Page 88 of Arturo's Temptation

“Wakey wakey, sleepin’ beauty,” I cooed as her eyelids batted ever so slightly. “It’s time for target practice,mi princesa.”

“No… Five more minutes, please,” she whispered against my skin.

“I thought you hated beggin’?” I teased. The corners of her pouty mouth turned up into a smile.

“When it comes to target practice I’m prepared to beg,” she giggled and pressed her tight little body against mine. I swallowed a growl when her shorts slid up.

“Bella, unless you want me to bend you over and spank the shit out of you, I’d stop what you’re doing,” I drawled. A sexy grin told me she knew exactly what she was doing.

“What if I want you to?” she whispered, tracing the outline of my lips. Dammit. I was hard at the thought of it and for no other reason other than because she wanted me to. This woman was ruining my control.

“Tell you what,” I replied, flipping her under me and making her gasp.”If you’re a good girl and do as you’re told at target practice then I’ll think about it.” My blood pumped faster as her cheeks blushed. Giving in a little, I decorated her neck with long, slow kisses making her moan. She was turned on, and I wanted nothing more than to bury myself inside her.

“I’d better be on my best behaviour then, hmm?” Her smile was infectious as she pulled back, trailing her fingers up and down my bare chest. But then a thought flashed in her eyes and her smile dissipated. “How are you feeling by the way?”

“Shouldn’t I be askin’ you that?” I linked my fingers with her slender ones.

“I just mean, you know… Last night was…” She sighed, pulling her fingers loose before sliding backwards to lean against the headboard. “You finally let me in and I guess I was just worried.”

I flinched. Fuck, I’d really done a number on her. She was expecting me to start pulling away again. Even after I’d told her everything.

What did I expect?

“Fuck, Bella.” I groaned. “The shit I said to you. I don’t expect you to?—”

“I understand why you did it. Believe me I do,” she whispered, “You’re used to being alone.”

“I am.” Was this when she booted me out of her bed? It was the least I deserved.

Her soft fingers trailed down my face, sliding into and stroking the back of my head. “When are you going to realise that you don’t need to be anymore?” I blinked as she pulled my head down to hers. I groaned as white hot desire shot through my centre. This woman was slowly melting me from the inside out. Her tongue stroked my lips and for a moment I let her set the pace of the kiss. But she soon got frustrated, making little moans of need. I gripped her face and slid my tongue deeper, tangling with hers.

“Men like me don’t get the luxury of family, Bella.” I whispered. “If I weren’t such a selfish twat, I’d leave you alone.”

“Don’t even think about it,” she hissed, cupping my face on both sides as her face slowly morphed into fury. “I know you think you don’t deserve anything good in your life, but it’s bullshit. You are so much more than your past.”

I paused, waiting for my heart to stop racing as I let her words sink in. I hadn’t felt this close to anyone in a long time, let alone heard words of comfort or… pride. Actually come to think of it, I hadn’t heard any since just before my mum was ripped from my life.

“My boy, I’m so proud of you,” she smiled, that heart warming smile.

“Mama, I did what I had to do for us, and only us.” Only I knew what I meant. Only I knew what I had to do for us to be happy.

“I look forward to enjoying the rest of my life with you by my side. I’ve only ever needed two men and one is no longer here, but you, you complete me. You have done since the day you were placed in my arms.”

But I failed you, Ma.

“Arturo?” I blinked, Bella’s voice pulling me back to the present. “Where’d you go just now”

“To a time where I thought I was happiest.” My mum was my everything, there’s no doubt she always would be, and up until now there was no room for anyone else.

“So you’re not happy now?” I couldn’t help but smile at her cute little pout.

“Mi princesa,before you I was just goin’ through the motions. It took meetin’ you to teach me how to feel alive again.”

“Oh… Well, what makes you feel so sure?” she asked, her eyes searching mine.

“I knew the second you spilled my drink on me. You were this wild, angry little thing, and the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.” I breathed. “I’ve never believed things happen for a reason and all that shit, but the day your dad offered me the job somethin’ told me to say yes. Fate pulled me out of one life… and dropped me into yours.”

Her breath shuddered as I ran a finger down her cheek. With a brief kiss, she grinned and then rolled out of bed. She was so graceful and elegant in everything she did.

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