Page 78 of Throttle

“Tequila…” He revs his bike. “Get. On.”

But… Oh hell.

“Dammit,” I groan, but snatch the helmet from him and quickly buckle it. Next, I wrap my arms around his sturdy waist and nuzzle my cheek against his back. “What about my car?” I’m barely able to shout loud enough over the rumble of the engine.

“The guys will come pick it up tomorrow.”

I tighten my grip as we escape the parking lot. As he zooms down the road, my anger fades away. Adrenaline surges with the wind against my face. It's a thrill I didn't realize I was lacking. I ignore the fact that my dress is flying up, almost exposing too much.

“You good back there, babe?” He watches me through the mirror as I nod.

With a grin, he strokes my bare thigh in gentle, sensitive circles. I want to push him away, but I'm too scared to remove my arms from him. Besides, I don't have a strong dislike for it. The humming my body does from his contact is erotic.

We speed past trees in a blur, with the moon shining above. With no one else on the road, it’s private and intimate.

As he decelerates and turns onto a street, I realize just how much it’s deserted, wondering if this is where his house is. Throttle has a place, a home he refers to that isn't the club, and I never knew.

Facing a two-story house with a wraparound porch, he comes to a stop. It resembles the place I've always dreamt of living. It bears a striking resemblance to the one I grew up in.

My heart swells at the odd and overwhelming comfort that warms my chest.

Standing in front of his large oak door, the reasons for being upset come rushing back to me. I shake off the earlier thoughts leading to this, and frown.

Taking my hand, he leads me inside, and for a second, I give. "The construction isn’t done yet," he says, closing the door behind us and rubbing his chin stubble.

I survey my environment, absorbing everything around me.

Just as he attempts to reach for me, I slap his cheek, leaving me in shock. I gasp because I can’t believe I slapped him.

“Damn. That was good. I'll have to teach you the proper way to throw a punch, though.” He rubs his red skin. “Can’t say I didn’t deserve that.”

“I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that, but you secretly took my belongings to a house I didn't know you had and assume I'll be okay with living here. Are you out of your mind, Throttle?”

Lust blazes in his eyes. “Yes. I am completely out of my fucking mind.” He engages me, not stopping until my back hits the door, and I’m left without an escape.

He places his hand beside my head, trapping me, while his other rests on my waist, causing my hips to press against him. “The power you have over me drives me to madness. Like moving you out of your shit hole-apartment so you’re not with people who can hurt you. I want you here because I’m a selfish bastard who can’t stand living a minute without you—a selfish bastard who wants to find this Caleb guy you were out with tonight and tell him to stay the fuck away from you.”

My heart races and a warm sensation envelops me as he inches closer. I stare up into his deep brown, but light reflected eyes. “You did this because I was with some guy?”

He denies it, shaking his head. “No, that’s not why. I mean, fuck, maybe a part of the reason, but like I said, you hold something over me.” Throttle’s gaze moves from mine to the floor.

Without conscious consideration, I reach out to him, touching the cheek I've just hit. “Be honest with me for once. I need to hear the words. I need you to tell me it’s more.”

His eyes lock onto my own, desperately clinging, and there’s a glimmer of hope. Perhaps this is it. He can’t pretend anymore. Secret is out, but he has to say it. The truth.

His jaw twitches, and the vein on the side of his neck throbs. But nothing.

I wait a little longer. And still nothing.

My heart plummets and I’m desperate for his confession as I close my eyes.

“Can’t this be enough?”

Wrong answer.

The audacity.

I maneuver under his arm, eager for space to breathe. The once regret I had for slapping him is gone.

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