Page 34 of Throttle

“You and Angel should find different ways to keep yourselves entertained.” I chuckle.

“I’m not taking no for an answer. As my free time diminishes, I cannot allow you to rob me of this opportunity.”

With a smile, I roll my eyes. A distraction might be helpful right now. Not to mention, I would experience too much guilt for saying no.

Sleep will need to be postponed for now.

ELEVEN

Throttle

Seeing my Harley always feels like a painful stab in the heart. Tank and the guys are putting in the effort, but it appears futile to me.

I wipe my hands clean of grease and close the shop. Tonight, I completed the repair of a client's motorcycle ahead of the deadline. Now I can help my brother’s work on mine. Hopefully, she'll be fully recovered by springtime. Especially when we’re supposed to ride in Charger’s wedding.

I'm heading upstairs when I notice a light emanating from the back room, making me curious about who might be awake at this hour.

In the open door, I lean against the wood frame.

"Shh." While a chick flick plays on her laptop, Jules holds a jar of mini pickles and there’re chocolate candy wrappers spread out on the table in front.

“You feeding an army, sweetheart?” I whisper, unsure of the reason.

“Only Charger’s spawn. Have you seen the size of that man?” She points to the couch. “Sleeping beauty didn’t make it through the opening credits.”

Tequila is curled up on the oversized sofa Chain bought, her small body almost disappearing. I could trace every curve of hers like an ocean wave, and the glowing skin of her stomach peeks out from her raised top.

Without hesitation, I go toward her, kneel, and sweep away a strand of hair from her cheek. Her gentle breaths brush against my flesh.

I pick her up, cradling her in my arms and holding her against my chest.

“I guess this means girls’ night is over then, huh?” Jules smiles.

Damn right it’s done. With Tequila inside my embrace, I crouch far enough to give Jules a soft, brotherly kiss on her head.

My girl lets out a low groan as I carry her up the stairs. I swear she mumbles my name before snuggling her face closer to my chest.

She smells good. Why does she always smell of roses and candy?

I lay her on my bed, tucking her in with the covers. Her hair falls to one side, her eyes closed, as she whispers a phrase that hits like a blow to the stomach. “I love you.”

Love. She does. We’re best friends. Yet, something tells me she didn't intend it in that way. God fucking help her because I’m not the man. I'm not worthy of it. Not in that manner.

I slip into bed next to her, her body providing a comforting warmth.

Her figure moves so fast that I can't avoid it, and she ends up curling into my side with her head on my chest.

Fuck.

To not touch her, I clasp my hands into a fist. But as the seconds tick, the temptation is clawing itself to get free.

The urge is too strong to fight as her warm breath caresses my torso and my bicep lies beneath her soft hair. I decide to satisfy my body's current desire by encircling her with my arms and savoring her.

“Mmm. That feels amazing.” Her little moan makes my cock throb. And I’m ashamed. I understand. There’s a stunning woman in my sheets, but it's Tequila. She's not just a random bang.

Her thick lashes brush against the tops of her cheeks. I want to watch as she sleeps. What the fuck am I doing? I should’ve woken her. Demand she drive home, but she seems exhausted. Whatever the reason, I didn’t protest at her sharing my bed, because as I lay here with my girl in my arms, there’s nothing else that fucking mattered.

Tequila