"You have a house out here?"She perks up and looks around.
"Yes, we do."
At the gate, I lay my thumb on the keypad, and when I drive through, she gasps when she sees the house."It's huge!"She leans down as we approach so she can look at it through the windshield."It's wonderful!"
I pull up and stop at the front entry and turn to look at her.She looks like she wants to fling her door open and leap out.I reach behind me and lock the doors, making her giggle."I'm going to come to open your door and carry you in—my superstition.I'll set you down when I'm ready.Is that clear?"
"Mmhmm."Her eyes are sparkling like diamonds.She grins and waves for me to get out of the car."Hurry!I can hardly wait!"
When I open her car door, she stands.I lean down and lift her.She lays her head on my chest and kisses it.I close the car door with my foot and carry my bride to the front door.Placing my thumb on the keypad, the door pops open, and I push it with my foot.It swings wide, and I look down into her eyes, then walk in with my Baby Thang cuddling."Mrs.Moore," I smile at her."This is our home."
21
* * *
Siri
* * *
As he swings the door wide, I see luxury on a level that shouts billionaire.The foyer floor and stairs leading up to the second level are Italian marble, and the banister that curves so graciously down is Italian hand-carved wood.I'm reminded immediately of two places: the Swinger's house and the Bear Cave in Rome.
Aurei squeezes me as he carries me over the threshold, and I look up into the face of My Golden God.His eyes pierce that place deep inside me, and the wildness swirls with happiness.My heart and breath join it when he says to me."Mrs.Moore, this is our home."
I tear my eyes away from his face to look around when he starts walking through the house.Everywhere is class, elegance, and luxury with an interesting mix of old and new.The house is well lit with natural sunlight illuminating from skylights and windows strategically placed around the ceiling.When he reaches the rear of the house, the glass doors automatically slide inside the wall, and he strolls with me out onto a huge patio with a pool, a small kitchen with a complete bar, and a back yard manicured to perfection with a carpet of green grass sloping down the hillside.
But the view!The view of Red Rock Canyon as the sun sets is truly magnificent!"Wow!"
Aurei chuckles that soft inner sound I can only hear when he's holding me."Magnificent, isn't it?"
"Truly," I agree."It looks like a ball of fire dropping."I feel his eyes on my face, but I can't tear my eyes away from the sinking sun.I feel him kiss the top of my head; then he watches it too.When the last rays of light have left the sky, he turns away and takes a step toward the patio.Instantly LED lights illuminate the grounds, and when we walk by the pool, it is a deep shade of emerald green."The pool is the color of your eyes."I muse out loud.
He stops and looks at it."Hmm.Never thought about it, but I guess you're right.It is."
"Can we take a dip?"
"I'm hungry."His eyes twinkle.He lifts me and throws my body weight against his chest, making me bounce in his arms, repositioning me.I put my hand on his shoulder, and my eyes notice a rooftop nestled in the trees that line the rear of the property.I open my mouth to mention it when he says."First, we will eat, then I will give you your wedding gift."
"Wedding gift?You mean it wasn't the house?"
He laughs as he strolls through the automatic glass doors back inside."No'p'e."He curls his lips inside his mouth and pops them out to make a popping sound.I take a breath, but before I can respond, he says."Shush.No questions.You know I'm not going to tell you."
I pooch my lips out and study his handsome face trying to hold my tongue."But it's so hard."I finally admit.
He laughs out loud and leans down to give me a peck.The highlights in his blonde hair shine, and as I close my eyes, I realize motion sensor lights are illuminating the interior as we enter each room.
"How long have you owned this house?"
"A few years.I started renovations on it then and just completed them."
"So, is it safe to assume that since you've been working on the apartment in Rome, the farmhouse in Alabama, and this house here in Vegas that you have a remodeling project wherever you live?And if that's the case, then do you have a remodeling fetish, or is this some sort of therapy for you?"
He smiles and looks around, "Hmm.Both.Would you like a quick tour?"
"Absofuckinglutely!What kind of question is that?"
He sets me down, bends over, and offers his back."Bareback.It'll be quicker."
I jump on, wrap my legs around him, and put my face next to his ear.I kiss his neck as he stands and starts up the stairs."We'll start at the top."He takes two at a time and goes up to the third floor.He steps through the double doors into an open bay area.The only furnishings are a couple of couches and overstuffed chairs.One whole wall is lined with books, the other has a theater screen-sized TV, and the back wall consists of curtains."This is the media room."He quickly swings around to head back down, and I ask.
