Page 37 of Unstoppable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #2)

He rolls off, and I lay limp as a rag doll, spent and satisfied, unable to move from the exertion.

He takes a deep breath and pulls me against him to spoon.

Tangled and unwilling to move, savoring the moment of raw togetherness, our breathing syncs to deep even puffs as we fall asleep. Complete in each other.

Sometime later, Steve's ringtone wakes us. We are in the same tangled spoon position. I feel Aurei lift his head, then push me away before he rolls off the bed and trots into the other room to answer his call.

I stretch and grin. Damn straight! That's how fucking is supposed to be! Mind-blowing!

I rise too and go to the bathroom to tidy up.

When I come into the living room, Aurei is sitting on the couch. He is frowning and listening to Steve. He holds his hand out to stop my progression to him. I wait, standing in the doorway, watching his face, wondering what Steve could be saying that would cause him to frown so hard.

I hope everything is alright.

Then I see his expression change, and he looks directly into my eyes with a look that drops my heart to my feet. I freeze, afraid to move. He stares at me as he listens. His face... I shudder.

Something terrible, horrible has happened. My Golden God looks like a Dark Deity.

He says to Steve with a calm voice. "Ok. Thanks, Bro. Give Gaby a kiss for me and tell her I'm sorry."

I wait silently and still as he hangs up.

He sets his phone down on the table and stands.

He stares straight ahead, not looking at me.

I watch as he clenches and unclenches his hands.

His knuckles grow white with each squeeze, and I visualize how they could easily choke the life out of someone.

My hand instinctively goes to my neck, observing him in this raw emotional state.

He's terrifying, but he is also fascinating.

His transformation was quick, and there is no reservation in his demeanor.

You are a very dangerous man, Aurelius Moore. I pity anyone who crosses you.

When he turns his face to mine, his expression and his eyes scare the shit out of me. It's so fucking 'mean'! Then I realize what I see and shudder at the thought.

Sweet Zeus, Father of the Fucking Gods, that's not only his warrior face, that's the face of a killer, and that is a dark secret he locks down deep in his soul.

But the instant his eyes focus on my frightened face, his expression softens. "Siri," his voice is barely above a whisper. "Come here, Baby Thang. Let me hold you."

"Yes, Aurei," I whisper. The spit is dry in my mouth. I glide to him on trembling legs. I'm not afraid of him. I'm just afraid. Until he wraps his arms around me and kisses my hair, then I'm not. I slide my arms under his around his waist and hug him tight. His strength fills me.

I am safe as long there is breath and a heartbeat in him. We will handle whatever the fuck comes our way together! Side by side!

He takes my hand and walks me to the yellow shirt lying on the floor.

"What the fuck has happened, Aurei?"

He bends over, picks it and the belt up, then he continues to the bedroom, pulling me along behind him. "Nothing we can't handle together, Little Thang."

In the bedroom, he tosses them on the bed. Then he takes us into the closet. He puts me between him and his clothes. His arms encircle me as he goes through and selects a comfy baggy pair, then he leans around me to toss them on the bed.

"Aurei? What the fuck has happened?" He ignores me as he takes a shirt off a hangar. "Aurei, is it Ann? Your parents? Are they alright?"

"Everyone is fine." He walks us back out to the bed.

"Oh my... No... Not my parents!"

He stops, puts his hands on my face, and calms me down. "No. Everyone is fine."

"Then what is it?" I ask.

He lets me go, then lays his shirt down on the bed and picks up his yellow J crew shirt. He tries to dress me in it, but frustrated, I stomp my foot and raise my voice at him. "Aurei Moore! Tell me what the FUCK is going on!"

He looks at my ferocious face and smiles. "You're so beautiful when you are riled up, Wild Thang! You look like you are going to kick my ass."

Annoyed, I snatch the shirt out of his hands then throw it down. It lands with a firm poof. I tell him through clenched teeth. "Don't push me. I might try."

"I'm not Paul." He warns. His voice is low and deadly serious. It gives me chills.

"Tell me then before I do something we will both regret!" I flash angry eyes at him, and his pierce me. We both stand our ground, and for a moment, I think we might tie-up, but then he sighs and opens his hands to me, asking for mine.

"You have to trust me." He whispers.

"You have to tell me," I whisper back, placing my hands in his.

His touch is tender, and my anger melts away with his gentleness.

He sits on the edge of the bed and stares down at our hands.

His hair reflects the light and his halo sways softly as he breathes deep and even, gaining control of his emotions.

I sync mine with his. Then he looks up at me.

His face is so serious. He lets my hands go, and both his strong hands slide up my thighs to my ass as he brings me forward.

I straddle him, and he buries his face in my cleavage.

My hands cradle his head, and his move up my back, holding me still.

I wait until he lifts his face to look up into mine, then I sit on his knees and cup his face between my hands.

The scruff of his beard tickles my palms. I stare into his green pools of peace, searching, then asking, but not speaking.

What the fuck is wrong?

I see his tongue slide from one corner of his mouth to the other, wetting his lips, then it flattens wide and rolls down, disappearing as he thinks about what he is going to say.

His look is soft but focused and concerned when he starts to speak.

His hands leave my ass and find their way to my hair.

He watches them as they put my hair behind my ears.

"You were right, after all, Siri, about Ruth. "

The hair on the back of my neck stands up. "Ruth? This is about Ruth?"

He doesn't answer. His hands find their way to my shoulders, and they squeeze me.

"Is this about Ruth or not?"

"Yes, and no."

She's really pissing me off! My jaw juts out, and I set it, feeling real hostility. "No double talk, Aurei. Straight line!"

"Yes. Ruth is the reason, but no, it's about us."

I hang my head and shake it back and forth. My hair caresses his hands, and they find their way into it.

"Oh, hell no!" I tell him. "If she thinks her crazy, bitch ass can stir up trouble for us, she has another thing coming." I look into his face and pierce him with my conviction. "I told her I'd put her punk ass in the hospital if she didn't leave us both the fuck alone, and I fucking meant it!"

"Shush." He smirks as he places his lips on mine. I see a slight crinkle in the corner of his eyes when he leans back, surveying my determination. "You are not going to put her in the hospital."

"I might." I nod, defiant.

"No. You are not." His voice is low but commanding as he stares me down. "Calm down and be quiet. Let me finish telling you."

"Fine!" I say, still riled up but knowing I will do as he says. For now, anyway.

* * *

Aurei

* * *

"Kiss me," I command.

She leans forward and places a few pecks on my lips to satisfy my command, and then she pulls back. "You better tell me what the fuck happened."

"Calm down then," I command again.

"Fine!" She is still feisty but not as fierce as before.

"Kiss me."

"You're just trying to distract me." She frowns.

No, I'm making sure you know I'm in charge of the seriousness of the situation. But I answer to tease her. "Maybe."

She smirks at me. "Trickery of the best kind?"

Trickery of the necessary kind, but I answer, "Affirmative."

"But," she drops her forehead to mine.

"No buts," I command again.

She leans back and looks away, not wanting to let go. "But I'm angry at the bitch."

My hands slide out of her hair and back onto her shoulders. I caress her skin in small, soothing circles.

"I can see that," I smirk. "I'm angry too, but that isn't going to help.

" I take her face in my hands and pull her to kiss, knowing she's confessed she can't control her reaction to me.

Her eyes close, and her lips part as she surrenders.

I softly but firmly capture her lips that suck, drawing her tongue into my mouth.

I suck it gently to soothe her need to be in control.

She's such a Wild Thang, so independent and headstrong.

When I release her, she opens her eyes and then closes them again when my hands slide back into her hair and massage her scalp.

Tamed for the moment, she murmurs, "Mmm. That feels good."

"Be a good girl for me, Siri," I ask, but we both know it's a command.

She sighs, "Ok." Then her eyes twinkle into mine, "But you better tell me what the fuck happened."

My hand absentmindedly starts to twirl her hair around my finger as I choose my words carefully.

She places her hands on my chest, and my good girl draws little hearts and halos as she listens.

"You did see Ruth come back to the club last night angry.

Steve says that girl, Debbie, met her at the bar with your jacket.

Gaby realized it must've been yours and confronted them.

Gaby and Debbie got in a fight. Ruth snatched the jacket up and ran out with it.

Gaby went after her and chased her to her car.

She ripped it out of her hands and headed inside with it. "

Now for the hard part. I capture her face and run my thumbs down her jawline. "Then Ruth tried to run over her."

Her eyes flare with shock. "Oh my... Poor Gaby!"

I hold her face steady, controlling her. "She fell and hit her head hard. Steve took her to the ER. She needed stitches and has a mild concussion."

Her eyes search mine wildly, "Please say she is alright!"

"Yes, she's alright."

Her eyes are relieved, then furious. "Over my stupid jacket? Aurei, you've got to be fucking joking?"

I frown at her anger. Unsure of this side of her personality. "I'm serious."

Her eyes shift their focus from anger to suspicion. "What are you not telling me?"

My frown deepens, not wanting her to be afraid but knowing I have to be truthful.

Impatient, she cups my face and pecks my lips, "Straight line, Sugar Bare." She commands, bringing a slight smirk to my lips.

I reach up and cover her hands with mine. Then turn to kiss each one as my thumbs stroke her soft skin.

"Aurei, there is nothing we can't handle together. Truly. We will handle Ruth-less."

"I know," I reassure her, realizing I'm kissing her hands to calm myself.

"Siri, Gaby said Ruth has lost her marbles for sure.

She was strung out on something. High as a kite.

She has a history of abuse." I clear my throat of the emotion before continuing with the straight line, not curved, brutal hardcore truth.

"Ruth threatened to kill you, and Gaby thinks she is crazy enough to try. "

"Oh, Holy Hades!" She shakes her head. "Kill me?" Then she looks away and says, "My gut was right. Stupid stalker bitch! She's a fucking cunt! I'm not fucking afraid of her, Aurei," She turns her defiant face to mine, then stops when she sees the severe expression on mine.

I wrap my arms around her as I agree. "A crazy fucking cunt, but crazy people are unpredictable." I lie back on the bed, pulling her down on top of me, cradling her, needing to feel her body sync with mine. She rests her cheek on my chest.

She whispers, "Sweet Zeus! She's trying to fuck up our beautiful thang!" Then she squeezes me with her arms and legs, "I can't lose you! I just found you!" I hear the terror in her voice, and it rocks me to my core.

"Aurei, I have to call Brutus right away. This is what he does. He protects me from crazies. He will handle this for us."

"Fine. You can call Brutus. But we fly out tonight for Italy. Rome is the only place I know you will be safe. It's how I protect you from crazies."

She pushes up to look at me. I smile to reassure her as I drag her body, so her face is staring into mine. "

Her eyes are flashing excitement now, and that's excellent. No fear. No terror. No doubt. But I pretend I don't notice. "Don't argue with me on this, My Every Thang. I have made the decision." My hands slide down to her ass, and I squeeze her butt cheeks.

She smiles at me. "Rome sounds perfect." She places her luscious lips on mine and soaks in the connection.

I trace my tongue lightly across them, then say against them. "We're gonna be ok."

She smashes the kiss, then says against them. "Absofuckinglutely!"

She sits on my abs. "Rome! OMG! Rome! Tonight!"

Before I can move, she's jumped off, snatched our clothes off the floor, and says, "Come on.

Hurry up! I've got to pack." Then she tosses my shorts and shirt at me.

They land perfectly on my face, making me laugh.

I sit up to watch her wiggle while she puts on my shirt.

She puts her hands on her hips, then marches up and takes them from my hands.

"Hands up." She barks, then pushes my shirt over them, only halfway, leaving my face covered.

"Feet out." I hear as I pull my shirt down the rest of the way. She's squatting, ready to guide each foot into my shorts. When they are on, I hear. "Stand up."

I chuckle, "Yes, Drill Sergeant." Standing, she snatches them up, then pops the waistband.

"Shoes?" She looks around for them but doesn't see them. "Fuck 'em. We don't need shoes." She takes my hand out and pulls me toward the door. "Forward march, Mr. Moore."

I cinch our fingers, bonding us.

In the hall, she chats me up. "I'm so excited!

I've always wanted to go to Italy. Did you know I wanted to be an architect once?

And Mythology was my favorite subject. Oh my Fucking Golden God, I can't wait to see The Eternal City!

There's The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Vatican, The Trevi Fountain, and The Forum, just to mention a few! "

I laugh as she dances around me, making me spin to keep her hand in mine.

"Will you take me to see them all?"

"Yes, Excited Thang. Make a list, and I will be your tour guide."

"Fan-fucking-tastic!" She skips like a little girl, and my heart feels as light as a feather now with her excitement. All thoughts of danger vanquished.

"I'll make the arrangements while you pack. Hopefully, we can fly out in a few hours. You'll need ...." and I run through a shortlist of things she will need.

She winks, "You are so organized."