Page 5 of Tempt Me

Who’s calling her, and why does she look so upset? I frown as she fishes her phone out of her back pocket.

“Damn,” Ben whistles. “That’s impressive.”

“Yes, it is.” I’d love to see my drawings get top billing somewhere. I’ve known I wanted to be an artist since Santa brought me a step-by-step drawing book in first grade. I love the feel of a pencil as I sketch across a piece of paper.

After I received my degree in graphic design, I took what I learned there straight to the most prestigious tattoo shop in the city and applied. It took months to get my chance, but once I did, I’ve never looked back. I love the customers and the designs theywant inked on their skin. But if I lived in a fairytale land, I’d be back in front of a sketch pad, bringing my fantasies to life.

Ping. Ping. Bella’s phone continues to go off as she glances around the room. My hands ball into fists. It’s probably Xavier asking her to sneak off during the meal and ride his dick. Fucker. Is she naive enough to think he’d fall for her?

“Why don’t you tell the guys dinner will be ready in 15 minutes?”

“On it.” I march toward the living room only to stop in mid-step. Bella’s expression as she types on her phone screen is not one of unbridled lust. Her shoulders are curved inward as if she’s fending off a blow.

My heart skips a beat. Even now, when she’s anxious or upset, it makes me sick.

I’m at her side in less than a second. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” She shoves her phone back into her pocket.

“Bella,” I growl and grasp her upper arm. Her bottom lip trembles, and fury surges through me. “What’s going on? And don’t tell me it’s nothing. You don’t get upset over nothing. Your phone was pinging repeatedly.”

If someone hurt her, I swear to God, I’ll break every bone in their body. My jaw flexes as I grind my teeth together. Get it together. Find out what’s going on so you can take care of it.

I inhale and loosen my grip on her. “And now, you look like you’re defeated. You didn’t even look defeated when your brothers used to tell you that you sucked, that no one liked you, and to go away. So what gives?”

The corners of her mouth arch upward, taking some of the edge off her worried expression. “You were always there to tell me they were wrong and that I didn’t suck.”

“That’s because you didn’t.”

Her eyes glisten, causing my stomach to cramp. Fuck. “Don’t cry. I can’t handle it if you cry.”

“And that I had friends,” she sighs, “And then, you’d try to con them into letting me tag along.”

“That’s me.” I chuckle to lighten the mood and tap on my chest. “Your knight in shining armor. So, what’s going on?”

Her phone goes off again, causing her entire body to still. “It’s Brock.”

“The guy you were dating?” When she nods, I ask, “What did he do? If he hurt you, I’ll kill him.” Unrestrained hostility flows throughout my body. I already hated him because she chose him over me, and now, he’s causing her some type of trouble. I’d be more than happy to take care of him for her.

“No.” Her eyes widen as she grabs my upper arm. “It’s nothing like that. He never hurt me.” Having her dainty fingers on my skin sends a shiver along my spine.

“Thank God.” My entire body sags as the wave of adrenaline seeps out of me. “Why is he messing with you?”

She licks her lips and steps closer. Her perfume fills my nostrils and curls deep in my gut. It’s a floral, woodsy fragrance. “I broke up with him several months ago. He was cheating on me.” She rolls her eyes and growls low enough that no one else can hear, “With lots of girls.”

“The asshole.” I clutch her upper arms, brushing my thumbs over the goosebumps that scatter along her skin. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She shakes her head dismissively. “I’m fine. I didn’t love him or anything. He was just someone to pass the time with.”

“I see.” No, I don’t see. Frustration swells inside of me. Why was she with him if he was that big of a jerk? It’s not like this Brock guy is better than me. Or is he? “Then what happened?”

“He got mad and accused me of some things.” She frowns and looks away from me.

I’m surprised when one of her brothers doesn’t come over and interrupt our discussion since we’re rarely alone without interference. But everyone else is deep in other conversations and paying no attention to us.

After she licks her lips, she says, “Now, he’s decided he wants me back, and I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“Then block him. It shouldn’t be that hard to get rid of him.”

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