Page 87 of Arturo's Temptation

As I laid beside him, breathing him in, I replayed the evening over in my mind, replaying his every word. It hurt to think he didn’t think he could trust me enough to tell me about something that involved me, but a part of me completely understood why he hid it. I knew my life wasn’t the easiest life to grow up in, there was always some kind of threat, but I had grown used to it because my family were a team. We stood by one another no matter what.

I gnawed at my lip as I realised I knew so little about Arturo’s family. But that was a subject for another day. We’d turned a corner tonight and I hoped that from here on out, little by little he would continue to let me in.

Arturo can be your family, just like Luca was mine.

But can I be his?

I don’t know anything about being someone's person, being the way you were with Luca… What if I fail?

You’ve never failed before, B. Trust yourself.

I could have easily spoken with Peyton in my head for hours, I usually did. It was the only way I felt better, the only way I had been able to grieve.

“Mi princesa, please get some sleep,” Arturo whispered sleepily, pulling me tight against him “I can hear you overthinkin’.”

“I’m not, I’m sorry, go back to sleep,” I ran my fingertips across his cheek bone, hoping he would drift back off.

“Stop overthinkin’ this, stop overthinkin’ us,” he smiled.

“It’s just I don’t really know what I’m doing, or if I can do it… what if?—”

He sat bolt upright, his eyes now wide and awake. There wasn’t a look of irritation because I’d woken him up with my never ending thoughts ticking away, there was just a look of genuine concern laced with a little amusement.

“Princess, I don’t have a clue what I’m doin’ either, all I know is you belong with me, and cock ups are bound to happen; it’s natural,” He sounded like a relationship pro, even though he was anything but.

“What if my father finds out,” my mouth dropped open, the thought shocking me to the core. “He’ll?—”

“I don’t give a flyin’ fuck what your father thinks. Nobody, and I mean nobody is standin’ in the way of you and me, not anymore.” He gripped my face between his hands and slammed his lips against mine, knocking the breath from my lungs.

His hands on my skin were what I needed, what I craved. It had felt like an eternity since he had last touched me, and there was nothing about this kiss that could be classed as a one off oranother mistake. This kiss was one being shared by two people who were anything but perfect. Two people who should run in opposite directions, but instead couldn’t stand to be parted no matter how hard we tried.

“Relax,mi princesa, you’re wound tighter than a rubber band,” he mumbled against my lips. Taking a breath I focused on slowly letting the thoughts that clouded my mind disappear, and focused on the man beside me.

His tongue slid past my lips as they parted slightly allowing him access. His hands skated down the slope of my back, relaxing me before pulling me onto his lap. His cock twitched against the thin material of my shorts and I whimpered into his mouth, the anticipation building in the pit of my stomach.

“You have no idea how much I want to fuckin’ take you, but tonight ain’t the night,” he whispered against my lips. “Tonight was about you forgivin’ me for being a cunt and keepin’ somethin’ from you I shouldn’t have. But you have to understand it’s all I’ve known, I’ve never had to open up about shit before.”

I responded with a kiss, there was no need to respond with words. This man was something else entirely and I knew in my heart that he would rip me open exposing all the grief and heartache I hid. He would destroy the carefully built walls I’d erected around my heart and for the first time in my life I wanted it. I wanted to be ruined by the one man I shouldn’t.

“You’re so fuckin’ perfect, Bella.” The way my name rolled off his tongue was near enough an aphrodisiac. “I can’t wait to fuck and savour that tight, sweet pussy,” he whispered huskily against my bare shoulder, his lips decorating my skin between each word.

“Arturo—”

“No, no, beautiful, not tonight.”

“I know,” I smiled as his lips met mine.

And there in the bed I’d always slept in alone, I laid wrapped up in Arturo’s arms and it was by far the safest and most content I had ever felt.

29

Wakingup with Isabella in my arms seemed somewhat surreal. Truth was I didn’t sleep with anyone. I’d never been a fan of attachments. But I couldn’t deny how right it felt. The way her soft breath tickled my chest. The feel of her long, smooth legs tangled with mine. Her soft skin sliding against my own. It was enough to put thoughts in a geezer’s head. Glancing down, I took in the gentle rise and fall of her chest and the small wrinkle I knew marred her forehead when she had bad dreams.

Alright, so this wasn’t the first time I’d seen her sleep. I knew it was wrong to sneak into her room but I couldn’t help it. Over the weeks, it’d been the closest I could get without her realising the depth of my obsession. Part of me still wanted to fight against it, this need to claim her and satisfy my carnal cravings.

I glanced at my watch and frowned when I realised the time. The moon may yet still be up, but we couldn’t afford to break her routine. She was getting stronger and faster but if we were to face these bastards together, I’d need her sharp, focused and deadly.

“Arturo?” She murmured in a sleepy voice.

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