Page 86 of Throttle

“Guess this means another target on our backs,” Chain grumbles, sounding tired.

“Or. It’s part of the same one.” Throttle tightens his arm around my waist as if danger is approaching. To be honest, I welcome the comfort.

“Fuck,” Chain curses.

“Grandpa Chain said a bad word.” Chloe points and we chuckle.

“Grandpa? Now kid, I’m not that old.”

“You are dear.” Maggie places a loving kiss on his cheek.

“Yeah. You got grey hair.” Chloe tugs at the noticeable silver strands on his beard.

“Man. Guess I am an old man.” Chain rustles Chloe’s hair and she giggles. “All right. We should go back to the club and find out who thought it was a good idea to threaten our women.”

Everyone helps pack up and leave. When only Throttle and I stay, I say my goodbyes and start walking toward my car. Unexpectedly, he holds my hand and embraces me in a tender hug. I'm surprised by the unexpected gesture, causing my body to stiffen. But being pressed against his chest with his arms wrapped around my waist, how could I not return the embrace?

Stupid, betraying heart.

He caresses the back of my head, toying with my hair, and I release a contented sigh. We hold on to each other, relishing the warmth, until I pull us apart.

“What was that for?” I shift my gaze between each golden eye.

“I just needed to touch you.” He runs a hand through his hair like always. “We’re going to find out who they were and why they were here. I’ll take care of it. You won’t have to worry, and you’ll be safe.”

I smile. “I know.” It’s true. I have complete certainty.

We leave in silence, Throttle trailing behind me as I head home.

Yes, home. Ours.

Throttle has been staying close since the shower, to say the least. Every turn, he’s there. Every time I leave, he’s there. He even let Brass off the hook and took over as a bodyguard.

“Throttle. I’m fine. The fridge is free from any scary monsters.” I step back, closing its door, not realizing he was standing behind me. I’m regretting the water I thought I needed because, with my body now resting against his hard chest, my heart was going to beat out of my skin.

Moving closer, his hands rest on my waist. “Nothing you say will convince me to back off, my rose. Trust not a thing, not even the fridge.”

An ugly laugh releases from me, and his hot breath brushes my skin, making me shiver. I yearn to lose myself in him, recalling the exquisite feeling of him against me. I crave it like I need it to survive. And well, maybe I do.

With my head resting on his chest, my willpower fails me, yet I remain in his embrace, and he refuses to release me.

“I mean what I say when I tell you, I will kill anyone who touches you. Threatens you. Hurts you. I made it my job in life to keep you away from the ugliness the world brings, and I’ll take that promise to my grave.”

I swallow. His words are so deep and true that my knees go weak, leaving me with only seconds before I fall onto the tile.

I throw my guard up and spin, inching away from him. “Thank you for watching out for me, but it's not possible to do it twenty-four-seven.”

“Try me.” He takes a stride forward and oh boy, I’m suffocating.

I have to escape his magnetic pull, or else I'll bear the consequences of giving in to him.

“I better go. I need to study before my shift.” My feet collide with the stairs, and I just about fall to my butt.

Throttle pursues me, like a predator hunting its prey, and the ongoing struggle to avoid being caught and consumed is almost over. Yet, I dismiss it and quickly climb the steps.

I lean against the closed door, with nervous sweat trickling down my back.

His eyes flickered with something unusual. I can't pinpoint what it was, but it had a powerful impact. A powerful sexual realization. It made in between my thighs tingle with excitement.

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