Page 119 of Throttle

“Me too. But your sweet pussy is what I had in mind.”

I roll my eyes. My only wish is to remain in bed all day, ravished by Throttle repeatedly, but I must do this. “Later. And that’s a promise, my Throttle.”

“I am yours. All yours.” Those words from his lips are music to my ears.

“And I am yours.”

Prior to work, I had Throttle drive me to the hospital so I could visit Brass. Besides, I was already going to be late.

Standing here, outside his room, unsure of the minutes gone by.

Why was I so afraid to go in? Perhaps it was the thing I was hoping to avoid. Seeing him physically hurt. My heart's resilience is uncertain, and I’m haunted by the images of him on the ground.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Throttle asks, laying his chin on my head.

“No. I kind of want to go alone.” I kiss his cheek and finally muster the courage to walk inside.

As I reach for the drawn curtain, a nurse pulls it open, nearly colliding with me. “Oh. I’m sorry. I just got done changing his dressing. You can see him now.” She smiles and leaves, holding a tray of supplies.

I restrained myself from gasping out by biting my lip. Bruises. So many bruises and cuts. His attractive face is barely recognizable, with both eyes almost swollen shut. His arm has a cast from what I assume was his surgery, and there’s wrapping around his ribs.

I nearly back out, wanting to escape, and burst into tears when he looks my way. “I heard I’m still pretty sexy.” He grins with a wince. “But that must be bullshit by the look on your face.”

I shake my head, resisting the urge to cry. “You look… well, beat up, but still handsome.”

I sit beside his bed and cradle his hand. When I open my mouth to apologize, he quickly cuts me off.

“I am so, so sorry, Tequila,” he tells me with extreme agony.

He’s sorry?

“What in the world are you apologizing for? I’m the one…” I choke out a cry. “I’m the one who’s sorry. If I didn’t go, this never would have happened. I should have never gone inside that house.”

“If I went in with you, I could have stopped it. Could have protected you better.”

“You don’t know that. Listen to me, Brass.” I scoot closer. “None of this was your fault. It was no one’s fault but theirs. The bad guys.” I recognize that now.

He lifts his unharmed arm and brushes his hand against my cheek. “You’re a good soul, T. Don’t let anyone ever steal your light. God help them if they did.”

I smile. “Never.”

“That’s our girl. Now get out of here and get back to your man who is violently pacing and making the floor smaller. I also think he’s distracting the nurses.”

I laugh. “I’ll come see you tomorrow. Can I bring you anything?”

“Yeah. A steak. A nice juicy steak. Though I might have to eat it through a straw,” he jokes.

“A juicy steak. Got it. That’s it?”

“Just seeing your pretty face will brighten up my day.”

“Glad to see you’re still a flirt.” I smile, kissing his forehead. “Rest. I’m sure Throttle says hi.”

“He does. He’s been here four times already.”

“Really?” Huh, must have been when I was sleeping. “He’s a big softie.”

“For sure.”

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