Page 33 of Untouchable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #1)

I pounce on my phone. "Hey, girlie!"

"Hey, baby girl!" The sound of her voice washes over me and makes me homesick for her. "Are you calling with details on the Flyboy?"

"Yeppers."

"I can't wait to hear. But first, how's your mother?"

"She's good as new. As soon as the doctors released her, she and Daddy left for a sailing trip around the Virgin Islands."

"That's great news. Does that mean you are coming back?"

"Yes, but not right away. I want to check out Moore."

"I understand. The heart wants what the heart wants. I have about 15 minutes to spare. Tell me all about this Flyboy named Moore."

"Well, first off, he isn't a Flyboy anymore. I found out he has resigned."

"Whew! That's good. One less thing for the heart to deal with."

"Yep."

"So…. Come on, don't make me ask twenty questions. Spill it!"

I giggle. "Man, Oh, Man, Cat! He is absolutely gorgeous! He is the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on. Mr. Sexy. "

"Wow! That's saying something. Better than the boys from Chippendales and the Thunder from Down Under?"

"Well, he stacks up. He makes my mouth water looking at him."

She laughs at that. "Give me a reference? Someone I can visualize! Tom Cruise in his flight suit in Top Gun has been floating around in my mind ever since I heard he was a pilot."

"Oh, no, he's better than Cruise. Think Thor, Chris Hemsworth."

"Who?" Cat pauses for emphasis, then laughs. "No, I'm only kidding. Damn!"

"I know, right?"

"He has blonde hair then?"

"No. Yes. It is a dark, dirty blonde with sun streaks that glisten."

"Well, that rules out Tom Cruise."

I laugh. "Well, he has a great ass."

"We do love a great ass. How are his eyes and his smile?"

"Perfect!"

"No, what color are his eyes?"

"Emerald green!"

"Damn! That's as rare as your light crystal green ones."

"He takes my breath away."

"No doubt. Do I even need to ask about his smile now?"

"It is perfect too! It lights up his face. You can think of Tom Cruise there. And his eyebrows are dark, almost black too. They match the darker hair underneath."

"Ok, I am thinking Brad Pitt now?"

"Who?" I tease her, pausing then laughing. "Just kidding! No, he's not like Pitt. I will snap a pic as soon as I can and send it to you."

"So, let me get this right, you have found a man with emerald green eyes framed by dark brows, capped with a head of dark yet sun-streaked hair on a body like Thor's?"

"YES! He is a fucking fine feast!"

"Wow! You better hook up with this guy. I can't wait to meet him now!

Send me a pic ASAP." She speaks to someone on her end.

"Hang on, Babe, I will be there in ten minutes.

" Then she returns to me. "Sorry about that.

We have a new girl coming in to train, and I need to watch her skills.

You know the drill. How much is she going to need before we can put her on the floor? "

"Yeah, I remember my two weeks of intense torture at your hands." I laugh.

"You were the easiest one I ever taught, sweetie. Not everyone has your natural ear for music and your raw dance talent."

"I thought Laura was doing your training?"

"She's pregnant! I didn't text you?"

"No! Oh my gosh! How did that happen?"

"She's hooked up with a local cop, and she got caught fucking without protection. It only takes one time. Don't you get caught. Too many people depend on your dancing for their living."

"Don't worry, Cat. I have taken precautions. I am not about to fuck up this dream I call my life. It is too sweet. So, is she still working?"

"I am training her as a manager now. We have basically traded jobs. You hate to lose good girls, you know? And she's more like family."

"Yeah, I know." I feel a twang of guilt at not returning immediately, but I know I can't until Moore is either more or no more.

"I'm sorry. I didn't ask how the club is doing.

How's it going? How are the girls and Bart?

" I roll my eyes at myself. "I'm so caught up in this guy. I can't think straight."

Cat laughs at me. "You're in love, girl! And you don't even know his name. But we're ok. We're still rolling in the dough, living the dream, but we miss you. Customers are starting to rotate back in too, and they are asking when Surreal will perform again."

"I know. Give me a couple more weeks, and I promise to return to Vegas. I will know by then one way or the other on Moore."

"I'm going to hold you to that. As a matter of fact, I will have Bart schedule his jet to pick you up. Let's say on May 1st? May Day?"

"Ok, I promise to be on it when it returns. Come hell or high water." I hear her cracking up at my southern lingo. "Squeeze Bart for me. Tell him his green-eyed vixen is goo-goo over this guy."

She chuckles. "I know exactly what he will say. 'Tell her to get her glowing green eyes back here, or he will be goo-goo! And if that man breaks her heart, I will personally come down there and make his eyes goo-goo!'"

We both crack up at the thought of Bart even using the term goo-goo.

He is much too sophisticated for terminology like that.

"Hey, before you go, I wanted to tell you I am going out tonight to a cocktail party.

A colleague from work was supposed to go with someone else, but she canceled on him last minute.

He begged me to take her place. He was so desperate, I agreed. "

"That's fantastic! What are you wearing? Did you buy a new dress?"

"No, I didn't have time. He asked me yesterday afternoon."

"Good! You are going to wear your Black & Blue Baby!

It will remind you of who you are! You are not a hick from the sticks.

You are our million-dollar star, Surreal!

The toast of Vegas! I know what you are thinking.

It is possible someone has seen your show and might put two and two together, but as your manager, that is a chance I want you to take.

Please, please, tell me you will wear it! "

"I am so glad you approve. It is too Diva for around here, but it is all I have."

"The wives will be shocked, but the men will love it. They always have. Are you still working on your pole routines?"

"All the time. It is all I do in my infinite amount of spare time. I have become addicted to exercise!"

"Don't get too lean and toned now. Keep your curves!"

"I'm not. Don't worry. I've been developing some new routines for Seary, and I am working on a killer return performance for Surreal to 'Happy.'"

"Pharrell's 'Happy?'"

"Yes! I have an idea that will send my return to the top of the strip."

"I can't wait to see it! Have you seen Beyoncé's 'Partition' video?"

"Yes, I've been doing it too. It is ready to go." I walk to the stripper pole. I remember Mrs. Smith's raised eyebrows when I asked about having it installed, but Bart is right, 'Money talks and shit walks.'

"That is fantastic. I will tell Bart to clear it with Beyoncé's people."

"If I can't get the kinks worked out on 'Happy,' I can do 'Partition' and save 'Happy' for the 4th of July.

It will be the biggest production yet. I have got some cool ideas.

I will email James my production thoughts so he can start working on it.

But let's not blab about that. How are the girls? I miss them."

"They miss you too. Lola and Red both asked when you were coming back this morning. Everyone misses your giggles, including me. The dressing room and practice sessions haven't been the same without your silliness."

"What? No one else cuts up or just busts loose?"

"No! It has gotten more and more serious without you. Hurry home. That's an order. I need laughter."

"How is Lei doing?"

"She has been doing great. I think you have officially saved another one.

She has taken over your role as mood monitor, and she will sing 'Beautiful' or 'Invisible' to anyone who even remotely looks sad, much less depressed.

She doesn't have the voice you do, but her heart is in the right place.

It is very touching, Siri. You would be proud. "

"I can't tell you what that means to me." I tear up. "Give her a squeeze from me."

"I will. Listen, you know I have to run. It was so good to hear your voice. Take care of yourself. I will let everyone know we are having a party when you get back."

"I will. I can't either. I need some hugs! I am homesick for y'all."

"Love you, Baby Girl."

"Love you too, boo."

I hang up. Gosh, I miss her and my life. I'm ready to go home! I am ready to be back in the spotlight. I miss dancing and performing. I miss Vegas!

My iPhone dings and the invitation from Cat for May 1st is there. "The jet will arrive at 3 o'clock your time. Have your bags packed! You are coming home!" I smile at my phone. She is so organized!

My stomach growls. Time to eat. I grab a chicken salad and a water, then go back out on the balcony to eat as I listen to the Friday parking lot traffic.

When I'm finished, I drink my water as I try to guess Moore's first name.

Nothing suits him. He doesn't look like a Michael, or a Richard, or even a Lee. I shake my head. Nothing fits Mr. Sexy.

Back in the kitchen, I throw my meal away, grab another water then return to the balcony. I have to find out what his damn name is! When I step out, I hear the purring sound of his truck. I walk to the edge of the railing.

I watch the Golden God park his truck. The spot next to my car is taken.

He has to find another, but he finds one closer.

When he gets out, he leans over the side of the truck bed.

He is wearing a big-armed, black tank top over a pair of plaid shorts and flip-flops.

The view even from this distance of his golden hair, broad shoulders, perfect skin, and perfect ass causes that sweet lurching feeling as my pussy tightens involuntarily.

He stands up with two bags of groceries and a case of beer.

Ah! He's been to the grocery store. He cooks? This guy just keeps getting better and better.