Page 64 of Arturo's Temptation

Was he kidding me?

Despite all my instincts, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“You!” I hissed, jumping to my feet. “You are!”

“Isabella—”

“No! I was fine before you came along with your piercing eyes, killer smile, and knee weakening charm. I was just fucking fine!” I panted.

Arturo stepped towards me, concern and pain flickering in his eyes, but just as he reached for me a thought made him stop. What was that? Blinking, he folded his arms and walked toward the window of the gym, staring out at the pink of the sunrise peeking over the horizon.

“Whatever,” I replied to his back, infuriated by the silent treatment. “I was fine, and I will continue to be fine.” I grabbed my water bottle from the floor and started to head towards the door. “I lost myself for a moment, but I won’t lose myself again,”

“That’s for the best. Throw yourself into workin’ on the woman your father needs you to become. Continuin’ his legacy won’t be easy.”

“You don’t need to tell me what I already know.”

“Well, that’s just peachy then. You know what you need to do. Good for you.” His back was still facing me. It was like he couldn’t even look at me anymore — though admittedly, it was what I had asked him to do.

I didn’t understand.

Why had he pushed me away?

What was I missing?

Before I could stop myself, I blurted, “Why did you stop?”

“Stop what?” he asked, and for the first time in nearly a month he turned to fully face me.

“Before. I saw the way you looked at me. You wanted to touch me.” A flash in his eyes told me to keep pushing. “Arturo, what did I do that night?” I stepped towards him. My feet moved before my brain had even made the command.

“Don’t.” He stepped backwards, the backs of his thighs colliding with the window ledge.

“There’s something bothering you, isn’t there?” I asked, his eyes darkened with each step I took. “Why won’t you tell me?”

“You confuse being fed up of trainin’ someone who doesn’t bother to practise as someone who gives a shit, Isabella.” He took a swig of his water, scrunching the bottle as he drained the final drop. “Now, why don’t you be on your merry way and go do whatever shit it is you need to do.”

“You’re an asshole.” I sneered, backing towards the door.

“Same time tomorrow, don’t be late,” he replied before looking down to unravel the tape around his hands.

I turned on my heel abruptly to leave, only to collide with Red, who stood there with an impassive look on his face.

How much had he heard?

“Nice to see you two have finally overcome your differences,” he teased with a chuckle. When I didn’t smile, he frowned and lowered his head. “Bells, is everything okay?”

“Peachy.” I shot Arturo a look over my shoulder.

“What’s going on?” He asked Arturo.

“Nothin’. It’s all good, Red. Isabella here just needs to remember what she’s training for, and to stop fuckin’ around.”Fucking around?!

“Bells,” Red rested his heavy palms on my bare shoulders. “If you’re struggling or need more support, you know I’m here for you, right?” I swallowed as his eyes searched mine.

“She’s good, Red,” Arturo snapped.

“I wasn’t asking you.” His eyes flickered between us. “Bells?”

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