Throttled (Dirty Air, #1)

by Lauren Asher

Mom, Thank you for everything, including the holy water you’ll bathe me in after you read this book.

Men like Noah are only built for wickedness.

because I get petty when mad. Assholes don’t do it for me, no matter how pretty their faces are.

Can’t help my sexual appetite when I fuck like I race—wild, risky, and often.

Fine is a woman’s equivalent to a land mine, because you have absolutely no idea when or where that shit will explode.

I’m mentally done with today.

Why can’t he have a nasally voice that throws me off, something to take away part of his sex appeal? I doubt it’s too much to ask.

I want to spend more time around her and suck up her happiness like the goddamn black hole I am.

Safe to say yoga is not my workout of choice. Namaste in bed, thank you very much.

Basically, Noah is a heartache disguised in pretty packaging. He has the same allure as a pint of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. And no sex on earth is worth his kind of trouble.

But for the first time in my life, I’m interested in someone for a different reason. With Maya, the most beautiful thing about her is how her eyes light up with happiness when she grins, an infectious smile that makes my lips turn up every time. Her beam is hands down one of my favorite things. A bubble of positive energy, dancing in circles without a care in the world.

During the party, it hits me how much trouble I’m in. A cardinal sin has been broken. I think I like Noah Slade.

“What are the chances of dying of a heart attack at twenty-three? Seriously, you’re googling this? I didn’t know I had such an effect on you. You flatter me.”

and if I weren’t peeved, I’d find it extremely attractive. Who am I kidding? I do. Annoyed or not, this man is fine. Handsome and absolutely fuckable.

I’m so royally screwed, by the F1’s American prince no less.

I can lie and pretend I’m a mature woman.

“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?”

American Devil: Didn’t place on the podium. Maybe I’m the superstitious one.

Karma really is a bitch after all.

“I’ve dated before, but I’m far from normal. Why wine and dine you? I’m going to get what I want anyway.”

Did I say he looks like trouble already? Still waiting on the warning label.

“You can’t call dibs on people. You sound like a B-list rom-com.” “But I fuck like an A-list porno.”

But it feels great to make him desire me because this man makes me feel a whole lot of things. The good, the bad, and the absolute dirtiest.

Noah is the type to unwillingly chip off pieces of my armor until I have nothing left.

“Mm. Wonder how much alcohol you had to drink to wipe the taste of me from your mouth. Doubt the girl minded though. Desperation always trumps common sense.”

“I think love is about happiness and sacrifice. Compromising instead of arguing. Having someone who is always there for you even when you don’t deserve it. Loving someone means you want to spend the rest of your life with them, on the good days and the bad days and everything in between.”

because loving someone makes you vulnerable.”

Her giggle fills the room. It’s the best thing I’ve heard all week, even better than winning second place. And it hits me. Shit.

assessment. I was right. He does have rock-hard abs, a fuckable body, and kissable lips.

“Death by orgasm. Seems like a good way to go.”

How the mighty have fallen, becoming jealous over a TV character.

palm. I want her to know I’m the only one who can fuck her like this, make her feel like this. I want to ruin her for any man who dares to try to come after me. I fuck her like she’s the last woman on earth. Because to me, she might as well be.

“Maya?” his voice rasps. “Yup?” “Keep talking. I love hearing your voice.” Happy to oblige.

But most importantly, Noah Slade, the love of my life.

“I love you so fucking much. Enjoy your last thirty minutes as Maya Alatorre because after that, you’re all mine.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s only a last name.” I smirk. “No. It’s only the beginning of forever.”