The room erupts with clapping and gets loud immediately. Aurei leans over to hear what I want to say. I lay my lips on his ear. "You are always right."

  He whispers back in mine. "Most of the time."

  Two Hundred Nineteen

  Aurei comes back into the bedroom from the patio. He’s been on the phone with someone since we got back to the cabin. I could hear him talking, but couldn’t make out what he was saying. When he hangs up, he tosses it on the table, then comes to bed. He crawls over to me, then plops down next to me and reaches around, pulling me against him to snuggle. "I love it when a plan comes together!"

  "Good news then?"

  "Yes. That was the final piece of the puzzle and it slid in place perfectly. Everything is set for the announcement tomorrow." He smiles at the ceiling, then he turns his gorgeous green gaze on me and I smile at him. He looks so happy right now.

  "It’s a done deal?"

  "It’s a wrap as they say in your entertainment world." He rolls me away to spoon against him and we lay there for a few minutes. Each lost in thought about what will happen the next day.

  "I’m happy for you."

  "I’m happy for us." He kisses the top of my head.

  As we snuggle, I lay there thinking about the dinner, and his family. "Aurei, will you tell me a bedtime story?"

  He chuckles. "Sure, Baby Thang. I’ll tell you a love story." He strokes my hair and starts to speak. "There once was a Growling Bear, who loved everyone and no one."

  "Is this a fairytale?"

  "Yes."

  "Does it have a happily ever after ending?"

  "Yes." He squeezes me.

  "I like it already. Go ahead."

  "Shh. Listen. Please."

  "Meow." I giggle. "I am a quiet kitten."

  "Ummhmm. Proof’s in the puddin'."

  "Ha!" I pinch him and snuggle closer, then I yawn.

  "Where was I? Oh, yeah. There once was a Growling Bear, who loved everyone and no one." He starts to stroke my hair again. "He was a miserable soul. One night he wondered into a place where there was no time. The sun never rose and the sun never set. It was a perpetual heaven, or was it a perpetual hell? Doesn’t matter." He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. "People were happy and laughing, music was playing and pretty girls were dancing. The Growling Bear liked the party house and was looking for a girl to love."

  "Actually he was just looking for a girl to fuck but found a girl to love." I correct him.

  "Shush. You’re supposed to be listening."

  "Oops." I giggle.

  "When he saw the most beautiful girl of all, her locks of hair were gold like his. Her body was strong like his. Her smile was sweet and warm."

  "Like his." I add.

  "This Goldilocks dancer seemed perfect and the Growling Bear was so excited to find her. He waited for her show to end, and he hunted her, but she wasn’t to be found. She magically disappeared. He was very confused. The next night he returned and like an experienced hunter, he stalked his prey, but she remained very elusive, this Golden Dancer. Then one day he made a deal with the devil to have the Goldilocks girl. The devil was a shrewd businessman and made the Growling Bear pay handsomely for some serious alone time with her. The Growling Bear was happy to pay, knowing the hunt would finally be over and he would finally fuck her!"

  I giggle and squirm in his arms so I can kiss his lips. "I told you so!"

  He grins caught, then gives me the peck I want.

  "The Growling Bear thought the date was set. An appointment had been made. When he left the city, he knew he would have her when he returned. But the Growling Bear had to make a deal with another devil. An invisible devil that made him dance for her. The Growling Bear jumped through all sorts of hoops to be granted and guaranteed the alone time he so desperately had to have with her. While he waited, he could think of nothing, but the Golden Dancer. Night and day, day and night. He knew what he wanted and knew he would make it happen."

  "What did he want?"

  "He wanted her to be his."

  "Umm. That’s the right answer."

  "While he waited for the date to arrive, he flew to New York City and found the finest goldsmith. He had the jeweler craft a special necklace for the Golden Dancer. Finally the news came that the Growling Bear had been granted his wish. In three days, he would have her! He flew out that night. When he arrived, he went to find her, but she wasn’t there. He left and went back the next day. As soon as he walked in, he saw her! She was more beautiful, more perfect, than he remembered. He called the Jeweler and had the necklace flown on winged horses to him. It arrived that same day. The Growling Bear had a plan. He would wine and dine the Golden Dancer. He would make her laugh and make her tingle from his touch. He would seduce her, and try to fuck her, but he would not force her. He would not break her; he would tame her. When she wanted him, he would collar and claim her with the golden necklace!"

  "Ummhmm."

  "The hour came. The clock struck midnight and just like Cinderella, the Golden Dancer vanished. The Growling Bear was devastated! He was so horny and needy for her! Damn! It was bad!"

  I giggle. "Poor Bear!"

  "Yes. He was a very poor bear and wanted to rip the head off of the devil, but knew he would never see her if he did. So he got the hell out of there and flew home to wait for her return. He called every week asking if she was back and making sure the devil knew he would have his date. Then your friend, Karma, delivered her right to the Growling Bear’s door."

  "I think Karma delivered the Growling Bear to Golden Dancer’s door, but we’ll let that little detail slide. Go on. I’m interested now to see how the story ends."

  "It doesn’t. It goes on forever." He kisses my hair.

  "Oh my gosh! You are so sweet!"

  "But I’ll continue my tale. When the Growling Bear sees her, he is stunned! Not only because she is simply stunning, and flashes her perfectness at him, but because he realizes she could be perfect for him. Wisely, the Growling Bear changes his game. Now he wants all of her, not just her body, her heart too. The Growling Bear works very hard to go slow with the taming of the Wild Thang, making sure he doesn’t scare the Golden Dancer away. A funny thing begins to happen to the Growling Bear. Do you know what happened?"

  "No. What?"

  "The more he was with the Golden Dancer, the less he growled inside. She transformed him."

  "Yes, she did. Now he is a Sugar Bare!"

  He laughs at that. "Now he is her happy, content and complete, Sugar Bare."

  I roll over again and stare into his green eyes. I see peacefulness. "And they lived happily ever after?"

  "Yes, but wait. There’s more to this story."

  I grin as I put my lips on his. "Ah. I like Moore!" I roll back over to spoon again. "Continue."

  "Remember the necklace the Growling Bear bought?"

  "Yes. It’s beautiful and the Golden Dancer loves it!"

  "Well, when the Golden Dancer gave her hearts to the not so Growling anymore Bear, he had the necklace engraved with a secret message for her."

  "Does the Golden Dancer ever learn what it says?"

  "She does." I wait for him to tell me, but he doesn’t say anything he just holds me tight.

  "Does the Sugar Bare ever tell her?"

  "Yes. He tells her while he holds her in his arms."

  "Good because she really wants to know."

  "It says. Cielo è uguale sposar mi."

  "That sounds so super sexy. What does it mean?"

  "It means he promises to never let her go."

  I kiss his arm. "Heaven equals holding on?"

  "Sort of." He sounds amused.

  "Heaven equals forever yours?"

  "Sort of." He brushes my face with his fingers. "The complicated lives of Sugar Bare and Golden Dancer must play out a little more before the secret is revealed, but Sugar Bare promises Golden Dancer that it will be worth waiting on."

  I yawn, then tell him with a light hearted answer as I flip over. "Fuck you, Aurei. You and your secrets!"

  "I know." He yawns too, pulls my body up close, and squeezes my tit, then slides his golden rod into my holding zone. I squeeze my ass cheeks against it and he tweaks my tit. We lay there holding each other thinking, then I hear his breathing become steady.

  "Goodnight, Sugar Bare."

  "Goodnight, Wild Thang." He buries his nose in my hair. "I love the way you smell."

  I wait for his soft snoring to begin. It is like a fan you get used to falling asleep with. I close my eyes and sigh. This is Heaven.

  Two Hundred Twenty

  I wake when I hear his boots clicking on the tile floor. He is heading to the Bear door! I jump up and throw back the bed curtain. "Aurei Moore! Your ass better not be leaving me without a goodbye kiss!"

  I hear him stop, then the clicking gets closer. He comes back to the bed explaining. "I kissed you, but you were...." The Bastard Son of Thor in all his thunderous, gorgeous Golden God glory pushes the curtain away and smiles at me as he sits his helmet down and leans over to give me what I want.

  "Snoring?" I finish for him.

  His eyes crinkle. "No. Purring." He purses his lips and exhales mimicking me, then he gives me a peck. I put my arms around his neck and give him an Eskimo kiss. "Go back to sleep. The sun isn’t up yet."

  "I’m glad I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt today."

  "I’m glad too."

  I chuckle and let go, falling onto the pillow. He picks up his helmet, reaches for something at the foot of the bed, then tosses Titty Bare to me. "Here. You two girls snuggle together while I’m gone. I’ll see you later on."

  I wrap her up and spoon with her. He closes the curtain and as his clicks go to the door, I tell him. "I love you, Maximus Aurelius Moore."

  "I love you too, Siri Wild Thang Wright."

  The Bear door clicks softly and he is gone. I drift back to sleep and dream peaceful happiness.

  When I wake, I’m not sure if it is morning or not. I stare up at the Heavenly mosaic and it appears to be bathed in soft natural light. I lay on my back with Titty Bare in a tight hug and think about nothing while the cobwebs of heavy, restful sleep clear. "Umm, you smell like Aurei." I stick my nose on her face and take a deep breath. "His scent is so intoxicating. Heavenly."

  Suddenly flashes of images, thoughts, words and hints fly across my mind. My eyes shoot wide open. My breath and heart crash.

  I think I know what the inscription is.

  Panic fills me. I sit straight up and grab Titty Bare. I hold her out in front of me and ask her. "Do you think that’s what it is?"

  She stares blankly at me and I hug her tight to me. Oh My Fucking Golden God! That thought scares the hell out of me.

  But my heart soars with it. I hold her out again and ask her. "Could that be it? Surely not!" I look up at the mosaic and feel in my gut I’m right. "Sweet Zeus! Father of the Fucking Gods! Holy Mother, Hera! What if I am right?"

  My breath and my blood start pumping as the dam breaks. I jump out of the bed. Siri! Don’t even go there! Trying not to flee from sheer panic, I head for the pool. The blinds have been pulled and the room is dark, but when I snatch the door open, bright midday sun blinds me. I stagger to the edge of the water and dive in. It’s a nice temperature, but not warm. It’s refreshing. The shock helps to settle my nerves. As I swim, pulling myself through the water, forcing my breath to be deep and cleansing, shutting out the turmoil of the world, hearing only the muffled sound of water and my own breath, while my eyes focus on the pattern on the pool bottom, flipping at the ends and pushing off, gliding, then kicking, then stroking, my head clears and my thoughts slow down. I swim laps while my thoughts terrorize me.

  Everything he does has a purpose! I said that last night about him. So if this inscription says what I think it says, I need to be prepared to give him an answer.

  Do I?

  I def do!

  But would I?

  I def would!

  But should I?

  That’s the question. If I do, what will he expect from me? And if this does say that, when? Now? It isn’t now! But once he translates it, when will he expect it to happen? How will my life change? His life is about to change dramatically I imagine. Perhaps this is cautionary for him. Perhaps he intends for it to be in the distant future, and he wants to make sure I knew how long ago he wanted this to happen. That sounds like Aurei. Always prepared. And if it doesn’t work out, then I would never have known because he kept his intention a secret in Italian. Hmmm. But I need to be ready if or when he does. I want to be honest with him. That’s only fair to both of us. Fuck! How can we fucking make this work? Because we love each other to the stars and back ... and there would be no real life without him in it. Sweet Zeus! He had it inscribed so quickly. Saturday. Surely I’m wrong! How could he possible decide something so life altering after only one fuck? Don’t jump to any conclusions, for Zeus’ Sake, Siri. He is Maximus Aurelius Moore! He has given whatever this is considerate thought.... It may not even be what you think it is.... But ... he has been actively searching for someone far longer than I have ... and he has been loving me far longer than I’ve been loving him too.... I know I’m right. Heaven equals a forever commitment, and he and I know I will say yes, despite the should I. The only question really is when?

  I stop swimming and glide in the water. When I lose speed, I dive like a dolphin, and come up out of the water, doing an Ariel hair flip, spraying water everywhere. I look up, smiling as the water lands in big droplets around me.

  Heaven would equal that. How come our lives are so fucking complicated? We are from Alabama. Ha! But we are two adults with extraordinary lives.

  I wipe the water from my face and tell myself. "I need to get out of here. I can think about this and the implications later. Right now I need to get up to the big house to be with his family. Family first." I wade through the water to the ladder, trailing my fingertips along the top. "Ann and Bee should have arrived by now. Now that’s a heavenly thought!"

  Walking through the bedroom, dripping water on the floor, I spot Titty Bare in the bed. I run over to her and give her a quick hug, kiss the top of her head, and sit her up on her throne of pillows. Then I head to the bathroom to shower and get dressed. When I walk through the dressing room, a white toga dress hanging on the rack in a plastic bag catches my eye and I change direction to examine it closely. It literally shimmers with beauty when I unzip it and remove it from its cover. It is trimmed with gold braid and has gold and what looks like diamonds threaded throughout. It is the most incredible gown I have ever held in my arms. My breath and my heart crash again when I realize what it is. "OH SHIT SIRI!" I shake my head. You’re right! You are DEF right! Holy Hades! This is beautiful! The gold broach that holds the gathered fabric on the shoulder is a solid gold ring and hanging off is a heart locket of sapphires and diamonds. I gently hold it, treasuring it. What a thoughtful man! What a sweet man! Damn he has good taste too. I chuckle as I reach for the bag to put it back. There is a note attached. The first words are written in Italian, then under it is scratched the translation in English. 'Thank you for trusting us with this honor. We are proud to deliver it ahead of schedule.' Ahead of schedule. Last night’s words echo. 'The complicated lives of Sugar Bare and Golden Dancer must play out a little more before the secret is revealed, but Sugar Bare promises Golden Dancer that it will be worth waiting on.' Oh yeah. You are definitely worth waiting on, Sugar Bare. There is no one like you on this earth.

  I remove the bag, then hit the button to push the clothes along looking for a colored one to put it in instead of this clear one. I don’t want Aurei to even suspect I saw this. As the clothes move by, I realize about half are women’s clothes. I slow it down and begin to take notice of what is in here. There is a wide variety of colors and styles of suits, and t-shirts, dresses for casual and dining. Everything a woman needs. I’m again gobsmacked with the smallest details that Aurei has taken into account on my behalf. He is the most fucking competent man ... person ... I have ever met! Why would I worry? He has everything under control. Just trust him, Siri! He’s got this!

  I don’t find a colored bag, so I put the Goddess gown back in the clear one and hang it on the rack. I whisper to it as I hit the button to store it well out of sight. "Laters, Babe! When my Golden God is ready." Then I sit down on the bench and just breathe, feeling Aurei’s essence whispering in my ear. "Breathe, baby. Breathe with me, Sweet, Wild Thang. Slow down. Nice and slow." I close my eyes and breathe, stabilizing myself. In. Out. In. Out. I smirk. He’s never letting me go! Never! Good Girl Goddess takes on a whole other meaning! Ummhmm.

  My phone dings, breaking my thoughts. It’s Aurei. I make a mad dash for it back into the bedroom, and almost bust my ass on the wet floor. Grabbing it, I read as I make my way back to the dressing room.

  My Fucking Golden God: *Good afternoon, My Every Thang. My Find Friends app tells me you are still in bed. Wish I was there with you. I have laid out your clothes I want you to wear. Yes. The panties are a must and you know why. ;) Maybe we should nickname them drip pans. I see you smiling! Here’s a song for you too.*

  It’s "Hold That Thought" by Chuck Wicks. I click play.

  It’s so fucking sweet! I love this, Sugar Bare! Gawd! How I do love you! I pull it close to my breast and sway with it.

  *Umm. I’ll hold that thought forever whenever we are apart!*

 

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