Chapter 17
“Arturo, what we did tonight… I-it can’t happen again,” she whispered. I was certain she didn’t mean it, everything about the moment gave her away. From the way her body moulded into mine as she slowly relaxed, to the way her breathing quickened with my every touch.
“Keep tellin’ yourself that love.” I ran my hand up her front, closing my fingers around her dainty neck. With a moan, she dropped her head back onto my shoulder. “You see, I think you enjoy what’s happening between us. I believe you want me as much as I want you, but you’re scared.”
“I am not scared! And whatever feelings you think I have for you don’t actually exist.” Her body wriggled under my hold but there was no way in hell I was letting her walk out on me without her admitting the truth.
“That’s where you’re wrong, mi princesa , because you are scared. I think you’re terrified that if you don’t push me away you’ll fall for me.” She shivered as my words caressed her skin. “Is that it, Bella? You scared of fallin’ in love with me?”
“Arturo, I’m as likely to fall in love with you as your parents are of returning from the grave.” I winced and dropped my hold, stepping backwards.
Where the fuck had that come from?
“Is that right?” I gritted out as she pulled her dress down and turned to face me.
“Can you just take me home now?” She asked, the formality back in her tone.
This wasn’t like her. In the weeks we’d spoken and shared witty threats, she’d never been cruel. “Bella, did I hurt you?” That got her attention.
“No, I—” Her eyes flashed with regret. I’m sure she saw the hurt and anger in my gaze. “Shit, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that about your parents.”
“Forget it.” I swallowed and turned for the door. “For the record, your mum knows you left tonight without tellin’ anyone so I suggest we get home before it gets too late.” As I reached the door handle, I felt her grip my arm.
“Arturo,” she pleaded. “I’m sorry.” I huffed a breath out of my nose and swivelled to face her.
Confused and frustrated, I leaned back against the door and waited for her to continue.
She wet her lips and curled her hair behind her ear.
“I was wrong to take your bike. I promise I won’t touch it again.
” With a tentative hand she placed it just above my heart.
The surge of electricity we both felt at her touching me was undeniable.
“I was reckless driving here this evening. You were right. Just please… my father doesn’t need to know about this. ”
“I won’t drop this, Isabella.”
“I have no doubt you won’t,” she smiled, and although it was heart stopping, there was something hidden behind her glassy eyes. I didn’t know if they were glassy from the drink she’d consumed or something else. Reluctantly, I moved her hand from my chest and pushed her back.
“Fine. We’d better get going.”
“In the car?” She asked.
“On the bike, let’s go,” I reached for her hand but she stepped back.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why? You rode it here, ” I challenged, holding my hand out again which she eyed, debating her next move. “Bella, I’m about this close to throwin’ you back over my shoulder so you had better take my hand now.” I demanded. With an eye roll she finally took my hand.
“What are we going to do about the SUV?”
“I’ll collect it tomorrow,” I grunted.
“What about Ty?”
“I’ll get word to Tyler, don’t worry,” I knew Josh would let him know I’d taken Isabella home, but I also knew that would be all he’d say.
“I really should tell him,” she called over the music, yanking me to a standstill.
“Isabella,” I backed her against the wall in the barely lit corner, near the door. “For once will you please for once just do as you’re fuckin’ told?”
“Arturo… I don’t take orders from you. If anything you’re the one who should be taking orders.” Her eyes narrowed in anger.
Oh so she wants to play that game? Fine!
Shrugging, I shoved her legs apart and ran my finger up her leg towards her quivering pussy. “Alright then, love. I’ll play. Tell me to stop.”
“Arturo…” Her pupils pulsed as she sank her teeth into her bottom lip.
“Go on, give me an order.” I whispered, lightly stroking her soaked core. “Tell me to stop, or tell me to finger fuck you, right here in my mate’s bar.”
“What do you want from me, Arturo?” She whispered.
Was she serious? Her eyes searched mine for some sort of sign, some sort of answer.
“Is this just because you find the chase fun? Or is it because I’m the one woman you can’t have.
” She wrapped her slender fingers around my wrist, effectively stopping me.
“No,” I sighed, resting my forehead against hers.
We were both breathing heavily. “The truth is… I haven’t been able to stop thinkin’ about you since the night we met, despite the fact you stole my bike and are by far the most infuriatin’ woman I have ever met.
” I cupped her neck softly. The gesture caused her eyes to drop to my lips.
“Arturo, what you’re feeling… It isn’t real.” Her voice hitched at this. “I’m just someone to pass the time with until something better comes along.”
Ah, so that was what her meltdown in the office was about? Were my feelings not fuckin’ obvious?
“Bella,” I cupped her face with both hands, thumbs stroking her cheeks.”Have I ever given you reason to believe I feel you’re just someone to play with or a fill in until somethin’ better comes along?
“N-No.” Her fingers trembled as they traced the hem of my t-shirt. Frustrated, I dropped my hands and stared up at the ceiling, reining my anger in.
“Then I don’t want to hear you repeatin’ it, alright?
” I insisted, glancing back down with one eyebrow raised.
She nodded before leaning her head to my chest. Giving into temptation, I dropped a kiss on her hair and gripped the back of her neck to pull her tight against me.
After a moment, I took her hand and said,“Let’s go,” before tugging her towards the exit.
The sound of her heels clicked across the concrete as we stepped outside into the cool evening breeze. The sharp intake of breath from my side indicated just how chilly it had become. I shrugged my leather jacket off and laid it over her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she slid her arms into the sleeves—her hands disappearing beneath the thick, heavy leather.
“It’s nothin’.” And that’s what it was, nothing, just a small gesture to the woman who was worming her way deeper and deeper into my soul with each passing day. The best part was she had no idea she was doing it.
“Wait, does my father know I took your bike?” I blinked out of my reverie and turned to see her staring sheepishly ahead.
“I didn’t tell him,” I replied, “but that doesn’t mean your mother hasn’t.”
“You told my mom?” She gasped as she snatched her hand away.
“I already told you she knew you’d gone out without tellin’ anyone!”
“Why did you tell her?” She threw her arms out before letting them drop back down to her sides.
“I was angry, Bella!” I snapped, my voice rising with each word.
“And if you hadn’t followed me, I’d have gotten home tonight without anyone catchi?—”
“If you really believe that, then you’re kiddin’ yourself, darlin’. Oh, and, if I hadn’t followed you tonight, would you even be comin’ home? Or would you be spendin’ the evenin’ bangin’ that bellend?”
“Who?” She cocked her head to the side.
“The fuckin’ twat I caught tryin’ to shove his hands up your dress.”
“Oh please! That was just dancing!”
“I cannot believe just how completely stupid you have been tonight. First you took my damn bike. And then you decide to go out drinkin’ in a bar where plenty of your father’s enemies frequent with a kid who can barely protect himself let alone you!” That caught her attention.
“I-I didn’t know… Ty said we’d be safe here, we were once before.”
“Yeah, well, Ty doesn’t know shit about this area.”
“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” Her eyes went glassy again but this time with tears. “And anyway you’ve already punished me for it, what more do you want?” She asked, throwing her arms out to the side again.
“What do I fuckin’ want?” I stepped closer to her, but she stepped away mimicking my move. “I want you, you infuriatin’ woman!” Her chest heaved as she drew in fast breaths. Confusion took hold of her gaze.
“Arturo… you have to stop—” she whispered, her lips quivering from the cold.
“No,” I grunted, cupping one side of her face. “I won’t stop until I’m the one you run to when you need someone. Until I’m the one you call yours.”
“Arturo, how can I make this clearer? I can never be yours.” With that she stormed past me.
“Oh no you don’t, darlin’!” I spun on my heel, pulling her back until her body collided with mine, her hair whipping my face.
“Arturo—”
“ Hermosa , I don’t care what your father will say or anyone else.
” I was really losing it, but I couldn’t help the words that tumbled from my mouth.
It was the truth and she deserved to hear it.
“You aren’t some sort of game to me because I’m bored.
” My lips brushed hers as I spoke. My body urged and begged me to kiss her, but instinct told me to wait.
“How can you be sure you’ll even stick around?” She whispered.
“I’m not going anywhere, mi princesa. ” I curled a hair behind her ear and stroked my thumb across her soft cheek.
“And if I was to, you’d be coming with me.
” My chest ached as I saw the relief reflected in her eyes.
I needed her to know she was my obsession—one that was a secret to others, but to her I would lay it all out on the table.
“My father would kill you.” She whispered peeking up through her lashes, causing my heart to almost stop.
“Your dad won’t do shit to me. You really think he’d ruin your happiness just to stick it to me?”
“Arturo, I can’t talk about this anymore.” She sighed, her hands flat against my chest.
“You can’t keep runnin’ from this… I know you feel this too.” I grasped her hands in mine, keeping them pressed tightly to my chest.
“Arturo, I don’t feel what you feel.” With a firm tug, she yanked her hands from my grip.
I swallowed as my body immediately froze, and it wasn’t from the weather.
“So please… stop chasing me.” She turned her back to me and trained her eyesight on the bike in front of her; never once looking back to see if I was following.
I squeezed my eyes shut as she stopped next to my bike, wrapping her arms around herself.
I stood for a moment and simply took her in.
From the way her hair was blowing in the soft breeze to the way she nervously gnawed on her bottom lip I was mesmerised.
I couldn’t tear my gaze away from her, and I didn’t want to.
I hated to admit it but her words had cut deep.
So deep in fact, it was the first time I’d felt this kind of pain for over a decade.
I watched as she turned her gaze to the sky to look up at the stars.
Her eyes twinkled as she lost herself. She’d never looked so innocent or beautiful.
“Are you ready?” I asked, snapping her attention back to me.
“Yes.” She replied as I threw my leg over the bike and settled into my seat, she watched me intently as I handed her my helmet. “What about you? Do you have a spare you can use?”
“Never needed one. Nobody has ever ridden with me before.” She stared down at the helmet, clearly debating whether she should put it on or hand it back to me.
I didn’t allow her brain to ponder it any longer.
Yanking her body into mine, I removed the helmet from her chilled fingers.
Her hair tumbled over her shoulders as I brushed it out of the way to slip the protection carefully over her head.
The visor remained closed from her earlier ride but I could still feel her eyes on me.
“On you get,” I instructed, holding my hand out to help her climb on behind me. “Hold on tight,” I ordered but her hands remained firmly on the back of the bike.
Stubborn woman.
I chuckled to myself as I revved the engine, knowing my next move would send her shooting forwards. I jolted the bike slightly, and I was proved right as her arms wrapped around my waist, her arse lifting from the seat. I heard her squeal from behind the visor and I couldn’t help but feel smug.
“Didn’t I tell you to hold on, mi princesa ?” I moved her arms into the position I wanted and she didn’t protest, her thighs clenching mine as I sped out of the car park. “Good girl,” I called over the sound of the engine.
I drove carefully as I navigated through the traffic. The feel of Bella’s body moulded against mine was fucking perfection. I couldn’t help but wish I’d driven slower, because I knew the moment we pulled into that garage she’d walk away and ignore what happened between us tonight.
Or would she?