SIX
Throttle
What the fuck does she have on?
I finish my beer and stare at Tequila as if she's a work of art. Considering every male in this club is watching her like they’re ready to strip her naked and drive their cocks into her.
The tiny fragment of fabric she's wearing should not be called a dress. Why is this making me so angry? I don't own her, so she can wear whatever the hell she likes. Who am I to dictate her wardrobes, especially if it's revealing? Even if her tight ass hugs the bit of material flawlessly.
Jesus. She might as well have been naked.
“You good, brother? You look like you want to murder someone.” The side chick Tank has on his lap is dry humping him as he grips the back of her extensions.
Tequila blushes, and I can’t pry my eyes away. Delicate hints of rose grace her semi-pale cheeks. Her stare captivates me, yet I despise it. She shouldn’t watch me as if I’m her savior.
While she averts her gaze, I spill my beer when I slam the glass down with too much force.
Her crossed legs, toned and captivating, were the ultimate distraction.
Was she wearing any panties?
Christ.
“Fucking great.” I'm tortured about how many other people tonight have admired her the way I am right now. Despite her being an absolute goddess in that thing, she’s uncomfortable.
Speaking of chumps. I divert my focus to our new prospect. The desire to insert my fist into his mouth is astronomical. Can’t say I blame him. However, him staring like he wants to jam his cock inside Tequila is pissing me the fuck off.
“I’ll be right back.” The chair scratches the floor as I march over there.
She might not be my girl, but she’s the most precious human on this planet to me. You can trust that I'll be there when someone disrespects her. I’ll always watch out for her.
I grab the nearby seat and settle down next to him. The asshole has the nerve to pretend I’m not here. Still fucking watching her and I’m two seconds from smashing his head into this table.
He doesn’t speak, still ignoring my presence. It's funny how he doesn't seem to care about testing his patch, even though I outrank him.
There was something about this new guy, Chain let in, and I don’t like him.
“Something you need help with, brother ?”
Finally.
I smirk as I read his prospect patch: Brass. Why the name?
“Nah, but I realize you got a death wish.”
“Not sure what you mean by that.” He leans back, crossing his ankles, taking another glance at the woman I would die for. Burn down the world for.
Anything less than that would be unfair to her.
“See that girl over there? The one you are eye fucking. She’s off limits. You stay away from her, got me, Brass ?”
“I don’t see a girl. But I do see a fine woman. She yours?”
As a teenager with overbearing parents, I learned a new trick of counting to ten before responding. I’ve realized such a simple technique comes a long way.
“No.”
“You guys fucking?”
I grind my teeth, two seconds away from punching this dude. “Not exactly.”
He peels his eyes from her. He’s confused and that’s fine. I’d be too. I’m giving him the boyfriend speech. The one I have zero right to give.
Tequila’s infectious laugh carries over our way. Her head tilts back, and her long hair cascades over her shoulder.
“Either you are, or you aren’t,” he demands, swirling his drink.
“No. We’re not.”
“So, let me get this straight.” The asshat leans forward, elbows pressing on the table. “She’s not your girl. You guys aren’t fucking. But you’re over here telling me you’ll send my manhood through a meat grinder if I don’t keep my hands off her. So, what is the reason I’m supposed to stay away again?”
Heads turn as I slam my palm down.
This isn’t me. I'm a person who loves having fun and cracking jokes. The guy who is popular with women. The one people go to for a good time, but I’ve been up tight as fuck without a damn decent answer for it.
“She’s very special. And I don’t care for you. And how you’re looking at her grinds my cock and not in the way I’d like.”
“You don’t even know me, man. Not my issue you have a problem with me.”
Within seconds, I'm on my feet and the club falls into silence.
I’m ready. Just one solid hit. I want it so badly I can taste it.
“You boys good here?” Chain stands beside me, landing a hand on my shoulder.
Brass shrugs. “I was enjoying my night when he showed up and started behaving like a jealous boyfriend.”
My chest is heavy, my breathing is frantic, and Tequila has a concerned look on her face.
“You two better settle whatever the fuck is going on.” He points to me, then takes a step toward Brass. “And you better learn your fucking place, prospect. Don’t make me kick you out before you’re even a part of this club.”
With his hands raised in surrender, Brass gives me a menacing glare.
“I mean it. Stay the hell away from her.” I had to say it again, making sure it’s ground in his damn brain.
He smirks. Fucking smirks.
I’ll kill him.
I lunge but get nowhere. The drive of Chain is like a powerful force pushing against my chest, as if I'm trying to break through a wall of cement.
“Jesus Christ, step outside. Cool the fuck off.” Chain shoves me away. “Damn kids.”
I listen to him, but only because I respect him. He’s a father to me. Father to all of us and if he tells me to step outside, then I’ll step the fuck outside.
I burst out of the room, the door colliding with the brick, and I inhale the cool air, letting it soothe me.
“Throttle?” I hear her gentle voice that guides me throughout the day, echoing from behind.
I face a scowling angel and a pretty rose.
“Everything okay? What happened?” Tequila’s silky sound is a calming melody. One I long to play repeatedly.
I observe her delicate throat bobbing as I get closer to her. I want to lift her over my shoulder and insist she go home and change. But what would that make me? What kind of right did I have to demand such an idiotic order?
“What the fuck are you wearing?” Shouldn’t have started with that.
She reacts by jerking her head back, as if I've struck her. I would do nothing to hurt her, though the way she’s looking at me, I’d say I did just that.
“She looks amazing.” Angel chimes in.
No shit. “I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to her.”
“Woah, what the hell is your problem tonight?” Angel cocks her hip as she crosses her arms over her chest, but I ignore her. “Fine. I can take a hint. But stop being a dick.” She leaves us in a painful silence.
Tequila’s furious for good reason.
“Shit.” I step forward, but then she takes one back.
“I know I’m not on the same page as your day of the week whores, but don’t you dare ask me something like that. You have no right.” Her voice trembles and I hate myself for it.
Day of the week whores? Is that what she thinks? It’s not a secret for all the women I’m with, but her tone is dripping with hurt and resentment. Not a chance. No one surpasses Tequila’s beauty. She took it the wrong way.
She spins to leave, but I don’t want her to go. I grab her arm and pull her close to my chest, unsurprised by how well she fits. There's a peculiar satisfaction in how she feels against me. With her hand resting on my racing heart and her warmth seeping through me, I savor her scent and how her body makes me come alive.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I just…” Her big green eyes peer up at me, and I lose the ability to think. To talk.
What the fuck ? Speak, idiot. This isn’t your first time.
I clear my throat and release our embrace, massaging my stiff neck. “I don’t want shitbags looking at you.”
“Are you telling me I’m dressed like a whore? A hang-around.”
No. Dammit.
“I’m saying you’re hot as fuck. Stunning. And you’re going to attract the wrong crowd.” This was not how I planned on this going.
I can't stand the way she's staring at me with disgust.
“Thank you for that backwards compliment, but I am not your ol’ lady, Throttle. You do not decide what’s okay for me to wear. And even if I were, you still get zero say in it.” She shoves her finger at my chest, but I grab hold of it, wrapping her tiny digit in the palm of my hand.
She gasps and her eyes widen in shock. If I were her man, I wouldn’t have an opinion what she wears. Ha, laughable. I would never let her stay dressed like that if she belonged to me, because I can't tolerate men staring at her. The curvaceous silhouette of her body, with ample breasts and a shapely ass. Nope, not happening. Although, if she were mine, no one would dare look in her direction.
I also wish I’d stop with the dirty fucking thoughts.
She tears herself away and stomps back inside. “You’re being ridiculous,” she yells over her shoulder.
I’ve gone mental.
With a frustrated expression, I rub my face and let out a loud sigh, thankful that there are no other people around to see me be a jerk.
I am behaving like a possessive asshole because of her.