Page 16 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

I'm a strong swimmer. I have a custom-made pool in my condo, and I swim laps every day. It keeps my muscles loose, helping me stay flexible. As I take a breath in my stroke, I see Aurei swimming a side stroke next to me.

He's a fucking beast!

I swim onto the steps and rush up them. He tries to run after me before he is clear of the water.

He sloshes and thrashes it trying to grab me, but I'm quicker, so he rains down huge amounts of water on me.

Splashing so much that I can't see anything, so I have to stop.

His big hand grabs my wrist, and I squeal as he pulls me into his arms, then scoops me up and carries me out.

As my arms encircle his neck and my skin lays against his skin, all I can think of is how warm his skin is, how soft his skin is, how smooth his skin is against mine and how my skin loves his skin so much!

"Heaven equals being yours." I tease him, finally able to keep guessing, but it comes out as a statement rather than a question.

He stops walking, looks so sweetly and sincerely into my eyes. I know I hit a nerve. I squeal, "Oh my fucking Golden God! That's it, isn't it?"

He laughs now and the tease on his face as he rolls his eyes and says, "No'p'e."

I rain down vicious blows on him. "That's just mean!"

He laughs. "But that's very, very close, Wild Thang. Very, very close." He continues across the veranda to the table.

* * *

Aurei

* * *

Gently setting her on her feet, I pick up the white robe folded in the chair and hold it out for her to slip her arms inside.

I tuck her inside it, ensuring she won't be cold, then kiss her lips.

She's quiet now, and I'm unsure if she's pouting or plotting.

I reach for the microfiber towel I brought for her hair and hold it out to her.

She smiles up at me. "You always have the answer to my needs."

"Let's hope that trend continues," I smirk, meaning it on a deeper level than she is aware of at the moment. I pull her chair out and offer it to her with a wave of my hand. "My Lady, please be seated. We have a meal prepared by the finest Chef in all of Italy. Marco DeFranco."

As she sits, I slide her chair up to the table for her, then walk around to my chair opposite hers. I don a robe, bow to her, and take my seat.

She remains quiet, so I ask, "What would you like to talk about over dinner? I'm guessing you want to talk about the Celebration festivities?"

"I would rather talk about Heaven."

I grin. She's noticed the ceiling mosaic. "What about Heaven?"

"When you said to me in the elevator, 'I would rather take you to heaven.' Is this where you meant?"

"Negative." I watch her reaction, trying not to smirk. She looks away, thinking. She was sure she was right.

"Hmm. Where then?" She looks back at me and asks, Or what did you mean?"

"In the elevator, I only wanted to fuck you so good you knew what heaven was."

"Hmm. Mission accomplished." She grins a sexy half-grin, making my cock thump.

"Affirmative." I give her the same grin back. "But after I fucked you, I realized I had learned what heaven was."

Her eyes blink rapidly when the meaning of my words sink in, and she gives me a little more of her heart.

"Then you decided to bring me here?"

"Then I decided to bring you to Rome."

"Mmhmm. Then you decided to give me a necklace that says Heaven equals ...."

She lets her words trail off, hoping I will fill in the missing inscription, but I don't take the bait. I answer concisely, "Affirmative."

"Ah! And now you brought me here."

"Affirmative."

"Will I experience Heaven in that bed?"

"Affirmative."

"Promise?"

I smile, "I promise."

She purses her lips and looks away, thinking about it again. "You better not be teasing me, or there will be hell to pay."

I laugh as I lift the lid to the fresh-baked bread. "So my choice is Heaven or Hell?"

"Absofuckinglutely!" She snaps her fingers, giving me swag.

I throw my head back and laugh as she tips her nose up to inhale the aroma. Completely distracted, she moans as she hovers her bread plate for a piece. "Umm! That smells heavenly!"

"Would you like bread?" I lift an eyebrow.

"Yes, please."

"One or two pieces?"

"Two, please, sir. I'm going to need my stamina tonight."

Her unabashed hunger makes me grin as I place two pieces on her plate. "Two for my lady." I take another bread plate, pour a spiral of olive oil on it, and then hand it to her. She takes it but waits to learn how to eat the bread. I wipe my piece in the olive oil and take a nice big bite.

Following my lead, she dips and bites. "Umm! This is delicious!"

She looks at the main dish on the buffet over the steno fire and asks, "What has Marco sent for us to eat?"

"Marco sent your favorite. Sausage." I chuckle.

"Really?" She giggles.

"No. Not really." I laugh with her.

She rolls her eyes. "What then?"

"My favorite." I lift the lid, "Lasagna."

She leans forward to take a big whiff of the deliciousness, and her tits push the robe apart. "Ah! That smells good! I'm starving!" She admits as she closes the robe over them.

"Feed your beauty. I intend to feast on you tonight." I pick up the serving spoon and put a nice portion on her dinner plate.

"Umm." She smiles, "Feast like a Beast?"

"Like a Bear."

"Oh, damn! That sounds deliciously dangerous."

"It will be, I assure you." I reach for the wine and glasses.

"What about that bottle of Champagne? It looks expensive and tasty."

"It’s Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon White Gold. It is both expensive and tasty. Very fitting for the lady I'm dining with tonight. But Marco recommends Merlot with lasagna."

We stare at each other, and I recognize the hunger starting to build inside her. "We are going to get to open it tonight, though?" Her voice has that teasing tone in it.

Loving how much she loves sex, too, I play along. "If you're a good girl."

"I propose a toast then," She tells me as I fill our glasses.

Shifting in her chair, she tosses the towel from her hair away, shakes it out, then hangs her semi-dry mane off to one side and lifts mischievous, sparkling eyes to mine.

"Which of your heavenly body parts can hold enough liquid to suck a toast from?

" She lets the robe fall off her shoulders, squeezes her tits together, and offers a cleavage vessel. "Mine's easy."

Fuck! My cock hardens, and my voice deepens, "Don't underestimate licking."

"Oh, I don't. I know the value of a good tongue lashing." She drags her tongue across her bottom lip and then bites it.

"So do I." My voice is husky now.

She raises her glass to toast. "Here's to Heaven. May we find eternal bliss there." Squeezing her tits together, she drips the wine from her drink into her cleavage. My cock gets hard. Then she pulls the robe back over her tits. "For later licks."

I smile as they disappear, commanding her. "Eat, naughty thang,"

Giggling, she obeys and begins to enjoy the meal.

"Umm. This is really good. My compliments to Chef DeFranco."

We eat in silence, then I say, "I think we should discuss the Celebration. I received confirmation a little while ago that an official announcement will be made at the Celebration Dinner."