Page 49 of Pushed

“Tell me or don't tell me, but I can see who you are. I can really see what sits behinds the surface and it's not evil, no matter what you think.” My thumb ran over his bottom lip, swiping against the stubble on his chin.

Machi watched me as a soft twitch pulsed in his jaw. Running his eyes over my face, they settled on my lips. Drawing in a slow breath, he reached out and gripped my wrists in his hands.

The feel of his skin on mine sizzled up my arms, lighting a fire in my chest and that made my heart pound. There was something there, something that I couldn't put into words.

It was just a feeling, an emotion, a warmth and a chill all in the same breath.

Leaning forward, he steadied himself, stopping just before our mouths touched. “No matter what happens, I meant what I said, I promise I'll keep you safe.”

Nodding, ours lips brushed and the electricity snapped across the surface, making my mouth tingle. “I know,” I whispered as my eyes darted up to his and back to his jaw.

Is he waiting for me?

Am I supposed to control this kiss?

His hands swept around my back, tugging me into his chest, silencing my thoughts. Our bodies pressed together as Machi crashed his lips onto mine, sucking and kissing, tasting and devouring.

That kiss, that one single instant of passion was all I needed to know he was real. Machi had secrets, he held onto something that he couldn't let go of, but whatever it was, it didn't make him evil.

I knew he would stand by his promises.

Scooping me up, he carried me to the bed and set me down, never allowing our mouths to break apart. His eyes were open, drowning my body with a tsunami of unspoken words.

Not one piece of my brain was questioning what I was doing. Machi was a tall glass of water and I had just walked through a desert. Need was all around me.

I needed him.

I needed his help, his hands, his voice, his eyes. . .Everything.

Pressing down on my chest, my nipples perked, eagerly begging to be plucked and nibbled, suckled and licked. Arching my back, I rocked my hips, scratching my nails down his back.

Sucking my bottom lip, Machi broke our kiss with a tender exhale. “I don't know why you make me feel this way, Imperial, no woman has ever made my heart come to life with just a single touch.” His cheek brushed mine as his lips found the delicate skin behind my ear. Biting softly, he growled into my ear. “Fuck, what I want to do to you. . . It's going to get me killed.”

Jerking my head away, Machi lifted his eyes to mine, peering deep into my stare. “Is that what this means?” Following the lines of his tattoo on his neck, I traced it lightly. “Does this mean you belong to them?”

“No, it has nothing to do with them. That's for me.”

“What does it mean?” Angling my head, I continued to swirl my fingers over the black ink.

“It's the symbol for pain.”

“Why pain? Why not something else, something that isn't so dark?”

His eyes turned to glass, glancing away as he swallowing hard. “Pain is the only thing I can remember feeling; not love, not happiness—just the hurt of the life I lived. I have nothing left outside these walls. And when I'm done here, only pain will set me free. Once you're gone, so am I.”

The last thing I wanted was for anyone else to get hurt, I didn't want him to risk his life for mine. Maybe it was stupid and immature, but in my head I imagined both of us walking away unharmed.

I shouldn't have been so naive to think that coming out unscathed was possible. Not here, not in a place like this. This was a dark business, one that ran off the buying and selling of women.

There were no second chances built off promises of unspoken words. Deep down I knew I was in denial, because willingly accepting the truth of certain death doesn't come natural.

No one can stand tall knowing that they're going to die. How do you go on knowing the end was close?

He's in and they'll never let him out. The only way out is with his life.

“I don't want you to die because of me, it's not worth it.” Scrunching my brows, my lips pursed tight.

Trailing his thumb down the curve of my jaw, his fingers swept over my throat. “I'm not telling you that to scare you. I'm telling you because you are worth it.” Lowering his mouth to my neck, he dragged his teeth over the skin. “I already have a reason to die, but you, you gave me a reason to want to live. But choices—my choices,they'll decide what happens to me.”

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