Page 144 of Devil Mine

“I fucking love hearing that no other man has been able to make you squirt, that your pussy only cries for my cock. If you needed any more indication that you were made for me, that you belong tome,” I breathe, “this is it. Look no further.”

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Chapter Fifty-Three

Tess

“Careful, Arturo!” I jump out of my chair and catch the stack of folders before they tumble off the side of my desk and to the floor. He’s already broken a small statue with his fidgeting around my office and if he inadvertently messes up the files I spent a full two days organizing, I’ll actually kill him.

I point to the furthest corner of my office where there’s nothing but a chair and a side table. “Go sit over there before you cause any more damage.”

He grumbles, cursing under his breath just loud enough for me to understand every word, and moves as instructed.

Ever since the day Franklin attacked me, Arturo has come to work in the mornings and gone home in the evenings with me. He’s got a face like a smacked ass, the same miserable expression that’s been my constant companion these past few weeks and I’m getting tired of it.

“Listen,” I say with a tired sigh. “I know you hate being here. You won’t be shocked to hear that I’m not thrilled with this arrangement either, constant ray of sunshine that you are,” I add drolly. “Why don’t you talk to Thiago? I’m sure he can replace you with someone else if you ask and it’ll be a nice break for me to spend some time with someone who can actually tolerate my presence.”

“He won’t. I’m the only one he trusts to protect his wife.”

Warmth unfurls inside me at his words. It’s been two weeks since Thiago and I went toExcessand we’ve grown closer every day since. We’ve even crossed a couple other items off my bucket list — seeing Ludovico Einaudi live and taking a Thai cooking class. The next item on my list was skydiving but he categorically refused, saying that he wasn’t going to endanger me ‘for the fun of it’.

I’m not giving up on it, it’s just going to require a bit more convincing from me.

“It’s an honor,” Arturo continues.

“An honor?” I repeat, surprised. “Wow, that’s high praise coming from you.”

He scowls. “Don’t take it to heart, Barbie. It has nothing to do with you.”

I’m putting a book away on my shelf and pause at his sharp tone. I look over my shoulder and find him sitting forward with his elbows on his knees, eyes keenly tracking my movements.

Arturo has been cold with me from the very beginning. I’ve never understood what his problem is; I don’t think I’ve ever done anything to deserve his ire. Whatever the reason, I’m tired of dealing with the bickering and tension. It can’t go on forever.

“Why do you hate me? Did I do something to offend you?” I turn to face him. “You know, if you took the time to get to know me, you might discover that I’m not so hateable after all.”

Arturo sits back in his chair and gives me an appraising look. He seems to measure his words before speaking. Finally, he sighs.

“I don’t hate you.”

I raise an unconvinced brow at him. “Well, you don’t like me either.”

“That’s true.”

“Why?”

“It’s not personal.”

“Why?”

“You distract him,” he explains through clenched teeth.

I frown, confused. “Not intentionally.”

“That’s even worse.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re going to get him killed one day.”

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