Throttle Me (Men of Inked, #1)(29)

“Not touchy, Mike. This f*ckin’ girl is stuck in my head.”

Mikey shook his head and started to laugh. “Ah, she’s cracking that cold dead heart of yours?”

“Fuck, I don’t know. I’m seeing her again tonight. What the f*ck am I doing, man?”

“*. She got good shit, huh?” He grinned.

“Platinum f*cking *. Has my brain all f*ckin’ jumbled up, man.”

“Never thought I’d see the motherf*cking day.”

“Makes two of us,” I mumbled.

“Listen, you want anyone else f*cking her?” he asked as he placed his hand on my shoulder. He’s always into love and touching, and it made me bat shit crazy.

The thought of anyone else touching Suzy made me want to f*cking vomit or beat the shit out of the bastard. “Fuck no, I want to be the only one inside her. I don’t like sloppy seconds.”

“Well, there’s your answer.”

“Fucking hell.” I shook my head and stared at the floor.

“Doesn’t mean you have to marry her, Joey. Just make sure she doesn’t want to f*ck anyone else. Make her yours – take the f*cking leap.”

“For once Mikey, you’re right. Fucking miracle.” I couldn’t deny it anymore. I wanted her and couldn’t stand the thought of anyone else touching her or kissing her beautiful lips.

“You know I always got your back. It’s been years, man. Joni would want you to be happy,” he grabbed the schedule off the counter as the door chimed and the rest of the Gallo pack walked through the doors. “Would they have been friends – Joni and this girl?”

They had some similarities. Joni would think Suzy was funny as hell and sweet. “Yeah, they probably would have liked each other.”

“She doesn’t want you alone, wherever she is.”

“Thanks, Mikey.” Waiting for everyone to get settled, I grabbed my phone and sent Suzy a message about tonight.

Me: You’re mine tonight, Suzette.





Friday ~ Worlds Collide



The day dragged on and the students were in a foul mood. I needed the weekend to start. When the lunchtime bell rang, I walked in my office, plopping in my chair as I let my head fall back. “Jesus,” I muttered. I closed my eyes for a moment and listened to the stillness in the air since the kids had cleared the building. Two more class periods – I can do it.

I opened my drawer and grabbed my container of leftover pasta and searched for my phone. I hoped City messaged me – I need something to brighten up this shit day. I looked at the screen and my stomach fluttered. I’m his tonight. What did he mean? Sexually?

I never liked to be called Suzette, but the way it sounded coming out of his mouth made my breath hitch. He always seemed to whisper it in my ear or say it against my lips and it drove me crazy. I wanted to hear him say my name tonight.

Me: Only tonight?

Hell, did I just sound needy?

City: All things are possible.

What the hell did that mean?

“Hello. Suzy, you in here?” I heard Sophia’s voice calling from the door.

“In my office,” I yelled, grabbing a forkful of noodles.

Sophia stood in the doorway and made a sound of disgust. “I don’t know how you eat that Ragu shit cold. Bleh.” She scrunched her nose, opening her mouth and stuck her finger inside and pretended to gag.

“Hey Mama Guido, what are you doing slumming it down here?” I stuck the noodle in my mouth and made a face at her.

“Kayden and I were talking and we wanted to know if you and the cock piercing wanted to come over for a barbeque tonight?”

“You just want to molest him with your eyes.”

“No, I don’t. I have my hunk. Kayden still makes me tingle thinking about him.” She made a silly face and shook her body like just the thought of his body brought her pleasure. “I want to meet this guy and see if he’s worthy of my little Suzy. Plus, Kayden could use a little pick me up. Maybe they can be friends and we can double date.” She rested her body against the door with her leg crossed in front of the other and her arms folded. I always had a hard time saying no to Sophia.


“Well, I’d have to ask him. I don’t know what he had planned.”

“Send me an email after you ask him. It’ll be fun. Don’t take no for an answer. You’ve peeked my curiosity about this man that has you all type of insane. I mean, sweetie, I’ve always known you were crazy, but he has you questioning everything in your perfect little mapped out life. I must meet him.”

“Fine, Soph. Let me ask him.”

Me: BBQ at my friends place tonight. You game?

“There, I asked. It’s up to him now. Happy?” I grabbed a huge forkful and slowly placed it in my mouth – anything to gross Sophia out. She was the queen of sauce and meatballs. I missed when the house used to fill with the smell of her cooking and coming home after a long day and Kayden would have something divine on the stove. Now it was me and Ragu against the world.

“Ugh, I can’t stand here and watch you eat that shit.”

My phone chirped. “Wait,” I said as she walked away from my office. “Incoming.”

“So?”

City: Sounds fan-f*ckingtastic. What time shall I give you a ‘ride’?