Page 17 of Arturo's Temptation

Everyone at the table tucked into their meal while I toyed with mine, shifting my vegetables around the plate.

“Would you prefer it if I fed you?” A husky voice whispered in my ear. My gaze darted to my parents, who were engrossed in their own conversation.

“Burn in hell.” I managed through a fake, gritted-teeth smile.

"Been there done that, darlin’. It wasn't that enjoyable. Bet it could be with you, though." I glanced up at him, watching his eyes darken.

“Screw you.” I whispered before rising out of my seat. But before I could make my exit, his large, warm palm grasped my knee, pulling me back down. A shudder passed through me at the contact. I half expected his calloused hand to feel unpleasant but it was anything but.

“Bella, is everything okay? You seem a little jumpy.” My father leant back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he arched his brow.

“Fine! Everything is absolutely fine. I just nearly dropped my fork,” I laughed to ease his suspicion, but I wasn’t sure how much of that he truly believed.

My father nodded as I clutched my fork, trying to find the calm place in my mind, but then Arturo squeezed my leg ever so slightly.

"Good girl. Wouldn't want your father to know you like bein’ touched beneath the table, would we?" His fingers crept higheras they reached the hem of my dress, his face expressionless as he ate his dinner as if he wasn't feeling up his boss's daughter.

“Auntie Bells, Papa said I have to go to bed now. Will you come read me a story?” Theo hadn’t always perfect timing, but thankfully tonight he’d brought his A-game.

“Of course. Let’s go little man.” With relief, I forcefully removed Arturo’s hand and forced myself to rise slowly out of my chair. To my delight, Arturo’s fist clenched in his lap as I left, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

“Excuse us, everyone.” I said as Theo seized my hand in his.

“Before you go, Bells.” I groaned internally as my father wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Theo, Auntie Bella is going to be a lot busier from tomorrow, so you'll need to ask me, Papa orNonnain future, okay?" I didn't have to glance down to know Theo felt crushed.

"Okay,Nonno." He replied, making my heart squeeze at the sadness in his tone..

"Hey.” I froze as a voice came from behind me. Theo ducked his head around my leg to look at Arturo. “Don’t worry, she'll still have time for her favourite guy." I blanched as Theo smiled back at him, pulling his hand out of mine.

“Promise?”

“You have my word,” Arturo said in a serious tone. Theo's eyes brightened with excitement. "She'll be caught up, but I'll make sure she has spare time at bedtime. Deal?" Woah! The smug asshole actually smiles?

Theo nodded. “Deal!” With a full smile, Arturo lifted up his tattooed hand to give Theo a high five.

If he thought a few nice words passed with my nephew were enough to get into my good books, he had another thing coming.

“Get up and get dressed.”A loud voice boomed in the darkness. My covers were then ripped from my body, making me shriek. The dark figure leering over my head tsked before stating in a low, frustrated tone. “I want you in the gym in five minutes. No bloody excuses.”

I sat bolt upright, switching on my bedside lamp to face my new tormentor, all six foot four of him.Arturo.Did this guy have no boundaries? He was dressed in black shorts and a tank that displayed a beautiful canvas of never-ending tattoos, making me wonder what wasn't inked.

Shit! Focus, Isabella.

“Did you hear me, princess, or are you too preoccupied with eye fuckin’ me?” He smirked. His hands gripped the bottom of the bed as he leant towards me. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my covers and pulled them back over my head. It wasn’t even five in the morning yet. He could go screw himself.

“Go fuck yourself.” As I laid back, I couldn't help noticing how much I had enjoyed the view. I despised the idea that my thoughts were wandering into areas they shouldn't. After the count of ten in my head, I realised he hadn’t moved. Throwing back the covers with a huff, I locked my gaze on his face. From here I could smell his shower gel and it did things to me. Things it shouldn’t. I bit my lip as I took in his tousled hair and the way the early morning light peeking through my drapes made the silver in his face shine.

I wonder what kissing someone with a lip ring would feel like.

Dear God, woman!

He’s a dick, nothing else!

"Clock's tickin’, Princess." He pushed himself from the bed and looked at his watch. "Four minutes, but I'll reset your timer since you look so deliciously fuckable this mornin’." He winked as he approached the still-open door. "Oh, and Isabella, I'll add an extra hour to the session for every minute you're late." With that he was gone, leaving me to scurry around the room looking for my gym wear.

“Fucking stupid asshole!” I muttered to myself as I pulled on my shorts, and sports bra. I grabbed one of my best friends' t-shirts that he’d left in my room once, and shoved it over my head.

As I walked into the home gym, Arturo stood at the entrance, his gaze darting between me and the watch. I had made it with barely a minute to spare, sneakers in hand.

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