Page 23 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

"Sure. Shoot." He says over his shoulder, not taking his eye off Caesar. "You are the horse whisperer."

"Horse whistler is more accurate, but I do have an idea I learned from my Granddaddy. He was a horse whisperer."

"I'm up for suggestions. I'm not looking forward to this part of the deal."

"Have you ever ran Caesar before you tried to mount him?"

"Do you mean, exercise him on a lead? No. He doesn't run in circles."

"No. That's too boring for a horse like him. I mean, pair him with another horse like Rosso here and run him." Aurei looks right at me. "So you haven't?"

"No, I haven't."

"Want to?"

He tilts his head, thinking. "He doesn't like to follow."

"That's the reason it will work." I untie Rosso and mount him.

"Come on. We'll ride doubles, and you can hold his head.

It's worth a try. If you fall off, it won't hurt near as much as it will if he throws you in front of them.

" I remind him that we have an audience.

More men have come to the fence to watch.

"That's true." He waves to one of them to get the gate.

I walk Rosso to Aurei, and Caesar eyes us while Aurei mounts behind me.

His black eyes are shiny and wild, but he isn't sure what we are doing, so he semi-behaves, watching and prancing.

Rosso, who is steady and unaffected by all of Caesar's drama, shifts with Aurei's weight.

I steady him as Aurei's hands slide around my waist. He shortens the reins and draws Caesar closer, who comes because he is curious.

Then Aurei's mouth nibbles my ear before he says.

"He hates the exercise track. Hook a left out the gate, then take the first cut to the right.

We'll run him along the fence row, then out into the open area. "

I aim Rosso in the direction of the gate. "Just remember to let go of me if he pulls you off." I kiss his cheek. Aurei grasps a handful of Rosso's mane, and I ask. "Ready?"

"I sure hope so. OPEN THE GATE."

When the gate swings open, Caesar's eyes shift to it, and he focuses on the getaway.

"Hang on," I tell Aurei. "This is going to be a wild ride!

" I suck my lips, kick as hard as I can and slap Rosso across the withers with the reins.

The crack and pain make the poor horse bolt in fright.

Then he runs for his life as he senses Caesar bearing down on him.

We bounce at first, then hunker our asses down on him as he levels off, and we fly out of the paddock through the gate.

I have to pull his head sharp to the left to make the turn.

Aurei works to control Caesar's head and can only do so because he is a beast himself.

On the straightaway, we run at breakneck speed.

We can hear the shouts and whistles of the Ranch hands behind us.

Aurei holds Caesar in check, but his horse keeps trying to take the lead.

At the right turn, I pull Rosso into it, and he cuts Caesar off.

Aurei quickly shortens the reins and manages to pull the horse alongside.

With his head restricted, he is forced to match his long stride with Rosso's shorter one.

The speed we are going keeps him from fighting, and he runs alongside.

When we reach the end of the fence, we enter an open pasture.

Both horses, feeling the freedom to run, pin their ears back, and I let Rosso have his head.

Aurei shouts over the thunderous rumble of their hooves. "Yeehaw!"

My smile stretches from ear to ear.

There's my Alabama man!

Everyone is enjoying the freedom!

When Rosso becomes winded, I slow him down then pull him to a quick stop. Aurei dismounts immediately, keeps Caesar close, walks around to the right, puts his foot in the stirrup, throws his leg over, and sits the beast without a battle.

Success!

We grin at each other for just a moment before Aurei wheels Caesar around, and they are off again.

Aurei leans over his neck as Caesar's long legs stretch out.

The beauty of the view is not lost on me.

The black horse charging with its mane floating in waves up and down against its stretched neck.

Its ears pinned back with determination as it focuses on a distant spot.

They thunder away, and I watch as they become smaller and smaller, then disappear over the hill out of sight.

I sit watching and waiting for them to reappear, but they don't return.

Realizing they aren't coming back, I kick Rosso, and we start heading that way at a more leisurely pace.

When I reach the spot where they disappeared, I begin to see the top of what could only be the Arena.

I'm flabbergasted as it comes into full view, and I pull Rosso up to drink in the sight. It's incredible!

"I swear I'm in a fucking fairy tale!"

I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming, but the pain assures me this is real too.

The Arena is a replica of the Coliseum. The only difference is, it's not as big or as tall.

I kick Rosso into a gallop, and we make our way to it.

When I arrive, I see the entrance where Aurei went.

The hole in the stadium is big enough to hold two semi-trucks.

I dismount and walk Rosso in under an open canopied area.

I laugh because although the exterior looks like the Coliseum, the inside is a football stadium. I admire the architectural design.

Very clever! It's modern but keeps the ancient feel of the history and glory that was Roman. Facing the entrance, I can see a fairly large parking lot behind it. We must be at the edge of the property, and they must use this for public events. Like a civic center, or maybe for youth soccer. Cool!

Standing at the edge, I see Aurei and Caesar at the other end.

He is putting his Warhorse through his paces.

The Friesian's brisk, high-stepping trot is beauty to behold.

He is the epitome of what a Warhorse should be.

From his erect carriage all the way down to the bottom half of his legs, where the long, silky hair looks like floating feathers.

He would be the horse Apollo would ride. I smile. And the Bastard son of Thor too. I can see my Dark Deity destroying an enemy back in the day!

When Aurei spots me, he wheels Caesar around, and they stop.

The beauty of this view is not lost on me either.

He sends the black horse charging across the area.

I watch as my Golden God leans over his powerful neck.

His golden halo against the wavy black mane.

Caesar's ears are pinned back with determination as Aurei demands and commands him.

They pull up, and he sits on his haunches to stop.

Thunderous glory!

Aurei doesn't speak to me. He just grins, then turns Caesar and charges back to the other side.

Oh, My Golden God! I love you so!

I tie Rosso and take a seat, letting my mind wander over all that is Aurei. Selena Gomez's song "Nobody Does It Like You" starts to play in my mind, and I tap my foot to it.

He's a dark Deity, and I'm a wild child. That's an explosive combination, and I am forever changed. I can't wait to see where we will be in a month, a year, and more. Life is good with Aurei! My one and only.

My eyes find my man. What the hell? I sit up straight. He has a sword in his hand! I watch, stunned as he exhibits expert hand play, twirling and spinning it, then tossing it to the other hand and catching it.

Fucking phenomenal!

Now I watch as Caesar charges and Aurei performs the same movements standing in the stirrups and leaning over Caesar's neck.

Holy fuck! That's awesome! They are magnificent together.

Sweet Zeus! I'm wild for this man! Nobody does it like you, Maximus Aurelius Moore!

Nobody! The only thing that could make that sight more remarkable is seeing the Bastard doing it.

Holy Hades, I'm looking forward to the Celebration now!

He is the fucking real deal! Damn! I'm a lucky girl!

He reins Caesar directly in front of me and smiles his beautiful smile!

My heart melts with the sight of how truly happy he is right now.

He waves to me to join him and brings Caesar to the wall to put his sword away.

I jump at the chance, and when I get there, I hoist myself up.

As soon as I'm close enough, he lifts me and puts me in the saddle with him.

He sits me facing him, so I wrap my legs around his waist, my arms around his back, and I nuzzle his neck, hugging him tightly. He kisses my hair and asks, "Comfy?"

"I won't complain."

I hear his throat hum that delicious sexy sound, and then he clicks his cheek.

I look back to see Caesar, whose ears are turned to us listening, prances away from the wall, drawing his neck up into a tight arch with his nose pointing at the ground.

He sidesteps across the arena floor. I grin up at Aurei as I bounce against his groin and my tits grind into his chest. "Caesar isn't entirely sure this is kosher. "

"He's just showing off now."

"Let's hope that's all this is. I would hate to get thrown from this position."

"He's not going to throw us now. He only tries that shit in the first few minutes."

"But if he does, I just want you to know I'm riding you down to the ground."

He chuckles. "You just hold on tight to me, Baby Thang. I got ya!"

I nuzzle him again. The bouncing from Caesar's dance makes me ask. "Have you ever fucked on a horse before?"

"No. We should add that to our bucket list."

"Def addition!"

"But not on Caesar. He is too high-strung for that. We'll do it on Blue when we get back to the farm."

"Let's start a Fucket list too. That can be #1."

He laughs. "Ok. Let's do."