"He said his contact with the feds called and said something about movement at Mangus' hideout in the mountain entrance and they want us to go and see what we can find out. They have a warrant so that isn’t an issue, but they don’t have operatives, so we have permission to search the inside.

She navigated the road leading out of the driveway Dodge shared with Lincoln. His truck was smooth as it traveled down the road toward Mangus' hideaway. The longer wheelbase made for a different ride from her Jeep. She still loved her Jeep, but this was nice for a change. Glancing briefly at Dodge, she smiled. “Gaige also said Hawk is up, glaring at nurses and generally being surly.”

He chuckled, sat back, relaxed as could be, watching the road ahead of them. A few thoughts traveled through her brain at once. He was relaxed with her driving his truck, something a lot of guys would be uptight about. And, they were about to finish their mission and he seemed as if he'd been doing this for years. Which in some respects he had, but this was a bit different. They didn't need to adhere to search warrants and legal mumbo jumbo, they went in, did their thing, jumped out, and let authorities clean up. It was brilliant.

"I love driving your truck, Tarzan."

He chuckled and her tummy flipped. "Yeah, well I think you need to let me drive your Jeep and see how I like that."

"Deal."

Chuckling again his eyes turned to her. She could see him studying her out of her peripheral vision. She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but didn't want to sound like a needy teenager. He clued her in soon enough.

"Jax, this thing between us. How do you see it going?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Sitting up straighter he took in a deep breath and warning bells began ringing in her head.

"I mean, do you see this being a long-term relationship? Or, are you having some fun and then you'll move on?"

"How do you see it?"

"I asked you first."

She took a deep breath and tried to quell the nausea that threatened to erupt. Figures he'd be looking to get laid and move on. Why couldn't she see this for what it was? Sexy as fuck, and single at more than 40 years old, she should have guessed he wasn't relationship material. Anger bubbled up her spine, her shoulders tightened, and her back tightened.

"Look, Tarzan, if you're trying to tell me you've had your fun and you're done, just come out and say it. Don't be an asshole and beat around the fucking bush."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. When did I say that?"

"You're pussyfooting around for some reason."

He shook his head and let out a long, drawn out breath. "Jax." He inhaled. "I'm not pussyfooting and I'm not saying I've had my fun and we're done. Though I did immensely enjoy last night and I'd love to have many, many more like that. This morning too."

His body twisted slightly, his left arm still in the sling, his movements were a bit stilted. He softly added, "Little Mama, we didn't use protection last night or this morning. I just want to know that if you get pregnant you aren't planning on running off."

The air whooshed from her lungs and her mind reeled. Before she could say anything he continued on.

"I've grown to like you. I've grown to look forward to spending time with you. You're sexy, smart, spunky, and incredibly delicious. But, you aren't in a relationship, haven't been married, and I can't help but wonder if that's because you aren't into long-term relationships or what."

She glanced over and locked eyes briefly before looking at the road ahead. "What man wants a woman like me? I live in a man's world. I shoot people, break into homes, I get shot at, I have a dangerous job, and I don't cook. Or clean really."

"I want you."

Tears jumped to her eyes and she had to swallow the gigantic lump that threatened to clog her throat. She couldn't say anything and blinking furiously she slowly pulled the truck to a stop at the edge of the road.

She sat staring straight ahead, both hands gripping the steering wheel as if it were a lifeline. Before she could respond or even think of a response he continued.

"I want you. For all the reasons stated above and more. I share that job with you. I shoot people, break into homes, get shot at, and have a dangerous job. I don't care that you can't cook, I can and we can hire someone to cook for us. Maybe Mrs. James will cook for us and the team. We can hire a housekeeper, maybe Kylie James will clean our house. We know she won't be startled by the dozens if not more weapons laying around. If they can't, we'll find someone else."

She couldn't catch a breath. Her chest heaved as she felt like she was drowning. How many times over the years did she dream of finding someone who was her mirror image in business or work, sexy beyond belief, and had a big heart? Just like her father. Countless was the word that came to mind. The number didn’t exist.

Slowly turning her head to look into his eyes, the green irises she couldn't tire of looking at locked onto hers. Sincerity is what she saw beyond the color in them.

A horn blared as a blue Ram truck with a dog’s head sticking out the back passenger window sped past them. Lincoln and Abe.

She shook her head and followed the truck, remembering they were on their way to a mission. She quickly responded, "Can we have a nice long talk about this later?”

He turned to face the windshield, and let out a long breath. "Sure."

She could tell those weren't the words he wanted to hear, they needed to have a long conversation and doing it on the way to a mission wasn't the time. But, she'd make sure they had that conversation tonight.

Catching up with Lincoln, she followed him in silence to the meeting point, but her thoughts were a mess. Her dreams were coming true, and she didn't know how to handle it.