Page 80 of Arturo's Temptation

“Fine, I’ll meet you at the car in a minute.”

“Not a chance, princess.” The knife disappeared as he rose from the floor, ignoring Horrid Henry’s glares and flaring nostrils. “Bodyguard, remember?”

I rolled my eyes and pulled out a hundred dollar bill, placing it on the table before sliding my arms into the sleeves of my coat.

“Henry, as lovely as this has been. I should really get going. I have a 5am workout in the morning.” I started, hoping he would take the hint.

“You’re going?! But we’ve not even finished dinner yet!” He exclaimed, horrified. Despite how arrogant—no—how self-centred he had been, I did feel a little bad leaving so early.

“Well, unfortunately, Arturo informed me that my father needs me home, and I know better than to keep him waiting.” I slid my legs from beneath the table to exit, but he grabbed my hand, stopping me from going any further.

“Come on, just stay for one more drink,” he whined.

“Yo, Ken. If you want to see the sunrise tomorrow, you better get your fuckin’ hand off her.”

“Bella, calm your Rottweiler, will you?” Henry laughed as he yanked me back down into my chair. “Look, dude… we’re busyand don’t appreciate thehelphanging around. So go elsewhere for a bit while your boss and I finish our date, yeah?”

The help?! Was this man for real?!

“Hey, you pompous asshole!” I jumped to my feet and leered over him. “Arturo is my bodyguard and you’ll treat him with the respect he deserves. Now I have sat here all evening and listened to you go on and on about yourself without taking any interest in me whatsoever. I can’t remember the last time I was this bored, and I’ve actually watched paint dry!” Henry looked around nervously as people began to stare. This was a fancy place and I was making a scene but I didn’t care. Shoving my chair back I grabbed my purse and flung it over my shoulder. “And for the record, that “help” you just insulted could end your life in ways that would make that tiny little dick of yours shrivel up inside your body. And if you so much as try to touch me again, I’ll make sure he does, understand?”

He remained silent, as I watched his brain working overtime for a comeback. Arturo placed his hand on the small of my back to guide me out of the restaurant.

“Whatever, I knew you’d be a hard nut to crack,” he scoffed as he demolished his glass of wine.

“Trust me, I’d never crack for you,” I winked and spun on my heel leaving him to face a pissed off Arturo.

“Bitch! Nobody walks out on me!” He screamed causing the restaurant’s attention to fall on him.

Arturo caught up to me after what looked like a stern few words, I forgot how large his strides were.

“You good?” he asked once we were outside, genuine concern laced his voice.

“I’m fine,” I replied as I climbed into the car. I wet my lips as I took a few breaths, trying to calm my racing heart rate. The temperature dropped the moment he sat in the driver's seat, slamming the door behind him. What the hell was his problem?He was the one that had just caused that by throwing his weight around and ruining my evening. To my annoyance, he pressed his foot on the gas and we sped off along the winding back roads.

Once we were on the quiet streets not far from home, I took a moment to glance at him. His jaw was clenched and his knuckles were white from the death grip he had around the steering wheel.

“Stop the car,” I demanded as calmly as possible. His nostrils flared as he let out exasperated breaths, his eyes drifting over to me.

“Don’t start, we’re not far from your?—”

“Stop. The. Car. Now!” I slammed my palm on the dashboard, causing him to slam on the brakes.

“There! Now what do you plan on doin’, huh?”

I didn’t answer, and instead flung the door open. I needed a break from his overbearing ass. I managed two to three steps before I heard his door slam too.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” I snapped, spinning around to face him. His eyes widened as my voice rose.

“You what?!” He stepped closer, as I held my ground. “What the fuck is wrong with me?! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“You were the one who insisted on tagging along this evening, and then proceeded to piss all over it!” I was livid. Yes, the date was a pile of shit but he had taken it a step too far.

“Of course I did!” he roared, his voice carrying through the trees surrounding us. “He was a prick, and not good enough for you!”

“And who is, huh?” I pounded my palms against his chest, which was like hitting a wall. “Are you just going to follow me around for the rest of my life, pushing away every man who shows any interest in me.”

“Too fuckin’ right I am!”

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