Page 65 of Arturo's Temptation

“I’m fine, Red. I just didn’t realise how much I had to learn.” I sighed, furrowing my brows. And it was the truth. Arturo was currently trying to teach me how to fend off multiple attackers and it wasn’t as easy as he and the boys had made it look. I practically had to have eyes in the back of my head.

“It doesn’t happen overnight, but we’re all here in your corner, including smart ass over there.” He cocked his head in Arturo’s direction, who muttered something under his breath. I rolled my eyes, making Red laugh. “Ignore him, he lost a hand at poker last night. He’s sulking.”

I wish that was the reason.

“Now, go and get showered, you have somewhere to be in just over an hour, don’t you?”

“Shit! Yes, I do. Thank you!” I pecked Red’s cheek, and darted out of the double doors.

Despite my best intentions,I wasn’t able to avoid Arturo for the rest of the day. Just as I was sneaking out with one of my old bodyguards, Papa cornered me and insisted Arturo drove me to Oakwoods retirement home, the one place I visited each month without fail.

“You know, I had important shit to take care of today. And what am I doing instead? Playing chauffeur.” His eyes were hidden behind dark lenses, but I didn’t need to see them to know he was pissed off.

“Knock it off. I don’t want you here any more than you do. But if we don’t start pretending like everything’s fine my father and his men are going to start asking questions.”

“Fine. Then pretend I’m not here.” He strummed his fingers on the steering wheel, as I tore my gaze away and watched the passing countryside.

I wish I could.

“Take a left here, then a right, then?—”

“Let me guess, take another left?” He drawled.

“No, after taking that right, we’ll have arrived.” I sighed, my fingers knotting in my lap. I was ashamed to admit it but I missed the old Arturo, when he joked and tried to get under my skin. Now he was just quiet and contemplative. All his humour and spark seemed to have just disappeared.

“Where are we?” He asked as he pulled up to a grand entrance.

“A place I spend one day a month, more if I can.” I was out of the car before he had time to reply. I didn’t need to wait to hearwhat he had to say, I knew he wasn’t happy to be stuck with me all day.

“Good morning, Isabella, Lillian is already waiting for you in the library.” I beamed at Harriet and gave her a warm hug. She was woman I’d grown to know incredibly well. She was always so friendly and welcoming.

“I’ll head inside then. I hate to keep her waiting.” I had only taken two steps towards the door when I remembered Arturo was behind me. One look at my companion was enough to make Harriet stop in her tracks. “Uh… He’s with me, although I’m not sure what he plans to do for the duration.” I laughed as I made my way towards the library.

The moment I entered the library, Lillian’s face broke into the happiest smile I’d ever seen.

“Lillian, I’m so sorry I’m a little late. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” I rushed over to her as she shook her head with a soft giggle. She was in her late eighties, hair perfectly set without a single strand out of place. Her amber eyes were framed by a pair of designer glasses, which always seemed to match her attire.

“Don’t you be silly, you didn’t keep me waiting that long. I only just got here myself.” She waved the book she’d chosen for me to read as I sat down beside her on the worn sofa. “I picked one of our favourites.”

“Great! Shall we get started?” I beamed, as she handed me the book.

Volunteering at Oakwoods was one of the only things that brought me true pleasure. At least once a month I’d drive up to read, play board games, and sometimes watch reruns of the residents’ favourite shows. Whatever they wanted to do, we would do. Many of the residents here had family but they either lived far away or didn’t bother to visit at all. I hated that for them. As far as I was concerned, everyone deserved to havesomeone they looked forward to seeing and I would happily be that person for as long as they needed or wanted.

“Before you open that book I’m gonna need you to tell me who that brooding gentleman is over there in the corner?” She whispered, arching her eyebrow.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Arturo standing by the door, his eyes watching me intently. He looked out of place, and uncomfortable as his large frame leaned against the end of a bookcase. Black ripped jeans clung to his muscular legs, teamed with a turtleneck cable knit and thick black boots. He looked heart stoppingly gorgeous.

“Him? He’s nobody.” I turned my attention back to Lillian and the book, but I knew her all too well. This wonderful, yet nosey busybody wouldn’t drop it until I gave her a satisfactory answer.

“Nobody, huh? He sure doesn’t look at you like you’re nobody,” she clasped my hand in her much cooler one, squeezing gently.

“Trust me, he doesn’t care about me. He made that pretty clear when—” I paused, knowing the library was quiet enough that he’d likely hear whatever was being said. “How about we get started?” Lillian gave me a knowing look before shrugging.

I began reading but my mind, heart and soul wasn’t in it. All I could think about was him, and what I had done that was so damn wrong.

We read Romeo and Juliet for the next hour before I carefully closed the book shut. “So, same time next week?”

“Next week?” Her face turned to me with a mix of bafflement and joy.

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