Page 61 of Code Name: Tank
“Long day,” I said as we reached the fork between our two camps. “So…”
He raised a brow. “What’ve you got in mind, Piper?”
I grinned. “My place or yours?”
“Mine tonight? Would that be okay?”
Tank smiled. “Darlin’, anywhere with you is more than okay by me.”
As soon as we were inside, he moved behind me, pulling me against him. I turned in his arms, and his mouth found mine with urgent need. My response was instant and hungry, my hands fisting in his shirt as our tongues battled for dominance.
“Tank,” I whispered against his lips.
“Right here, darlin’.”
This time when we made love, it carried a different intensity than our first night together. Less desperate exploration, more deep connection. The way Tank touched me, the reverent attention he paid to my every response, made me feel cherished in ways I’d never experienced.
Later, as I lay curled against his side, I felt something I hadn’t in three years—maybe ever—complete trust. Not just in Tank, but in myself. In my judgment, in my instincts, in my ability to choose well.
“Morning,”I murmured, when dawn broke and I turned to face him.
“Beautiful morning,” he replied, though he wasn’t looking at the window.
My cheeks flushed, but I didn’t look away. “Sleep well?”
“Better than I have in months.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “You?”
“Same.” I settled more comfortably against him.
“What’s on your mind, darlin’?” he asked.
“Can you really read me that easily?”
“I’ve been staring at you every chance I get for over a year.”
“Well, since you asked…”
“Go on,” he urged.
“It’s about Flint.”
Tank nodded. “I figured. Now, come on, out with it.”
“I keep thinking about the timeline. Flint disappears right after that confrontation at my camp, right after he saw us…” I trailed off, color rising in my cheeks again.
“Right after he saw us kiss,” Tank finished. “You think that triggered something?”
“Maybe. I mean, he was trying to win me back, so to speak. But I’m sure he already knew it was a lost cause. My guess is the timing was coincidental.”
This time, he shook his head. “There are no coincidences. If your gut’s telling you something, you need to listen.”
“I wish it would tell me louder and faster.” As much as I wanted to stay in bed for another hour, to pretend the outsideworld could wait while we explored this new dimension of our partnership. I knew we couldn’t. “We should get to the command center.”
“Shower first?” Tank suggested.
“Together?”
The hopeful tone in my voice made him grin. “Definitely together.”
