Throttle Me (Men of Inked, #1)(7)

“Do you swear? Simple question. You’ve said ‘heck’ and ‘friggin’’ so far, but nothing dirty.”

“Oh, um, yeah, I swear.” Her cheeks turned pink and a small smile spread across her face. “I’m just used to watching my words with the kids around all day.”

“Prove it,” I said, staring in her sapphire eyes.

“What? Why?”

“Cause I need to know if it’s in you. Are you all good girl? Or is there something more underneath dying to come out?” I hid the smile and laughter that was so close to breaking free from my lips. The pink of her cheeks spread across her face. I know I embarrassed her, but f*ck, I needed to know if I stood a chance.

“Yes, I swear. What do you think I am? I’m not a child, City.” She glared at me as she raised the drink to her lips and wrapped them around the rim. Fuck. I wanted those lips wrapped around my dick, taking me deep and sucking me off.

“Never said you were, babe. Do you drink besides tonight?” I asked, now smiling because I knew she was upset. I liked the fire I saw in her eyes when I pointed out her good girl qualities – she obviously didn’t like being labeled.

“Sometimes. I’m just responsible. I don’t drink and drive. My dad used to be a cop and it was drilled into my head at an early age.” The words she spoke hit me like a ton of bricks. Drunk driving was the one thing in the world that caused my blood to boil.

Good girl teacher with a cop father? Just my luck. “Nothin’ wrong with that. Virgin daiquiris aren’t always your thing, then?”

“Why? Do I have to be a drinker? I mean does it make me less of an adult?”

“No, Suzy. Just trying to get a feel for who you are – what you are.” Her shoulders slumped and she seemed to relax a bit with my words. “Want another drink? You downed that one quick.” She surprised me with how fast she polished it off, my question about her drinking had been answered, but I wanted to watch her get a little pissed.

“One more and then I’m done,” she said.

“You order your drink and I’m going to go talk to my friend over there real quick. He’s a mechanic. I’ll see what he can do with your car tonight.” Standing, I motion to Sandy and pointed to Suzy.

“Okay, don’t leave me alone here too long.”

“Promise, two minutes, tops.” I walked away from Suzy as Sandy approached. The vultures would swoop in soon enough in my absence.

“Bored with Sunshine over there, buddy?” Tank asked as he kicked back in his chair as the others laughed. Tank’s smile was wide and the laughter only encouraged him further. “I can step in if you’d like. I wouldn’t mind spending the night with that sweet flower.”

I sat down in my usual seat next to Bear. “You can f*ck off tonight.” I pointed at Tank. “I don’t need your shit.” Tank just grinned. I knew he was f*cking around but it pissed me the f*ck off. I’ve known Tank for years and although he could be a pain in the ass, he had a heart of gold.

“Easy there, City. What the f*ck crawled up your ass and died?” Bear said.

“Nothing man, long day. Sorry, brother.”

“Sweet on that girl, huh? Never knew you were such an uptight dick let alone over protective of a woman,” Bear said.

“I’m not, but f*ck, the shit that comes out of your mouth just pisses me off at times.”

“Sorry. Just f*ckin’ with you.”

“We’re cool.” I slapped Bear on the shoulder hoping to change the mood. No matter what *s the guys could be, they were still my friends. They always had my back and were there for me when I needed them. “I need a favor, Tank.”

“Name it.”

“Her car’s down the road and isn’t starting. It’s an easy fix to get it moving again, but there’s some other issue with it. Think you could take care of it for me and drop it by her place tomorrow?”

“Sure. Whatever you need. You want me to just get it running or fix it for her?”

“Fix it and I’ll pay for the repair. Don’t let her pay for anything. Just drop it in her driveway.”


“How will he know where I live?” she asked.

“Registration in the glove box.” I twirled the keys in my finger and held my hand out for her to take. “Ready?”

“Duh,” she said as she shook her head and grabbed my hand. All I could do was laugh. She wobbled on the high heels as she reached out and grabbed my shirt to steady herself. Sex didn’t ooze off of her. There was a quirkiness that I couldn’t put my finger on, but the sex kitten was there somewhere underneath the surface.

“Home?” I wanted to ask her your place or mine, but I didn’t think she was that type of girl. My life had become an endless parade of those girls and there wasn’t one thing that said ‘take me home and f*ck me’ about Suzy.

“Yes,” she said.

I motioned to Tank and he walked toward us before we made it to the door. “Her car is two miles south, man. Can you have it done by tomorrow?” I asked as I placed the keys in his hand.

“Sure, buddy. I’ll have it at her place as early as possible.”

“Thanks,” I said as I shook his hand.

“Crap,” she said.