Page 120 of Naughty Nelle

So Ari, the warrior god, was also a martial artist. Fitting.

“Grandpa’s name was Benjamin like mine,” interjected Ben. “That’s a photo of him,” he added, pointing to a framed photo on an end table.

My eyes shifted to the photograph of a handsome dark-haired man who had his arm wrapped around an angelic golden-haired boy. The child looked to be the same age as Ben and bore a striking resemblance. Of course, Ari and his father. I could detect the loving bond between them, further evidenced by the fact that Ari had named his son after him.

“Do you want to play Pac-Man with me?” asked Ben, plopping down on the couch and grabbing a remote.

“Ben,” chided Ari, “I don’t think—”

I cut him off. “Sure. You first.”

Ben loaded the game onto the big screen TV and began clicking the remote with his thumbs. Both Ari and I kept our eyes riveted on the screen as he managed to get to level three, scoring 1235 points.

“Okay, your turn.” Beaming with pride, the little boy handed me the remote. Ari fired me a bemused look. Like I was out of my mind.

“Good luck, Saarah,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Thanks,” I said brightly. Ha ha. Just wait.

Without wasting a second, I plunked down on the comfy couch and began feverishly pressing the remote with my thumbs. My eyes stayed glued to the cute little yellow open-mouthed face gobbling up pellets and striving to eat enemies before they ate me. In high school, no one could beat me at Pac-Man. Or at RISD. It had been a while since I’d played, but I hadn’t lost my touch. Ten minutes later, I was at level five with 5020 points.

“Wow!” exclaimed Ben. “You’re awesome.”

Ari’s brows lifted with shock and then a smirk slid on his kissable lips. “Saarah, you are surprisingly good at manipulating things with your hands.”

The innuendo (and boy, was he full of them tonight) made my cheeks heat and my skin prickle. And not just on the back of my neck.

“Let’s play again,” begged Ben.

A familiar voice stopped me from answering. “It eez bedtime for Señor Ben.”

Standing at the entrance to the room was Luisa, her arms folded under her buxom chest. A warm smile spread across her bright-eyed face.

Ben frowned. His father gave him a signal to get up, tilting his chin toward the foyer.

“No fair,” he sulked.

The cutie-pie reluctantly rose from the couch, leaving the remote behind, and shuffled over to Luisa. She wrapped an ample arm around the child’s slender shoulders.

“Luisa, I’ll be there in a minute to tuck him in and read him a good-night story,” said my companion.

I was impressed by what a devoted father he was. A pang of sadness stabbed me. That was something I had never had in my life.

The adorable little boy gazed up at me and then unexpectedly broke away from Luisa to give me a hug. The warmth of his little arms wrapped around my waist radiated throughout me. My heart melted.

“Thanks, Sarah, for my cool train. Can you come over and play Pac-Man with me again?”

I fired an uncertain look at Ari. The impassive expression on his face was unreadable. “Maybe,” he said. My heart quivered, not knowing what that meant.

After wishing us “buenas noches,” Luisa shepherded Ben out of the room, leaving me alone with Ari. Despite the mixed messages this devastating man was giving me, I didn’t want this evening to end. I wanted to be in his arms and make delicious love with him in his bed. Don’t go there, Sarah. I was hit hard with the realization that it was time for me to leave. That I would not be spending the night. His house, his rules.

“I should say goodnight.” My voice wavered.

“Wait for me here. I’ll be right back.” He abandoned me but returned quickly holding a small shopping bag. “Yours,” he said softly, handing me the bag.

With just a glance, I knew what was inside. I took out the Jimmy Choo box and lifted the lid. Inside were the black satin peep-toe stilettos. I was on the verge of crying.

“Thanks.” My voice was watery.

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