Page 91 of Throttle

I smirk.

With a cocky grin, Wrench rises. “I meant no disrespect. Sorry, man. Didn’t realize she was your ol’ lady.”

Her mouth drops. “No. He’s not my—”

“Apology accepted.” I grin, and an understanding passes between us.

Wrench leaves and Tequila's jaw is about to hit the floor.

“Are you serious right now? You can’t let every guy who talks to me assume I’m yours, Throttle!” She whips the washcloth down. “You do not get to—”

“You are mine.” I lean in, close enough to capture her candy scent.

She stares at me, then blinks. “What are you doing?” The confusion and bitterness drips out from her question.

“What I should’ve done a long time ago. I’m done running—hiding from this. From us.”

Her brow lifts. “If you’re done scaring away every customer who says hi to me tonight, I’ll be getting back to work.”

She doesn’t believe me, and who can blame her? I’ve been a jackass since we slept together.

I won’t push her into trusting me. It’s going to be on her terms, and even if it takes forever. Forever, I’m willing to wait.

“I’ll be here after your shift.” I tap my knuckles on the oak counter and walk backwards with my rose, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. It's possible, or it's possible, that I've finally found it.

Tequila

He wasn’t kidding. As usual, Throttle waited for me and then followed me home. Our home. Then he attached himself to my side like glue.

His words left me both confused and slightly angry, to be honest. How can I trust anything he says?

I take a glass from the cabinet and fill it with water. When I take a drink, I am aware of Throttle leaning against the wall, arms crossed, staring at me. I swallow. The way he looks at me has always been dangerous and tempting.

“I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you.”

I almost spew my water out of my mouth and across the room.

I've never seen his predatory stance as such. If I gave him the permission, he’s so desperately seeking, he’d pounce on me like a hungry lion.

The heat is making my cheeks burn, and my whole body is on the verge of transforming into molten lava in just five seconds.

“I mean it. Since the day we met, you have always been the most extraordinary woman.”

What?

I drink another big gulp of water. This is the first time he's been so assertive.

He moves toward me, and though I want to run away, I'm frozen in place. He gently removes the glass from my sweaty palms and places it down, never breaking eye contact. “No other woman will ever compare to you. Ever.” His warm breath brushes my cheek, and his body is pressing to mine.

“I’m not perfect,” I remind him.

“You are to me.”

The thudding of my heart is drowning out any other sounds. I search my surroundings, attempting to navigate back to the present moment and reality.

“I’m going to prove to you, my rose, that we belong with each other and that I’m one hundred percent serious about us. I’m committed to you and if you asked me to crawl and beg, I’d fucking drop to my knees right here.”

I do not know where this is coming from. But I may throw up.

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