Page 2 of My Favorite Temptation

As time went on, we got to know each other better. She told me about her fears, her hopes, her dreams. I opened up to her about my loneliness and all the regrets piled on my shoulders. Sometimes, it felt like she was the only person who hadn’t forgotten about me while I was locked up.

And now, I’m going to be staying in her house. I won’t have to wait a week for an answer to a question; I can talk to her whenever I want. I’ll be able to say good morning and goodnight right to her beautiful face.

“Come on!” Josh says as he rolls down the passenger window. “I wasn’t kidding about that flight.”

“We’re coming,” Bella says as she extracts herself from my hold and climbs into the back.

I want to join her, but I can tell by the look on Josh’s face that I’ve already done too much. I join him in the front seat, and before I can get my seatbelt on, he takes off.

As he drives, I find myself looking at Bella in the side mirror, memorizing every curve of her beautiful face while she chats. She tells me about her work at the community health center, and her eyes light up with passion. Every once in a while, Josh will ask her about a client, which sets her off on another impassioned tangent.

“So,” Josh says when the conversation lulls, “have you heard from your dad lately?”

Alarm bells ring in my head when I see the terrified look on her face at the mention of her father. What did this bastard say to her? I know he wasn’t a good guy. Josh hates him because of the way he treated his mom. Did he threaten Bella? I swear to God, if he tries anything, I’ll end him in a heartbeat.

“Not since my birthday three years ago,” Bella replies, something dark in her voice. “But I’m not sure it’s for a lack of trying. He said Mom already left him, and he won’t lose both of us.”

Josh snorted. “Like he has a choice.”

For the rest of the ride, she’s quiet and only gives one or two-word answers to Josh’s questions, clearly troubled by what happened with her dad. It makes my impulse to protect her even stronger. I know how bad people can be. I’ve spent the last fifteen years of my life surrounded by the worst of the worst. Nothing can happen to my sweet, thoughtful, caring Bella.

“Alright,” Josh says when we pull into the driveway of a house I don’t recognize. “I can’t go in because I need to get going. I’ll call you when I land.”

“Okay,” Bella says, climbing out of the car.

I go to follow her, but before I can get the door open, Josh grabs my arm and stops me.

“Here,” he says, shoving an envelope into my hand.

“What’s this?”

“Some money to get you started,” he says, watching his sister as she walks to her door.

“I don’t need this,” I tell him. “I can make my own money.”

“I know,” he replies with a smile. “Consider it a thank you for always looking out for me when we were younger.”

“I didn’t do it for thanks. I did it because we’re friends.” I try to hand the money back, but he waves it away.

“And that’s why I’m doing this,” Josh says, leaving no room for argument. “When you get locked in at a new job, let me know. I’ll front you the money to get into an apartment.”

“Okay,” I say, reaching for the door handle.

“And one more thing,” he says, stopping me again.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t try to sleep with her.” He narrows his eyes, and I don’t need to ask who he means. “She’s never been in a relationship before, and she’s definitely not ready for some ex-con to be using her for casual sex. I don’t need you fucking her up. Her dad’s already done enough.”

“Okay,” I say again, finally getting out of the vehicle.

As Josh drives off and I walk up to Bella, I can’t stop the dirty, terrible thoughts that run through my mind. She’s innocent, probably untouched. Knowledge of her likely virginity sends blood racing to my dick.

Not only do I want to protect her, I want to defile her, too.

The cash feels heavy in my pocket.

Josh is a good friend. All he’s asking is for me to keep my hands off his sister. It shouldn’t feel like such a big ask. But when Bella looks over her shoulder and beckons me closer, I think it would be easier if he’d just asked me to stop breathing.

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