Page 50 of Code Name: Tank
His words sent warmth through me. “Me too.”
I spentthe next few hours diving into the financial review, but concentration proved elusive. Every sound in the command center that came from Tank’s direction drew my attention—his voice as he discussed the findings with Atticus, the scrape of his chair across the floor, the quiet tap of his fingers on his keyboard. I’d become hyperaware of his presence in ways that made focusing on work this afternoon nearly impossible.
But now, instead of fighting that awareness, I found myself embracing it.
When I heard his distinctive laugh at something Atticus said, warmth spread through me. The sound was rich and genuine, and I realized I wanted to be the one making him laugh like that.
My phone buzzed with a text, and I smiled when I saw it was from Tank.Take a break in ten? Something I want to run past you.
Sure. Dock?
Yes. See you there.
I closed my laptop and tried to ignore the anticipation building in my chest. As I made my way outside, I caught myself checking my reflection in the darkened windows.
The late-afternoon air still held traces of the Indian Summer, but in a few days, winter would settle over the Adirondacks in earnest. I didn’t mind the snow, but it would mean meeting at the dock wouldn’t be possible much longer.
Tank was already there when I arrived, sitting on the bench. He’d rolled up his sleeves, and my eyes drifted to his forearms.
“Thanks for meeting me,” he said. “I needed to touch you. Come sit beside me.”
I beamed. “I’d love to.”
He took my hand in his. “Piper…”
My name on his lips sent shivers up my spine.
“Was there something you wanted me to look at?”
He gave me a sheepish smile. “That was just a way to get you down here. I want you to know, the last couple of days have been the best of my life.”
I snuggled against him. “Mine too.” He leaned in, and just as we were about to kiss, Atticus shouted down from the boathouse’s deck.
“Hey, you two. Sorry to interrupt, but Alice said Hartwell suggested a team dinner. Wants to know if you’re on board.”
Tank looked at me.
“We probably should. If we don’t, it’ll seem rude.”
Tank turned in the direction of the boathouse. “Tell her we said yes.” When he looked back at me, the heat in his gaze went straight to my core. “Do you know how much I want to kiss you right now?”
I leaned closer. “What’s stopping you?”
“Prying eyes.” He motioned with his head to the beach where the canoes were stored. There, on the shore, staring at us, stood Flint. His expression was dark, almost sullen, like a child who’d been left out of something important. When I looked in his direction, he quickly turned toward the lake.
“I don’t care what he thinks.”
Tank nodded. “Neither do I. However, when we kiss, it’s about you and me. No one else. What’s between us is no one’s business.”
“I agree.” I wrapped my arm through his and rested my head on his shoulder. “But I really need that kiss.”
He shifted our bodies, and when his lips met mine, I melted as the passion between us unleashed.
Like every other we’d shared, this kiss was not gentle. It was raw, primal, full of desire. Of need. Tank’s mouth plundered mine, and his tongue swept in, hot and deep. When he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer, I rested my hand on his leg, near enough to easily touch his hardness that I desperately needed to settle the ache between my legs.
When I whimpered, he nipped at my lip. “That’s enough for now,” he said, resting his forehead against mine.
“Nowhere near enough,” I whined.
