Throttled (Dirty Air, #1)

by Lauren Asher

she is a drop-dead gorgeous woman.

Noah unexpectedly wraps his arm around my waist

His hand possessively splays across my stomach, holding me hostage.

If it puts a smile on your face…sure, why not.

my chest tightens at her smile,

Watching her happy makes my heart clench like a chick.

nothing beats the smile on Maya’s face as she watches us.

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.”

“Did I tell you that you look beautiful today?”

“You look stunning today.” He ramps up his charm.

Looking at it now, I realize the blue matches the color of Noah’s eyes.

“Tell me you’re not affected by this connection between

“You drive me crazy.

I’m into Maya. Like really into her.

She screws me all up inside, making me want ridiculous things.

Noah notices me from my spot behind the blockades, shooting me a panty-melting grin.

He doesn’t give me another second to think before his mouth is on mine, soft lips pressing against my own.

He grabs my elbow and pulls me back toward him. A quick peck silences me.

“Precious cargo. Everyone, please move out of the way.”

Maya gives me the biggest grin that reaches her eyes, and damn if my lungs don’t burn at my sudden intake of breath.

She looks like a natural, both gorgeous and confident.

“Will Noah Slade ask Maya Alatorre on a date?” I flinch at my pathetic pickup line.

Why wine and dine you? I’m going to get what I want anyway.”

“Because I already called dibs on you.” His intense gaze makes me shudder.

But unlike our first kiss, this one demands.

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

“If it were another life, I’d probably do right by you. I’d take you on dates and try harder. But that’s not who I am or how I was raised. I don’t know how to be the kind of emotional guy you desire.”

I don’t have a right to feel jealous, since I can’t give her what she wants. But I can’t control it;

A churning feeling of jealousy swirls in the pit of my stomach. Being jealous of her brother…a new low.

I’d rather have her mad at me than feel nothing at all.

“They’ll never be as good as what we could have. But this is why people like you never have happily-ever-afters. You’re so jaded, you can’t see the best things until it’s too late.”

So I’m not sure what real love even looks or feels like.

What exactly are you afraid of?” This man and his board of inspirational quotes. “Not giving it my best and failing. Disappointing her and not being able to be there when she needs me. Breaking her heart and mine in the process.

don’t deserve her, but screw anyone else who tries.

Calloused fingers lift my chin, making my body respond to him instantaneously like we haven’t spent a month apart.

“I’ve missed you.” The three words he says feel like everything I want to hear.

I want to tell her I’m ready to try with her, the whole deal, no more fucking around.

If only she knew what was coming. I’m done playing games; I’m getting my checkered flag.

Give me all the strings attached.”

“You’re so beautiful.”

“You’re gorgeous. A natural beauty.”

I could never win again and be perfectly fine so long as you’re by my side. In my bed. Me inside you. I like you a lot.”

“She’s my girlfriend.” Not officially. But he doesn’t need to know.

“I’m probably going to marry her one day. I think she’s the one.” I say the words with confidence.

Most of all, I like how she makes me want to be a better person. For her, for me, for the whole goddamn world.

“You’re. The. Most. Lovely. Woman. To. Me.”

“I really like you, Maya. I want to spend every day with you, both in here and out there once you let me. Will you be my girlfriend? Officially?”

Because I never want another day to go by without her hearing it. “I love you.” My voice rasps over the music.

My body freezes at Noah’s voice.