Page 18 of Overstaying His Welcome

Tank looked me over as if he could examine me long enough for the answer. I surely hoped that wasn’t the case. Sometimes a man needed to keep his secrets.

“I wanted to see you. Besides, the case we’re working on is shit right now. I needed to get away. Needed to remember that I actually had a life outside of this fucking job.”

His tone was harsher than I’d ever heard it. Whatever was going on really messed with him.

“Anything I can help with? You know I have connections you don’t. I’d be willing to help discreetly.”

The look he gave me would have made a weaker man squirm. For me, it felt more like foreplay.

I loved when he examined me like this. As if he couldn’t believe I was his.

Because I was.

In every way that mattered, I belonged to Tank. And he belonged to me.

No one knew it, but it was the truth.

Neither of us needed the world’s approval though. We knew what we were, and so far, that had been enough. I wondered if that would change soon.

I knew his men had fallen into relationships over the last year. Despite the challenges he faced and the chaos that came with his work, each of them had found their forever person.

“If you’re serious about wanting to help, I could actually use it this time,” he admitted.

My mouth fell open all on its own. There was no hiding my shock.

Tank never accepted my help.

Literally never.

This had to be bad. He always claimed he wanted me far away from the business in case anyone made the connection. I even used a fucking competitor for my security because we didn’t want anyone catching us making eyes at one another.

And now he was willing to use my genuine offer to his gain.

What a plot twist.

“Um, yeah, I’m serious.” I cleared my throat. “Whatever you need. It’s yours.”

He smiled softly, his hand reaching for mine. I quickly laced our fingers together, happy to simply be with him.

It didn’t always have to be passion and fire. Sometimes the soft and sweet was good too. In fact, I might have enjoyed it more since it was so rare for us.

We didn’t get to have the nights most couples did. There were no cuddles at night before bed or dinners out on the town where we got to huddle together over a meal in a dimly lit restaurant.

All we had were stolen moments.

Stolen in time and in privacy.

“We don’t have a lead on a guy. He runs in some of the same circles your supporters might.” Tank winced once he realized what he was implying.

I waved my hand. “It’s nothing. Do you want me to ask around for him? See if I can set up a meeting?”

“No!” The word burst from his lips.

Jolted at the noise, I leaned back, dropping his hand. He grabbed it again, placing it between his two palms.

“I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry. It’s just… this guy is a fucking ghost, baby. I can’t risk anything happening to you. If he took you, I’d likely never find you again. Risking you isn’t an option.”

Tilting my head, I took in his features.

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