Chapter 26
This date had been tedious from the moment I had arrived.
While I sat there bored, Henry banged on and on about his sports cars, drinking on his family’s yachts in Costa Rica or his businesses.
He hadn’t asked me a single question about my life.
Not one. I managed to spend the first thirty minutes forcing a smile or a laugh here and there until my patience had given out.
“So, then I asked him, dude do you know who I am?” he started as I stifled a yawn.
“Listen, Henry, I love how enthusiastic you are about cars, clubbing and stuff, but honestly? It doesn’t impress me.
Cars bore me actually.” I felt awful but there was no way I could sit for the remainder of the evening listening to Henry rabbit on about what car he got for his twenty-seventh birthday, or how many celebrities he’d drank with in what famous club.
“So, what do you like to do then?” He leaned forward, his knee brushing mine under the table.
Oh, finally! A question about my life.
“I like to read mainly, spend time with my family, and volunteer at a home for the elderly my great grandmother once lived in.” I could tell he didn’t care. The second I mentioned family his eyes glazed over.
“Oh, you volunteer! That’s… nice of you. But wouldn’t it, like, bore you?” He scoffed. “I mean it’s not like you need the money or anything.”
“Yeah… hence why I said ‘volunteer’.” Wow. This guy was thicker than two slices of bread.
Was this what a date was like?
Well, good to know I never bothered with them before. It sucked.
“Oh, right. Yeah I most definitely wouldn’t do that. Sounds kinda dull.” My nostrils flared as his eyes landed on my tits.
The rest of the conversation was strained and awkward, although I’d never let Arturo see I was bored out of my mind, I played the part to some extent until Henry placed his hand on my thigh. That was until my phone vibrated on the table... I already knew who it was.
I suggest if he likes those fingers of his, he’ll remove them from your leg before I chuck him out the window.
He cannot be serious?
Jealous?
Now, Isabella.
Someone seemed irritated… good.
And what if I like his hands on me?
I fucking warned you, princess.
Whatever . With a smirk, I angled my hand up in the air in his general direction and threw him the middle finger.
Satisfied I had resolved that. I turned back to my food and listened to Henry start talking about some bar fight he had been in a month previously. But a slight shift in the air made me frown and glance to my right.
Oh shit.
“Evenin’,” Arturo smiled. The slice of steak I had just popped into my mouth now tasted like ash. I coughed it back up before spitting it back into my serviette.
Classy, Bells. Real classy.
From the corner of my eye, I saw his inked hand steal a french fry from Henry’s plate.
“Do you mind?!” Henry gasped, his eyes widening with shock.
“Nah, not really,” Arturo continued before holding his hand out for me. “Time to go.”
“No. I’m busy. We will go when I’m ready,” I scowled, keeping my eyes firmly on my plate. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of looking up at him.
“Now, Isabella,” he crouched down on the balls of his feet, bringing his lips to my ear.
“Dude, you’re her bodyguard not her dad.
” Henry spoke up. “Why don’t you go grab something to eat, hmm?
Here, my treat.” I blanched as he tried to hand Arturo a fifty dollar bill.
Without a word, Arturo glanced at him and simply cocked his head before turning back to me.
I tried not to gasp when his breath stroked across my cheek.
“Unless you want to watch your date bleed all over this pretty white cloth, I suggest you get your beautiful arse to the car,” he demanded. The domination was thick and clear.
“Fuck off,” I snapped.
“Have it your way.” My eyes followed his hand as he pulled out a pen knife from his pocket as if that was supposed to put fear of god in me.
He ran the blade down my thigh, making my skin prickle.
“Would you like me to show you how it can be done, or are you goin’ to be a good girl and go to the car? ”
His voice was as smooth as velvet, warming my skin with each word.
“Okay! Fine! Will it shut you up if I do as you ask?” His eyes darkened as I spoke. Henry was clearly upset at Arturo’s presence and how easily he had captured my attention.
“Seein’ as you never do as you’re told, why don’t you try and see,” he said, his lips teasing my ear lobe.
“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 busy and don’t appreciate the help hanging 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!”
“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.
“I never meant 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 your date ?” 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.