Maximus

by Jessika Klide

  Quintus.

  Chapter Nineteen

  "Who is coming in?"

  "Quintus would be my guess."

  Quintus stops his chopper, puts the kick stand down and takes his helmet off. His beautiful smile flashes white against his dark skin and features. He is breathtakingly beautiful too. He throws his hand up in a wave then hangs his helmet on the handle bars. Aurei waves back and turns Caesar to him. I snuggle back up and hang on as Caesar gallops over. When we arrive, Aurei says. "Quintus! It’s good to see you. It’s been a while."

  "Yes, Maximus. It’s good to see you too."

  I peer around Aurei’s body. Quintus looks Hot as Hades standing there in full black leather biker gear, a du rag and chains. His piercings have been exchanged and I wonder which of my girls would be the best fit for him. I’m gonna hook somebody up with him. Maybe it’s time Cat came out of retirement. She would love to dominate that ass. Daddy Dom indeed.

  Aurei throws his leg over Caesar’s neck and he drops down nimbly to his feet. He doesn’t turn to help me down, so I slide forward into the saddle and take Caesar’s reins. Quintus opens his arms wide and they exchange a warm family hug, embracing each other and patting each other hard on the back. Aurei steps back to hold the reins under Caesar’s head as they exchange the usual how have you beens. Quintus keeps looking up at me whenever Aurei’s eyes look away, even for the slightest moment, and he doesn’t return Aurei’s gaze immediately. There is a split second too long delay when Aurei looks back. Leering is the correct term for it, and when we saw it on the runway or at the tables Cat taught us to steer clear. "Beware of the lustful eye of men that leer. They can’t behave. They’ll be trouble. Stay away from them." I know what he is up to and it pisses me off. He’s going to push Aurei’s buttons to test him to find out how he really feels about me.

  Damn! I hope this doesn’t get ugly, but I can’t say anything now. It’s too late to tell Aurei Quintus stopped by and I met him then. I stare him down with a frown on my face, but he totally ignores me.

  When Aurei turns to me, I instantly give him a bright smile and he says. "Quintus, allow me to introduce you to my girl, Siri Wright. Siri, this is my cousin, Quintus Liotine."

  "Nice to meet you, Quintus." I say to him, then look at Aurei. "So this is Cassy?" I wink at him and he grins at me. "I see what you mean. Cat would eat him up." Aurei chuckles. I lift my eyes to see Quintus watching us with hawk eyes that remind me of a certain pilot’s. Damn, the resemblance is strong. I ask Quintus. "So you are going to be his publicist?"

  "Are you going to take the job?" Aurei looks back at him too.

  "Yes. Thank you, Maximus. I accept the position." He holds his hand out to shake Aurei’s, then turns his full attention on me. "It’s very nice to meet you too. You must be the girl everyone is talking about. Wright, is it?"

  "Yes," I smile at him.

  "Seary Wright. That is a great stripper name." He tells Aurei, who doesn’t bat an eye, but glances at me and winks.

  "That’s her real name. Siri is spelled S. I. R. I. She drops the Wright in Vegas and she spells her show name S. E. A. R. Y."

  Quintus’ eyes are glued to my tits when Aurei looks back at him. "I’ve seen her show. She knows how to jiggle those big tits for maximum tips, but the way she strips, that’ll get you going, hey?" He tries to give Aurei a knuckle bump but Aurei doesn’t take the bait. He just looks at him and I see that slight drawing up movement at his eyes that means his thunder has started to rumble down deep. "She came down that runway, tossing items off left and right, until she stood right in front of me wearing nothing but a smile and a little tiny blue heart." He kinks his eyebrows, then his tongue covers his top lip and drags down over his teeth.

  Holy FUCK! He didn’t just say that shit!

  "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 on 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, knocked 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 takes 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.

  "Come here, Baby Thang. Hold Caesar."

  "No, I want to know first."

  "Siri. Come here." His tone is the most commanding it has ever been to me. I look at him and cross my arms, pooch my lips and outright pout, but I obey him.

  As I take Caesar’s bridle and hold him, I tell them both. "I’m not happy with either one of you assholes!"

  Aurei takes my face in his hands and makes me look into his eyes. The love I see looking back at me makes my eyes tear up.

  "Don’t!" I whisper, then his lips cover mine and he blows lightly in my mouth. My arm goes around his waist and I cling to him. His lips release me and I lay my forehead on his chest, fully submitting to his wishes. I feel his hands moving into my hair as he unfastens it. The necklace comes free and as it slides down my throat, I feel strangely naked without it.

  He holds it out for Quintus with one hand while his other encircles the emptiness. I feel his gentle pressure against my jugular, then his fingers are back in my hair and he is sliding it back on. He whispers. "You are mine." He cups my face again and I stare into his eyes.

  I respond. "I am yours."

  Aurei’s arm goes around my shoulders and he holds me against his body. We turn and face Quintus. Aurei asks him, "Satisfied?"

  Quintus doesn’t make any remark or give any acknowledgement at all as to what the inscription says. His poker face is perfect, but I can read his eyes and they tell me that Heaven means something solid. Something concrete. Aurei’s level of commitment to me is no longer an issue. He states. "I came down to tell you Zita and Bob left Venezia early. They will be at the house in time for lunch. Marco said to tell you he will be serving Chocolate Soufflé today too." He holds out his hand to shake Aurei’s again. "I need to get back up to the house. I have to change before my first press conference."

  Aurei’s eyebrows raise as he takes his hand and pumps it. "Press conference?"

  "Yes, I’m going to introduce myself and let them know who’s in charge of your image." He smiles and the charm is thick. "And it sure as hell isn’t them." He bows slightly to me and says. "Miss Wright." Then heads back to his bike. He mounts it, slides on his helmet, cranks it, then spins off.

  Cocky and Dope! That is one slick, sexy bastard! Damn. He’s going to be perfect at the job.

  Chapter Twenty

  Listening to the last sounds of Quintus' motorcycle, we stand silently next to each other. Neither of us wanting to discuss what just happened, but I’m truly thankful it was nothing bad. That could have been disastrous! I hate my necklace was undone to prove a point, but it appears the point was totally put to rest with it and that’s a plus! I sure don’t need to have to worry about Quintus lusting and pushing our buttons.

  Caesar bobs his head and tries to pull away. I tell Aurei. "If you aren’t finished, I’ll take a seat and watch."

  He looks at me with that concerned caring look. Knowing I was truly upset with the necklace coming off, but not knowing how hurt my feelings are over it. I lean over for a kiss. "I’m not upset. Ok? I would have liked it if my necklace would not have been undone, but I understand cooperation and compromise. I’m a big girl." I lean in for a kiss. "And apparently whatever it says, put his damn fire out, and that’s a good thing."

  His eyes relax, then they smile at me. "Give me thirty more minutes. I need to put him through the drills a few more times. Then we’ll head back up to the house."

  "You got it!" I throw my hand up. "Not a problem. My cute little ass with sit right over there and watch your handsome ass."

  He throws his leg over Caesar and sits his handsome ass down, then pulls his horse’s around as I take a seat in the stadium. Watching them together, I wondered how many hours it took to master that level of precision. I know how many hours it took to train Flash, but we raised him.

  When Aurei is satisfied, we leave, but we don’t take the direct route back. He gives me a tour of the property. It’s expansive and impressive. When we finally return to the stables, the ranch hands stop working and watch as we ride back in. Paolini comes out of the barn and greets us. He asks how it worked out. Aurei tells him beautifully and they agree to do it again tomorrow. "I will put two men on it at day break and have Caesar ready before he is needed." We tie the horses up, and follow him back to the barn. As we walk back through the stables, I can feel eyes watching me.

  "I think you’ve impressed the whole lot."

  "Fully clothed too!" I take his hand and cinch our fingers. "I have multiple talents." Then I swing them between us as we walk back to the house. I feel his phone vibrate in my pocket and I dig it out. "You’ve got a call coming in Sir." I tell him in my secretary voice. "Shall I answer it for you, or will you take it yourself?"

  "I’ll take it." He smirks, then looks down and frowns. When he answers he speaks Italian, drops his head and veers off the path. He leans against the fence and puts one leg on it. I can tell, this is going to be a long conversation so I decide to work too. I dig my own phone out and walk away from him. I can feel his eyes on me. I set my phone down on top the fence post and turn on "Happy." I review the video, then put it on loop. I need to make sure I impress James when I do it for him the first time. I step back into the path and start. My mind fills with the images, my ears hear the melody and my heart takes up the beat. My body expresses them all. The hand gestures flow, pouring through me and I lose myself in the music. My gift and my talent pour out with passion. For the four minutes of the song, I become one with it. Pharrell Williams and everyone else melds into me. When I reach the most difficult point, the transition from the girl on the sidewalk in the black and white vertical stripe pants doing her wild thing to the man who does a break dancing move from a headstand, pushing his folded body up with one hand, and I manage to move between the two with lightning fast reflexes, then pull it off flawlessly, I know I’m going to fucking own my return! I bounce right up and give the rest of the wiggling body dance exaggerated love! When I spin around and around at the end, I can literally hear the crowd clapping. I finish with a pretend hat pinch and come out of my dance trance.

  There is clapping!

  I focus my eyes on a table under the giant tent and see two beautiful people clapping. One is a man that looks exactly like my Golden God, only older. The other is a petite black haired woman. They must be Bob and Zita. I grin at them and take a bow. They rise from their chairs and I glance at Aurei. He sees what’s happening and pushes off the fence. He hangs up the phone and waves to them. I stand exactly where I am, froze to the spot from nerves and fear, waiting for the Moore’s to join me. The moment of truth is here and I’m not ready to meet the parents.

  Angel Thang

  Siri’s Heart #10

  When Siri Wright meets Mia, the Vice President of Moore Enterprises, she is forced to confront the angry woman who is fearful of having been replaced as Aurei Moore's confidant.

  Mia sets a trap to destroy Siri and drive her away. Forcing her to make the most important decision of her life. Stay with the man she loves and risk making him sacrifice everything he has built for her, or sacrifice herself for him and leave the man she loves, ensuring his reputation and family fortune remains respected.

  What does she do? And does Aurei have a say?

  About the Author

  Jessika Klide is my pen name.

  EVERYONE HAS SECRETS!

  (Visit JessikaKlide.com to learn more of mine.)

  You see, I'm from LA ... Lower Alabama. The Deep South. My mind is extremely sensuous, some call that slutty, so it's just better to use a pen name. Trust me on this! ;)

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  I’m an Amazon Bestselling Author with fans in over 25 countries. I've been interviewed by USA Today, Happily Ever After Blog, been on podcasts such as The V3TV Network with Vaughn Joseph, and quoted for relationshi
p advice in YourTango, My Joy Online, Men's Health, Bustle, Prevention Magazine, StyleCaster, and The Real Daily.

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