“Capito and Longa would like very much to meet you. Longa in particular has a proposition for you,” he said.
“Proposition?”
“After I told them about your weaving talent, Longa became very excited. She says that she would love to partner with you in opening your business. She already knows several women who would not only buy clothes for their children, but for themselves. Rich women who would spend the money on your wares rather than weave their own or require slaves to do it.”
Amazement stopped her from speaking.
When she said nothing, his voice held a tinge of worry. “Are you angry with me for telling them about your situation?”
She smiled and her hands slipped over his strong forearms. “No. This is...I do not have the words for it. It’s wonderful.”
“Then you will talk with Longa about it? She knows the perfect place in the forum where you could rent space.”
“I will speak with her.”
“Good.” He kissed the top of her head.
Once more his big hand slid upward until he cupped her breast. He lightly pinched her nipple, and she gasped. “Terentius.”
“Mmm?”
“What are you doing?”
“What does it feel like? Don’t worry. Just enjoy it.”
And enjoy she did. As he cupped and touched, tweaked and stroked, her arousal heightened. Between her legs, a keen yearning for completion built.
Her entire body flushed, but she didn’t speak.
“Will there be slaves at Capito and Longa’s place?” she asked a few moments later.
“They told me they’ve hired a man for the night. He is stoking fires for the caldarium.” Once more his breath touched her ear. His tongue slid warmly over her earlobe, and she shivered in pleasure. “We shall be all alone otherwise.”
“I wish we could be entirely alone.”
“You fear the man watching us while we love?”
“Of course.”
“He is hired to ignore everything but heating water.”
“That doesn’t mean he won’t look.”
He laughed. “Sometimes having others watch is exciting.”
She gasped and twisted around enough to deliver a withering look. “Honestly? People do that?”
“You know they do. Don’t play that innocent with me.”
“Maybe I do know...but I’ve never...”
“No one will watch us. Ever. I want you all to myself.”
His possessiveness should have bothered her, but instead she enjoyed the concept. She wanted to be his woman. Now and forever.
The idea shocked her.
His. Forever.
How could she stay his and still be...herself?
They reached Capito and Longa’s residence and rode around to the back to the stables. After tying up the horse, Terentius unlocked the back door and they entered. A short man appeared in a doorway. He greeted them and explained he was hired to keep the bath water hot for them. He directed them further into the house. They lit oil lamps and Adrenia wandered along with Terentius, admiring the mosaics, the atrium and other rooms that gave the appearance of a small villa.
“Come,” Terentius said, “let’s discover the bath.”
The hired man told them to venture ahead, and he’d bring them food. At the mention of a meal, her stomach growled.
Nestled into a corner of the home, they discovered rooms designed to represent separate baths for men and women. The high ceilings, elaborate frescos and mosaic flooring defined wealth. The baths weren’t as large as those at Cordus Villa but provided a more intimate experience. Shaped in a square, the baths held three compartments. One held the tepidarium, one the frigidarium and the other the caldarium.
Within a short time the slave brought in two platters of food, obviously freshly prepared. Anticipation coiled inside her. She’d never connected sexuality with feasting, but the mere scent of meat and other delicacies aroused undeniable eagerness for other earthy pleasures.
The slave placed the food on a low table near an elaborate, large pallet that resembled a full-fledged bed. Sumptuous pillows graced the bed, as well as warm-looking furs.
“I’ll be in the fire room should you need me, sir.” The man bowed and left.
Terentius slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Come, let us eat.”
“Where are the couches?” she asked as he led her toward the big pallet.
Terentius smiled. “Perhaps Capito and Longa desire pleasures here.”
“We can’t find pleasures on a couch?”
He laughed and sat next to her. “Of course we can.” He bounced and the bed didn’t move. Terentius cocked one brow and threw her a wicked smile. He leaned in close and tasted her with a delicate brush of lips against lips. “Let us eat and then enjoy the baths.”
She moistened her lips as her body reacted along with her heart. While they ate, more emotions teased her. What if the blazing heat she’d felt for him when he’d pleasured her before didn’t live up to another repetition? Her stomach clenched.
“Wine?” he asked.
When she nodded, he poured her a large goblet. “Are you trying to make me drunk?”
He laughed as he filled his own goblet almost as full. “I think you’re nervous, and I’m drunk with the knowledge that if you wish, you’ll be mine tonight.” He raised his glass. “A toast to us.”
They clicked together their goblets, and she drank a healthy swallow. This wine was far better than what she’d tasted the other day at Pella’s, and the sweetness filled her mouth and rushed headlong throughout her body.
Fire heated Terentius’s gaze, a smoldering designed to express how deep his desire ran. “There’s no need to be nervous. I gave you pleasure before.”
“Oh, indeed.” A restless energy built inside that she wanted to appease. “I want to skip the food and go directly to the bath.”
He reached for her hand and placed it on his thigh. Hard, hot muscles flexed under her touch. “I’m eager as well, but if we go slowly, and then slower still, your pleasure will magnify.”
Excited and breathless, she managed some coherent thought. “There is more pleasure than what I experienced before?”
“Most certainly.” Terentius lifted a morsel of meat to her mouth. “Come. Taste.”
She moved his fingers and felt his thigh muscles move. “Just taste?”
“One bite only.”
She obliged, and the spicy meat tingled over her lips and tongue. She chewed slowly. His gaze caught hers as he took the rest of the piece and popped it in his mouth. One by one they demolished the meat in this fashion, pausing only to taste their wine. As he wiped his hands on a cloth, she reached up and cupped his cheek. He hadn’t shaved, and the rough prickle against her skin sent a sensual shiver straight between her legs.
“That was delicious. I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” she said.
Terentius’s grin filled with genuine pleasure, his eyes warm in the low light. Mysteries abounded between them, asking for exploration and discovery. She wanted to know them all, excavate them until no part of Terentius could hide from her.
Adrenia sighed in contentment. “You did all this for me?”
“No.”
“No?”
He placed the empty plate on the table and gathered her hands in his. He kissed her fingers, one by one, and tingles darted up each digit. “I did it for you and me.”
Ease returned at his reassurance, and she made an exasperated noise. “You’re a mischievous one. I never would have guessed.”
“Why not?”
“Because when I first saw you, I thought you were a powerful, cold soldier. Someone who could kill and not look back.”
“I’m all of those things. But only in war and to save lives.”
“Like when you saved mine? When that man ran toward me at the...when they killed my mother and father?”
“Like then. You know I would do it again, if it meant saving you.”
�
��How can I express what that makes me feel?”
“Say nothing. Show me.”
As he continued to tease her fingers, more sensual waves swallowed her whole. He licked her palm softly and she giggled. “Oh. Stop. That feels...”
“What?” His voice went husky. “What does it make you feel?”
Breathless with building excitement, she managed one word. “Reckless.” She tapped the slight indent in his chin. “Tell me everything about you I don’t already know.”
He gathered the hands he’d tortured to his chest. Under his tunic, his heart beat strong and sure, and his powerful muscles pulsed with heat and life. “If you are to know all about me, then I must know about you.”
“You’ve seen all. There’s nothing for me to hide.”
He tilted is head to the side slightly. “Oh, but there are depths to you that will take months, maybe years to understand.”
Terentius drew his fingers over the top of her hand, and she thought she’d go mad. His eyes, as deep as the lush fields that grew in the spring and summer, captured and held hers. “Tonight we will know but a small portion of the pleasure I want to show you.”
“Oh. Like a festival to the gods. A slow and languorous feast.”
“Mmm. Very much like that.”
He leaned and his lips found hers. Unlike the tentative brush she expected, he plunged deep into the kiss. She responded with equal fervor, until they drew back, panting and hot.
His eyes grew serious. “There is nothing you can’t tell me. Nothing. I’ll hear it all and listen.”
“What if I am afraid?”
He frowned, and his fingers tightened on hers. “You know I would die before I hurt you.”
“I’m not used to revealing anything to anyone.”
“Not even Pella?”
“Well, she’s the exception. My father was...well, you know what he was. And my mother, she hated me.”
Terentius’s touch gentled. “Come. Let us sink into the caldarium for a while, and you can tell me what you’ve never told another man.” Nervous, she stood slowly. She turned away for a second and wandered toward the bench near the steaming caldarium. She couldn’t speak, her throat tight with unspoken emotions.
He rose from the pallet and came toward her, each step deliberate but not rushed. “You still fear what it means to be with me.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll give you the time you need. However long it takes.” He touched her cheek, his fingers a tender brush.
She released the stola clips at her shoulders and the bodice fell to her waist. A thin cloth belt kept the garment from falling to her feet. He stared as if he’d never seen breasts before, his eyelids half-mast as he soaked in the sight. Terentius took a step closer, just enough to bring him within inches. She knew he wanted her, but she also knew he’d tantalize, drive her to within an inch of discovering a new plateau.
She wanted to forget the horror of what she’d experienced not so long ago, and do it by loving Terentius with every breath.
Terentius tunneled his fingers through her hair. “You’re so beautiful.” His gaze trailed over her breasts with hungry attention. “When I touched you the first time, I didn’t know what beauty lay here.” He cupped her breast reverently. “Or here.” He kissed her lips with sweet, swift attention. “Or here. You are the sweetest, most gentle woman I’ve ever known. The more time I spend with you, the more I want to be with you.”
His words created sheer wonder and obliterated all sorrow and pain. She cupped his face in both hands. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.”
When he released her, she untied her belt, and the stola pooled around her ankles. She stepped out of it and sat on the padded bench. Terentius watched her, his gaze pure male appreciation. The heated way he looked at her awed Adrenia. Feminine power stirred, rose like a storm. She liked the way his attention devoured, his vulnerability evident. He was unguarded, wanting her. She leaned over and undid her boots, then put them aside.
With slow movements, he undid his belt. He shucked his boots and drew his tunic over his head. His clothes pooled on the floor at his feet. Naked, he stood in his glory for her to inspect and admire. And admire she did. She hadn’t seen many naked men, and this one...oh he was special. His broad, tanned shoulders and glorious arms she’d seen before. Pectoral muscles, sprinkled with dark hair, flexed as he moved. Hair trailed down over his ridged stomach. His erect manhood nested in dark hair. Corded thighs and calves showed a prowess she found fascinating. Even in the low light she could see scars marring his skin. A long white scar slashed across his ribs. Another drew a solid line down his right thigh. She wanted to explore him without hesitation or remorse.
Mine. He is all mine.
As if Terentius read Adrenia’s mind, he said, “I’m yours.”
Emboldened, she took slow steps toward him until her breasts pressed against his chest, until her hips felt his potent masculinity. Her arms looped around his neck.
He cupped her butt and lifted her up so that her legs came around his waist. “A smile parted her lips. “Perhaps it is I who is eager to make love.”
“The sweetness between your legs says this is true.” He shifted to the edge of the pallet and urged her to lie down upon the cool surface. “Let me taste you.”
His knelt between her legs, opening her thighs for easier access. Heat crawled up her face as he bent her knees and spread them farther apart.
“Open to me.”
His command was husky and deep and brooked no defiance. She looked up at him with wide eyes and some trepidation.
“Let it come,” he said. “Whatever you want to say, whatever you feel. Let it come.”
Freed by a few simple words, she eased her thighs wider. Whatever he did next, she knew it would generate the greatest pleasure. He dipped his head and teased her with slow, tender licks. She gasped and her hips arched.
“Terentius!”
He didn’t stop or ask if she found pleasure. She writhed as his tongue played over her secrets, tasted and explored with an intimacy far more amazing than she’d imagined a woman could experience with a man. He caressed her thighs, teasing with his thumbs. Whimpers exited her throat as her hips twisted this way and that in search of bliss. She gasped as he licked deep and thrust his tongue inside her. His tongue became the invader, pumping inside her, then brushing featherlight over her clit. She groaned and begged, but he wouldn’t relent. Two fingers slipped deep inside her wetness. He sucked her clit and the pressure became too much. She cried out as ecstasy threw her upward, shaking, gasping, shivering.
“Terentius...” She gasped for breath. “That was...was amazing.”
He licked his lips and smiled as he crawled upwards over her body. He drew her into sitting position, then sat on the edge of the pallet himself.
“Now, taste me Adrenia. Take me in your mouth.” The dramatic heat in his eyes demanded.
And she wanted to give.
As he spread his thighs wide and leaned back on his palms, his cock pointed straight upward. Thick. Iron hard. Long.
Delighted, but afraid she might do something wrong, she knelt on the hard floor between his legs. At first she stared at his erection, then smiled and fisted it in her palm.
He groaned, and his head fell back. “By the gods. That’s good. More.”
Adrenia licked the tip and the slightly salty taste made her hesitate. His gasp spurred her onward. Obviously, he liked it. Again she licked. He wrapped his hand around hers and showed the motion he liked. Up and down her palm moved, her tongue dancing, probing and teasing as he’d done to her. Her pleasure increased, excitement dawning harder and faster as Adrenia gave her all. Her mouth slipped over his cock and instinctively she sucked.
He groaned loudly and shook, his voice guttural with pleasure. “Wait. No more or I’ll burst. Come with me.”
He walked with her to edge of the caldarium, then hoisted her in his arms. She squealed in delight, impressed by his strength an
d wondering what mischief he planned.
He took the few steps down into the steaming water. Hot liquid lapped over her sensitive skin. Goosebumps ran up and down her body even with the warmth. “Ah, this feels good.”
He kissed her forehead. “Very good.”
As Terentius eased Adrenia back against the side of the caldarium, his mouth found hers, and all thoughts fled. She didn’t know where he ended and she began. Squirming in delight, she closed her eyes and savored his kiss. His cock slid back and forth through her wetness, testing, moving, drawing forth more response. As he teased her clit with each movement, his tongue stroked hers. Entangled within his web, she fell into his embrace without remorse or second thoughts or fear. This man cared for her, wanted her as none other. Sweetness gathered inside her and threatened to break free. Ecstasy grabbed her and held on, trembling on the brink.
“Please.” Her heart and voice begged, her headlong spiral towards pleasure not to be denied.
He stopped rocking against her, and she groaned. His lips trailed down her neck to tease her collarbone, fingers testing the soft skin, exploring and tracing. As he cupped her breast, his tongue lashed over one nipple. She cried out and arched. He worked the soft, beaded flesh, torturing with each minute until Adrenia panted and groaned.
When he turned her around to face the edge, she frowned in puzzlement. “What are you doing?”
“Wait and see.”
He snuggled up close behind her, his hands closing around two short grips near the edge. “I think I know what these are for.”
“Oh.” The word came out breathy, excited. “Really?”
“Really.”
His cock nudged her aroused entrance. Without another word, he slipped forward. Thick flesh separated her folds with an insistent stroke.
“This might hurt a little, sweet Adrenia. But I swear there is only pleasure to be found next.”
For a Roman's Heart Page 16
