Being In Love (Siri's Saga Book 5)

by Cindee Bartholomew

  Aurei follows and hands me his phone. "You better hold this."

  I take it and nod at the fence behind him. Several ranch hands have stopped what they were doing and are leaning on the fence to watch. "I bet they have a wager if Caesar throws you are not."

  "Probably." He laughs. "It won’t be the first time he’s thrown me or the last I’m sure." He walks over to Caesar and I admire his ass flexing and rolling in his polo pants. When he stops, I turn my attention to Caesar. His eyes and ears are alert. When Aurei reaches for the reins, he bobs his head. As soon as Aurei unties him, he backs away. Aurei holds his ground and I see them squaring off. I notice the reins are extra-long and when Caesar rears, I know why.

  I call to Aurei. "Can I make a suggestion?"

  "Sure. Shoot." He says over his shoulder, not taking his eye off Caesar. "You are the horse whisperer."

  "Horse whistler is more accurate, but I do have an idea I learned from my Granddaddy. He was a horse whisperer."

  "I’m up for suggestions. I’m not looking forward to this part of the deal."

  "Have you ever ran Caesar before you tried to mount him?"

  "Do you mean exercise him on a lead? No. He doesn’t run in circles."

  "No. That’s too boring for a horse like him. I mean pair him with another horse like Rosso here and run him." Aurei looks right at me. "So you haven’t?"

  "No, I haven’t."

  "Want to?"

  He tilts his head thinking. "He doesn’t like to follow."

  "That’s the reason it will work." I untie Rosso and mount him. "Come on. We’ll ride doubles and you can hold his head. It’s worth a try. If you fall off, it won’t hurt near as much as it will if he throws you in front of them." I remind him that we have an audience. More men have come to the fence to watch.

  "That’s true." He waves to one of them to get the gate.

  I walk Rosso to Aurei and Caesar eyes us while Aurei mounts behind me. His black eyes are shiny and wild, but he isn’t sure what we are doing, so he semi-behaves, watching and prancing. Rosso, who is steady and unaffected by all of Caesar’s drama, shifts with Aurei’s weight. I steady him as Aurei’s hands slide around my waist. He shortens the reins and draws Caesar closer, who comes because he is curious. Then Aurei’s mouth nibbles my ear before he says. "He hates the exercise track. Hook a left out the gate, then take the first cut to the right. We’ll run him along the fence row, then out into the open area."

  I aim Rosso in the direction of the gate. "Just remember to let go of me if he pulls you off." I kiss his cheek. Aurei grasps a hand full of Rosso’s mane and I ask. "Ready?"

  "I sure hope so. OPEN THE GATE."

  When the gate swings open, Caesar’s eyes shift to it and he focuses on the getaway. "Hang on." I tell Aurei. "This is going to be a wild ride!" I suck my lips, kick as hard as I can and slap Rosso across the withers with the reins. The crack and pain makes the poor horse bolt in fright, then he runs for his life as he senses Caesar bearing down on him. We bounce at first, then hunker our asses down on him as he levels off and we fly out of the paddock through the gate. I have to pull his head sharp to the left to make the turn. Aurei works to control Caesar’s head and is only able to do so because he is a beast himself. On the straight away, we run at breakneck speed. We can hear the shouts and whistles of the Ranch hands behind us. Aurei holds Caesar in check, but his horse keeps trying to take the lead. At the right turn, I pull Rosso into it and he cuts Caesar off. Aurei quickly shortens the reins and manages to pull the horse alongside. With his head restricted, he is forced to match his long stride with Rosso’s shorter one. The speed we are going keeps him from fighting and he runs alongside. When we reach the end of the fence, we enter an open pasture. Both horses, feeling the freedom to run, pin their ears back and I let Rosso have his head.

  Aurei shouts over the thunderous rumble of their hooves. "Yeehaw!"

  My smile stretches from ear to ear. There’s my Alabama man! Everyone is enjoying the freedom!

  Chapter Nineteen

  When Rosso becomes winded, I slow him down then pull him to a quick stop. Aurei dismounts immediately, keeps Caesar close, walks around to the right, puts his foot in the stirrup, throws his leg over and sits the beast without a battle.

  Success!

  We grin at each other for just a moment before Aurei wheels Caesar around and they are off again. Aurei leans over his neck as Caesar’s long legs stretch out. The beauty of the view is not lost on me. The black horse charging with its mane floating in waves up and down against its stretched neck. Its ears pinned back with determination as it focuses on a distance spot. They thunder away and I watch as they become smaller and smaller, then disappear over the hill out of sight. I sit watching and waiting for them to reappear, but they don’t return. Realizing they aren’t coming back, I kick Rosso and we start heading that way at a more leisurely pace. When I reach the spot where they disappeared, I begin to see the top of what could only be the Arena. I’m flabbergasted as it comes into full view and I pull Rosso up to drink in the sight. It’s incredible!

  "I swear I’m in a freakin’ fairy tale!"

  I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, but the pain assures me this is real too.

  The Arena is a replica of the coliseum. The only difference is, it’s not as big or as tall. I kick Rosso into a gallop and we make our way to it. When I arrive, I see the entrance where Aurei went. The hole in the stadium is big enough to hold two semi trucks. I dismount, and walk Rosso in under an open canopied area. I laugh because although the exterior looks like the Coliseum, the inside is a football stadium. I admire the architectural design.

  Very clever! It’s modern, but keeps the ancient feel of the history and glory that was Roman. Facing the entrance, I can see a fairly large parking lot behind it. We must be at the edge of the property and they must use this for public events too. Like a civic center, or maybe for youth soccer. Cool!

  Standing at the edge, I see Aurei and Caesar are at the other end. He is putting his Warhorse through his paces. The Friesian’s brisk, high-stepping trot is beauty to behold. He is the epitome of what a Warhorse should be. From his erect carriage all the way down to the bottom half of his legs where the long, silky hair looks like floating feathers.

  He would be the horse Apollo would ride. I smile. And the Bastard son of Thor too. I can see my Dark Deity destroying an enemy back in the day!

  When Aurei spots me, he wheels Caesar around and they stop. The beauty of this view is not lost on me either. He sends the black horse charging across the area. I watch as my Golden God leans over his powerful neck. His golden halo against the wavy black mane. Caesar’s ears pinned back with determination as Aurei demands and commands him. They pull up and he sits on his haunches to stop.

  Thunderous glory!

  Aurei doesn’t speak to me. He just grins, then turns Caesar and charges back to the other side.

  Oh My Golden God! I love you so!

  I tie Rosso and take a seat, letting my mind wonder over all that is Aurei. Selena Gomez’s song "Nobody Does It Like You" starts to play in my mind and I tap my foot to it. He’s a dark Deity and I’m a wild child. That’s an explosive combination and I am forever changed. I can’t wait to see where we will be in a month, a year and more. Life is good with Aurelius, my one and only.

  My eyes find my man. What the hell? I sit up straight. He has a sword in his hand! I watch stunned as he exhibits expert hand play, twirling and spinning it, then tossing it to the other hand and catching it.

  Freakin’ phenomenal!

  Caesar charges and Aurei performs the same movements standing in the stirrups and leaning over Caesar’s neck.

  Holy Hades! That’s awesome! They are magnificent together. Sweet Zeus! I’m wild for this man! Nobody does it like you, Maximus Aurelius Moore! Nobody! The only thing that could make that sight more awesome is seeing the Bastard doing it. Hell To The Yeah, I’m looking forward to the Celebration now! He is the real deal! Damn! I’m a
lucky girl!

  He reins Caesar directly in front of me and smiles his beautiful smile! My heart melts with the sight of how truly happy he is right now. He waves to me to join him and brings Caesar to the wall to put his sword away. I jump at the chance and when I get there I hoist myself up. As soon as I’m close enough, he lifts me and puts me in the saddle with him. He sits me facing him, so I wrap my legs around his waist, my arms around his back and I nuzzle his neck, hugging him tight. He kisses my hair and asks. "Comfy?"

  "I won’t complain."

  I hear his throat hum that delicious sexy sound and then he clicks his cheek. I look back to see Caesar, whose ears are turned to us listening, prance away from the wall, drawing his neck up into a tight arch with his nose pointing at the ground. He side steps across the arena floor. I grin up at Aurei as I bounce against his groin and my tits grind into his chest. "Caesar isn’t entirely sure this is kosher."

  "He’s just showing off now."

  "Let’s hope that’s all this is. I would hate to get thrown from this position."

  "He’s not going to throw us now. He only tries that shit in the first few minutes."

  "But if he does, I just want you to know, I’m riding you down to the ground."

  He chuckles. "You just hold on tight to me, Baby Thang. I got ya!"

  I nuzzle him again. The bouncing from Caesar’s dance makes me ask. "Have you ever had sex on a horse before?"

  "No. We should add that to our bucket list."

  "Def addition!"

  "But not on Caesar. He is too high strung for that. We’ll do it on Blue when we get back to the farm."

  I squeeze him tight, then I remember my epiphany. "I forgot to tell you! I had a great idea about the bachelor party! Why don’t we fly the whole Alabama crew out to Vegas instead? I can put them all up at the MGM or Caesar’s Palace for a few days. Gaby and Steve could get married in one of the wedding chapels if they want and return without any Alabama drama. What do you think?"

  He leans his head down and puckers his lips. I place a butterfly kiss on them. "It’s not my decision. It’s Steve and Gaby’s, but I like the idea!"

  "Good. I do too."

  "Hang on. I’ve got to shift you. You’re killing my nuts!" He puts a hand under my ass and lifts me on to his thigh.

  I laugh. "Here. I’ve got a better idea." I duck under his arm, put my foot on Caesar’s back and stand up behind him. Caesar’s gait changes to a canter as his head comes up and one ear goes forward. He is totally unsure what he should be doing, but he’s trained enough not to bolt and that’s a good thing. Aurei holds his reins firm, but lets him adjust on his own. I put my hands on Aurei’s shoulders and ride absorbing the motion in my knees, then I lean forward on his back, stiffen my knees and spread my arms out wide.

  "What are you doing, Crazy Thang?"

  "I’m doing the Titanic!" I tell him, then I start to sing the theme song. "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion at the top of my lungs. Not at the beginning, but at the end where she sings that there is nothing to be afraid of. "Fear? Never again because you are here, Aurei, in my heart and we will go on. Forever is safe because of you."

  He chuckles at first as he guides Caesar under a firmer rein, controlling him so I’m safe from a possible misstep, then he reaches up for my hand and tells me. "Sit down, please."

  I can’t resist giving it to him and he puts it on his shoulder. I put my other hand there too, and lean over the top of his head. My hair flops over first, then my breasts bounce up and down on top of his head as I ease over and look at him upside down. "Why, Sugar Bare? I like standing. It’s exhilarating!"

  "Because I want you to."

  "What if I don’t want to?" I lick his face and he scrunches it, then laughs.

  "You should sit because I want you to, Kitten Thang."

  "But you know Kittens are naughty sometimes. Sometimes we do what we want and I’m feeling naughty." I lick him again.

  "Siri, sit down." I hear concern in his voice. "We have company coming in."

  "Where?" I lift my head and look around. "I don’t see anyone."

  I flop my head back down in front of him. "I can’t see anything either." He laughs, then says simply, "Siri," commanding me to obey.

  "Ok. Ok. I’m sitting." Both of Caesars ears are forward and his head lifts high. I open my knees and slide down his back. I let my legs dangle over the sides and hug him, I heard the rumble of a bike as it turns in the bay area.

  Quintus.

  Chapter Twenty

  "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 Hell 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.

  OH MY GOD! He didn’t just say that shit!

  "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 very beginning of my career when I was young and stupid."

  "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 get a good look at 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 am 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 bring 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.