Each thrust filled her, completing her. They were the perfect fit to the puzzle of love. His penis was hot and scorched her from within. Or was it her growing passion that burned like an inferno? The cool waters around them did nothing to douse their heated encounter.
"Oh, Julia, my love,” he gasped before his member grew within her, spilling his seed in heated waves.
She joined him in her own climax, squeezing him within her slick sheath. Screaming in ecstasy, she clutched his shoulders to ride out the waves crashing over them.
Her strength left her as her body's spasms ebbed. She slid down his body and her feet touched the bottom of the pool.
He nuzzled her, whispering his devotion into her ear. “Julia, I love you. I've never loved another woman. You always had my heart."
A cold splash of reality hit her then. She had only been there for a day. How could he love her? Was it the other person whose body she possessed, the one that he loved?
She let him go and lowered herself into the waters. She glided away from him without a word.
How could she let him into her heart? She already cared immensely for him, but was he truly in love with her, or Lady Julia? She wasn't really Lady Julia. She only had her body. Her real self was in the future, living in a small apartment with a cat and the remote control as companions.
"Is there something wrong?” His voice sounded strained, pain edged his words.
"I'm ... If I told you, you'd never believe it.” How could she tell him she truly wasn't Lady Julia, but a traveler through time? She just couldn't. He'd think her some sort of sorceress and probably walk away.
"Confide in me. What is it?” He moved through the water and swam to her.
"I can't tell you.” He eased his arms around her and she melted against him. “Let's not talk of it now. I just want to have you hold me."
She tried to forget thoughts of leaving her Roman lover and returning to her rightful time. Tonight, she'd enjoy her time with Marcus, the man of her dreams.
Chapter Four
Marcus was troubled by Julia's reluctance to tell him what plagued her. He thought for sure she loved him. Could it be she loved another? No, that couldn't be it. Even though she didn't say so, he knew her heart was his.
What could be the secret she held from him? Was it something that could make life more difficult? As if it wasn't already hard. Caesar was sure to take some sort of revenge. It wasn't like Julius to accept defiance calmly. He required obedience at all times. She had taken quite a risk by her bargaining for his life, but he had held the ultimate choice. He had chosen to be her slave.
And Caesar was not happy.
Women were always difficult to understand. When he was younger, he'd had his share of female attention. Even as a Royal guard, he had had women line up to grace his chambers. None ever touched his heart.
She had been born to Caesar's brother, Gaius Marius and named in honor of Julius. He had taken a special liking to her, and in doing so, he had requested her presence when he became dictator. Julia had arrived in Rome four years ago, and that was the first time Marcus had seen her.
Caesar had traveled throughout Africa and then to Spain, leaving Julia in Rome. It was Marcus’ duty to protect her. He was assigned to that duty by Julius himself, and after meeting her, he knew he'd lay down his life for her.
He had fallen for her immediately. There was no way he could fight his feelings. But, she was beloved of Caesar, and he was only a soldier. There was no way any match could become of it. He had never acted upon his longings, and had admired from afar.
His desire for women ceased once he had seen Julia. She was the only one he had longed for since. None could compare to the feelings she stirred within him from the merest glance. By the gods, he had wanted to show her his love, but had felt compelled to keep it to himself.
When Caesar had returned from Spain a year after she arrived, it didn't take long for him to recognize the look in Marcus’ eyes. He had tried to hide his feelings, but Julius was too sharp. Angered, he had had Marcus convicted and taken away, never to share the same space with his love again. Or, so Julius had planned.
All that had changed. She was in his life, and he wasn't going to let her go. Three years in the arena had toughened his spirit, hoping to one day be worthy of her. He was still a slave in the eyes of Rome, but to him, he was only a slave to Julia.
What could she possibly be hiding from him? Hadn't he waited and suffered enough? Well, there was nothing she would tell him that could change his heart. He had whispered the words of love to her and was hurt by her reaction. Was it too fast? Did she use him for the moment's pleasure?
That last thought was too disturbing to ponder. She wasn't a passing fancy to him. She was everything he had dreamed of, the only thing that made his days facing the blood and gore of the arena tolerable. She was his hope, his passion, his will to live.
He watched her climb out of the bathing pool, water sluicing over her skin. He groaned inwardly as the droplets traced each curve of her body. Picturing his tongue following the moist trail made his mouth water.
By the gods, she wouldn't shut him out of her heart so easily!
As she picked up the discarded bath sheet, he left the pool. Unaffected by his own nudity, he went to her. He snatched away the sheet, baring her body to his eyes once more. “Never hide yourself from me, Julia.” With that, he picked her up and cradled her into his arms.
The moment's awkward silence that had grown between them shattered as he captured her lips with his own. She responded, a small moan catching in her throat. Her body could never deny its own desires.
Breaking their bruising kiss, he carried her through the marble hall to her chamber. She cuddled into his arms, lightly raining kisses to his jaw.
No words were needed. He was all too aware of their mutual desire. His body was hot, scalding where it touched her. Finally, he would know the pleasures of her beneath him, yielding her control for him to love her. He had to worship each patch of skin.
Once in her bedchamber, he stepped to her bed and eased her down. He thought he'd burst into flames as he covered her body with his own. She was so incredibly hot to the touch. She moaned again, and he nearly lost his control. No, not yet. He had to taste her, drink from her.
She tugged at his shoulders, urging him to enter her, but he wouldn't. He kissed her deeply, marking her lips as his own. They'd be swollen from spent passion by the time morning arrived.
She nudged her hips against him, but he still denied her need. This time, he was the master. Sliding down her body slowly, he licked her creamy softness. She was food for the gods, ambrosia. Her nipples grazed his chest, hard and erect. When he took one into his mouth, she gasped. He caressed her breasts with his fingertips, relishing their firmness. He lavished one nipple and teased the other with his thumb and forefinger. She thrashed beneath him, but he refused to enter her.
Grasping his head, she held him to her breast. He took her taut berry-like nipple into his mouth, gently nipping the end. She cried out in delight and he proceeded to do the same to her other breast.
Her fingertips traced his neck then down over his shoulders. He could feel her body worship him in their intimate play. This was not just a melding of bodies. It was a union of destined souls.
Still slick from the water, his body moved down hers, savoring each lick, each drop of moisture. He gently kissed her skin as he traveled lower. Her flat abdomen quivered beneath his mouth, her breathing increasing as he neared her treasure. Oh yes, he had to find that jewel to send her careening over the edge.
Pausing above her curls, he eased open her legs further. Breathing deeply over her trimmed curls, he could smell her excitement, her unique feminine perfume. He brushed over her folds lightly with his fingertips, and she gasped. So sensitive.
He was fascinated by her body's response. He ran a finger deeper through her wet folds. She groaned and thrashed her head side to side. He denied touching that intimate gem, making he
r whimper in impatience. His fingers slid through her juices, testing her readiness. Then, he entered her with one finger. He relished her tight sheath, wet and receptive.
"You truly are beloved of Venus, Julia. You're made for me to enjoy, and you'll scream over and over in pleasure, begging for more."
She groaned at his words, then he plunged another finger up into her, gaining a cry of delight.
"Yes, sweet Julia, let me hear your moans, your sounds of pleasure. I want to feel the rapture that wracks your body. Tell me how you feel with each movement of my fingers within you.” He moved them out then back into her, and she whimpered.
No longer able to hold back anymore, he covered her clit with his mouth. Her walls contracted around his fingers as she flew into an orgasm. He teased her nubbin with his tongue, sucking upon it in joy over her response. Her nails dug into his scalp as she hit another precipice.
Yes, she was made for him. Her taste was sweeter than any Tuscan wine, and finer than any Egyptian linen. His heart nearly burst for love.
But, she didn't want his love.
He grazed his teeth over her throbbing center, and she cried out. Her mind might be confused, but her body knew. She was his.
Time. He'd give her the time to come to realize that they were meant to be. The Fates had brought them together. Only by the will of the gods could they have found each other. He had known his heart's desire four years ago, and now, she had to come to grips with her own. He was sure her heart would open to his eventually.
Slipping his fingers out of her passage, he moved up over her body. Hovering above her, he gazed down at her beautiful face. Yes, she'd realized one day, they were destined to love.
Her body felt too perfect beneath his, so soft and feminine.
She turned her head and looked up at his face. There! It was written on her face. Her heart belonged to him even if her lips could not speak of it.
Leaning down, he kissed her, sealing her unspoken declaration.
Julia felt tears burning her eyes as she gazed up into the face of love. Yes, she knew in her heart, she had fallen in love with Marcus, this man from another century. But, how could she speak of her feelings and risk the chance of having her heart break into pieces? Losing him would be like death. She didn't think she could live without his breath caressing her skin, or his fingertips tracing her curves. In only a matter of a day, her entire life had been turned upside down. Not only was it because she had traveled back in time, but she had fallen in love.
He kissed her and she gave into her deepest desire. She needed to feel him, have him consume her. She yearned for him to fill her body once again. No, she'd never get enough of his passionate loving.
She nudged her hips into his, and he groaned as his penis slid into her. What a feeling of total completion.
He began to move in then out then back again in slow thrusts. It wasn't urgent, but gentle, heartfelt—loving. With each motion, he grew larger within her. He fit her perfectly, and her inner muscles caressed his hot shaft. The feeling was enough to send her over the edge once again. But she held off, wanting to enjoy the sensations of his mating, his calculated tenderness. Never had a man made love to her so thoroughly. It was if she'd been sent there to meet this irresistible man to love.
Could that be possible? Had the spell sent her back in time for Marcus?
That would make sense.
"Julia, I love you,” he gasped, then grunted along with his body's surrender to the moment. She joined him in the union, allowing the wave of desire to flood over her like the heated jism now spurting into her canal.
And all she longed to say were her returned words of love, but her heart wouldn't allow it. It was as though verbalizing her feelings would give it credence. And she just didn't want to risk so much pain. Hurting Marcus was the last things she'd ever want to do. The question still plagued her mind as he rolled off of her once the climax receded. She curled into his body, hoping his warmth would ease her troubled thoughts.
What would happen once this trip was over? Would she return to her own time? And what of her lover? Would he remain in the past? Would she be left longing for the embrace of a man long dead?
She slipped into a restless sleep, praying when she woke up ... what did she hope for? For this to be a dream? Or an alternate reality? There really was no clear answer, other than the fact that she loved being held by the man who had charged into her heart.
Her life would never be the same again.
* * * *
Caesar paced the chamber while Cleopatra preened, lounging in their bed.
He just couldn't believe Julia. She had defied him! After all he had done for her, she wanted to take a Gladiator, a slave, as a lover.
"My dear, he is handsome and it's perfectly understandable why Julia finds him so appealing.” Cleopatra took a plum from a tray of fruits sitting upon their bed and bit into the succulent skin.
"Possibly, but she knew that I disapproved of it. I made that quite clear."
"True, but when a woman finds a man irresistible, it is hard to think with anything but that desire."
He glanced over to her and she smiled while moving her leg to allow small peaks of her intimate jewel. Damn, she was the seductress, and it was no wonder why they had become lovers so quickly.
That night so long ago, she had presented him with a gift. Concealing herself in an elaborate rug, she had unrolled from it ready to seduce him into her embrace. She wasn't overly beautiful, but her intelligence and sharp whit made her attractive. And how could he, as a man, resist her luscious curves presented for creatively? They became lovers that night, and had been so ever since. He found it hard to tear himself from her side.
"Are you telling me that's how you think of our relationship, dear Cleopatra? Can you think of nothing but desire when you look upon me?"
She slid seductively along the soft sheets of his bed. She knew how to catch his eye, and he liked watching her. She was his weakness. “Am I not one of your desired acquisitions already, great Caesar, ruler of all Rome, and of my heart?"
He crossed the room to lie down upon her, her soft, alluring curves fitting perfectly against his hard body. “Yes, I am your conqueror. And only you can rule over my heart."
Covering her pouty lips with his own, he released his desire in a bruising kiss. Damn she always was able to make him forget everything. Their attraction was beyond the physical. She was his equal.
There had been much debate in the Senate over their son, Caesarion. Thus lay the underlying reason Cleopatra visited Rome. She wished her son to become the next ruler of Rome. As much as he loved this Egyptian temptress, Julius could not publicly acknowledge Caesarion as his son. The political upheaval at the move would destroy the very Republic he had built. He would not risk civil war, not even for his lovely Cleopatra.
"Oh, Great Caesar, forget about the slave and Julia. Let her have her fun. It will be over before it begins. Nothing can come of it."
He rained kissed along her jaw and down the column of her throat. “Didn't you see the lust in Marcus’ eyes when he looked upon her? That is what bothers me. It bothered me three years ago, too,” he murmured against her skin, amazed how they managed to make love and talk business at the same time. She was a witch at getting her way, and she used sex as her ultimate weapon.
"Mmm. Yesss.” She breathed deeply then said in a whisper, “I saw the emotion in his eyes, but I don't think it is only lust. He loves her. That can be an advantage. He will lay down his life for her."
He stopped and looked down into her face. “So, what are you saying?"
"If it bothers you so much, use it to the best advantage."
A smile came to his lips as a plan began to hatch within his mind.
Chapter Five
"Milady,” Aelia whispered from the doorway.
Julia stirred from her deep sleep. Within Marcus’ arms, she had found the best rest she had ever had. “Yes, Aelia? What is it for you to wake me up so early?"
/> "Early? Why, ‘tis midday."
"What?” She sat up bolt straight and glanced toward the balcony. The sun was bright and the room had grown warm. She must have been more tired than she realized.
"What is it?” Marcus asked in a sleepy voice.
She looked down as his blue eyes caressed her with their tired gaze. She doubted any sculpture of a Roman god could be sexier.
"I don't know.” Toward the doorway she called, “Aelia, come in. Tell me what you want."
They were both covered with a sheet Marcus had pulled over them sometime last night.
"Milady, a stranger is here asking to see Marcus.” Then she whispered, “'Tis a Roman Senator."
"Oh, that's Gaius Maelius. I drive his horses in the Great Circus."
"What would he want here?” Julia asked.
"I guess he's wondering if I can still drive his chariot now that I'm your slave."
"Do you wish to?” Images of the movie actor who'd played Ben Hur flooded her mind. It was exciting to watch in a movie, but in real life? She suddenly felt queasy.
"That was my one true joy. I hope to, if you allow it. However, I was not aware of any races scheduled."
"I guess you better go talk to him then.” Should she tell him how much she disliked the idea of him racing?
"I will tell him you will be out soon, and serve him some refreshment in the meantime.” Aelia bowed briefly and left them, closing the door lightly behind her.
Julia turned to him and laid a hand against his face. “You aren't my slave, Marcus. Here with me, you are free."
He pulled her beneath his body. “I know, and it just makes me love you that much more.” He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. She wrapped her arms about his neck, and opened herself to his kiss. Waves of emotion washed over her, sending elated sensations coursing through her veins.
"Please tell me you love me, Julia.” His voice was husky as he nuzzled her neck, tasting her skin.
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