Page 66 of Arturo's Temptation

“Yes, it’s your birthday. I wouldn’t miss that for the world!”

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she pulled me into her frail embrace. The scent of her musky perfume filled my nostrils.

“Thank you for remembering,” she whispered.

“I could never forget.”

She released me slowly before we wandered over to the exit, where Arturo remained in the same place, expressionless as usual

“You look after my girl, you hear? She’s special,” Lillian warned as she wagged her finger at him.

“That’s what I get paid to do ma’am.” His lip quirked up, but only a little.

“Uh-huh. You forget sonny, I’ve been around a lot longer than you, and I see things,” she winked before pecking me on the cheek. “See you next week,” she left the pair of us alone in the silence of the library, the distance between us wider than ever.

“You done?” He asked.

“No, I usually spend all day here. You can head home if you want. I’ll get a cab back later.”

“You know I can’t,” he sighed.

“Look, I get that you don’t want to be near me, but this is something I do for me and for them. So if you’re bored, go and sit in the car and stop looming over me like some kind of stalker.”

“You know you’re trainin’ next week.” He disregarded what I said, trying to rub me the wrong way.

“I know, but I haven’t missed Lillian’s birthday for the six years I’ve been coming here, and I won’t start now just because you’ve arrived,” I snapped, pushing past him.

His hand gripped the top of my arm, pulling me into him. The ache at being this close overwhelmed me. I wet my lips as he stared into my eyes, his breathing quick and sharp.

“Arturo.” I whispered. The feel of his thumb brushing my arm through the sheer material of my blouse was enough to make my stomach swirl and my nipples tighten. In that split second, there was something between us, and I knew he felt it just as much as I did.

He let out a deep sigh, the warmth of his breath caused my skin to goosebump. We were so close, yet so far apart. He was the first man who’d ever made me feel something or ever really noticed me for me.

And he was also the first man I’d allowed to hurt me.

Just then, I felt his phone vibrate against my leg, causing him to take a step back.

“You should go.” His arms dropped to his sides without a second thought.

“Yeah, I guess I should,” I snapped. He pulled his phone from his jeans pocket and proceeded to read whatever message just came in.

I stood watching him for a moment, and honestly, I was unsure why.

“You goin’?” He didn’t even glance up from his phone, he was too engrossed in whatever he was reading.

“Don’t worry, I’m gone.” I spun on my booted heel and hurried towards the door to my next point of call. A single tear dropped from my eye and I wiped it away with a sigh.

21

Careful, Arturo. We wouldn't want that pretty girl to get hurt, would we?

Who was that motherfucker?!I left her alone. I shut my feelings down to keep her safe. What more did they want from me?

I shut my eyes as rage and adrenaline pumped through my veins. Someone was watching us and the worst part was, no matter how often I searched the area, I couldn’t see them. How were they doing this? Heaving a sigh, I turned and leaned against the bookcase, watching Bella through the half open door as she wandered from person to person in the dining room, greeting them and smiling as though they were old friends. Keeping one eye on her, I gazed around at the old books. I had always loved libraries, they reminded me of good times, simpler ones. Times before I got caught up in shit I shouldn’t have.

I shouldn’t be here.

I hated this. The way she looked at me. The hate in her eyes. It was fucking torture. But having her think the worst of me wasa pill far easier to swallow than seeing her get hurt.Shit.Once her training was done, I would need to leave.

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