Page 40 of Throttle Therapy

Roadkill stepped back but offered her a hand.She took it and let him help her down, not that she needed help, but it was nice to have someone help for a change.He closed the door and walked her to the door.

“Not sure who all’s around but if you’re at all uncomfortable with anything, let me know and we’ll leave, all right?”

She nodded and he pushed the door open.Noise hit her.It wasn’t loud like the Driftwood had been on the few night shifts she’d been called in to work, but was more like a large family.People calling to each other across a room.Teasing, talking, laughing.The noise washed over her, making something tight in her stomach seem to unwind.

They stepped in the door and she looked around.It only took her a moment to spot her sister, sitting on a stool at the bar sipping something that looked suspiciously like alcohol.

Panic flooded her.If she thought missing meals was bad, if DHR caught wind of Lacey drinking, Jenna would lose her for sure.

“Relax, darlin’, it’s virgin.Joker wouldn’t let them give her anything that might hurt her.”Roadkill’s voice in her ear helped some of it fade.At least enough that she realize the man next to her sister, with his back to Jenna was in fact Joker.That made her feel better, but still.They’d just met Joker.Could she really trust him?

She felt like they could, but she’d thought she could trust Mason at first too.She’d learned the hard way that it was better to be safe than sorry.She knew what she was going to do even before she closed the distance between the door and her sister.

“Hey, Lace, you having fun?”Jenna kept her voice light, cheerful as she reached past her sister and picked up the fruity drink.

“Yeah, what’s up?”Lacey asked.

Jenna took a drink.Icy sweet strawberry hit her tastebuds, but no alcohol.Thank goodness.She put the glass back on the bar where she got it.

“Not much.I just wanted to see how this tasted to see if I want one.”

Lacey frowned then rolled her eyes and turned back to her drink.Jenna started to go back to Roadkill, but a hesitant touch on her hand by Joker stopped her.

“I’ll keep an eye out, make sure she’s safe,” he said, pulling his hand away.

The fierce look in his eye told her he wasn’t lying.He would give his life to make sure nothing happened to Lacey.Jenna didn’t know what to say.

“Thank you.”The words weren’t enough, but it was all she had.She moved away, going back to Roadkill.“Sorry, I just had to be sure.”

He hooked an arm around her waist and tugged her against him.

“Don’t blame you, darlin’.You haven’t had people you could trust before, or at least not in a while.It will take some time.Want something to drink?”Roadkill motioned to the bar where Lacey still sat, Joker right beside her.

“I probably shouldn’t.Especially not on an empty stomach.”

“Darlin’ I’m not trying to pressure you.Just the opposite in fact.I want to take some of it off of you.If you want a drink, have one.You’re sister’s safe.You aren’t driving and we’ll have pizza here inside the hour.If you want something that won’t mess with your mind, we have that too.Water, soda, whatever.If we don’t have what you prefer, I’ll send a prospect to get it.”

“But?Why?”She looked up at him, knowing she probably looked like she was hanging on by a thread, but too emotionally exhausted to care.

“Because I want to see you happy, darlin’.I want to make things easier for you.”

She scowled.“I still don’t get it.I’m nothing.Nobody.”

“No, darlin’, you’re not.”He cupped her cheek in one hand.“You don’t see it yet, but I think you’re everything.It’s my job to show you though, and I take my job seriously.”

Jenna stared at him, wide-eyed as his words sank in.He seemed to see when they did.

“Darlin’?”he said, drawing her mind back to him.“I’m going to kiss you.If you don’t want it, say something now.I’m not trying to push you, remember?”He moved slowly, giving her time to pull away or say stop, but the memory of the brief kiss as he dropped her off this morning and the heat it had sent through her flashed in her mind, keeping her from stopping him.

His mouth was firm but gentle as he coaxed her to open up to him.Roadkill’s arms came around her, making her feel safe and protected, she leaned into him and let him control the way they tasted and teased each other.Her arms found their way around his waist as she needed something to hold on to.

She heard the echo of voices around them, but couldn’t make out what they were saying.Not that she tried.Not that she cared.She was too lost in the rush of sensations flooding her that they were all that mattered, at least in the moment.

When Roadkill broke the kiss, slowly lifting his head, Jenna found herself staring up at him with wide eyes.Since when had a kiss felt like that?

And if he could blow her mind with a kiss, what would he do if she ever let him get her clothes off?It had been so long for her.As hot as his kiss had made her, a stiff breeze against the right part of her body would send her over the edge.

But how could he know that?How could she tell him?Her face flamed.