Chapter 40 Badger
FORTY
BADGER
“Slow the fuck down, woman!” Machine yelled to me as I ducked into an alleyway.
I didn’t know where I was going, but I needed to get away from him. I had been a mess all week with no idea what to do. I wanted Machine, but didn’t want to face the feelings I had for him. I heard the gravel crunch under Machine’s boots as he followed me.
“Just leave me alone, Tool,” I yelled over my shoulder as I hugged myself.
I only made it several steps in the alley before I felt him. A strong hand wrapped around my bicep and spun me around. Dark eyes met mine. The funny, charming man was gone, and in his place was Machine.
“No, not until you tell me why you are running away.” His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
I shoved him.
“Because you make me feel things that I don’t want to!” I yelled. His features softened at my confession. “You are arrogant, an asshole…” I paused before shoving him once more, “and charming and so fucking hot I can’t fucking stand it!”
Our chests heaved as we stared into each other's eyes. I wanted him, needed him. But I couldn’t let myself have him. My focus needed to be on finding my sister, not some fling with a guy like him.
A smirk crossed his lips before he grabbed the front of my hoodie and pulled me to him until his lips crashed into mine.
A growl of satisfaction left him as our tongues met.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, reveling in how good his body felt against me.
A moan left my lips as his tongue swept over mine.
The action sent sparks of lust through me and ignited something in my soul that I had thought was dead.
When I felt myself get carried away in the kiss, I pushed him off of me, earning me a confused look.
“We can’t do this,” I pleaded, hoping that he could see the torment I was going through.
Machine glared at me. “And why the fuck can’t we?”
I ran my hand through my hair.
“You need to focus on the opening of the club, and I need to focus on finding my sister. I’ve been too wrapped up in this.” I motioned between him and me. “I need to get back to what I was doing before this.”
Machine’s nostrils flared with anger. “Why can’t we do those things together? Fuck Jess, I’m not on one knee asking you to marry me. I tell you I love you, and you just fucking leave like I mean nothing to you!”
“We are all wrong for one another,” I cried back.
Machine took a predatory step back toward me until our chests were touching. “Baby, we are perfect for one another. I see it, why can’t you?”
“It’s not that simple, I need to focus—”
“I know, on finding your sister. But that’s how this all started, and I plan to continue helping you find her.” He cupped my tear-stained cheek. “Why can’t you accept my love?” His voice was tender now, full of emotion.
“I just can’t.”
I pushed on his chest again. This time, he moved with the shove and let me walk away. Tears fell freely from my eyes as I walked home, leaving the man that I did, in fact, love, in the dust.