Tank handled his business quickly, securing the load onto the back of his truck with ease. He moved like a man who had done this a thousand times before, strong hands tightening straps, checking every detail before climbing back into the rig.

Inside, Kayla sat in the passenger seat, her lap full of synthetic hair as she carefully took down her braids. Loose strands piled up in an empty grocery bag, and her thick, 4A curls sprung free with each unraveling section. The growth was obvious—her natural hair now reached the middle of her back.

Tank paused as he settled in, his eyes locking onto her hair. This was the first time he had ever seen it, and damn, he was captivated.

"Your natural hair is beautiful," he told her, his deep voice laced with admiration as he turned the key, letting the truck engine warm up.

Kayla smiled, her fingers still working through a section. "Thank you, baby." She could see the curiosity in his gaze, the way his fingers twitched like he wanted to reach out and touch it. Instead of making him ask, she grabbed his hand and placed it in her thick curls.

Tank smirked as his fingers sank into her hair, gently stroking the soft strands. "My mama and sisters always said it's rude to touch a Black woman's hair without askin'," he murmured, his Mississippi drawl thick as molasses.

Kayla shivered at the sound of his voice, at the way his fingers massaged her scalp. "It is," she admitted, leaning into his touch. "But I'm your woman, and you can touch whatever you want on me."

Tank's smirk deepened at her words. "Oh, yeah?" His rough palm slid from her hair, trailing down to her thick thighs before creeping higher.

Kayla swatted at him playfully. "You love my coochie too much."

Tank chuckled as he pulled onto the road, merging onto the expressway with ease. "I do," he admitted without shame. His fingers teasingly squeezed her thigh. "She's always huggin' me... always keepin' me warm."

Kayla let out a giggle, shaking her head. "Boy, you crazy."

Tank winked, eyes still on the road. "Nah... I just know what I love."

The air in the truck shifted slightly, something more tender settling between them. Then, in that deep, slow drawl of his, he added, "But I love your heart more than anything."

Kayla's breath caught. Her fingers stilled in her hair as his words sank in. Her heart beat faster, and warmth spread through her chest.

Tank knew exactly what to say and how to say it. His voice alone made her feel things—things that had her stomach flipping and her body tingling in ways she couldn't explain.

She glanced over at him, taking in his strong profile, the way his hands gripped the wheel like he had full control over everything—including her.

"Tank..." she started, but he glanced at her with that knowing smirk.

"I mean it, Kayla," he said simply.

Kayla swallowed hard, while nodding her head. Kayla smirked as she continued to sit crisscrossed in the passenger seat, her fingers steadily working through her hair as she unraveled the last of her braids. The truck rumbled beneath them, the steady hum of the road filling the space between them and by the time they passed through Tennessee and crossed into Kentucky, her hair was completely free, cascading down her back in thick, springy curls.

Tank glanced over at her, his eyes dark with appreciation. She looked different like this—raw, unfiltered, soft. He loved seeing her this way, just them on the open road, no interruptions, no one pulling at her for attention.

"You look real good, lil' bit," he murmured, his voice thick with approval.

Kayla smiled, shaking her curls out with her fingers. "You think so?"

Tank smirked. "I know so." He reached over, tugging gently on a curl. "Love seein' you like this. Just you."

Kayla's stomach flipped at his words. There was something about the way he looked at her—like she was the only thing that mattered. She let out a breath, rolling her eyes playfully. "You always know what to say, huh?"

Tank chuckled, eyes still on the road. "Ain't about sayin' the right thing. Just tellin' you the truth."

Kayla bit her lip, watching him for a moment. She knew he meant every word. And the way he was looking at her between glances at the road told her everything she needed to know.

Tank reached for her hand, rubbing his thumb over her palm. "Glad you came with me," he admitted. "Ain't gotta worry about nobody botherin' us out here."

Kayla nodded. She felt it too. Out here, it was just them—no Miss Sherri even though she adored that woman, no siblings making side comments, no Darling Washington showing up looking like she stepped out of a damn magazine. Just her and Tank, miles of road ahead, and time—time to be together, uninterrupted.

She squeezed his hand. "Me too, Tank."

Tank brought her fingers to his lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss against them before returning his grip to the wheel. His smirk deepened. "Now let me focus before I pull this truck over and give you somethin' to really smile about."

Kayla giggled, shaking her head. "Boy, hush and drive."

Tank just chuckled, his fingers drumming against the steering wheel as they continued down the highway. Tank yawned as he steered the rig off the highway, pulling into the well-lit rest stop. He was feeling the weight of the road in his bones, and a hot shower sounded like exactly what he needed. Kayla, on the other hand, was buzzing with excitement. This time was different—last time they were on the road together, they kept things separate, as they weren't together but now? Now she planned on showering with her man, no hesitation, no boundaries.

As Tank parked and shut off the engine, Kayla was already moving, grabbing their shower bags and toiletries. She made sure to pack everything—her shampoo, conditioner, clothes for both of them, and even his body wash because she loved how it smelled on him.

Tank leaned back in his seat, watching her with a lazy smirk. He liked this. Liked how she just naturally took care of him, making sure everything was set without him having to ask. And now, with no more barriers between them, he was going to take full advantage of having her in that shower.

"You ready, lil' bit?" Tank drawled, stretching his arms as he stood up.

Kayla turned to him with a teasing smile. "I been ready."

Tank shook his head, chuckling as he grabbed his towel. He followed her out of the truck, his eyes lingering on the sway of her hips as they made their way to the showers. It was late, and the rest stop was quiet, only a few other truckers around, but that didn't matter. All Tank could focus on was Kayla.

Tank paid for their shower stall as he watched Kayla shift a little bit, pressing her thighs together. Tank smirked knowing his woman was eager to step in that shower so she could be all over him.

As soon as they stepped into the private shower stall, Kayla started stripping, unbothered and comfortable in front of him. Tank took his time pulling his shirt over his head, his eyes locked on her.

"You going to let me shower in peace?" Kayla teased, stepping into the warm spray.

Tank smirked, stepping in behind her, his large hands already sliding over her waist. "Nah," he murmured against her ear. "Ain't no peace when you in front of me naked."

Kayla shivered, tilting her head back as the hot water ran down their bodies. She had a feeling this shower was about to be anything but quick. And she wasn't mad at that one bit.