Page 48 of Throttle

“What's the story with the fish?”

I cover Nemo’s food and slide the tank lid closed. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, why the fish? Did the store run out of cats and dogs?”

I seize a Pop Tart. “I don't have the financial capacity to get a dog or cat, in case you didn't notice. Besides, Nemo is a great pet. He listens to me.” Now I sound like a lunatic.

He fixates his gaze on me. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” He sighs. “Tequila… this is one of the worst places for you to live. It's unsafe. Really fucking dangerous.”

I exhale, feeling my hunger disappear. “Do you think I'm unaware of that? Having to check my surroundings at every given moment is exhausting and terrifying. But I can’t move out. A nicer place would mean making sacrifices. Like school. So, until I finish, graduate and find a job, I have no other choice.” My voice shakes.

Throttle cups my cheek with his warm palm. “I’ve been doing nothing but apologizing, but I am sorry. Sorry for back at the Chains. Demanding you to leave. I’m sorry for being a complete asshole.” Tears escape me, falling into his inked hands. “But I can’t let you stay. Get where I’m coming from? The club has extra rooms or hell, I’ll pay for an apartment in a decent neighborhood.”

He would. He would do that for me.

“I appreciate that. But you need to understand my reason for saying no.”

He pulls in the air that separates us. “Dammit. I know.” He grins, and I thought for sure He was going to fight me more. “My girl is so headstrong yet stubborn.”

I smile through the tears. “I’m not yours.”

“You’ll always be my girl, Tequila.” Right then, something flashes in his eyes, but it was uncertain what it was.

My heart stutters.

With the rough pads of his thumbs, he gently brushes aside my sorrows and then moves away. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but… if you refuse to move, then you gotta compromise with me. You won’t leave here without either me, a prospect, or one of the other guys from the club.”

“A bit of overkill, don’t you think?”

“It’s not enough. If I knew you wouldn’t chop my balls off, I’d have a patrol of men outside.”

I laugh. Throttle constantly irritates me yet captures my heart repeatedly. He possesses the ability to both break it and fix it. Despite making me angry, I never wish to miss a day with him. It’s toxic and damaging. Yet, I long for it.

I resist the fatigue engulfing my body, gazing into the eyes of the man I adore. “Can we call a truce? Given that it's late, I'm fine with you staying over if you want to. I’ll get the couch set up.”

Not uttering a word, he acknowledges with a nod. And then sits on my lumpy, uncomfortable couch, untying his boots.

I retrieve a spare pillow and blanket from the small storage closet and place them on the sofa for him. The moment he pulls off his shirt, my stomach twirls. I've seen him without one countless times, but it never gets boring. He’s so flawless.

As soon as he starts removing his jeans, I make my exit. “Okay, sleep well.” I fast run to the bedroom.

Not twenty minutes later, I’m staring up at my ceiling. Was I surprised I can’t fall asleep? Not when Throttle, the love of my being, is sleeping thirty feet away. Perched on the absolute worst piece of furniture in existence. Also, with his size, it’s too small.

Every time he moves, it squeaks like it's going to collapse. But I shouldn’t feel bad. He’s upset me more than once in the last twenty-four hours.

Still…

I throw off my covers and approach him, only to see him pummeling the pillow and thrashing. “Come on. You can take my bed. I’ll sleep out here.”

“I’m fine. This is great.” He tries to lie, but it’s obviously not great.

“It’s a terrible couch. And to be honest, I can’t sleep with you fidgeting out here. So, I demand you swap me.”

He doesn't need to know the actual reason I couldn't sleep.

“Fine.” He snatches the pillow, resting it under his arm. “You’re right. Your couch fucking sucks. I’m buying you a new one tomorrow.”

I roll my eyes, but he grabs my hand, dragging me behind him. “What are you doing?”

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