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“Tank.” I lift my head up to gaze into his eyes. “I love you.” He stops walking. His eyes, which looked pissed a few moments ago, soften around the edges. “We never said that to each other growing up.” I lick my suddenly dry lips. I feel more exposed to him than I ever have before. He’s now seen every part of me. Inside and out. Still here he stands, no judgment in his eyes. All he wants is to take care of me. He wants to make sure no one could ever hurt me. I should have known when he walked out of my door he wasn't leaving to go home. Tank was heading to fix whatever the problem was, and that problem had been my parents. He was ready to take them on for me.
I thought maybe I could make peace with my parents, convince them that everything was fine and get them to leave. I had hope that I could go back to residing in the happy world that I’d been in with Tank. I knew they wouldn’t approve of him, but I never imagined that they would be outwardly rude and dismissive of him. I should have known better. I think what made me so mad was that I did know better. When I saw the way my mom looked at Tank I knew that this could only have one ending. That ending, unfortunately, won’t include my parents. I won’t betray the man who has breathed new life into my world and I most certainly won’t hide him. No, I’d never hide Tank. I want everyone to know I’m as much his as he’s mine. I suddenly understand why Liv is always putting her name on the backs of her boyfriends’ shirts. I want Tank’s name all over me.
“Treasure.” His one word comes out thick and full of so much emotion. He doesn't have to say it. I know this man loves me. When I look back now it’s almost laughable that I didn’t see it from the very start. He said it in everything he did for me.
“You don’t have to keep trying to make me fall in love with you. I’m already there.” I reach up and touch his face. My finger traces the scar he has there. He leans in to my touch. Some might think this is fast, but I think when you know you know. From the very first moment I saw Tank he’s had all of my attention. Nothing and no one has ever done that to me. At least not in the way that he has.
“We won’t be like that, will we, Tank?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. I still want to hear him say it. Tank would do anything for me. He’s made that crystal clear. There’s nothing he won’t go up against for me. He made my parents, who I once thought were the scariest people, easy to take on because I knew he was by my side. It’s crazy how much easier life can feel when you know you have someone who will be by your side. It’s scary to think about someone knowing all of your imperfections, but it’s also like coming home when you find that person.
Although I think Tank would disagree that I’m not perfect. Still, I don’t want to be perfect for the first time in a very long time. He’s freed me in a way I’m not sure he’ll ever understand.
“I’ve been telling you I love you from the first day I laid eyes on you.” I shift in his arms. “Nothing anyone tells me about you could convince me otherwise. Let’s be clear, though, if they did, I would just have to pound them until they changed their minds.” He winks at me.
“Speaking of pounding things.” I try to wiggle my eyebrows at him. Tank lets out a deep roar of laughter like I’ve never heard before. I smack his chest.
“Are you laughing at me trying to be sexy?” I tease him.
“Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t need to try, Treasure. I have to control myself every second that I’m around you.” He leans down, still laughing, and kisses me. I melt into him like usual. I really can’t help myself.
“Feed me and take me home.” I press my chest into him.
He starts moving again. “Home?” he asks, smiling.
“Yeah. Home,” I say again. We both know what I mean by that.
CHAPTER19
ERIKA
I waketo a soft tap on my face. It’s light at first, like a feather is being brushed across it. I can feel the heat of Tank’s massive body behind me. I smile when I think about how tired he must be after last night…or should I say early this morning when sleep finally claimed us. He loved me until the sun came up, not only with his body but with his words, too. I’m not ready to open my eyes yet. I just want to live in this moment. I don’t have to, though. This is going to be our life together now.
Again, I feel a nudge to my cheek, causing me to crack one eye open. That’s when I see Tuesday sitting with her paw midair ready to strike again. Tank must have forgotten to close the bedroom door. I reach out and give her little head a rub and close my eyes again. Tuesday begins to purr while snuggling up beside me.
Tank places soft kisses behind my ear, making me aware that he’s awake. He pulls me back to press against his very naked body. I smile, turning my face to meet his mouth with mine. He pecks my lips softly before he pulls away to stare into my eyes. Both of us silently communicate our emotions through our stare. We’ll get to spend the rest of our lives waking like this. Without breaking eye contact, I slowly drag my hand away from Tuesday so I can reach to touch Tank’s face. Tuesday lets out a meow of disapproval. Tank shakes his head as if he doesn't blame the cat.
“I stole your cat,” I say, giggling. I’m enjoying the attention of both.
“Treasure.” Tank grabs my hand and guides it to his chest, placing it where I can feel the beat of his heart. He leaves his hand over mine as if holding it there. “You’ve stolen more than that.”
My eyes fill at his sweetness. “No.” A look of panic crosses Tank’s face at the first sign of unshed tears.
“I’m not going to. They’re happy tears anyway,” I rush to add. I might have gotten a little teary eyed when we got back to his place last night also, but Tank quickly nipped that in the bud.
Our place, I mentally correct myself, which makes me smile. I dry up any tears that are trying to escape. Today is the first day of our new beginning. I couldn’t have asked for more. Okay, maybe I’m going to suggest that I want some breakfast, but that’s it.
“Let me feed you.” He reads my mind and pulls me from the bed. Tuesday jumps down, taking off ahead of us.
“Clothes.” I look around for something to wear. I’m not sure when or where my clothes were ripped from my body as we were all hands and mouths last night getting into the door. We couldn't get close enough.
Last night felt like a new start. I’m not closing the door on my parents, but I am starting a new chapter, one that doesn't require their approval. It’s a life where everything doesn't have to be perfect, even if right now it kind of feels like it is.
We had some hurried, passionate sex when we got home, then we made slow, sweet love. Exhausted after, we lay in bed talking about the life we dreamed of having together, one Tank said we would have as long as that’s what I want. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s my future. We both know life isn’t that easy, especially Tank. His opening up to me last night about his childhood meant so much to me. I would never understand how someone who came from so much pain and suffering managed to still be such a sweet man. He’s going to make a great father one day.
I’m so thankful to Patty, the woman who gave him a home. I’ll forever love her for that. I haven't even gotten to meet her yet, but I know I will. Tank promised her we would meet up today or she said she’d be showing up here on her own.
Tank reaches down, grabbing his own shirt and pulling it over my head. “We’ll get you all moved in later.” He turns, finding some boxers and sliding them up his thick thighs. My eyes follow the path. Who knew thighs could be so hot? Then again, everything about Tank is hot.
“I don’t have much,” I admit. He grabs my hand and pulls me from the bedroom. I pretty much brought what was salvageable, I think, back to our dorm room. Clothes and books are the bulk of my belongings here at school. Even at home I don’t keep a lot besides my childhood bedroom set. I didn’t take much with me when I went off to college. I hated my bedroom. Everything was so perfect and almost staged in our home, even my bedroom. I didn't want anything from it and I sure wasn't going to go knocking on my parents’ door right now for it. None of it even felt like it was me. I’ve haven’t been living here for a day and I’m already more at home than I’ve felt in my whole life. It only goes to show you it’s not things that make a home beautiful.
