Throttle Me (Men of Inked, #1)(30)

“Um,” I say as I can feel the heat creep into my cheeks. “He wants to know what time we should arrive.”

“He talks all proper like that?”

“Nope, but that’s all your getting. Time please?”

She sighed, “Eight, okay? If you’re gonna be late just let me know, whoreface. Bye,” she said as the door closed behind her.

Me: Sophia said to be there at eight. Pick me up around ten til to be there on time – Sophia doesn’t do late.

I knew that Sophia would take one look at City and practically be doing cartwheels. She’s never liked any man I’d seen since we became friends. I flipped through the paperwork from my mailbox this morning as I waited for City to respond.

City: I’ll be there at six thirty. Be ready for me, because I’m hard as a f*ckin’ rock. I have plans for that * before we go to the BBQ.

Omg, omg, omg.

Me: I’ll be waiting with bells on.

Five minutes left before the next barrage of hooligans walked through the door. My afternoon classes were murder. They weren’t bad kids, but they were challenging and mentally draining.

City: Naked – no f*cking bells.

A fire ignited in my body as I read the screen. It’s on like Donkey Kong.





Passing the Test



“Coming,” a female voice from inside yelled.

“I remember you saying those very words twenty minutes ago,” I growled in Suzy’s ear.

Her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink as she bit her lip trying to hide her smile. Suzy pushed her hair off her shoulders and fixed her shirt, as though she wanted everything perfect and in place. “Stop fidgeting, sugar.”

“Oh my God, I can’t. Sophia is going to take one look at me and know what we did,” she said dabbing her fingers at the corner of her lips.

“If she doesn’t, then I didn’t do it right.”

A beautiful brunette opened the door with a smile. She looked me over starting at my face and then her eyes raked over my body. I felt almost violated by the way she appraised me. She looked at Suzy with a devilish grin and opened her arms. The girls exchanged hugs and whispered words that I couldn’t hear but Sophia’s eyes never left mine.

“Sophia, this is City.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophia.” I extended my hand to her. Sophia’s hair was pulled back in a sloppy bun that sat on top of her head. She had a bright white smile and kind eyes.

She placed her hand in mine. “Nice to finally meet you, City. I’ve heard all about you.” She winked.

A grin crept across my face – I guess I got the thumbs up from her friend. “Nice things, I hope.”

“She spoke very big of you.” She giggled and I felt my cheeks heat. I could tell these girls together were going to be a handful. “Come on in. Kayden and Jett are out on the patio starting the grill.”

I extended my arm for Suzy to walk in front of me as I watched both girls walk inside and stayed close behind. They lived in a small apartment that was decorated with mismatched pieces that all worked. Sports Center was on the television and baby things were scattered everywhere.

“Don’t mind the mess. Children have a way of overtaking everything, no matter how small.” She waved her hands around and picked up small toys off the floor before tossing them in a basket near the television stand.

The door to the patio opened and a tall, muscular man holding a baby walked into the living room. His head was clean-shaven and he looked like someone that I’d find down at the Neon Cowboy or a guy who would walk in my shop for some work.

“Kayden, baby, Suzy brought her new beau, City.” Kayden eyed me warily.

I held out my hand to him. “Nice to meet you, Kayden. Suzy talks very highly of you and Sophia.”

Kayden placed the baby in the crook of his left arm before extending his right hand to me. “Glad to meet you, City.” He squeezed my hand tightly, almost to the point of pain, but I didn’t dare pull away. I knew the f*ckin’ macho bullshit. He was staking his claim on Sophia and giving me a silent warning with Suzy.

“Oh, Jett, come here baby.” Reaching for Jett, Suzy plucked him from Kayden’s arms.

“No hello, Suzy? How are you, Kayden? I’ve missed you, Kayden. Just Ooo, Jett.” Kayden laughed.

“Oh now, Kayden, you know I love you. Gimme a kiss,” she said puckering her lips and closing her eyes.

My heart raced with the thought of Kayden placing his lips on hers. I squeezed my hands into fists. They’re just friends. Kayden planted a kiss on her cheek as he rubbed the head of his child before walking into the kitchen and wrapping his arms around his wife.

“He’s gotten so big,” Suzy said as she bounced the baby in her arms, patting his butt. She looked natural with a child in her arms, like it was something she did every day. Her eyes lit up as Jett gripped her thumb.

“He’s growing like a weed,” Sophia said from the kitchen. “What do you guys want to drink? City, what can I get you?”

“I’ll take a beer if you got one.” Suzy’s eyes grew wide and her nostrils flared and I didn’t know what I said, but obviously I f*cked up somehow. “But it’s okay if you don’t. I’ll really drink anything.”

“Coming right up. Suzy? Virgin daiquiri, babe?” Sophia snickered as she opened the fridge and began to dig around.