Page 36 of Untouchable Billionaire (The Hardcore Novels: Special Editions #1)

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Siri

* * *

"Oh…." We hear a surprised voice.

Moore drops his arms, then turns to stand next to me, politely facing front. We both stare straight ahead, struggling to remain calm.

I'm breathing in short, excited pants.

He's taking deep, long, even breaths.

A middle-aged man has entered, but his wife has not. She takes one look at me gulping air, finally able to breathe, then looks at Moore. Her eyes fall to his groin, and she reaches out for her husband's arm.

She tells us, "Go ahead. We will wait for the next one." She tells her husband as she pulls him back out. "Herb, come here. Come back out."

The man grunts at us and tries to pull his arm away from his wife, but she wins, and he retreats.

When the doors shut, I'm in control again, and I know Mr. Moore is too.

But when the elevator starts down, I wait, wanting him to resume his seduction. He doesn't. He stands firm beside me.

When he speaks, he flirts. "I guess you are going out tonight?"

In a flirty tone full of sweet sassiness, I ask him. "How could you tell?"

He chuckles, still staring forward. "With someone … special?"

I chuckle too. "No. Apparently, you're going out tonight with someone else."

He grins and turns to face me, resting his shoulder on the wall, being careful not to get too close.

I grin and turn my face to him. "Are you going out with someone … special?"

He laughs. "No. I'm going alone to a Hail and Farewell on post. I don't know where the special someone in my life is going." He winks at me. "Where are you going?"

I laugh. "To a cocktail party."

He closes the distance. His body heat hits me. His scent fills my nostrils. "You sure look hot."

I look away as a flush falls over my skin. You make me hot!

He leans his head down and whispers in my ear. "You really look hot! Scorching hot." He runs his fingers down my arm.

My skin feels scorched from his heat as goosebumps pop out.

He smiles knowing his seduction is working.

The elevator dings and comes to a stop. As the doors slide open onto the lobby, he bows slightly and gestures. "After you, my lady."

I turn barely controlled wild eyes on him. "I am hot! Really hot." I wink at him as I exit.

Time to do a little seduction of my own.

Strutting my stuff across the lobby floor with the full swagger of a $1,000,000 Vegas star in her signature diva dress, I work it!

Try taking your eyes off this, Mr. Sexy!

Halfway across, he lets out a long, low whistle.

I laugh softly at his reaction. Moore, you are a rascal.

I continue all the way to the exit doors before I glance back to see if he followed or not.

He is still standing in the door of the elevator. Blocking it. Relaxed. Watching me. Enjoying the show.

Fuck yeah, you look like a Golden God standing there, not the least bit intimated. In complete control of yourself and knowing you are capable of completely controlling me too.

Damn straight. A real man!

I stand expectantly at the door. Waiting patiently, I give him a beautiful, sweet smile.

He responds with his own, picks up his cooler, and crosses to me. I am struck by how comfortable he is in his own skin.

He doesn't exude confidence exactly. Although I'm sure, most people misinterpret it to be cocky. It's something more. More like complete mastery. Supreme competence.

When he reaches me, he sticks out his hand. "It is time to formally introduce ourselves, Miss Wright."

I slip mine into his. He allows my whole hand to slide into his deep grasp before he engulfs it with his.

Then he pulls me to him, making me take a step forward and invade his space.

My passion flows with the touch of his skin and the closeness of his body.

Only the public lobby keeps it under control.

He squeezes my hand, making me quiver inside.

"Aurei Moore." His breath tickles my face.

My voice sounds breathless when I ask, "Ari? Short for…?"

He smiles his sexy half-smile.

My eyes drop to watch his lips.

"Aurelius."

Damn! Aurelius….

As if it is quite common to meet a man named Aurelius in Alabama, I respond," Of course."

Aurelius. The last great Roman Emperor was Marcus Aurelius. My Latin is rusty, but Aureus is an adjective meaning golden.

My eyes twinkle. Aurelius suits you perfectly, Golden God.

When he sees my eyes sparkling, he asks. "And your name, Miss Wright?"

"Siri."

"Siri?" He hums deep within his throat, and a confused look falls on his face.

"Like Apple's Siri," I explain.

He gives me a head nod, then says. "Of course." Using the same voice inflection I used, making me giggle.

He's just playing with me.

He releases my hand and opens the door for me. I float through. There are a couple of ladies walking up, and he holds the door open for them as well.

They tell him. "Thank you."

And he responds with, "Yes, Ma'am."

When he joins me, I smile at him. "So, given Aurelius is Italian, how do you spell Ari?"

"A.U.R.E.I." He winks.

That wink is killer!

* * *

Aurei

* * *

Outside, the security lights are bright, illuminating the area. Siri walks so close to me that my sleeve keeps brushing her arm, then she playfully bumps me.

"So, Aurelius, how long have you served in the Army?"

"I gave them six years, but I'm not a lifer."

"Are you getting out then?"

"Yeah, yesterday was my last day flying. I'm officially on leave at midnight tonight while my paperwork is processed."

"Do you already have plans for what you'll do now?"

I grin at her. "I have a business to step into."

"Oh, what kind of business?"

"I'm an investor."

"A real estate investor?"

"Among other things."

"Hmm," She analyzes me for a few seconds, then she asks. "Do you think you will miss flying?"

"No, I have my private pilot's license."

"Oh, that's dope! Maybe you can take me for a flight sometime?"

At the curb, she steps off, but I pause, waiting until she looks back at me. "I think that soaring with you is definitely going to happen."

She bites her bottom lip, and her eyes twinkle at me. That is definitely going to happen.

A grin spreads across my face as I step off the curb and catch up to her.

When we step past the car in the visitor's spot, I look down the row and see a douche parked seven cars away, casually smoking a cigarette, sitting on the trunk of a candy apple red Porsche.

He's wearing a blue sport coat, medium grey trousers with a light pink shirt, burgundy tie, and dark brown loafers.

His long hair is in a French braided ponytail.

I stiffen and pause, staring at him. I feel Siri's hand touch my arm, and she leans around to see what I'm looking at that made me react.

The douche glances at us, thumps the cigarette into the parking lot, and mouths, "Sup" with an 'I think I'm cool' head nod that only amplifies he's a douche. Then he dismisses us as he pulls another cigarette out of his pocket and lights it.

Siri groans, "French braided hair? Really?"

I look down at her, and she rolls her eyes. "My colleague."

"How well do you know him?" I stare back at him, wondering how he managed to get her to trust him and if I should go down there and threaten him, so he knows I'll beat his ass if he hurts her.

"Not very well. He's new here."

I snap my eyes back to look at her, concerned she has accepted an invitation with a douche she doesn't know very well, and I say so. "You don't know him?"

She smiles, "No. I do know him. You don't know him."

I smirk, "True. So, who is he?"

She grins, "His name is TD, and we've worked together the last couple of weeks. His date canceled on him at the last minute yesterday, so I agreed to fill in."

I frown at her. "Why didn't he just go alone?"

She shrugs, "He said it was a couples thing."

I frown harder. "What kind of party did you say this was?"

"A cocktail party. That's why I'm all dressed up." She smiles, then twirls around for me, trying to ease my concern, and I'm reminded she's a stripper from Vegas and probably more than capable of handling the likes of him, and she confirms that for me. "I can handle myself. I got this."

"Walk me to my truck?" I stall her.

"Sure."

At the truck, I lift the cooler and set it in the back. Then look over my shoulder at her. Yep, she's checking out my ass.

Our eyes connect, and the desire in them assures me that I am the man of her dreams. Wanting to make damn sure that I am the only thing she thinks about the rest of the night, I push off the truck and walk up to her. Crowding her space.

She doesn't flinch. She stands her ground.

I move in so tight I tease her breasts, and they elongate, pushing out to touch me.

She inhales a deep breath and closes her eyes. My scent turns her on. I smirk. Our chemistry is explosive. I study her face and realize she is quivering again.

Smiling with that knowledge, I command her, "Look at me."

Her gaze doesn't get past my lips, so I tease her, whispering, "Sei la donna dei miei sogni."

She sways slightly, then lays her hand lightly on my chest, pushing gently to keep the slight gap between us safe. I smirk, and capture it, then drag it down my torso to hold by our side. I can see the excitement shining in her eyes.

"Don't push me away," I command her again. She bats her eyes, surprised at my tone, but instead of being pissed, she melts into submission.

My cock thumps, hardening.

Her eyes hone in on my lips.

"Siri," I pinch her chin, holding her captive and tilt her face to mine.

She squeezes my hand and brings her other one up to rest on my waist.

I am in complete control. I tilt her face gently until she's staring straight up, and her arched back presses her tits into my chest. She leans forward, giving in to the feeling, and staring into my eyes. I wait until she's longing for my words, then I say, "Siri, you are simply stunning."

Her eyes glaze as my compliment penetrates her barriers, and she hears what I'm saying deep down inside.

I see her falling for me. With each breath I take, I blow my essence across her face, and I become her whole world.