Ann offers."You two go on without me.Siri can ride Rosso.Maybe she'll win this time.I want to head inside and check on Bee.She wasn't feeling too good this morning.I'll ride back with the women."I give her another quick hug as the ranch hand that took Aurei's armor returns with Rosso.
While I'm climbing on, Quintus rides over to speak.He has shed his heavy armor and is bare-chested too.His muscular, tattooed body is gleaming with sweat, and he grins as he trots up."You'll be glad to hear that our little show of solidarity and skill is blowing up Twitter and YouTube.We may be the next viral sensation."
Aurei nods, "That's good for Italy."
"Yes, it is.You two heading back now?I thought it would be good for publicity to let the press take some pictures."
"You pose for them."Aurei states and smiles at me."Ready, Cowgirl?"
"Yee-Haw, Sir.I'm ready to ride."
Aurei dons his helmet, turns Caesar towards the rear, and leads us past a big tent with tables of men sitting under them.There are drinks, and it's obvious from the laughter that they are alcoholic beverages.Apparently, everyone has been indulging all day.I see not only Antonio, Angelo, and a few others I met last night at dinner, but Bob's golden head of thick hair.He is engaged in an intense conversation with a man who is talking as much with his hands as his mouth, then they all bust out laughing.He was obviously telling them a really good joke.Someone calls out to 'Maximus' to join them, but he doesn't respond, and when they see me, they wave and let it go.
When we enter the pasture, he slows enough for me to catch him, and we walk side by side in silence.I can't help my eyes constantly turning to watch him sitting casually in his armor as we go.His face staring straight ahead, intentionally not looking at me, makes me smile.Finally, the silent treatment drives me crazy, and I tell him, "Fuck you, Aurei Moore.You and your secrets!For the love of Zeus, you should have told me what an awesome day this was going to be!I had no idea the elaborate degree the Celebration would be.It was fucking awesome, and you are fucking amazing!Quintus too!Hell, the whole thing!I can't wait to watch the videos Bee shot and share them with Cat!She's going to fucking cream her cookies!Sweet Zeus!How long did you train in order to perfect that sword toss?It was spectacular...."And on and on, I blurt out whatever comes to mind as fast as my thoughts fly over the events of the day.Knowing he won't interrupt me until I'm finished, I rant until my excitement is spent, then I look at him.
His expression hasn't changed.He is still riding with his face forward.He hasn't glanced over one single time.He hasn't heard a single word I've said!
I kick Rosso, and he trots a few steps, then stops, not wanting to get ahead of Caesar.I look back at Aurei with a 'hello!'look on my face.
He smiles, then winks that killer wink at me."Baby Thang, did you hold that thought?"
My mind flashes to his face when he is pounding me as his hand squeezes my throat and he approaches climax.I love that fucking face."Yes, I did."
"Good."He asks, "Did you cheer for me?"
I pull Rosso up, staring at him in disbelief."What the fuck?You didn't hear me?"He ignores me and walks right by.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me.He can't hear a thing in that helmet."I tell myself, then I yell my best "YEE-HAW" for him to test that thought.
He turns his head to look at me, and his 'shit eating' grin is there."I heard you."Then he looks forward again.
"How much can you hear?"I ask as he slowly walks away.He doesn't answer."Aurei!"I kick Rosso, and he trots even with him again."Hey," I stick my arm out and touch him.
He stops and takes his helmet off."Yes, ma'am?"He asks politely.
"You can't hear with that on, can you?"I point to his helmet.
"Not much."
"You rascal!I was yelling my fool head off for you!Loud!I thought you could hear me!Why did you want me to yee-haw for you if you couldn't hear me?"I laugh, confused.
"The crowd heard you."
"Hell yeah, they did!I was the only one hollering 'yee-haw', and I yelled it loud and a lot!"
"Good."He grins and starts to put his helmet back on.
As it slides in place, I tell him, "The Bastard Son of Thor, God of Thunder really suits you now."
His 'shit eating' grin is back, but he holds out his hand, and I put mine in it.He cinches our fingers, and we ride holding hands as the horses walk up to the barn.Then in a few minutes, he says, "I heard you in my heart."
15
"You say the sweetest things, Sugar Bare."I shake my head, letting his love flow over me, then my thoughts turn to the Goddess gown and the implications of it.His actions this weekend have all been designed to make sure everyone, family, friends, the media, the community, everyone know that we are a solid couple.He's sure of us, and he wants everyone to be sure of it too.My heart warms with the thought.
Only Mia right now seems to be the obstacle I have to overcome.I wonder how I should go about winning her over.Some women who overstep their authority have a hard time backing back into place afterwards, and she may be one of those.She is certainly aggressive.Yelling at him, her boss, that way on the phone and coming boldly into his house too to confront him about me.Bee said she's never liked her.She and Ann have been together a long time too.But she's his VP, and I need to deal with her.I have to deal with her.I let our fingers go and grab his wrist.He looks at me.I motion for him to remove his helmet, so he does."Aurei, tell me more about Mia."
"No."He says simply.
