5

Arturo's POV

As I was driving my way back to the mansion, my phone suddenly rang. I pulled it out from my pocket and saw Avery's name in the caller I.D. I immediately answered the call and brought my phone up to my ear.

"Hello, missed me already?" I teased through the phone.

"Arturo, the guy from earlier is in front of my house." He whispered. 

"I'm coming back," I replied, immediately taking a U-turn. "Don't drop the call."

"Okay." He replied.

I pushed down on the gas pedal, speeding over the limit, but I didn't care. It didn't take long before I reached Avery's house and saw Christopher standing in front of Avery. I got out of the truck and walked over to Christopher. He turned around and his face quickly fell upon seeing me.

"Hey, Arturo. I was just checking on your boy." He greeted.

I dropped my hand on his shoulder, giving it a hard squeeze. His face grimaced in pain, but he quickly tried to hide it.

"Why are you really here?" I asked.

"I was just wondering what got your attention recently. They're keeping an eye on your every move you know." He tried to say with a smile, but it just turned into a grimace.

"Leave him alone. Just because I've been lenient these past few months doesn't mean you get to mess with my business, okay?" I said before letting go of his shoulder. "Leave."

Christopher didn't hesitate and ran back to his car. I messaged Leo to take care of him as soon as possible before turning to Avery's door. I gently knocked on his door before calling out his name. Avery slowly opened the door and his composure immediately relaxed as soon as he saw me.

"Is he gone?" He asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"What did he want?" He asked.

"Nothing. He just wanted to fuck with me." I replied.

His face twisted in disapproval. "Don't curse. It doesn't sound nice." He complained and I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again." I apologized.

Avery stood in front of me, shifting his weight from one leg to another. His gaze was on my chest, it was as if he was wanting to say something to me.

"Can you stay for a while? Just in case he comes back." He asked, his gaze still on my chest.

I have to admit. My heart skipped a little. I'm going to get an earful from Tiago for evading all my work today, but fuck it. 

"Sure," I replied. 

A small smile appeared on his face. My phone suddenly rang and I had to excuse myself to answer the call. Avery went inside, leaving the door open for me. I looked at the caller's I.D. and saw Tiago's name. I let out a sigh before answering the call. I brought the phone up a few inches away from my ear, knowing Tiago was going to shout at me.

"What the fuck Arturo?! I thought I told you to oversee the fucking shipment? Where are you?" He shouted through the phone.

"I'm with Avery. I'm staying here for a while." I replied calmly.

I heard Tiago sigh through the phone. "Arturo, leave the kid alone. You don't want him to get involved in this."

"I'm not," I replied.

"Sure, whatever. Just, don't neglect your work next time." He said.

"I'm not. I was gardening today, that's my job too." I said.

"You know what I mean, asshole." He said, irritated.

"I know. I'll do better next time, dad." I replied, trying not to laugh.

"Aren't you funny?" He said sarcastically. "Go home as soon as you can. I'm tired of doing the same things I ask you to do." He said before dropping the call.

I sighed and put my phone back in my pocket before going inside Avery's home and closing the door behind me. I found Avery in the kitchen, cooking some dinner. 

"What are you making?" I asked.

"Oh, uhm, just some chicken soup." He replied before taking some soup with a spoon and giving it a taste.

He let out a satisfied sigh before turning off the stove. "You can take a seat, I'll serve you some soup." He said to me so I took a seat on the bar stool.

He soon served me a bowl of chicken soup and I have to admit that it smells really good. I waited as he sat beside me, serving himself a bowl of soup as well. We ate in silence and it was starting to get awkward. 

"So, uhm, you work in a bakery?" I asked, trying to clear the silence in the air.

"Yeah. I've been working there since I was sixteen. I work full time too since I can't afford to go to college." He replied and I could hear a hint of sadness in his voice. "I'm saving up for it though." He smiled at me. 

"What are you planning to take?" I asked.

"Nutrition and Dietetics." He replied and I hummed in response.

We continued to eat in silence, but the atmosphere became more comfortable. I offered to clean up and Avery insisted that he'll do it himself, but I'm more stubborn. As I was washing the dishes, I could feel him staring behind me. Something that he does quite often. I turned around and he quickly averted his gaze, making me chuckle as I finish up the dishes. 

"You stare at me quite often," I said as I turn to face him.

"Oh, sorry. I don't even realize it." He said, his face turning a shade of red.

I walked closer and stood in front of him. He looks like he could fit perfectly in my arms. 

"I don't mind it. You look cute when you get caught." I said, making his face turn into a deeper shade of red. "Do you like me, Avery?" I asked, trying to get a reaction out of him.

His mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out. I decided that his answer was probably yes so I lifted his chin so that he was facing me. I know Tiago warned me about getting Avery involved, but fuck it. I leaned down and placed my lips against his.

I don't know what compelled me to do this, but his lips felt exactly as I expected them to be. They were soft, almost like velvet. I wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him closer to me as I deepen the kiss. He wrapped his arms around my neck as he kisses me back. I flicked his bottom lip and he didn't hesitate to part his lips. 

Our tongues met and a soft moan escaped his throat. It took everything in me not to take this too far the moment I heard his voice. I pulled away from his lips before trailing kisses from his jaw down to his neck. I grabbed the back of his head as I gently suck his skin. He let out a faint gasp as I leave a mark on his neck. I pulled my head up and ran my thumb across the marked skin.

I looked at Avery and he was biting his bottom lip. I slowly pulled his lip out with my thumb before kissing him again. His lips were honestly addicting. He slowly pulled away and I rested my forehead against his. Avery's eyes were dazed and his lips were slightly swollen. 

"I wasn't expecting that." He breathed out.

"Yeah, me too. I couldn't help myself." I replied, making him chuckle.

"Can you stay the night, please?" He asked.

"Sure. I'll stay the night."

Tiago's going to kill me, but it would be worth it if I could spend the night with this angel in between my arms.