"Fucking unforgettable!"
Now Aurei flinches, and I watch, horrified as his jaw sets in place.I frown at Quintus.Careful!You're crossing the line."That must have been years ago.I've only done two shows where I stripped naked, and they were at the beginning of my career when I was young and stupid.Now I strictly dance.No stripping."
"That's true.It was.Do you still have that little blue heart?"He smiles at me, and I'm horrified again to see his sexy tongue touch the corner of his mouth and linger.It's wet and shiny, then he looks at Aurei and asks."Well, does she?It was tiny, but I was close enough to taste it."
Aurei's eyes glare at him, but Quintus pretends he doesn't see and looks back up at me."What say you share your whore, and we have a threesome later, maybe after the battle?"He cocks his head and lifts an eyebrow."Does she taste as good as she looks?"His tongue slides across his lips the same way Aurei's does.
I'm beyond horrified!Aurei lets go of Caesar's head, draws himself up, and stares down at Quintus.Caesar shifts his stance then tries to dance away.I watch Aurei as I steady his Warhorse.His hands fall to his side, and he clenches his fists.Quintus simply stands completely relaxed as if he has no idea he is standing on the edge of a cliff about to be struck by lightning, hammered down by thunder, and thrown into an abyss!
I get Caesar under control and purposefully insert him between the two men who are staring each other down now.One wants to take the head of the other off.The other silently challenges him to try.
"Whoa.Easy now!"I tell them all in a very low but forceful voice.Caesar is the only one who listens and stops.
Aurei's hands take Caesar's head, and he holds him still while he steps in front of him so he can continue the stare down."I don't share."He says so soft I barely hear him, but the edge in his voice leaves no doubt it is a threat.I notice that he doesn't try to deny I'm a whore.We established that last night.But rather, he addresses the proposal.
Quintus doesn't blink.The lack of denial keeps him in the game.I'm stunned by his total arrogance and his total lack of intimidation.He is playing a very dangerous game.Family or not, he needs to stop before Aurei loses it.I have to put an end to this craziness!
I jump down off Caesar and force Aurei to handle him.I walk up to Quintus and poke him in the chest.I rattle off my usual speech."I'm an erotic entertainer only.I don't fuck every Tom, Dick or Harry.I am all about sex, but what I actually do isn't sex.What I actually do is dance.What I do is fantasy.What I do is only suggestive seduction.I'm an erotic dancer.There's a big difference.Erotic is about sexual desire and sexual excitement.I'm not a whore.If you saw me in Vegas, then you know I'm untouchable.What kind of game are you playing here?"
Quintus grins a wicked grin at me, and for a second, I think he is going to grab my hand, but before he reacts, Aurei grabs a handful of my hair and pulls me back to him.
I back away, glaring at Quintus.If eye arrows could kill!
He asks Aurei as I retreat."You've obviously collared her.Are you staking claim to her?"He looks him in the eye now.The air becomes electric with tension.
"Is that what this is all about?"I hear Aurei ask.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I need to know what level of commitment you have to her."
"Why?"They glare at each other.Now Quintus' jaw sets.Aurei lets my hair go and puts his arm in front of me.He pushes me back out of the way.I look at him and see his shrewd eyes studying Quintus."You want to know how much I care for her."It's a statement, not a question.
"That is what I really want to know."
Their eyes lock."For your new job or for yourself?"
I see the charming poker face slide off Quintus' face, and I almost panic.We all know shit just got real.
"Both."
The word hangs in the air.I'm flabbergasted Quintus would take it this far.What the fuck!
Aurei's voice is low and deadly."I'm committed, and I'll prove it to you.Then we won't ever go here again.Understood?"
"Yes," Quintus nods once.
"There's an inscription inside the collar.Siri, tell him what it says."
I look at Quintus.Daggers shoot from my eyes."I can't.It's in Italian."
"Do you want to know what it says?"
We both answer, "Yes."
Quintus adds, "Show me."And I shoot more daggers at him.
