Page 85 of Biker's Enemy

QUIN

Idon’t know why Tanner seems so different. He falls asleep on the couch seconds after we get home. I put Avery to bed and return to my room, not bothering to wake him up. He has his tongue hanging out and some beastly snoring going on, which is the most vulnerable I have ever seen Tanner look. I throw a blanket over him before I disappear to my room.

It’s not that he seems different. He seems more… gentle. He barely kissed me before we left, but Avery demanded both our attention, so there wasn’t exactly time for romance. At least we’re back here. Back home… for now.

I know Tanner and I doubt we’re going to stick around much longer but for now, this bed and this place feels safe. Soft footsteps against the cool stone floors in the hallway wake me up in the middle of the night. My eyes snap open. After everything I’ve been through, I can’t sleep through even gentle and soft footsteps.

My body rolls out of bed instinctively and I reach for my phone – which isn’t really a weapon, but I’m tired and operating on instinct here.

“It’s me.”

Who else could it be?

“Hey,” I mutter groggily. My body relaxes as Tanner joins me, sitting at the edge of my bed. His presence brings me a lot of comfort after our long road trip and the gas station incident. He puts his arm over my shoulder and pulls me close so he can kiss my cheek. His lips are soft but his beard is all prickly and ticklish. I squirm a little, only making him kiss me again. And harder this time.

“You can’t leave, sugar plum,” he whispers. “I don’t want you to leave.”

“Who said I was going to leave?”

“I mean…” Tanner says. “I want you to be my girlfriend… then we have an engagement… then you become my wife…”

“Your wife?”

“Yeah,” Tanner whispers. “Then I put a pretty little tattoo on the back of your neck… Property of Cash…”

Okay. That started off good but quickly became… scary. Tanner laughs when he sees the look on my face.

“I know you’re not tatted yet but… it won’t hurt.”

“You think that’s what I’m worried about?”

I might be worried about the pain too, but there are far more pressing issues than the tattoo needle that is currently nowhere physically near me.

“What are you worried about?” he whispers. “The ‘L’ word?”

“The fact that you can’t even say it should be a red flag to you.”

We face each other and just… look.

“Come on,” Tanner says. “It’s obvious.”

He takes a breath and my heart is about to sink with disappointment. No matter what he feels… it’s not really the same if he can’t say it out loud.

“I love you,” Tanner finishes. “I love you more than I have ever loved a woman. And I want you to stay here with me… forever.”

“Tanner–

He interrupts. “Not here. We’re moving. But… wherever I am, I want you with me.”

My eyes start watering before an answer comes out. He doesn’t understand how much it means to me to have someone who would do anything to protect me. But I still have a secret I’ve kept from Tanner. One he might want to accept.

“I’m a murderer.”

He laughs.

“Okay.”

“That’s it?”

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