Page 40 of Unforgettable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #3)

She shares some family history stuff I should be listening to, but I get totally distracted when I see Aurei's fine ass sitting on Caesar in the holding area next to our box, waiting to enter the arena again.

His helmet is on, and his head is facing forward, focused on the gate.

His posture is rigid, and his body is tense, but he sits his horse completely relaxed.

"We hope you enjoy the show." Zita finishes speaking, and the gate swings open.

My mind is on my hero. As Aurei walks his prancing Warhorse through it, my eyes feast on his fucking fine, beautiful beast of a body sitting on Caesar, in all his glorious black, wet, shimmering coat and wavy, flowing mane, tail, and shins, who struts his awesome, beautiful, beastly, fucking body too.

I watch mesmerized along with everyone else as he puts his horse through combat sword drills with Quintus who also is rocking every aspect of the Roman soldier image.

Quintus wears the complete chest piece, though, probably to hide his tats, and his robe and plume are now black, not red.

He sits a white stud. They each have shields, and as they circle, they clash in a dance too real to be choreographed.

Their Warhorses push each other and maneuver their Masters into position, then they separate and square off at each end of the arena.

When I see Aurei lean forward slightly in the stirrups, I hold my breath, knowing he is going to charge.

I lean forward in my seat, feeling his energy flowing within me.

I can sense his breath, increasing with the adrenaline rush.

I can hear the muffled sound of the cheering crowd from within his helmet.

I can feel the thumping vibrations through my body as Caesar's hoofs thunder forward.

It unfolds in slow motion for me. Maybe because it's a repeat of his swordsmanship that I watched earlier, but for whatever reason, it's truly captivatingly spectacular, and it makes my blood pump with the fierceness of the charge and the threat that the swords hold but it's also beautiful to watch.

Bee leans over and tells me. "Don't worry, Siri. I'm getting all this!"

"Thank you," I tell her from my trancelike state without breaking my focus on Aurei.

Quintus has charged at the same time too.

As they rush towards each other, they lean over the necks of their steeds and perform the intricate hand play and swordsmanship.

When they meet in the middle, they toss their swords in the air, but instead of catching their own they catch the others.

The timing to accomplish that is a split second, and I stand up and give the loudest "YEE-HAW" I possess as the crowd erupts with cheers and applause.

I turn to look at Bee, and she is filming me, not Aurei!

"WOW! That was fucking awesome! Please tell me you got that! "

"I got it up until everyone stood up." She laughs from behind her phone as she continues to video me.

I turn back around to watch Aurei and Quintus racing to the wall, then pull up hard, forcing their horses to sit on their haunches to stop, then they line up to do it again.

"Holy Hell! They're going to do it again!

" I tell her. "Stand up! Stand up! You've got to get this!

" I wave her to her feet, and she's laughing at me as she climbs into her chair.

She pans the crowd and finally focuses on the show.

Again they charge with the awesome swordsmanship, the toss, and the precision catch.

The crowd collectively holds its breath then cheers!

I'm jumping up and down beside myself now, along with everyone else.

When they line up the third time, they again perform the impossible feat to perfection.

When they stop at the wall, both men stand up on their horse's backs, and one of Caesar's ears goes forward, his head comes up, and his gait changes to a canter as they circle the arena, riding next to the wall.

The crowd rushes down to wave and try to touch them, tossing flowers onto the stadium floor.

Ah! So that was what all the flowers were for, and Caesar wasn't unsure at all when I stood up. He responded as trained. Ha! And now I really know why Caesar has extra-long reins too! That rascal, Aurei! He sure as hell knows how to keep a secret!

When they reach the 'Senate' box, they stand shoulder to shoulder before Zita and the family.

She steps back up to the microphone and thanks them both for 'showing off.

' The crowd laughs. My eyes remained glued to my hunk, and my smile is plastered to my face.

When they sit their horses to exit the arena, I rush to the wall and hangover again, determined to get another kiss.

Aurei's grin greets me, and I see his eyes twinkling too. He stops and tells me. "Climb on, Cowgirl. I'm finished for the day. We can get out of here."

"You don't have to ask me twice." I giggle as I hoist myself up on the wall, then drop down behind him.

Caesar waits patiently, then prances us off through the exit and under the stadium.

As soon as the crowd is behind us, the Warhorse drops the dramatics and walks quietly behind Quintus and his white horse as we go down the ramp.

The clip-clop of their hoofs echoing off the walls.

My arms are wrapped tight around Aurei as we go, and I plaster kisses all over his back.

We exit into the sunlight at the rear of the stadium. There is a large pasture roped off and hundreds of people and horses there. We make our way toward the rear. When Aurei pulls up, he says. "I brought you a surprise, Baby Sister!"

"Ah! I love this surprise!" Ann laughs and jogs over. She holds her arms up for me, and I slide off into them, then she hugs me tight. "It's so good to see you, Siri!"

"It's good to see you too, Ann!"

We talk fast and at the same time about Bee and the show, laughing about the pictures she posted.

Ann was checking her posts and commenting on them.

Aurei hands his sword and shield to a ranch hand, then removes his helmet.

He sits patiently with a smirk on his face, watching us interact as if we have known each other for forever too.

Then he says, "Come on, girls. Let's ride back up to the big house before the show's over and the crowd pours out. "

Ann offers. "You two go on without me. Siri can ride Rosso. Maybe she'll win this time. I want to head inside and check on Bee. She wasn't feeling too good this morning. I'll ride back with the women." I give her another quick hug as the ranch hand that took Aurei's armor returns with Rosso.

While I'm climbing on, Quintus rides over to speak.

He has shed his heavy armor and is bare-chested too.

His muscular, tattooed body is gleaming with sweat, and he grins as he trots up.

"You'll be glad to hear that our little show of solidarity and skill is blowing up Twitter and YouTube. We may be the next viral sensation."

Aurei nods, "That's good for Italy."

"Yes, it is. You two heading back now? I thought it would be good for publicity to let the press take some pictures."

"You pose for them." Aurei states and smiles at me. "Ready, Cowgirl?"

"Yee-Haw, Sir. I'm ready to ride."

Aurei dons his helmet, turns Caesar towards the rear, and leads us past a big tent with tables of men sitting under them.

There are drinks, and it's obvious from the laughter that they are alcoholic beverages.

Apparently, everyone has been indulging all day.

I see not only Antonio, Angelo, and a few others I met last night at dinner, but Bob's golden head of thick hair.

He is engaged in an intense conversation with a man who is talking as much with his hands as his mouth, then they all bust out laughing.

He was obviously telling them a really good joke.

Someone calls out to 'Maximus' to join them, but he doesn't respond, and when they see me, they wave and let it go.

When we enter the pasture, he slows enough for me to catch him, and we walk side by side in silence.

I can't help my eyes constantly turning to watch him sitting casually in his armor as we go.

His face staring straight ahead, intentionally not looking at me, makes me smile.

Finally, the silent treatment drives me crazy, and I tell him, "Fuck you, Aurei Moore.

You and your secrets! For the love of Zeus, you should have told me what an awesome day this was going to be!

I had no idea the elaborate degree the Celebration would be.

It was fucking awesome, and you are fucking amazing!

Quintus too! Hell, the whole thing! I can't wait to watch the videos Bee shot and share them with Cat!

She's going to fucking cream her cookies!

Sweet Zeus! How long did you train in order to perfect that sword toss?

It was spectacular...." And on and on, I blurt out whatever comes to mind as fast as my thoughts fly over the events of the day.

Knowing he won't interrupt me until I'm finished, I rant until my excitement is spent, then I look at him.

His expression hasn't changed. He is still riding with his face forward. He hasn't glanced over one single time. He hasn't heard a single word I've said!

I kick Rosso, and he trots a few steps, then stops, not wanting to get ahead of Caesar. I look back at Aurei with a 'hello!' look on my face.

He smiles, then winks that killer wink at me. "Baby Thang, did you hold that thought?"

My mind flashes to his face when he is pounding me as his hand squeezes my throat and he approaches climax. I love that fucking face. "Yes, I did."

"Good." He asks, "Did you cheer for me?"

I pull Rosso up, staring at him in disbelief. "What the fuck? You didn't hear me?" He ignores me and walks right by.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me. He can't hear a thing in that helmet." I tell myself, then I yell my best "YEE-HAW" for him to test that thought.

He turns his head to look at me, and his 'shit eating' grin is there. "I heard you." Then he looks forward again.

"How much can you hear?" I ask as he slowly walks away. He doesn't answer. "Aurei!" I kick Rosso, and he trots even with him again. "Hey," I stick my arm out and touch him.

He stops and takes his helmet off. "Yes, ma'am?" He asks politely.

"You can't hear with that on, can you?" I point to his helmet.

"Not much."

"You rascal! I was yelling my fool head off for you! Loud! I thought you could hear me! Why did you want me to yee-haw for you if you couldn't hear me?" I laugh, confused.

"The crowd heard you."

"Hell yeah, they did! I was the only one hollering 'yee-haw', and I yelled it loud and a lot!"

"Good." He grins and starts to put his helmet back on.

As it slides in place, I tell him, "The Bastard Son of Thor, God of Thunder really suits you now."

His 'shit eating' grin is back, but he holds out his hand, and I put mine in it. He cinches our fingers, and we ride holding hands as the horses walk up to the barn. Then in a few minutes, he says, "I heard you in my heart."