Page 94 of Throttle

Throttle

I'm trying to recall the last time I took a girl on a date, and then it hits me.

Never.

I’ve never taken a female out. Not once. Not even in high school. I was a piece of shit, or I really was avoiding commitment my whole adolescent and adult life.

I can’t screw this up, though. Not with her. I have one last opportunity, and I am a lucky bastard. She went as far as offering me one.

My hands stay in my suit pockets as I pace back and forth, waiting. A nervous habit, I cannot break. I can't remember the previous time I dressed this nicely, either. Shit. Was this too fancy? It might be overwhelming if I bring her to a formal dinner.

As I'm on the verge of further panic, Tequila gracefully descends the wooden staircase, stealing my breath away. She's wearing a violet dress that flows to her knees. With her long brown hair flowing in loose waves and her striking green eyes, she looks more captivating than ever. And with those heels she wears, her lean, toned legs appear sexy as hell.

I’m done for. So fucking done.

It will take a miracle for me to keep my hands off her.

Despite the three extra inches, she remains a head shorter than me as she stops in front of me and smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Hi.” Her voice spirals through me.

“You look… you look…” Jesus. Get the words out, you idiot.

She fidgets with her clutch. “Thank you. So do you.”

I tear my gaze away from her and cough to clear my throat. “Shall we?” I place a hand on her lower back, and it takes every bit of strength not to run it further, experiencing more of her.

Tonight, I skip the Harley and instead lead her to my truck, opening the passenger door. I hold her hand and help her inside. We lock eyes before I close the door, sending a current of electricity through my body.

I’ve never been such a nervous goddamn wreck in my life.

With a lean, she opens the driver's side for me. Yup. I’m in big trouble.

Keep it in your pants.

My cocks attempt at escape doesn’t go unnoticed by Tequila, who blushes. Since we still have an hour until our reservations, I choose to drive to my favorite location. She’s already been here, but this time, it’s under better circumstances.

I reverse to the top of the hill and turn off the truck. If she’s confused or worried about where we are, she doesn’t show it. I doubt she even remembers this was where she bailed my ass out of, almost having my insides splattered all over the place.

As soon as we step out of the car, I steal a quick glance at her. Her beauty instantly weakens me like it always does.

“Oh wow. You can see the entire city from here. It’s so pretty.”

Yes, you are.

I lower the tailgate, grab a blanket from the back, and spread it over the bed of the truck. “Want to sit? We have some time before dinner.”

With an enthusiastic nod, she smiles.

I move closer, holding her waist and placing her on the blanket. Her surprise fades as she gazes out into the dusk fall night.

“There are so many lights. The view from up here makes the city appear tiny.”

I hop up to join her. “I come here a lot.”

I can sense her heated gaze on me. “I get why.” She turns back to admire the city again. “I didn’t know.”

My thumb traces circles on her hand as I hold it. “I regret not being honest with you. About my past. My father. My home. I just… I believed if I told you everything, it would have made it all too real. I thought if I held back, I had more excuses of why I shouldn’t be with you. I admit it was pathetic and I'm sorry if it caused you to feel untrusted.”

“I get it. And let’s not forget, I’ve kept some of my life hidden, too.”

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