I quickly find his app and open it.While I go through the motions of syncing our accounts, my mind digests what I've just read.I finish as Aurei pulls into a parking spot.He looks at me, and I tell him."Done.Our phones are one, too."
He smiles and leans over to me.His hand cups my chin and holds my lips in place.He puts his mouth on mine and pushes his breath into it as he whispers."Remember that.US."
His tongue touches the edge of my lips, and I suck, drawing it into my mouth.He gives it up, and his hand slips behind my head, gripping my hair.I gently massage his tongue, and it relaxes me.I sigh, pushing the calm air out my nose.The warmth of my breath mixes with the warmth of his skin, and it reminds me of a gentle summer breeze as it blows back onto my face.I smile and release my grip on his tongue.He puts our foreheads together and sighs too, blowing his sweet, warm breath down my face.
He kisses my forehead, and I feel his reassurance with the simple gesture.
"I love you, Maximus Aurelius Moore."
"Ditto, Wild Thang."He kisses my forehead again and then pulls away to open the door.
"I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone too."
His beautiful smile beams at me before his beautiful beast of a body uncoils, and he stands.Not taking my eyes off him, I watch as he walks like the god he is around to my door.When he opens it, I take his hand and stand.He opens his fingers, and I slip mine in.
Walking up to the house, cinched to my man, my mind talks.Our lives are so opposite, so complicated.There will always be turmoil.Just be yourself, be polite, sweet, brave, bold ...I sigh.Just be in love with Aurei.
At the stone steps, though, my heart starts to race.When Aurei puts his hand on the doorknob, he pauses and looks at me.Words are meaningless at this point.Now we stand together and show the world the truth, starting with his family.He gives me that killer wink as the Diva passes by with her head held high and enters Big Al's mansion.
We enter a large foyer and walk into the expansive living room area.It has a certain warmth to the layout.It looks more like a lodge than a house.The walls are full windows with a view of the exercise area and the stables.The furniture is a mix of couches, love seats, and recliners of heavy leather, with lots of colorful throw pillows, coffee tables, and lamps.No one is here, so Aurei walks straight into a dining room.A delicious aroma fills the air.The heavy rustic table is elegant wood and very large!There is no one here either and no place settings.
Aurei tells me with a sly grin."I don't think anyone else has arrived yet."
We continue through to the kitchen.When Aurei swings the doors open and we step through, everyone inside immediately stops talking and stares at us, surprised that someone is here is evident on all over their faces.
Aurei's voice is light and happy."Ciao, Marco!Breakfast smells delicious.What are you cooking?We are hungry."
A big man with a full apron and chef's hat drops his knife and opens his arms wide.The other two men and women with aprons welcome us with big grins.Marco comes around the island and walks toward us."Maximus!What a surprise?We weren't expecting you until tomorrow."They hug, slapping each other on the back, swapping sides.Then he pushes Aurei away."Ah!Magnifico!You have found a beautiful one.No?"He walks around, sizing me up.
"Sì, My Bella Signorina.Where is Zita?I need to check in before we eat."
"Zita and Bob are in Venice.They will not return until tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the family."His eyes twinkle at me, but he fake frowns when he says."She is skinny.Come."He takes my hand and leads me to a barstool.
Aurei pulls one out next to me and sits down too.He leans on his forearms and talks while Marco marches back around to his station, barking orders to his staff.They jump into action and begin opening the refrigerator, cabinets, drawers and putting cookware on the stove.The whole kitchen comes alive again with activity."Marco, allow me to introduce my girl, Siri Wright.Siri, this is Marco DeFranco.He has been the Liotine Family Chef for 30 years.He can cook anything.He can even make broccoli taste good."
Marco laughs as he turns to face us."Keep it crisp, bury it under a mound of cheese, and this boy will eat it, but when he was young, it was a different story."
Aurei leans over to me, and his eyes have that crinkle to them as he laughs."Marco loves to tell this story called…."
"The Hidden Broccoli."Marco launches into his tale of how he told a picky four-year-old one day to coax him to eat the vegetable.
I'm giggling through the entire story.When the 'tale of the dragon who tries to steal the buried treasure of broccoli hiding under a mound of cheese which would ensure the captive Princess would never escape, and the sword-wielding hero who figures out the only way to save the Princess was to eat through the barrier of cheese and consume all the broccoli, so the dragon had to go elsewhere for food' comes to an end, I ask."And that worked?The little boy ate all his broccoli?"
"No."Marco chuckles, and his big belly shakes."The stubborn little boy pushed his food around during the entire tale, not taking a single bite."
I tilt my head and look at Aurei."But you said Marco can even make broccoli taste good."
"He can."
When I look back at Marco, he says."Then I told him.'You will eat all or no dessert.'"He wags his finger at me, demonstrating the emphasis he gave the little Aurei."No Chocolate Soufflé for you until every bite is gone."
"Ah!"I giggle.
Aurei chuckles."Marco's specialty dish is Chocolate Soufflé."
"And it is to die for?"
"Yes.It is."
