Throttle Me (Men of Inked, #1)(4)

“Ready, babe?” he motioned toward the door.

I wanted to scream no, but I didn’t have a choice. I could never walk into this sort of place on my own.

“Yeah, ready as I’ll ever be.” I started walking toward the door and felt a hand on my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I looked at his fingers wrapped around my arm and turned toward him. “What are you doing?”

“You can’t just walk into a place like this. You’re an outsider. They’ll eat you alive in there. I don’t want anyone giving you shit. We have to make them believe you’re with me so they leave you the f*ck alone. Unless you want the attention?” he asked with a crooked eyebrow.

“I don’t.” I didn’t mind the idea of making everyone in the bar think we’re together. City was hot and seemed like a nice guy; he did stop to help me when he could’ve driven right by me.

“Just stay by my side and follow my lead. I know these people and I don’t want them sniffing around you. They look for easy prey,” he said, giving me a smile that made my body tingle and my sex convulse.

“Okay, I’ll stick to you like glue and follow your lead.” Jesus, I sounded like a dork. I’ve always been a bookworm. I was national honor society member, and when all my friends were partying, I stayed in my dorm to study.

City nestled me against his side, tucking me between his body and arm. I moved with him, trying to keep up with his fluid movements, but my legs were so short I felt like I almost had to jog to keep time with him. He opened the door and I was immediately hit with a smoky smell, loud twangy music, and a dozen set of eyes looking directly at us.

Randomly people yelled out “City” throughout the bar, giving me a clue that he was a regular. I felt like I entered a seedy version of Cheers and City was Norm, only sexy and muscular. He leaned down placing his mouth next to my ear I felt his hot breath before I could hear his words.

“Stick close and show no fear,” he whispered, causing goose bumps to break out across my skin. “Let’s say hello then we’ll call a tow for you.”

City looked big enough to handle any man in this place, but I didn’t want to take that chance. I concentrated on breathing, keeping my chin up, and watching where I walked. The floor was filled with peanut shells and dust and it made the walk in the stilettos even more treacherous than normal. I could barely walk when I bought them, but they looked too sexy to pass up.

We walked to a table filled with men all wearing their leather vests covered in patches. They were unshaven, as dangerously sexy as City with mischievous smiles on their faces. “Who’s this lovely lady, City?” one man asked. His eyes raked up my body, stopping at my breasts before he looked at my face.

“This is Sunshine. Don’t even f*cking think about it, Tank, she’s with me,” City said with a smile on his face as he pulled me closer.

Sunshine? I never told him my name and he never asked. I didn’t like the way Tank looked at me. Thank God he wasn’t the one driving by while I was stranded. He looked at me like I was a piece of meat; a meal for his enjoyment.

Tank put his hands up in surrender. “Dude, I’d never. Chill the f*ck out. I’m just enjoying the view,” he said, his eyes moving from City to me, and not being coy about his visual molestation.

City squeezed my waist, “Sunshine, this is Tank, the *,” he said pointing to each of the men. “This is Hog, Frisco, Sam, and Bear.” He pointed at each of the men as he rattled off the silly nicknames.

The nicknames didn’t seem to fit any of the men except Bear. His arms were hairy and he was big, huge in fact with dark hair and a fuzzy face. He looked huggable and kind with soft hazel eyes.

“Hi,” I said, looking at each of them quickly, but I didn’t try to memorize their names.

“I didn’t know you were bringing a woman tonight, City,” Bear said.

“Wilder shit has happened, Bear,” he said pulling me closer, leaving no space between us.

“She doesn’t look like your usual taste, my friend.” Bear smirked. “I don’t mean that shitty, girl, I just mean you’re one fine piece of ass and too good for that low life motherf*cker. You should be sitting on my lap.” He patted his leg and I wanted to find an exit. I looked down and studied my clothes. I didn’t wear the trashy clothes some of the women in here wore, but I looked classy, sexy even, and not a hint of nerd to be found.

City moved toward Bear and my heart sank as he began to speak. “Show some respect, you *. That’s not how you talk to a lady.” City stood inches from Bear’s face. “Apologize to the lady. Now.” City towered over him as Bear stayed rooted in his chair.

Bear looked at me and I could see him swallow hard before he spoke. “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I was just kidding around. I really am an *, forgive me please.”

“No harm done, Bear,” I said with a fake smile, hoping to calm the situation.

“We’re going to sit at the bar.” City looked at Bear, not moving his eyes.

“Come on dude, sit with us. Don’t mind Bear. He’s a total dick. Make his ass go sit at the bar,” Sam begged.

“Sunshine and I want to be alone. I’ll catch you guys another night,” City said, pressing his hand against my back, guiding me away from the table and the large bar area.