Page 4 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

He catches it and walks back to me. "I know so. Put your arms up. This is non-negotiable." His commanding tone is back, and I know I won't win this battle, so I reluctantly lift my arms and put my hands on my head. He opens the ace bandage and wraps it around and around my tits.

"My girls are not happy about this!"

"It's necessary. I can't keep my eyes off them."

"That's the whole idea." I wink at him.

He asks when he tucks the end in my not-so-prominent cleavage. "There. How does that feel?"

"Like I'm a little C cup instead of full DDs."

"Perfect then." He places a sweet kiss on my lips. "As soon as we get back here, I'll set them free." He drops his ear to each one and mimics screaming behind his hand as it smashes his lips. "Let me out! Let me out!"

I giggle and push him away. "Smartass!"

Riding up to the house, I watch Aurei adjust the mirrors and tune his playlist. He's nervous too. Maybe we should have discussed what we should say to his parents about our relationship, but his 'I got this' didn't leave anything to say.

I look out the window. My career and all its secrets make the whole damn thing so complicated.

Sweet Zeus, the scenario sounds like every parent's nightmare, much less a millionaire bachelor's.

We can't tell them I am a wealthy businesswoman without giving up Surreal, which would be a breach of contract.

To not tell them leaves just the stripper Aurei is hooking up with and guarantees they will see me as a whore.

His words of not allowing anyone to assume that label for me were sweet, but I know it's harder to shake than he does.

Still, he is right. I have to rise above it and hold the truth high.

I'm not a whore. I sigh deeply and then look over at him.

He's got this. I have to trust him. Stay positive.

He glances at me, and I give him a big beautiful smile filled with more confidence than I feel. He returns the same, then stretches his leg and reaches into his pants pocket. He pulls out his phone and hands it to me. "Here. Sync our phones. I want to know where you are at all times."

I power it on. "I better be with you at all times."

He smirks. "You might get hijacked to the spa with the girls."

"As good as that sounds because I need a massage something awful, I don't want to be separated from you."

"You aren't afraid, are you?"

"Maybe a little."

His hand slips between my legs and squeezes my thigh.

"Ok. A lot," I admit.

"Just smile. We will be ok."

His phone comes on. "What's your passcode?" I ask.

"Guess."

I start to laugh after I enter 7474, and it unlocks. "You got it bad for me, Sugar Bare."

"Yes, I do. Don't forget that. No matter what happens this weekend. You and I are unstoppable."

I lean over, and he meets me with a quick kiss. His lips feel soft and wet and make me feel safe and warm. When I look down at his phone, my eyes sweep the message on the screen, and I freeze. It is a text from Ann. My poker face slides down and locks itself in place.

Ann:

Be warned, Bro. Mom is pissed at you! She's hurt. She found out from the News that you have a girlfriend.

Don't sweat it. She'll love Siri once she meets her. Bee and I will be in late Friday night. See ya Saturday.

I'll be there in time to help you get ready for the battle. Don't replace me!

Maybe you won't draw Quintus.

Just kidding. Love you, Big Bro! Ciao.

Oh... Zita is pissed. I hit the back button, afraid to read what else is there but knowing I need to be prepared.

Bob:

Son. Your mother is upset with you. Be prepared.

Yes, Sir.

Ann said she was really sweet. We didn't tell Zita. Maybe we should have.

No, Sir. Not your place. I got this.

Ok. Love you, son. Out here.

Aurei cuts his eyes at me. "Need some help?"

I glance at him but don't give him eye contact. "Nope."

Zita:

I've been bombarded tonight with questions from my friends about an American woman you were seen with.

Why didn't you tell me you have found someone and that you were bringing her to Rome?

According to my friends, she is from Vegas. I thought you were still in Alabama?

Are you bringing her to the Villa, too?

I have. I was. I am.

Ok, Son. Looking forward to seeing you again and meeting her for myself. Love you, dear.

Love you too, Zita. Out here.

I quickly find his app and open it. While I go through the motions of syncing our accounts, my mind digests what I've just read. I finish as Aurei pulls into a parking spot. He looks at me, and I tell him. "Done. Our phones are one, too."

He smiles and leans over to me. His hand cups my chin and holds my lips in place. He puts his mouth on mine and pushes his breath into it as he whispers. "Remember that. US."

His tongue touches the edge of my lips, and I suck, drawing it into my mouth.

He gives it up, and his hand slips behind my head, gripping my hair.

I gently massage his tongue, and it relaxes me.

I sigh, pushing the calm air out my nose.

The warmth of my breath mixes with the warmth of his skin, and it reminds me of a gentle summer breeze as it blows back onto my face.

I smile and release my grip on his tongue.

He puts our foreheads together and sighs too, blowing his sweet, warm breath down my face.

He kisses my forehead, and I feel his reassurance with the simple gesture.

"I love you, Maximus Aurelius Moore."

"Ditto, Wild Thang." He kisses my forehead again and then pulls away to open the door.

"I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone too."

His beautiful smile beams at me before his beautiful beast of a body uncoils, and he stands. Not taking my eyes off him, I watch as he walks like the god he is around to my door. When he opens it, I take his hand and stand. He opens his fingers, and I slip mine in.

Walking up to the house, cinched to my man, my mind talks. Our lives are so opposite, so complicated. There will always be turmoil. Just be yourself, be polite, sweet, brave, bold ... I sigh. Just be in love with Aurei.

At the stone steps, though, my heart starts to race.

When Aurei puts his hand on the doorknob, he pauses and looks at me.

Words are meaningless at this point. Now we stand together and show the world the truth, starting with his family.

He gives me that killer wink as the Diva passes by with her head held high and enters Big Al's mansion.

We enter a large foyer and walk into the expansive living room area.

It has a certain warmth to the layout. It looks more like a lodge than a house.

The walls are full windows with a view of the exercise area and the stables.

The furniture is a mix of couches, love seats, and recliners of heavy leather, with lots of colorful throw pillows, coffee tables, and lamps.

No one is here, so Aurei walks straight into a dining room.

A delicious aroma fills the air. The heavy rustic table is elegant wood and very large!

There is no one here either and no place settings.

Aurei tells me with a sly grin. "I don't think anyone else has arrived yet."

We continue through to the kitchen. When Aurei swings the doors open and we step through, everyone inside immediately stops talking and stares at us, surprised that someone is here is evident on all over their faces.

Aurei's voice is light and happy. "Ciao, Marco! Breakfast smells delicious. What are you cooking? We are hungry."

A big man with a full apron and chef's hat drops his knife and opens his arms wide.

The other two men and women with aprons welcome us with big grins.

Marco comes around the island and walks toward us.

"Maximus! What a surprise? We weren't expecting you until tomorrow.

" They hug, slapping each other on the back, swapping sides.

Then he pushes Aurei away. "Ah! Magnifico!

You have found a beautiful one. No?" He walks around, sizing me up.

"Sì, My Bella Signorina. Where is Zita? I need to check in before we eat."

"Zita and Bob are in Venice. They will not return until tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the family." His eyes twinkle at me, but he fake frowns when he says. "She is skinny. Come." He takes my hand and leads me to a barstool.

Aurei pulls one out next to me and sits down too.

He leans on his forearms and talks while Marco marches back around to his station, barking orders to his staff.

They jump into action and begin opening the refrigerator, cabinets, drawers and putting cookware on the stove.

The whole kitchen comes alive again with activity.

"Marco, allow me to introduce my girl, Siri Wright.

Siri, this is Marco DeFranco. He has been the Liotine Family Chef for 30 years.

He can cook anything. He can even make broccoli taste good. "

Marco laughs as he turns to face us. "Keep it crisp, bury it under a mound of cheese, and this boy will eat it, but when he was young, it was a different story."

Aurei leans over to me, and his eyes have that crinkle to them as he laughs. "Marco loves to tell this story called…."

"The Hidden Broccoli." Marco launches into his tale of how he told a picky four-year-old one day to coax him to eat the vegetable.

I'm giggling through the entire story. When the 'tale of the dragon who tries to steal the buried treasure of broccoli hiding under a mound of cheese which would ensure the captive Princess would never escape, and the sword-wielding hero who figures out the only way to save the Princess was to eat through the barrier of cheese and consume all the broccoli, so the dragon had to go elsewhere for food' comes to an end, I ask.

"And that worked? The little boy ate all his broccoli? "

"No." Marco chuckles, and his big belly shakes. "The stubborn little boy pushed his food around during the entire tale, not taking a single bite."