Page 141 of Arturo's Temptation

“Bella, we’re heading out today. A little trainin’ exercise I’ve organised in the woods.” Arturo strummed his fingers against his coffee cup. “The team are comin’ too.”

“What are you planning?”

“You’ll see, but trust me, it’ll help.” he smiled. With a bump, Theo jumped down from the island and bounded over to him. It was clear to see that Arturo was becoming one of Theo’s favourite people. “Be ready to leave in thirty minutes.”

“And what have you got cooked up for my daughter today, Arturo?” came my father’s voice as he strode into the room, wrapping his arms around my mother. He nuzzled his face into her neck, making me smile. Their love was something I aspired to have, something I wanted with Arturo.

Something we would no longer have to hide…

“Takin’ her out of her comfort zone. ‘Bout time we did a little exercise to show Miss Impatient over here just how far she’scome.” Arturo replied, striding toward me. “That’s if she’s up to it?”

“I’m up to it.” I nodded, sipping the green tea my mother had handed me.

“Good girl,” he crooned, making my insides twist and warmth pool low in my belly.

“You’d better go and get ready, Bells, you don’t want to keep Arturo and the guys waiting.” My father patted my hand across the island, flashing me his usual smile.

“See you in thirty,” I replied, turning my attention to Arturo. His fingers ran across my thigh, causing me to jump. To my relief though, nobody noticed where his fingers were thanks to us being positioned on the other side of the island. Nodding, I turned away and jogged towards the stairs only to collide with Tyler… who wore the biggest smirk on his adorable face.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, getting handsy in front of Daddy Dearest.” he teased. The urge to punch him in the gut was all consuming. “Oh, stop with the dagger eyes. I won’t say a word. I already covered that with Mr Terminator back there.”

“You’re such an ass.”

“I love it when you compliment me.” he laughed as he draped his arm over my shoulder. “So, tell me, have you said those famous three words yet?”

“What the fuck, Ty?! What makes you think?—”

“Dude… I’ve known you all my life. You’ve never looked at a guy the way you do with him. He has the same look in his eyes. He’s fucking besotted with you.”

“Shhh. Shut up!” I hissed, gripping the place between his neck and shoulder and dragging him up the stairs, “Come with me.”

Once inside my room he flopped onto the bed.

“Spill!” he grinned, sweeping his hand out in front of him.

“He, uh… told me he loved me.” I whispered.

“That’s amazing!” he bounced, reaching out with both arms in congratulations. “Right?” When I didn’t smile back he pulled his arms back in and winced. “No, not amazing?”

“Of course it is, it’s just… I haven’t said it back yet,” I sighed. “I want to, but if my Pa finds out, who knows what he’ll do to him. That scares me, Ty.”

“Oh, fuck him!” he yelled, jumping up to rest his hands upon my shoulders. “Do you love him?”

“Yes.” That was the first time I had admitted it out loud to anyone besides Peyton.

“Then tell him! Put the dude out of his misery. The guy’s probably up at night obsessing about the fact you haven’t said it back. And I mean the dude sure looks like he could use the sleep lately,” he laughed, but he didn’t know Arturo was actually having sleepless nights because of me.

“I’m scared.”

“Take the leap, Bells. You know Arturo will catch you every single time. The dude may be an intimidating fucker, but he seems like the once-in-a-lifetime promise sort of guy.” Tyler’s words replayed over and over like a broken record. “Trust me on this. I’ll stand up against anyone who tries to ruin one of the only things that has ever made you happy. Unc Lorenzo included.”

“What would I do without you, Ty?” I pulled him into an embrace, as I buried my face into his jacket.

“Suffer and drown?” he laughed. “Nah! Lucky for you, you never have to find out.” I felt him smile as he rested his chin against the top of my head. “Now, you ready to find out what the A man has in store for you today, or you running scared?”

I wriggled out of his arms. “Get out, I need to get ready.”

“I’ll meet you downstairs. But don’t keep lover boy waiting, don’t want to risk him bending you over Unc’s desk again.” he chuckled, heading for the door.

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