A crash woke me—my kid's gone, sprinting to her damn pet jungle next door.

I storm over, and there she is—gorgeous, sassy, a vet who's got my pulse hammering.

I'm the rich doc, rough and ready, not chasing love, but she's got me snarling for more. We're solid—pizza, a mutt, Christmas plans—until my ex barges back, whining for us.

She ditched us; I'm done. This woman's my fit, me and Eli's rock.

She's pulling back, spooked, but I don't flinch.

Holiday's here, and I'm not playing nice—I'll haul her close and keep her, ex be damned.

No one's stealing this win.