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Siri
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I waketo the soft strum of a guitar, the smell of candles burning, and the aroma of something yummy.Laying flat on my back, I push my arms out from under my pillow and stretch, pointing my toes and arching my back.Melting back into the bed, I listen to the soft sounds of sweet music and prop my head as my eyes flutter open.The sleepiness slowly leaves me, and my eyes focus on the ceiling.
Clouds....It's a painting.How could I have missed this?
The beautiful mosaic is of an open courtyard encircled by Roman columns, topped with a golden gabled roof, and surrounded by clouds.It's recessed inside the ceiling.The only way to see it is if you are lying here in the bed staring up—clever architectural design.
It's a picture of Mount Olympus.Big white fluffy clouds float over, beside, under, and a few even float through it.The lighting and the paint used makes them look three-dimensional.
Wait.There is an inscription etched in the gold.Narrowing my eyes, I squint to read, "Cielo."
Contrary to what I told Aurei, teasing him on the stairs as the media bombarded us with photos last night, I do not have a photographic memory, and I cannot remember the words inscribed on my choker.Still, I do remember the first three letters of the first word.They were "Cie."My hand goes to my neck, and my fingertips caress it as I stare up at the exquisite mosaic and those dots connect.Cielo.Heaven.The first word is Heaven.Heaven equals ....The image of the words engraved tease me, but they are elusive.
Hmm.What does Aurei's Heaven equal?
I study the picture, trying to find any clues, but it's only a picture of an open area covered by a roof in the clouds.I smile and hug myself as I realize that in the elevator after the swinger's party when Aurei said to me, "I would rather take you to heaven."This is probably what he meant and where he intended to take me.He's literally brought me to his Heaven.
I'm the luckiest girl alive!
I take a deep breath, then sit up.The bed curtains are drawn, but the muffled sound of Aurei strumming his guitar drifts to me.He is outside on the patio.
While I listen to him play, I put myself through my stretches.When the guitar strumming stops, I listen for any movement from the outside and smile as I picture Aurei listening for me too.Then I grin wickedly, and stifle a giggle.
I am a quiet Kitten.
I roll up on my feet and squat on the bed, ready to pounce if he parts the curtains, but instead, I hear the deep tone that reaches down to the pit of my core as he begins to sing softly.The words are muffled by the distance and the fabric barrier, but the hum floats in and draws me to him.I scoot to the edge and push open the curtains just enough to stick my face through.
Glancing quickly around the room, I see that all the French doors are open.The rain has stopped.The sun appears to be setting.The delicious smell of something yummy hits my nose again.
Gawd, that smells good.Heavenly!I giggle silently.Heaven equals let's eat.I step through the curtain feet first and quietly set them down.Candles have been placed side by side to form a path to guide me to him.
Fucking A, Aurelius!Gold Star for being romantic.
Tiptoeing, I make my way down the platform steps and onto the bedroom floor.The closer I get to the doors, the more I can hear the guitar, but not his words.He is singing too softly.Standing at the doorway, I peer around the threshold to sneak a peek at him, trying to spy on him, but he stops playing, and I freeze.'I am a quiet Kitten' pops into my brain again, and I almost lose it giggling as I visualize pouncing on him if he comes through the door now, but I manage to hold it together, listening to his silence.
He is a quiet b....
Hmm.Are Bears quiet?
Every cell in my body listens for any sound coming from the patio, but I hear nothing but silence.
This bear is.I grin.
Then the thought of him walking through the door with his perfect posture and strong Godlike gait knocking me down, plowing over me pops into my brain and the vision of being sprawled out on the floor with him standing over me gives me the silent silly giggles, and I stand there vibrating with them.
I would be so busted!
I inhale deeply and gain control.Then I ease my face slowly past the edge of the door and spy on him with one eye.He sits staring out over the yard, lost in deep thought.I notice a meal set on a table and a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice.
Ah!The source of the delicious smell and a bottle of liquid celebration.
Aurei starts to tap his foot slightly, and he looks down at his fingers as he picks the first chords to another song.
I love that he loves music too.
