She melted from his words and pressed herself against his chest. “I’m just doing my job.”
The elevator doors opened, he ushered her down the hall and into his condo.
“This is nice,” she said.
He brought her to the picture window in the living room. “I like the view of DC. It’s a good-looking town filled with power-hungry politicos. Some good, others not. Even so, it’s home.” He paused. “You took care ofallof us today. I want to take care of you tonight.”
He clasped her hand, led her down the hall to his bedroom. It was big enough to hold a king bed, a dresser, two small night tables, and a black and white checkered chair in the corner.
“It’s somewhere to live,” he said as he brought her into his bathroom, “but it’s not home.”
“What would make it home?” she asked as he started the shower.
“You,” he replied.
Her heart blossomed, and she pushed onto her toes to kiss him.
They showered together. After she sudsed up, she lathered her hair. And that’s when he stepped in, massaging her head with his strong and nimble fingers.
“Wow, that feels amazing,” she said as she ran her hands down his muscular pecs and eight-pack abs.
When he finished, her head tingled with energy. As she rinsed out the soap, he washed his own hair.
They toweled off, he plugged in his hair dryer, handed it to her. Then, he grabbed a bottle of lotion and left the room.
After drying her hair, she went in search of her man, but she didn’t have to go far. A naked and very relaxed Tank sat propped against the headboard, bathed in a soft glow from the table lamps. He’d pulled his wet hair into a man-bun, and she soaked up his handsome face.
She pointed to the empty space next to him. “Is that spot taken?”
He bent his knees. “Sit between my legs.”
She crawled in, leaned back against his chest, and heenveloped her in his massive arms. “The spot next to me is taken,” he murmured into her ear. “I’ve fallen crazy in love with the most amazing woman. That place is hers, if she wants it.”
She turned to face him and stared into his dark eyes. “She would be a fool not to want to take that spot. I know I would, if it was offered to me.”
“What we do isn’t something most people can handle… and they shouldn’t. It’s dark and it’s dangerous.”
Then, he tipped her chin toward him and he kissed her. Once, twice, and a third where he deepened their embrace.” She fully expected more, but he slowed down the kiss, dropped a soft one on her lips.
“We had a fake proposal,” he said. “Here’s a real one. Sydney Annalise Austin, you are the love of my life. If you marry me, I will show you every day how much I love you. Every. Single. Day.” He smiled. “I don’t have a ring, but my proposal is sincere.”
She felt like she could fly, her happiness uncontainable.
“You are my person, and I’m yours,” he continued. “Please say yes. Will you marry me?”
Joy filled her as she pressed her lips to his and kissed him. “Iamyour person, and you’re mine. Yes, yes, hell yes, I’ll marry you.”
They sealed their engagement with a forever kiss.
“Tell the team or keep it to ourselves?” he asked.
“We gotta wait,” she said.
“I agree.”
He lifted her hand, kissed her finger. “They’ll know when I put a rock right here.”
She smiled. “I like that.”
