Throttled (Dirty Air Series Book 1)

I’m into Maya. Like really into her. She scrolls through her phone, unaware of her surroundings, or of me checking her out.

I want to hash it out, test the physical connection to its maximum. See how explosive the sex is. Fuck her against every hard surface in my apartment and show her a good time. The idea of exclusive fuck buddies for the rest of the Championship can be on the table if our sex proves to be as good as I imagine. Never had a permanent fuck buddy before, but I think we can be that great together.

Liam jerks me out of my daydream. He nudges my side and looks toward the cameras and reporters in front of us.

“I wasn’t paying attention to the question. Can you repeat it?” I offer a sly grin.

The group of reporters snickers at my honesty. Maya glances at me with lit-up eyes as her chest shakes from withheld laughter.

“What strategies have you taken to defend your undefeated Monaco Prix title?” The reporter stammers out his question again.

“Uh, well I usually get in the car and practice. Try to go my fastest. You know, the basics.” I play the jokester today. Stifled laughs carry through the crowd while a couple cameras click, taking photos and videos.

Everyone knows I hate questions like these. This reporter is probably new and unaware of my preference. Viewers eat this up, loving the way I act and how I present myself. They’re fans of mine for a reason.

Reporters drone on. Not wanting to make myself look like a total idiot before a race, I make sure to pay attention to them this time. Sponsors may assume I partied too hard in Monaco. I even listen when they ask Santi how he feels about his second-place qualifier.

“Pretty good. It’s nice when my hard work pays off. Last year I retired early from Monaco after an engine failure so I’m excited to get back out there and compete against people I’ve looked up to for years.”

I nod, impressed with his answer. It seems like he’s been working on his PR skills.

Once the press conference ends, I stroll off the stage and head straight to Maya. “Funny, I never saw you again after the fashion show. Where did you disappear to?” Both my dick and I are curious where she and Sophie ran off to.

She keeps scrolling through her phone. I push one finger down on it, revealing the screen. She’s ignoring me for Instagram?

I press the auto-lock button on the side of her phone. The dark screen taunts her to look up at me, and she plays right into my hand.

I don’t like how her brown eyes intensely stare into mine, guarded and unexpressive.

“I spent time with my brother and Sophie before calling it an early night.” Her eyes dart to the side while answering.

“Funny thing because I ran into your brother five minutes after you left. He was surprised when I asked if he was able to get in contact with you. He tried to call you, but you didn’t pick up. We ended up spending the rest of the night talking with sponsors.” I shrug, trying to come off unfazed. In reality, it ticks me off how Sophie dragged Maya away. How messed up. Sadly, I had to whack off in the bathroom after Maya left to relieve the raging hard-on I had. Embarrassing as fuck. Sophie’s the worst cockblocker ever, taking Maya away right when she gave in to me.

The pink shade of her cheeks deepens, revealing enough to me.

“Would you look at the two of you, all cozy and shit. What secrets are you discussing? How to beat me tomorrow?”

I roll my eyes at Liam’s interruption before I run a hand down my face. Can Maya and I not get a second alone?

“I’m spying for my brother. My loyalty is always to him.” Maya taps her Bandini hat. The brim shows an embroidered seven on it. What would it be like if she wore my number twenty-eight? I envision her in a shirt with my name on it instead of Santiago’s.

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

“I better get going anyway because Santi and I have a lunch to go to. Good luck tomorrow, Liam. See you later, Noah.” She scurries away.

“Bro, you don’t want to tap that. She’s your teammate’s sister. Not worth it.”

Liam telling me to not hook up with someone is unheard of, the equivalent of him telling me to throw a race. It just isn’t done.

“Seeing as you tap anything with two legs and fake boobs, why are you giving me advice right now?” I struggle to cover up my annoyance. That came out rough, even for my standards.

Liam puts both palms in the air. “Woah, no need to take it out on me. Or make it personal for that matter. If you need to fuck someone, pick a girl up at one of the events. They’re easy ass.”

Therein lies the problem. I have no interest in hooking up with a random chick, and I haven’t for a while. When was the last time I slept with someone casually like that?

Liam mistakes my silence for acceptance. “Listen, bro. A word of advice—even though you’re being a dick right now. People like Maya don’t casually hook up with people like us. She’s the type to get feelings and end up wanting more.” Liam shudders dramatically.

“What’s wrong with feelings?”

He looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. Granted, I guess I usually don’t care for women’s feelings.

“They develop into more. Then it becomes proposals, sacrifices, babies crying. The works. One day you wake up and wonder where time went. You’ll be forty years old, your wife will barely fuck you anymore, and next thing you know, you’re masturbating to porn every day to get by.”

I still jack off now. Not exactly a trade-off.

Liam comes off uncharacteristically bitter, which I find weird because his parents have a perfect marriage. I mean, I’m already thirty. Not like I want to be alone for the rest of my life, only while I compete in racing and live on the road.

“Not sure how hooking up with Maya turned into a ten-year life plan. But thanks for your concern.” I pat him on the shoulder while rolling my eyes.

“I want to warn you. She’s one of those girls that’ll bring you to your knees. I’m telling you. You’ll be turning in your man card and wondering where you went wrong. Swapping out new girls for the same chick. Same pussy for the rest of your life.”

His vision of marriage is kind of dark, unlike his usually optimistic self. Don’t know what crawled up his ass today. I leave him behind, my mood tainted by his words.

The day of the Monaco race, I search around for Maya because I don’t see or hear from her. I end up in the Bandini bar area in a last-ditch effort to find her. Sophie sips espresso at one of the tables, casually flipping through a magazine, not a care in the world.

“Have you seen Maya?” I keep my voice low as I plant my butt in the chair across from her.

She sips her drink. “Like recently?”

Why is she playing dumb? “Yes. Within the last few hours?” It takes effort to keep my teeth from grinding. My dentist won’t be happy with me next time he sees me.

She finds my reaction funny, her eyes betraying her amusement. “Why do you want to know?”

“Answer the damn question. Not that hard,” I blurt out.

Her eyes roll at my rough tone. I’ve visited her house during the holidays, so we’ve known each other casually for years. She reminds me of an annoying third cousin because we’re not close enough to be considered siblings.

“No need to get your race suit in a twist. She decided to watch like a normal bystander today, wanting to film the experience for her vlog.”

Doesn’t Maya know that’s not a good idea? People will recognize her; drunks will try to grope her. I don’t like the thought of her being out there by herself.

“Why aren’t you out there with her?” AKA why are you sitting here drinking coffee while your friend is out by herself in a crazy crowd?

“I was going to hang out in the pit with my dad. This is one of the biggest races of the year, so I’m sure it’ll be crazy down there.”

I pull out my phone before she finishes her sentence. She watches as I tap around on the screen.

I break the silence after a few minutes. “What’s your number?”

“Seriously, you try to hit on me after you ask where my friend is? You were dry-humping her the other day.”

My jaw clenches. “No. You’re skipping out on the pit today. Your dad sent me a ticket, beyond enthused that you want to see the race like a true fan.”

I smirk at her wide eyes while she tells me her number. She doesn’t speak another word, thank God. Maya can avoid me all she wants, but it doesn’t mean she has to do it alone. I’ll get my way eventually. These types of games don’t phase me because I have enough stamina to outdo her.

My lips twitch as I think up a plan to get her alone after the race. She can evade me all she wants, but it doesn’t mean I need to. Two can play this game.