Page 27 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

As Aurei pulls the chair out for me, I look down to sit and realize I'm wearing a bright pink shirt that says, "Just do it" on it.

I pull my hair over my left shoulder and let it drape the words "do it," hiding them.

He smirks at my gesture and rolls his eyes, then takes the seat on my right.

I'm across from Bob, and he is across from Zita.

She is unable to monopolize my conversation, having to speak across the table to me.

The strategic move isn't lost on me and probably not them either.

Aurei always has things under control. Breathe.

The entire time we eat, Bob and Aurei keep the conversation light, and we talk pleasantries, the weather here and in Alabama, the Farm and the Villa, horses, and dogs. Finally, the conversation swings around to us.

Zita asks, "Ok. I've been patient, young man. Spill the beans." She smiles sweetly, then we both look at Aurei.

He grins sheepishly and nods his head to me. "You go first."

I glare at him for a split second before my poker face slides on.

Then I turn to face her and say, "Karma brought us together.

I didn't actually meet Aurei until I was back in Alabama after my mom's accident.

I met him in the lobby of my apartment building.

I dropped my phone, and he picked it up.

" I smile lovingly at him. "When he handed it to me, and our hands touched, then I looked into his eyes, I knew he was the one. "

He takes my hand, kisses it, then picks up the story.

"But you were right, Zita. I caught her show before Thanksgiving and was blown away by her.

I kept returning, trying to learn more information about her, but everyone was tight-lipped.

No one would talk to me, and all my attempts to meet her were thwarted by her security detail. "

"Security detail?" Bob chimes in, impressed with that tidbit of information.

"Yes, sir. You see, Siri is a big Star in Vegas.

She's not only under constant guard but isolated from the audience too.

" He answers his father directly, then shifts his attention back to his mother.

"I kept going back again and again, trying to discover more about her and trying to meet her, but all I learned was how special everyone thinks she is and how competent her security is. "

"It must be if you weren't able to penetrate it," Bob smirks at me. "He doesn't like to lose."

I laugh at that.

Aurei continues, "She has one rule she never breaks for anyone, and everyone knows it, so I didn't even get a chance."

His mother smiles at me. "What rule is that, dear?"

He is so competent!

"Rule #1: No touching!" Everyone laughs. "Being the Headliner, I'm not allowed to mingle with the customers. My only job is to entertain the audience on the stage."

"Your Mother brags on you. She's so proud, and she should be. From what little we saw, you certainly know how to move."

"Yes, she does." Aurei agrees with a naughty smirk on his face, and everyone laughs again.

"No need to share those details, son. We get it." Bob gives him a little wink, then he and Zita exchange a look that says they know their boy.

Just then, Marco comes in and announces. "Siri, I have prepared your Chocolate Soufflé for dessert. We've cleared the bar in the kitchen for you to dance on."

Aurei laughs and tells his parents. "Siri has a mime routine she does for charity, and she is going to do it for Marco if his Chocolate Soufflé is better than the Vegas chefs."

GAWD! I LOVE YOU! You make everything perfect! He gives me a wink and leans in for a kiss. "I haven't seen it yet, but I'm looking forward to it too."

"I am, too," Zita says. "Marco, bring the dessert as soon as it's ready. I believe we have all finished."

He nods, then waves to his staff, and they begin clearing our places and setting new dishes for dessert.

"Where did you learn to mime?" Zita asks me.

"I just picked it up." I chuckle. "When I graduated from FSU, my roomie and I went to Vegas and got jobs at Coyote Ugly. I learned it there.... Thus, the dancing on the bar."

"Of course." She says, and her eyes crinkle when she smiles like her son's.

Marco himself serves my dish and waits for me to take my first bite. As soon as it hits my mouth, I know it is the best I have ever had! I roll my eyes back in my head and lean into it. "UMM!" I put my hand up. "UMM! Oh my! Marco! This is …."

He grins and struts off. "I've made another woman speechless!"

When the table is cleared, Marco comes back to get me. "Come, Little Dancer. It is time."

Everyone follows us into the kitchen. With one last look that warns, 'nothing erotic,' Aurei picks me up and sets me on the bar. "Do you need music?"

Immediately starting my routine, I pretend to lock my mouth and throw away the key, dropping it and kicking it around like a soccer ball, then out into the little audience of kitchen help.

I kick up into a handstand, lower myself to my forearms and arch my back.

Putting my feet on Aurei's head, I pretend to batter him with them.

Everyone laughs while we smile into each other's eyes.

I got this. Watch me work. I wink at him.

Next, I move down the length of the bar, jumping, spinning, kicking, and slapping it to the beat of Queen's "We Will Rock You." My audience always takes it up, clapping, and the kitchen staff is no different. The little space begins to rock!

Standing up, clapping over my head to keep it going, then calling the help over to me with my fingers one by one, I mess with each of them.

I play with the chef's hats, tossing them up and kicking them or fluffing their hair while making faces and hand gestures.

I use one man's head as a pretend desk and drum my fingers.

On several women's heads, I play the piano.

On another bald man, I beat a drum on it.

I leave no one out. I even have them play spin the bottle, where I'm the bottle, and they have to kiss each other.

Everyone is dying laughing, and I see Zita wiping tears from laughing so hard. Even Bob is chuckling like mad.

For my Grand Finale, I do the can-can dance, and everyone takes up the clapping rhythm.

I throw in some straddle and pike jumps, which gets cheers too.

I finish the dance at the opposite end of the bar from where Aurei is standing.

The place is hopping with the beat of their claps, and I look over my shoulder, pretending to see a scary monster.

I run in place, then take off for real. In three long strides, I jump, tuck and roll, and do a front flip.

When I land, I throw my arms forward to do another one, but this time, I keep my legs stiff and 'walk.

' When I land again, I stagger two steps to the edge of the bar, throw my hands up, and pretend to lose my balance.

Aurei prepares to catch me, but I regain my balance, turn to the crowd and give them a gymnast farewell tah-dah salute, arching my back hard enough to hurt with my arms in the air.

Then I relax and beckon their thunderous applause, waving madly to them.

They give it to me generously, and I blow kisses.

I look down to see Aurei's beaming face shining on me, so I lean down to him.

When his arms reach for me, I slap them away and make a face to the group like he's crazy.

Their clapping and cheers turn into laughter as they watch, interested in what's about to happen to him.

I reach behind his ear and 'magically' produce the key that unlocks my mouth.

After I insert it and turn it, I open my mouth and stick my tongue out at him.

Then I stuff the invisible key in my cleavage, pat it twice, and spin around to simply topple over right into Aurei's strong waiting arms.

Everyone laughs.

I put my arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss.

Everyone cheers!

When he sets me down, he asks very seriously. "Who catches you in Vegas?"

"Brutus, of course." I laugh at him.

"Hmm." He growls low, and it makes me giggle. "Does he get a kiss too?"

"Mmhmm." I laugh, and he growls again. "But his is on the cheek. Brutus is gay, Aurei. Didn't I tell you? He's like my big brother. BIG brother." I put my hand up, stretch and indicate how tall he is, then stretch them out and show how broad he is. "He's a former NFL linebacker."

"No. You forgot that tiny detail." He pinches his fingers together and shows me a little tiny gap, making me giggle.

Marco arrives with a handful of flowers from some bouquet he's robbed and offers them with a bow. "Bravo! Questo è stato magnifico!" He slips momentarily into Italian.

I accept them with a deep courtesy. "I hope you enjoyed mine as much as I enjoyed yours."

"We are even, Steven." He says, then slaps Aurei's shoulder and walks away. "Keep that one."

"Yep." Aurei grins at me.

A few of the other kitchen staff come over, and he talks to them while Zita gives me another hug. "That was incredibly funny! Thank you! I haven't laughed that hard in years!"

"It's so much fun to do! I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Quintus walks up, and Zita starts the introductions, but he tells her he has already met me. "Did you catch the little show?" She asks him.

"Yes, I did." He looks at me and cocks his eyebrow. "Very funny, but very different than what you normally dance." He tells Zita. "I've seen her dance in Vegas."

"Ah! How about that!" She replies. She sees someone behind him and waves, then is off to greet them.

"You don't know what all I dance." I give him a little attitude.

I'm still pissed at him. "I'm the most versatile dancer under contract, and I dance in many different ways.

It's part of my job." Suddenly I see the light of an 'ah ha' moment come on, and I realize he just connected the dots between me and Surreal. He is very perceptive.

"Ah! I see! So that's why you are untouchable. Makes sense now. You do a great job hiding that secret."

"Some of us are better than others at hiding our secrets." I give him a look that tells him, 'I can see a few of yours hiding behind the facade you present'.

"Really?"

"Really. Do you currently have a little girl?"

He grins and says, "Not currently."

Aurei turns back to join our conversation, and we drop the subject.

Quintus tells him, "I've scheduled the press conference this afternoon.

Some family are starting to arrive. I suggest you two return to the cabin and wait for the dinner tonight before you begin introducing everyone to Siri.

I'd like at least a few hours of quiet on the social media sites so the Press can correct their assumption of her career and clear the way for family pictures to begin blasting again.

This time with the right perception of who she is. "

"What perception is that?" Aurei asks.

"Our very own American, Italian Stallion, Billionaire Bachelor, Philanthropist, and Military Hero, Maximus Aurelius Moore.

" He laughs at Aurei's cocked eyebrows and 'really?

' smirk. "Meets in his Alabama hometown his very own Miss Wright, who just so happens to be a Vegas Diva, and they have fallen in love.

Of course, their true love romance is destined to be the top story that will run in news feeds.

" His face holds an entirely arrogant look as he tells us.

"Or, they will be shut out of my press releases.

" Then he grins at Aurei, whose face looks both shocked and impressed.

"I know it sounds over the top, but we will run with it. "

"All right. As long as you deal with them." Aurei tells him, then looks at me. "Let's go to bed."

"But I'm not sleepy after that performance." My eyes twinkle at him.

"Good. I'm not either."