Page 7 of Unstoppable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #2)

CHAPTER FOUR

When we arrive at the farm, we drive down a small one-lane dirt road between two giant pastures, past a small pond, and up a hill.

There is an older farmhouse on the left, and the barn with a paddock is on the right.

Giant pastures surround the whole place.

Taking my ball cap off the dash, I pull my hair through. "How big is this farm?"

I hear her yelling to him. "What took you so long? Hurry up before I shoot this damn horse!"

Aurei laughs. "How did he get out?"

"How should I know? The damn horse is an escape artist, though. I know I put him in the stall yesterday."

"Well, he can wait for now. I have a surprise for you."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. What did you bring me, Big Bro? Am I gonna love it or hate it?" She asks as she jogs to the fence and climbs over.

"You're gonna love her." He walks over to the truck and winks at me.

"Her? Did you bring me another stray? God, I hope not.

I don't have room for any more pets, and Bee will kill us both.

" She walks over to the truck, brushing herself off.

She is dressed like a real cowgirl, Stetson hat in a plaid shirt, blue jeans, and Tony Lama boots.

It's hard to see her face, but her body is lean and muscular.

When she removes her hat, her hair is long and golden blonde with natural sun-streaked highlights.

She could be his female twin. They look exactly like a brother and sister should.

"No, she's not a stray, and this one I'm gonna keep." I smile at him. "Forever." He whispers to me. Then he steps away from the window. "Take a look inside and tell me what you think."

She steps up and peers in. "Hey, Ann." Her face is priceless!

Her jaw falls open, then she closes it and smiles the same beautiful, winning smile her brother has. "Well, I'll be damned! I'll say she's a keeper." As she opens the truck door, she says to me. "Come on out here and let me meet ya."

As I get out of the truck, Aurei introduces me. "Ann, I'd like you to meet Siri Wright."

"Nice to meet you, Ann." I stick my hand out to shake hers.

She walks right through my extended hand and wraps her arms around me. "Oh, hell no, I get a hug! I've waited a long time for this." She proceeds to give me the tenderest yet firm hug I can remember receiving in a long time. I squeeze her back, instantly liking her.

When she releases me, she swats at Aurei, but he dodges it. "Surprise, hell? I'm astounded. Where did you meet this gorgeous woman? No, wait. Is this the girl from the apartment complex?"

He nods.

She reaches over and removes my ball cap as she walks around me, sizing me up. "Damn straight, Aurei, you were right. She is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen too. But don't tell Bee I said that."

Aurei winks at me as he puts his arm around her and turns her to the horse. "So what's happened here?" He takes my ball cap from her and tosses it back to me. I put it back on, pulling my hair through again.

"He was out when I got here. I've been trying to catch him for the last hour. He's a smart one. He plays opossum, letting me walk up to him, then right when I reach for him, he darts away. It's like he is playing with me."

"Do you want me to ride Flicka in? Maybe he'll let her get close."

"It's worth a try."

Aurei goes to the back of the truck to get the saddle, and Ann takes the moment alone with me.

"I'm thrilled to meet you. I've been worried he wouldn't find anyone.

He is very private about his sex life. I don't think he's ever had a real relationship.

" She smiles at her brother, then winks at me. "He says they only want his body."

Laughing, I wink back. "Well, it's his mind I fell for. I'm Sapiosexual."

"Yeah, right! You ooze sex, girl. You can't fool me."

We watch Aurei sling the saddle over his shoulder and come back to us. His broad shoulders hide it, and his muscles bulge. Of course, they only want that body. Who wouldn't?

"Shush. Don't tell him we were talking about him. He'll get a big head."

"I heard ya blabbing." He jokes with her as he clasps my hand, cinching our fingers, and drags me with him to the fence.

Ann trots alongside me. "You are right, Siri. He does have a beautiful mind."

Peering through the fence as we approach, I see the horse and stop dead in my tracks—our cinched fingers release. The stallion is a beautiful American Paint horse with black and brown spots on white.

Aurei looks back at me, concerned. "You aren't afraid of horses, are you?"

"No, I'm not afraid, but I'll stay right here and watch the show if you don't mind," I say as I follow them up to the fence.

Aurei swings the saddle onto the top rail easily, then helps me climb up. "Perch your pretty little ass right here then." Ann climbs up and over, dropping to the ground. She turns back and watches him with a smirk on her face. When he drops down next to her, he asks, "What?"

"Nuttin'." She grins.

He puts his arm around her. "You're not the only one who knows how to treat a lady right, you know."

"Shut up." She tells him as he walks her around to face the horse. The stallion is on the opposite side of the paddock. Aurei and Ann stand shoulder to shoulder, looking at him.

Admiring the view of the siblings, I say. "Good stock."

"Yes, I bought him to breed."

Grinning, Aurei cuts his eyes at me. "Also known as fucking."

"Stay focused here, bro." She elbows him.

"Oomph!" He grunts.

"Caught ya, didn't I." She laughs as he tries to put her in a headlock. She avoids it easily, but they both lose their hats. Circling each other like wrestlers, they square off, laughing, while the stallion trots along the fence, pacing back and forth, watching.

"What's his name?" I ask.

"Asshole," Ann tells me. "Haven't you heard?"

I laugh. "Actually, I have, and I prefer assholes over shit-asses."

"She's the one for you then, Bro!"

He laughs as he lunges for her. "I know! My phone says she's the girl of my dreams."

"You better pay attention to that phone. She's perfect for you!" She teases as she avoids his take-down attempt.

They circle each other.

"Let me be specific. What's the name of the stallion you bought to breed or fuck?" I ask her.

"His registered name is Diamond Cocoa, but they call him Flash.

Now I know why. He's gone in a flash! It's like he has been playing tag with me or something.

When I first came out here with the halter and lead, he would run by me just out of reach, so I dropped it.

" She points over at a small pile in the dirt.

"Then I thought I would pet him and let him get used to me until you got here. But he ain't having none of that."

"Have you tried whistling?"

Ann and Aurei both laugh at me and drop the MMA battle. Ann turns to look at me with her hands on her hips, then points at my boots. "And here I thought you were an experienced Cowgirl with those boots. Did you buy them on eBay?"

I laugh with them. "No."

Aurei informs me. "Siri, horses are not like dogs. They aren't pets. You don't whistle, and they come to you."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Are you sure about that? Would you be willing to bet on it?"

"Hmm, I smell trickery. I don't know. What do you think, Ann, should I bet on it? I've already lost one today."

"Leave me out of it! But I'm recording her whistling for a horse!"

"OK. Let's bet." He smirks at me.

"If I win, I get to do something with you that I've been dreaming of doing with just the right partner." I raise my eyebrows and put my tongue in the corner of my mouth. "A… dance with you."

"A dirty dance?" His eyes crinkle in the corners. Ann lifts her head from her phone, paying close attention now as she watches Aurei.

I cut my eyes at her. She is all ears, so I lower my voice. "A 'not vanilla' acrobatic dance."

He grins at me. "I'll take that bet."

Ann pokes her nose in. "What kind of dance?"

"Dirty dancing, Sis."

"God!" She rolls her eyes.

Jumping down, I offer my hand for him to shake. He clasps it, pumps it once, then pulls me to him. "And if you lose? Don't you want to know what the consequences are?"

"I never bet unless I know I won't lose."

"Well, I'm going to tell you anyway. If you lose and I win, I get to do something with you that I've been dreaming of doing with just the right partner."

I glance at Ann, who is texting on her phone, ignoring us. "I hope it involves something dirty too."

"It does." He lays his mouth on my ear. "Look at me." When I look into his eyes, they pierce me, and I bite my bottom lip. "If I win, you fly with me to Italy."

"What?" I ask, astounded. "Italy?"

"Affirmative. Italy."

"That's not fair." I slap his chest.

He is genuinely surprised at my comment and asks, "What's not fair about it?"

"Aurei!" I put my hands on my hips. "Now I want to lose."

He laughs at my pouting lips. "Then say you'll go with me anyway, and I'll change it to fishing."

"I would love to go with you!" I throw my arms around his neck and jump up to peck his smiling lips. "But on one condition. I have to be back in Vegas on May 1st. I promised Cat."

"Deal." His smile lights up his whole face.

I love that smile. He is so beautiful.

* * *

Aurei

* * *

Smiling down at Siri, enjoying the twinkle of excitement in her eyes. I revel in my fast-on-your-feet thinking. Damn! That was some smooth talking. Siri in my studio in Italy! Where I can control her introduction to my lifestyle.

"I'm ready," Ann says, holding her phone out to capture the video.

Siri plants her hand firmly on my chest and commands me. "Stand right here. Don't move!" She even points to the ground for emphasis, then adds, "Ann, come and stand right there, and don't you move either!"

Ann chuckles, surprised, but obeys. "She's kinda bossy, bro."

"Yeah, I noticed that," I smirk at her.