Throttled (Dirty Air 1)

No way I will admit anything to him.

“Not sure what you’re talking about. Do you try this with all your floozies?” Who the hell says floozies anymore? Alcohol makes me stupid. So, so stupid.

“I think you know.” His hands grip me possessively as our hips move to the music. I withhold a moan as my head rolls back into his chest, his dick pressing into my ass, a hint at the size of him.

He blows hot air into the shell of my ear, causing my core to pulse with need. My body burns wherever he touches, his fingers skimming down the smooth material of my dress. A delicate layer protecting my body from his touch.

“You drive me crazy. I keep thinking about fucking you, wondering how you sound when you explode in ecstasy. The moans you’ll make while you greedily take my cock. Is it breathy? Loud?”

My stomach flutters at the sensation of his teeth grazing my ear lobe. I tilt my head to the side, giving him better access to my neck, his lips trailing kisses down the curve of it. His touch makes me pant. My resolve slips, begging me to give into him.

Take me home, I want to say. But I don’t, letting my body say the words my mouth can’t get out.

It’s a problem for future me.

What’s one night with him? We’re adults who can keep a secret.

Noah senses my submission. His lips press against the hollow of my throat, his tongue darting out to taste me, making my body shudder as he sucks on the sensitive skin.

Someone grabs my hand and tugs me away, cold air hitting my skin in Noah’s absence. He growls at the intrusion.

“Maya, just the girl I’ve been looking for. Your brother is searching for you. You remember him, right? Noah’s teammate.” Sophie emphasizes her words. How did she even find us in this crowd, a cluster of bodies dancing together?

I shake away the lust-induced cloud. Music thumping in the background washes over me, reminding me of where we are. Dance lights illuminate my shoes. If I click them together, can I go home?

“I better get going. Sister duties and all. Thanks for the dance,” my voice rasps.

Whatever we did is nothing like any dance I’ve experienced in my life. My eyes meet Noah’s intense ones, a swirl of lust and frustration evident even in the dark.

“This isn’t over.” His husky voice hints at a promise.

“It is for now, Romeo. Let’s go, Juliet.” Sophie pulls me away, proving herself to be the best cockblocker.

She keeps her cool until we find an empty corner.

“Uh, where’s my brother?”

“Who the heck knows. I needed an excuse to get you out of there before you and Noah screwed each other on the dance floor. What happened to you staying away from him? I was practically fanning myself while watching the two of you.” She demonstrates with her hands.

My lips tip up in a smile. “I didn’t peg you for a voyeur.”

“You’re not using your shitty evasion techniques on me. I see through them a mile away; don’t insult my talents. Are you trying to get with him or avoid him? You need to decide.” She taps her sneaker on the ground and crosses her arms. A ridiculous look only Sophie can pull off, her fluffy dress and white sneakers shining in the dark.

“I don’t really know.” I shrug because I genuinely don’t know what to make of this thing between Noah and me. An out-of-control magnetism I can’t describe.

“You guys were a modern-day Dirty Dancing scene. I don’t buy it. What are you going to do about this thing between you both?”

“Uh, ‘thing’ is a bit of a stretch. That’s the closest we’ve ever gotten to each other. Attraction, yes. Thing, no.” I shake my head from side to side.

Her elevated eyebrow fails to reassure me. “You’re into your brother’s teammate. And rival I might add.”

“No,” I stutter. My weight shifts from foot to foot. “I’m sexually attracted to him. Not like into him as a person because I barely know him.”

“Right.” She draws the word out. “We’ll have to keep you away from him.”

“We?” My turn to be confused.

“Liam and I. Duh. That’s what friends do.”