Page 113 of Unstoppable Billionaire

I slide my fingers between his and cinch our hands, bonding myself to him.I say quietly, "Meow."

He chuckles, "I'm never letting you go, Kitten Thang."

I purr."I'll never ask you to."

When I open my eyes again, someone is pounding on the door and Aurei's phone rings."Please ask the person responsible for interrupting my sweet dream to go away!"I tell him.

He laughs as he gets up, scoops me off the floor, carries me to the bed, and sets me down gently on it.He pecks my lips, then hurries into the living room, where he grabs our clothes and returns, throwing them on the bed with me.He grabs a towel from the bathroom and puts it around his hips as he hurries back to the living room.I hear his thunderous laughter as he answers the phone.

Mmm!I love that sound.My eyes pop open with the jolting L word.It's too soon!Get real!Be real!I force myself to ignore the word and just listen to him.

"Ciao, Antonio.I am fine.Stop knocking!"I hear him open the door, and welcome Antonio in.They slap each other on the back.Antonio starts speaking in Italian, but Aurei tells him."English always.Siri doesn't speak Italian."

"I told her to tell you to call me."He sounds upset.

"She did."Aurei laughs."Don't look so upset.She thought you had the wrong room when you called me Maximus."

"Oh.I see...It's been several hours ago, and you haven't answered my text either."

"Well, we got distracted and then fell asleep."

Antonio laughs now too."That I can understand.She is very beautiful."

"Yes.She is.She thought you were the waiter, you know."

Antonio laughs loud now."Yes.She did.I could not resist her charming invitation to assist with the cart.She offered me a tip too."

Aurei laughs."Did you take it?"

"No.I should have.Then I could have kissed her hand."

"Be careful.She's feisty."

"Ah."

I go to the bathroom, find the robe, slip into it, and then go to the bedroom doorway, where I lean on it and watch the cousins.Aurei has his back to me and doesn't know I'm there, but Antonio sees me, and I wave.His smile broadens, but he doesn't let on I'm standing there listening.

Aurei is telling him."I think I'll treat her to real Italian pizza tonight.Make reservations for us at Michael's here.I had intended to take her shopping today.Her clothes are not warm enough, but the day is gone.We'll have to do that tomorrow."

"I'll have Angelo take you around tonight in the car and give you his professional tour of The Eternal City by the spectacular lights."

"Perfect!Call the clubs.We will go dancing later in the week."

"Really?"Antonio says, surprised."This I must see!"

Aurei chuckles."She's a dancer too, like Nonna."

"Oh?"Antonio looks surprised.

"Well, not exactly like Nonna, but she is a graceful, gifted dancer in her own right."

"Ah!"Antonio nods."Is that all?"

"Yes.For now.I'll go into the office on Thursday to check in on everything.Tell Mia."

"Yes, boss."

"Thanks, Antonio.It's good to be back.I've missed you."