Page 81 of Arturo's Temptation

“Oh I get it, you just don’t want me to be happy, is that it?” Tears pricked in my eyes as I stared at him.

“Don’t be so bloody stupid. All I give a shit about is your happiness!” His pupils grew as his voice shuddered. Cursing, he put his hands on his hips and stared at the ground.

“No,” I whispered, pain bleeding through my chest. “You don’t get to say that! You lost that right when you started treating me like I was nothing but a toy… A conquest!” I went to slap his heaving chest once more but his hands wrapped around my wrists, holding them in place.

“Stop!” I tried to yank myself free but his grip was too strong. “Inevermeant to make you feel that way. And I hate myself for it.” He dropped my wrists and slammed his fists on the hood of the car letting curse words fly out of his mouth. This was the first time I’d seen him fully let whatever shit was racing through his head out.

Did it scare me?

No.

Should it have?

Maybe.

Did I want to hold him?

Yes.

“Fuck’s sake, Bella. You have no idea what I’ve been going through. Or how much fuckin’ torture this last month’s been!” He fisted the hood once more, leaving a slight dent.

“Of course I don’t, because you won’t tell me!” I stepped towards him, our eyes meeting before he yanked his gaze away.

“Get in the car, Isabella. I need to get you home,” the emotionless robot was back, his guard rising as quick as mine had fallen.

“Tell me.” I whispered, knowing it was loud enough to be heard.

“Get in the car. Don’t make me ask again.” And with that final sentence he shut his eyes, wetting his lips before letting out a deep, heavy sigh.

“Fine!”

“Ah, Bella, how was yourdate?”my father asked the moment I entered the kitchen. He’d obviously been waiting, which was nothing new.

“Ask my babysitter, seeing as he pissed all over it,” I replied, rolling my eyes and walking towards the fridge.

“What?” Arturo chimed in, “He was a class A prick, simple as that,” he laughed.

My father smiled and narrowed his eyes. “Oh, why? What happened?”

“Ugh, can we just drop this already? Look, he overstepped and when he did I put him in his place and that was the end of that, alright?” I turned to face my father, who was now scowling. “But I think you’ll be happy to know that dating is off the cards, at least for now if they all go like that.”

My father sighed and pulled me into a side hug. “You’ll meet someone eventually where you just… click,” he said, glancing over at Arturo who was leaning against the cabinets.

“Honestly though?” he grinned. “I never did like that kid. There’s just something about him I can’t quite figure out.” He was always a good judge of character and tonight was no different. Henry wasn’t exactly marriage material. “Thanks for watching her back, Arturo.”

“My pleasure,” he smiled.

I looked between them both, eyes narrowing.

What on earth were they up to?

“Right, well, if we’re done here I’m going to bed,” I placed a kiss on my father’s cheek, and ignored Arturo all together.

“Goodnight, Miss Ricci,” he called as I reached the doorway.

I couldn’t open my mouth, because all I wanted to do was scream at him, beg him to tell me everything, but I didn’t.

Goodnight, Arturo.

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