Page 53 of Arturo's Temptation

“I won’t, from here on out my full focus is to fill your shoes, and I know that will be hard,” I sighed before I continued. “But I can do it, I’ll make you proud.”

“You already do, Bells. But I know if anyone can fill my shoes, it’s you.” He pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead and just like that, everything was forgotten. “Now, go to bed, I need to speak with Arturo.”

That didn’t sound good, and as much as Arturo irritated me, I didn’t want him to get reprimanded by my father for standing up for me. He didn’t deserve that.

“Okay, goodnight, Papa.” I stood up and headed towards the doorway, but once I got there I paused. “Goodnight, Arturo,” I smiled to myself, my back still to him but I knew he knew I smiled for him.

“See you in the morning,” he smiled back.

I heard it.

I felt it.

I knew I shouldn’t but I couldn’t help it. I perched on the top stair to eavesdrop on the conversation they were having. I just needed to know my father wouldn’t be too hard on Arturo.

“You had no right to step in like you did,” my father started, as I heard Arturo let out a deep sigh.

“I realise that but I won’t apol?—”

“But nothing. I hired you to train and protect my daughter, that is all.” The sound of a tumbler dropping onto the table told me my father was now sitting. “And yet, you’ve gone a stepbeyond that, you’ve shown me she has your unwavering loyalty. Do you respect my daughter?”

“I do. And yes she has my loyalty.”

“She is lucky to have such a loyal man by her side. She’s going to need it.”

“I’m sure I’ll be out on my arse when she no longer needs me,” Arturo laughed, but there was something behind that I couldn’t quite interpret. He almost sounded unsure.

“No,” my father curtly replied. “You will be here regardless of whether my daughter needs your help or not. We consider you a part of the team and the family, now. And I don’t throw family out.” I heard my father slap his palm on Arturo’s back.

“I, uh… appreciate that, Lorenzo. Thank you.”

“Oh so we’re back to that now are we?”

“Never had a boss, Lorenzo, and I don’t intend for that to change now.”

“Ha!” My father guffawed. “Just wait until you're married.” Arturo didn’t reply. “How’s your bike, by the way, any damage?” He asked.

“None. She rode it well,” Arturo chuckled proudly.

“She can usually do anything she puts her mind to.” My father responded before I heard their conversation nearer, and I knew I had to disappear.

I darted up the final stair, not stopping until I reached my bedroom. My heart hammered in my chest the moment I closed the door behind me.

Someone other than my family had stood up for me.

Arturo didn’t care about the consequences that may have come with standing up for me, in that moment he brought my father back down to earth. And I was so thankful. Tonight could have been disastrous. I’d never had someone watching my back that way before.

I closed my eyes as Arturo’s words from earlier floated through my mind.

“What do I fuckin’ want? I want you, you infuriatin’ woman!”

My fingers brushed my lips, remembering the feel of his pressed against them. I knew it was wrong to want to kiss him the way I did this evening. But if I was being honest with myself, I’d wanted to kiss him for weeks. Maybe there was something aching in my gut that wouldn’t subside, something deeper than I wanted. Arturo was getting under my skin, and I didn’t hate it as much as I was trying to make myself believe.

I stripped out of my dress, throwing it into the laundry basket in the closet. My body was exhausted but I wasn’t. My mind was working overtime, and it was down to one man. One man who infuriated me, but also made me feel alive. Whenever he looked at me it was like I was the only person in the damn world. I was used to being the centre of my family’s world, but never a man’s world. Never someone like Arturo.

I stepped into the shower and as I let the warm water soothe my body, images of Arturo this evening flashed through my mind. He was slowly consuming my being, claiming me without me noticing and I felt myself succumbing with each passing day. I slid my hand over my ass to feel the raised skin from the spanking he had given me earlier. The pleasure overtook the ache I felt afterwards.

Was it wrong to enjoy the punishment?

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