Page 29 of Arturo's Temptation

“And what makes you think my guys?—”

“Don’t?” He enquired dark humour passing across his features. “Hate to break it you, darlin’, but you ain’t done shit for those boys. To them, you’re a job, plain and simple. Not only that but you’re not Luca.” I opened my mouth to yell at him but he shoved his hand over my mouth. “It’s fucked up. I agree. It’s not the way it should be but it’s how some see it.” Nodding, I pulled his hand away. He wet his lips before continuing. “Bella, these men will soon be under your command, and they need to learn not to fuck about. They didn’t act that way with Luca, and I ain’t allowin’ them to act that way with you. Got it?”

“Yeah, I get it. But I could’ve handled it, you know. You didn’t have to step in,” I sighed.

“Yes, I did.” He glanced up at me through hooded eyes.

“Why?”

“Because you’re—” he swallowed. I hadn’t seen Arturo look so uncertain before but he sure as hell looked it now. “Because it’s my job to make sure you can do yours.” With a nod, hedropped to his knees and cupped my foot to start teasing glass from my foot with tweezers.

“Arturo, stop. I don’t need you to do this for me.” I didn’t want him touching me. It felt too personal. Too close. I didn’t want to feel like I owed him something.

“Stop bein’ so damn stubborn, woman, and let me do this.” His palm was warm as he held my foot and gently wiped the blood away with antiseptic wipes.

“So, what, I’ll owe you or something? Planning to spank me again?” I asked.

“You’ll owe me nothin’. This happened because of me.” He traced a fingertip up the uninjured part of my instep. I should have pulled away, squirmed under his gentle touch, but I couldn’t. The unusual sensation was welcomed and it shouldn’t have been. I let my head fall back with each gentle stroke, until I had the sudden urge to lean down and kiss him.

No!

“I need to get back upstairs,” I blurted out.

“Okay.” His voice came out gruff as he released my leg, reaching for a bandage.

With practised movements, Arturo wrapped my foot, securing it tight enough to protect the damage but not enough to make me feel uncomfortable.

Satisfied he was done, I slid off the counter and began hobbling towards the open door.

“Hold up.”

“Hey!” I gasped as Arturo bundled me into his arms. “What are you doing?! I can walk! There’s no need for you to carry me around.” I wriggled in his hold, but it only got tighter.

“And I don’t give a flyin’ fuck if you can sprint up the stairs.” He stepped over the mess I’d left on the kitchen floor and made his way up the stairs with ease.

“I hate you.” His eyes met mine, but there was no emotion there.

“It’s cute you think those words can hurt me.” He paused at the top of the stairs.

“And I think it’s hilarious that you don’t think I mean it.”

“You wanna know how I know, princess?” For the first time in weeks, I saw fire burn in the backs of his eyes and it made warmth pool low in my belly. “Because I know how wet your tight little pussy was for me when I spanked you.”

“You’re imagining things, London boy.”

“We’ll see,” he smiled as he carried me through my open door.

“Auntie Bells, what happened?” Theo jumped up, a worried expression written all over his angelic face.

“Your Auntie is just fine. She had a little accident in the kitchen, that’s all,” Arturo answered, his tone soft, and caring. “However, that accident involved your ice cream painting the kitchen floor,” he shrugged, placing me down on the bed.

“Don’t worry, Auntie B.” Theo said, settling back beside me. “I don’t mind if we don’t have ice cream. I haven't started the movie yet, I was waiting for you.”

“You didn’t need to wait for me, but thank you,” I gave Theo an affectionate squeeze as Arturo stepped out, not uttering a single word.

I tried to ignore the sting I felt from his leaving but I couldn’t. Why did his silence bother me so much? More importantly, why did it feel so good to be in his arms?

Shaking my head, I frowned and thumbed the remote to start the movie. Arturo and I both knew him lashing out tonight had been a complete overreaction but he was right. These men needed to respect me.

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