Page 34 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

Vanessa takes this opportunity to engage him in conversation.

He leans up in his chair and places his forearms on the table to speak to her and Milo.

I look around, and everyone is engaged in conversation with someone.

Zita is talking to the head waiter now, and Augustus is the attentive husband while talking with Bob.

I reach for my champagne flute and drain it.

When I set it down, Aurei's hand flips over, and his palm opens, silently asking for mine.

Without thought, I slide my fingers between his, and he cinches us.

He brings it to his lips and kisses it while he listens to Milo.

The sweetest gesture ever! When he doesn't let me go, I have to sit up in my chair and join their conversation.

Milo's English is almost perfect, but it makes me laugh listening to him because he also talks with a heavy southern accent.

Aurei tells a very entertaining story about catching a big bass when he was fishing with Bob back in Alabama and how he fell overboard while trying to dip it up.

Bob joins the conversation and tells his version and has everyone at our table laughing.

I notice Zita's eyes resting on us off and on during the conversation.

Aurei holds my hand the entire time, not letting me go until we actually start to eat.

The meal is steak, and as I slice into mine, I frown, and Aurei asks. "Is it cooked enough?"

I open my mouth, insert steak, roll my eyes back and tell him. "It's melting in my mouth."

He smiles that 'sexy as fuck' half-smile as he takes a big bite and says, "I melt in your mouth too."

"But not until after I've worked you over. Then your big long Italian sausage delivers a mighty protein bang." I wink at him. He chuckles and gives me that alpha male head nod, making me chuckle too. "Is it Kobe beef?" I ask as I take another bite and let it melt in my mouth.

"Mmhmm."

As we eat, the noise in the room fluctuates with the conversations and laughter at the different tables.

There are seven round tables that seat eight people, and they are set in a horseshoe shape around a small dance floor.

Our table is at the top of the horseshoe, and we sit with our backs to it.

I have to turn to scan the room and do a quick count.

There are fifty-five here. I only see one empty seat, and it's at the table next to us.

I realize I haven't seen Quintus tonight, so he must be the missing person.

When I reach for my glass of wine, Zita's eyes lift from her plate, and she smiles at me.

Her eyes are filled with warmth now, and I realize she was only distracted earlier.

Suddenly it feels like I'm surrounded by family, not strangers.

My hand finds Aurei's leg under the table, and I softly caress it.

His gorgeousness falls peacefully on me.

'I love you dearly,' my eyes tell him, and his answer the same.

Behind me, I hear the patio doors open. I turn my head to see who has come in, and a man, apparently a DJ, enters the room carrying a small equipment case.

He looks flustered and immediately sets about playing some easy listening music.

When he has the music set, I see Zita nod and give him a little wave of acknowledgment.

She is very much in charge, and it's a pleasure to watch a strong, confident, and competent woman in control of her business.

I can see why she and my mother are good friends.

When the plates are cleared away, the waiter asks if we would like dessert. Aurei passes, and I do the same, then Aurei whispers to me. "I almost told him I was having your cherry-colored nipples for dessert, but I figured he would want to have them too."

"Don't start!" I warn him, and he chuckles as he pulls my chair closer to his. He puts his arm around the back of it.

We sit and discuss music while everyone else is served. "How many songs do you have stored away in that beautiful mind?"

"Oh, I don't know. Thousands, I guess."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can hear a song once and remember the melody. I can hear it twice and remember the words."

"How many times do you have to dance the choreography before you can dance it?"

"Three or four to get a routine down perfect. It's all about counting the beats and expressing the lyrics through your body. It's like silent singing. It's easiest when I relate to the song on a personal level."

"Hmm. Are you a dance savant?"

"Savant? Ha! No, I'm not that gifted or that smart. There are plenty of girls who are just as good if not better than me. They just haven't had the breaks I have had."

"You forget I've seen you dance." His thumb strokes my back.

I wink at him. "Karma has been good to me, but I was smart enough to capitalize on it."

"Have you ever thought about moving into a different type of dance?"

"Like what?"

"Cirque du Soleil?"

"I've thought about it. Sure. It's the ultimate venue.

What Vegas dancer hasn't? But I would never leave Bart or Cat.

They are family." I look at his face and snuggle back under his arm.

"I have the freedom as Seary to do whatever production I want.

If I want to arrive on the stage in a swing, James will make it happen.

Besides, why would I give up the fame and fortune of Surreal? "

"Why don't you sing at Been Jammin's?"

"It's a strip club! The customers come to see you expose your flesh in small bite-size pieces, not listen to someone sing about it."

He laughs. "Fair enough. I know I wasn't the least bit interested in your singing voice when I saw you come down that runway to 'So Contagious.'"

I turn my face to his again. This time for a butterfly kiss, and he pecks my lips. "But I was all about making you my Fucking Fantasy."

I laugh and snuggle again.