Page 25 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

Quintus doesn't blink. The lack of denial keeps him in the game. I'm stunned by his total arrogance and his total lack of intimidation. He is playing a very dangerous game. Family or not, he needs to stop before Aurei loses it. I have to put an end to this craziness!

I jump down off Caesar and force Aurei to handle him.

I walk up to Quintus and poke him in the chest. I rattle off my usual speech.

"I'm an erotic entertainer only. I don't fuck every Tom, Dick or Harry.

I am all about sex, but what I actually do isn't sex.

What I actually do is dance. What I do is fantasy.

What I do is only suggestive seduction. I'm an erotic dancer.

There's a big difference. Erotic is about sexual desire and sexual excitement.

I'm not a whore. If you saw me in Vegas, then you know I'm untouchable.

What kind of game are you playing here?"

Quintus grins a wicked grin at me, and for a second, I think he is going to grab my hand, but before he reacts, Aurei grabs a handful of my hair and pulls me back to him.

I back away, glaring at Quintus. If eye arrows could kill!

He asks Aurei as I retreat. "You've obviously collared her. Are you staking claim to her?" He looks him in the eye now. The air becomes electric with tension.

"Is that what this is all about?" I hear Aurei ask.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I need to know what level of commitment you have to her."

"Why?" They glare at each other. Now Quintus' jaw sets. Aurei lets my hair go and puts his arm in front of me. He pushes me back out of the way. I look at him and see his shrewd eyes studying Quintus. "You want to know how much I care for her." It's a statement, not a question.

"That is what I really want to know."

Their eyes lock. "For your new job or for yourself?"

I see the charming poker face slide off Quintus' face, and I almost panic. We all know shit just got real.

"Both."

The word hangs in the air. I'm flabbergasted Quintus would take it this far. What the fuck!

Aurei's voice is low and deadly. "I'm committed, and I'll prove it to you. Then we won't ever go here again. Understood?"

"Yes," Quintus nods once.

"There's an inscription inside the collar. Siri, tell him what it says."

I look at Quintus. Daggers shoot from my eyes. "I can't. It's in Italian."

"Do you want to know what it says?"

We both answer, "Yes."

Quintus adds, "Show me." And I shoot more daggers at him.

"Come here, Baby Thang. Hold Caesar."

"No, I want to know first."

"Siri. Come here." His tone is the most commanding it has ever been to me. I look at him and cross my arms, pooch my lips, and outright pout, but I obey him.

As I take Caesar's bridle and hold him, I tell them both. "I'm not happy with either one of you assholes!"

Aurei takes my face in his hands and makes me look into his eyes. The love I see looking back at me makes my eyes tear up.

"Don't!" I whisper, then his lips cover mine, and he blows lightly in my mouth.

My arm goes around his waist, and I cling to him.

His lips release me, and I lay my forehead on his chest, fully submitting to his wishes.

I feel his hands moving into my hair as he unfastens it.

The necklace comes free, and as it slides down my throat, I feel strangely naked without it.

He holds it out for Quintus with one hand while his other encircles the emptiness. I feel his gentle pressure against my jugular, then his fingers are back in my hair, and he is sliding it back on. He whispers. "You are mine." He cups my face again, and I stare into his eyes.

I respond. "I am yours."

Aurei's arm goes around my shoulders, and he holds me against his body. We turn and face Quintus. Aurei asks him, "Satisfied?"

Quintus doesn't make any remark or give any acknowledgement at all as to what the inscription says. His poker face is perfect, but I can read his eyes, and they tell me that Heaven means something solid. Something concrete. Aurei's level of commitment to me is no longer an issue.

He states. "I came down to tell you Zita and Bob left Venezia early.

They will be at the house in time for lunch.

Marco said to tell you he will be serving Chocolate Soufflé today too.

" He holds out his hand to shake Aurei's again.

"I need to get back up to the house. I have to change before my first press conference. "

Aurei's eyebrows raise as he takes his hand and pumps it. "Press conference?"

"Yes, I'm going to introduce myself and let them know who's in charge of your image." He smiles, and the charm is thick. "And it sure as hell isn't them." He bows slightly to me and says. "Miss Wright." Then he heads back to his bike, mounts it, slides on his helmet, cranks it, then spins off.

Cocky and Dope! That is one slick, sexy bastard! Damn. He's going to be perfect at the job.

Listening to the last sounds of Quintus' motorcycle, we stand silently next to each other.

Neither of us wanting to discuss what just happened, but I'm truly thankful it was nothing bad.

That could have been disastrous! I hate my necklace was undone to prove a point, but it appears the point was totally put to rest with it, and that's a plus!

I sure don't need to have to worry about Quintus lusting and pushing our buttons.

Caesar bobs his head and tries to pull away. I tell Aurei, "If you aren't finished, I'll take a seat and watch."

He looks at me with that concerned, caring look.

Knowing I was distraught with the necklace coming off, but not knowing how hurt my feelings are over it.

I lean over for a kiss. "I'm not upset. Ok?

I would have liked it if my necklace would not have been undone, but I understand cooperation and compromise.

I'm a big girl." I lean in for a kiss. "And apparently, whatever it says, put his damn fire out, and that's a good thing. "

His eyes relax, then they smile at me. "Give me thirty more minutes. I need to put him through the drills a few more times. Then we'll head back up to the house."

"You got it!" I throw my hand up. "Not a problem. My cute little ass will sit right over there and watch your handsome ass."

He throws his leg over Caesar and sits his handsome ass down, then pulls his horse's around as I take a seat in the stadium. Watching them together, I wondered how many hours it took to master that level of precision. I know how many hours it took to train Flash, but we raised him.

When Aurei is satisfied, we leave, but we don't take the direct route back. He gives me a tour of the property. It's expansive and impressive.