head, water pulsing in rhythm with the heat building between us.

His cock sways hard and demanding in front of me, and I hold my breath waiting for his next instruction.

“Grab it,” he orders, his eyes dark.

Without breaking eye contact, I wrap my hand around him.

“Mmm, harder.”

“Like this?” My breath skates over the tip of him as I tighten my grip, working him up and down.

“Just like that,” he husks. “Now open that pretty mouth.”

I tease him with a flick of my tongue as I part my lips. His hand tangles in my hair, fingers curling with authority. “Eyes on me, baby.”

I look up, loving the way his muscles ripple through his forearms as he fights for control. He presses forward, the tip of him brushing my lips. I swirl my tongue around him, drawing a guttural moan.

“God, your fucking mouth,” he groans, pushing his hips forward. “I think about this every day. Sinking into you, fucking you like this.”

The vibrations of my moan pull another deep sound from him. His hand slides to my jaw, thumb pressing against my bottom lip.

“You’re mine, Charlie. Only I get you like this. On your knees, moaning around my cock like your mouth was made for it.”

I hum at his words, and he thrusts harder, a hand flying out to brace against the tile, his body trembling with restraint.

“You like that, baby? You like my cock down your throat?”

I nod, bobbing my head faster, eager to please. I’ve never wanted anyone like this before—never been so desperate to draw out those sounds of pleasure from him. To know that I can unravel him like this. I sink down further, my hands gripping his thighs for leverage.

“Such a good fucking girl, taking me so deep.” His voice drops lower, almost feral. “But I know you can take more.”

He presses deeper until I feel him slide down my throat. My nose presses against his pelvis, and for a second I can’t breathe. The intensity only makes me want more, to be consumed by him.

“Fuck, Charlie.” He pulls back to let me breathe, but he doesn’t stop, fingers gripping my jaw. “You look so good like this. So fucking perfect.”

My hand moves to stroke his balls as I hollow my cheeks, taking him deeper. I pull back briefly, licking up the underside of him, keeping my eyes locked on his. His hand tightens in my hair, guiding the pace.

“I want you to remember this,” he rasps, his voice molten with lust. “Whenever you’re questioning yourself, whenever you’re overwhelmed. Remember this moment—my cock down your throat, reminding you how incredible you are. Got it?”

A shiver runs through me as I nod at his words, my body igniting with a need that goes beyond desire. I slip a hand between my thighs, a wave of heat rolling over me as I touch myself, desperate to feel every inch of him.

“That’s my good girl.” His lips curve as he watches me obey, my mouth still working him.

Then, with a sudden motion, he pulls me up. His hands grasp my hips as he lifts me off the ground, and his eyes meet mine with the sexiest, dirtiest grin I’ve ever seen.

His mouth is on mine in an instant, like he’s trying to leave his mark on me. The cool tiles on my back contrast deliciously with the heat between us, his cock pressing against my entrance as he holds me there, suspended.

“Jake…” I whisper, barely able to catch my breath as his mouth moves lower, sucking my nipple into his mouth, teeth grazing.

“Fuck, you’re so wet,” he murmurs against my skin, holding me open and thrusting up, filling me completely in one hard stroke. “You loved sucking my cock, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” I moan, my hands gripping his shoulders as he drives into me again, his rhythm frantic. My head falls back against the tiles, giving him access to nip my throat, leaving a trail of heated kisses.

Jake’s voice rumbles against my skin. “You’re mine, baby,” he rasps, breath hot on my throat. "This body? This sweet, greedy pussy? All fucking mine.”

“Don’t stop,” I gasp, my body rising and falling in rhythm with his. “I love everything you do to me.”

His hands tighten on my thighs, his pace becoming more urgent. The sound of the water hit ting the tiles blends with the slap of our bodies, creating a rhythm that makes my head spin. My hands slide down to grip his biceps, feeling the strength in every thrust like he’s determined to own every part of me.

“That’s my girl,” he whispers, nipping at my earlobe. “You’re doing so good, taking all of me like this.”

I moan loudly, my eyes rolling back as the intensity builds between us. He smiles against my neck, teeth scraping my skin in a way that drives me wild.

“You ready to come for me, Charlie?” he growls. “You gonna come with me buried deep inside you?”

“God, yes,” I breathe, my body trembling as I feel the tension coiling tight.

“My good fucking girl,” he grunts, his thrusts becoming harder. “Come for me. Let me feel it, baby. I’ve got you.”

His words are all I need. The orgasm crashes over me, consuming me whole. My body trembles, the tension snapping as I come so hard I cry out, my entire world narrowing to the feel of him buried deep inside me.

“Fuck, Charlie,” he pants, his pace faltering as he thrusts one last time. His grip on me tightens as his own release follows, and he comes buried deep inside me with a hoarse moan.

For a moment, there’s nothing but the sound of our ragged breathing and the water still raining down around us. Slowly he lowers me, our bodies untangling as he pulls me close, pressing soft kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, each one a silent promise.

“You’re incredible,” he says, his voice softer now but still laced with intensity as his thumb brushes my cheek. “And I’ll remind you every damn day how strong you are, how perfect you are. My Charlie girl.”

I smile breathlessly, feeling his unwavering presence, the way he’s carved a space for himself in my heart.

“I love you,” I whisper, tracing the edge of his jaw with my fingertip.

His dimple deepens as he presses one last lingering kiss to my lips. “I love you too, and I’ll never let you forget it.”