Page 6 of Tempt Me

“I did.” Her eyes flash back to mine as the anger that’s always shimmering around the edges when I’m around her returns. She jerks backward, dislodging my hands, and bumps her back into the doorframe. “I’m not stupid. I blocked him. I’ve blocked him three times and even changed my phone number the last two times, but somehow, he keeps getting it.”

“Son of a bitch.” I shove my hand toward her. “Give me the phone.”

“Why?” She follows my command without even realizing it and drops it on my palm.

“Because I’m going to take care of it.” I type the guy’s phone number into my phone and hand hers back to her.

“What’re you doing?”

“Taking care of it.” I stab my finger on the screen.

Me: Listen up, Jackass. If you don’t leave Bella alone, I’m going to hunt you down and pull your balls out through your mouth.

“Dom….” Bella’s eyes dance with worry as she shifts from foot to foot. “Don’t get into trouble or start something over me. It’s not worth it.”

“Then who would be worth it?” The words are out of my mouth before I realize it. Shit.

Her mouth drops open as she gapes at me.

Brock: Who is this?

Me: Dominic Wood. Leave her alone, or I’ll take care of it.

Brock: Of course, she’d go running to you.

Me: Say another word to her, and I’ll come find you.

Brock: You and your posse? You can’t go anywhere without your butt buddies. Why don’t you be a man and come find me? Now.

“Don’t.” Bella snatches my phone away from me and places her hand on my chest. “Don’t. He’s not worth it.”

“No, he’s not.”

“It’s not that I’m worried you’d get hurt.” A slight flush covers her cheeks as she meets my gaze. “I mean, I don’t want you to get hurt. Especially because of me. But if you did fight him….” She bites her bottom lip as her gaze darts around the room as if just now realizing we’re surrounded by her brothers and hands me back my phone. “I know you’d win.”

“Dinner, assholes.” Ben wraps his arm around Bella’s shoulders and kisses the top of her head. “And my gorgeous sister.”

‘He’s not worth it, but you are.’ I leave the words unsaid and follow everyone to the table.

Bella scrolls through her phone and settles onto her chair. When we’re seated, her arm brushes mine as she shifts closer to me. “I blocked him,” she whispers, “And I’ll get a new phone tomorrow. This time, I’m only tell Ruby, Em, and my brothers.”

“And me. Call me the second you get your new number so I can program it into my phone and make sure you transfer my number to your phone.” I lock eyes with her, not caring that everyone is trying to read our lips. “I expect you to call me if he bothers you again. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Jesus. My head spins. I’m going to die. There are so many ways I want her to say, ‘Yes, Sir,’ and none of them are in front of her brothers and our ragtag group of friends.

Chapter Three

The Next Day

Bella

Seeing Dominic and hearing him drone on about a girl always sets me off on a tailspin of inferiority. When you combine that with feeling like I’m moving toward the wrong career, fear of upsetting my parents, and Brock blowing up my phone, I’m ready to toss in the towel and hide under my covers for a week.

But instead, I’m on my way to Principles in Auditing with the world’s weight on my shoulders. What does this Rissa woman have that I don’t? I adjust my backpack and dodge around a couple in a heated argument in front of the women’s restroom.

Right. She’s petite with pink hair. I’m not exactly supermodel tall, but no one will mistake me for a pale-skinned, blue-eyed pixie. My hair is mousy dark blonde, and my eyes are green. Not to mention, she has a job. A job alongside Dominic. And she has an upcoming art exhibit in New York City.

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