Gaidres’s cock stirred within his subligar. He was a man, after all, and the blatant eroticism in Caelius’s tone was impossible to miss. Impossible to ignore.
He struggled to keep his gaze from wandering below Caelius’s neck, and was grateful when one of the young slaves held up a fresh robe. Once the distraction of all that velvety golden skin was gone, Gaidres shook himself from the haze that clouded his mind.
“I need only to rest, Dominus. It will be fine by morning.”
Caelius sighed. “Do you ever do as you are told?”
He stiffened, straightening even more. “Apologies, Dominus, I was not aware it was an order. Of course I will obey, then.” He didn’t bother to hide the acid tone. Let the man know he was no weak-willed slave ready to grovel at the wave of Caelius’s soft, pampered hand.
Caelius tossed the extra length of his robe over his arm and approached, dark eyes curious. “Need I make everything an order for my gladiator to obey? Do you not wish to please your master?” The way he said “please,” with a long look at Gaidres’s body, spoke volumes as to his true meaning.
He sneered and took a step closer, lowering his voice for Caelius’s ears alone. “What you consider pleasure and what I do, are two very different things, Dominus. I do not believe you would care for mine.”
A visible shiver rippled through Caelius. Gaidres’s cock stirred again, more insistent this time. Getting close had been a mistake. The scent of Caelius’s freshly washed skin and the other man’s aroused reaction had the impact of dozen deadly blows.
“You might be surprised. In regards to your ache, consider the massage an order.” He touched his fingertips to Gaidres’s bare chest. Just a moment, then the Roman let his hand fall. “I’ll not have you hurting yourself in your zeal.”
His only concern was with the profit Gaidres could bring him. All the soft words and desirous looks would not change that fact. “As you command, Dominus.”
Caelius waved his hand to the guard then, and Gaidres glanced back over his shoulder one last time as he continued on to the barracks. Caelius watched, his expression a mixture of desire and intrigue. Gaidres held his stare for an instant before turning away again.
It would not be long now. Caelius wanted him, that much was obvious. The only question that remained was when and what exactly Gaidres would do. He must think on it. Not that he thought he had any choice in the matter, but he did have options.
He would bide his time and when the moment presented itself to rid himself of the last Roman master he intended to have, he would take it. And then his laughable excuse for a life would be over.
But not before he rid the world of one more slave-monger. One more person he held responsible for the destruction of his life and those he’d loved. It was all he had now and he would hold to his path.
“Dominus, there has been an altercation in the barracks.”
He glanced up at the sound of Felix’s voice. His scribe had a wry expression, likely because he had warned Caelius about having so many fighting men holed up together without an outlet for their energy.
“Was anyone hurt?” Caelius rose, his thoughts going to Gaidres.
“A bruise or two, nothing more. Though they refuse to say who started it.” Felix fell into step beside him. “The ludus has been cleansed, Dominus. The renovations are not yet complete, but you might want to consider returning them to familiar territory. Matters are uncertain enough for the men. They do not know what to make of you yet, nor do they know if they will recover. Being back in their usual surroundings might soothe otherwise volatile tempers.”
He frowned, mulling it over. The ludus would not be restful with workingmen tromping in and out but if the gladiators had enough energy to fight, that was a clear indication they were starting to strengthen. “As always, my friend, you speak wisely. Gratitude for not gloating over it.”
“Your admission is all the gratitude I need.” The deferential words did nothing to hide Felix’s amusement at his admission. When they arrived at the barracks the room was quiet without the murmur of conversation or the racket of snoring. Yet somehow the room became even more still as Caelius appeared in the doorway.
He scanned the room, gesturing the guards aside so he could enter. No one looked directly at him save for Gaidres, who smirked in the far corner where he reclined on a pallet. Caelius forced his eyes away from that delectable sight and focused on the two who seemed the most out of breath.
Demos was the one he’d seen sparring with Gaidres in the courtyard often. They appeared to be friends and the large, amber-eyed gladiator normally had a gregarious quality to him. Currently, however, the gladiator appeared rather sheepish and quite interested in his own feet.
Caelius smiled, though it disappeared when he laid eyes on the other likely culprit, a smaller man with a sour expression. He glanced at Felix, who leaned in toward him.
“Hierocles, Dominus,” Felix whispered before stepping back again.
“Who here will tell me what happened?” Silence. “Demos?” The gladiator flicked a glance at him before once again becoming fascinated by the sandals on his feet. “Hierocles?” From that one he got nothing more than a baleful glare before the man seemed to remember himself and lowered his eyes.
Caelius sighed and looked past them to Gaidres, who had not moved from his position. Only he met Caelius’s eyes and the Thracian raised one brow as if to ask, “And now what do you plan to do, oh powerful Roman swine?” He could almost hear the words in that liquid silk voice and just the imagining made him shudder with longing.
“Gaidres, I would speak with you. Outside.” He turned and strode for the door, hoping his visceral reaction to the man was not obvious to one and all. Unfortunately, it most likely was.
It didn’t take long for Gaidres to catch up with him in the courtyard and the man’s eyes were cold, as they often were. “If you requested my presence to tell tales on my companions, you are wasting your breath…Dominus. I will not name those who fought.”
Caelius hadn’t expected the outright hostility in Gaidres’s voice. He had to remind himself what kind of a master Gaidres had had before him. Craxus had not been a man to inspire trust or any other good feeling. Caelius was still adjusting to being treated as the enemy here, when things were so different at his home in Caere.
“I will not ask you to do that. I am rather certain it was between Demos and Hierocles.” He could verify that with the medicus at a later time. They would bear fresh bruises and scrapes on knuckles. “I wish to know what started it.”
Gaidres set his jaw and Caelius couldn’t help but admire the man’s determination to protect those he lived with, even if there was no need. “Gaidres, I am not my uncle. I like to think of myself as a just man.” The sneer that crossed Gaidres’s lips said without words what he thought of that statement.
“If I had a taste for cruelty I would have those two whipped without finding out the reason for the fight. Or the entire barrack put on rations for not speaking up. But I have no fondness for causing pain. I am much more interested in pleasure.” He touched Gaidres’s rigid jaw. “Still so angry. Is that the only emotion that drives you, gladiator?”
Gaidres met his gaze and Caelius had to force himself not to sigh. Those blue eyes never failed to make his knees weaken. Whether they were filled with anger, hate or—as they’d been once when Caelius had spied him with Demos in the courtyard—lit with laughter. That laughter made him want to leap the balcony and tackle the man to the ground to devour him. If his gladiator was breath-stealing in fury, he was even more so in happiness.
“They fight because it is what we are bred to do, Dominus. To be angry that they do so is to be angry with a fish for swimming. It is what it does. There is little reason behind it.”
It took him several heartbeats to realize Gaidres was answering his initial question. His own mind had danced past that to fixate on the consuming desire to have this lion of a man in his bed.
“True. I suppose I did not c
onsider that. Regardless, I have no intention of punishing anyone. You will all be returned to the ludus quarters in the morning. Renovations are not yet complete, but it should not cause too much of a disturbance and will be finished soon.”
Caelius had no choice. If he did not do something soon, if he could not touch this man soon, he might just go mad. He reached out a hand to Gaidres’s chest, and just like it had the other day, the heat in the man’s eyes flared. So he was not the only one who felt the want that arced between them like a thunderbolt. “I would ask another thing of you, my gladiator. I believe you know what that is.” He would have to be blind not to.
Gaidres’s jaw tightened. “I do. I am no fool.”
He brushed his fingers over Gaidres’s chest. “No, you are not. My touch, Gaidres, is it repugnant to you?”
Gaidres was silent for a moment, though his eyes said volumes, before he looked away and his jaw tightened even more. “Of course Dominus honors me with your favor.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Somehow I doubt you consider it an honor, despite the deferential words. I ask true, though. I would not have a man in my bed who is disgusted by my touch.”
Something dangerous flared in Gaidres’s eyes and he peered around the near empty courtyard. Caelius’s pulse raced faster as Gaidres leaned closer, challenge in his eyes. “I do not bend over for any man,” he growled in a low voice, no doubt so the guards wouldn’t overhear them. “Ever.”
Pure liquid need swept through Caelius in a rush that left him breathless. Most Romans would consider his tastes disgusting, but he had always preferred to be the one being fucked. He’d covered other men before and it was preferable to sex with a woman, yet it still did not satisfy the hunger inside him. He knew without a moment’s doubt that his gladiator could not only feed the hunger, he would sate it in such a way that Caelius would be unable to move when he was through. He shivered in anticipation.
“How fortunate for me, then, as I have no real desire to penetrate you.” He slid his hand into Gaidres’s tousled, golden-brown hair. Sex with Gaidres would be far different from the sex he’d had with any other lover.
Gaidres’s brows furrowed. He glanced at the guards again, his lips twisting in a cynical smile that didn’t touch his eyes. “You wish my services here, Dominus?”
As titillating as the thought of fucking outside was, he shook his head. “No. Soon though, my gladiator. I hunger for the taste of you.” He leaned in the last few inches. The sexual tension made him quake inside. “I’ll summon you tonight.”
He gently nipped Gaidres’s lower lip before stepping back. The flavor left a tingling on his lips and the gladiator’s scent filled his senses. He gave the man a wicked glance before walking off. As much as he wanted to play now, there were still things that needed to be seen to before he could indulge himself.
He looked back at Gaidres before entering the villa and found the man still staring at him, his expression intent. Caelius shivered. Perhaps one or two of those matters could wait until the morrow.
Chapter Three
“Argon. You are summoned.”
Gaidres glanced up at the guard and pushed to his feet. He didn’t say anything, nor did he meet the eyes of the others as they watched him go, no doubt knowing exactly why he’d been summoned at this late hour.
He followed the guard as a slave led them both down the long hall. He would be alone with Caelius and perhaps have a chance to kill him this night if he was unguarded. Gaidres’s heart pounded, but he did not show it, head held high as they approached Caelius’s chambers. The guard went no farther than the curtains that drew across the doorway, leaving the silent slave to take Gaidres the rest of the way inside.
Caelius waited at a small table beside the fire, head lifting as they entered. He’d bathed, and wore less formal robes of indigo trimmed in gold. Gaidres came to a halt, bowing his head in Caelius’s direction. “Dominus.” He put just enough deference in his voice not to offend and not a drop more.
Caelius closed the distance between them and Gaidres held his stare, despite knowing he ought to look down.
Caelius was a lean man who had probably never faced a battle himself, but his behavior thus far had proven that the lanista was no spineless noble. One slave monger was the same as the next. This one was just a bit neater, perhaps. Under the civilized surface was the same filth that invaded them all.
“Caelius.” The other man touched his fingers to Gaidres’s chest. “In my chambers I prefer my given name.”
The man began a slow walk around Gaidres’s, fingers trailing along his side, his back, and back around to his stomach. “I do not understand.” He’d never had a nobleman offer his given name for his use.
“I’m sure it’s a curious request, but I would hear my name on your lips.” His stomach tensed under Caelius’s touch. “You are wary. Do you fear me?”
Gaidres stiffened even more and he growled a warning. “I fear no man.”
He laughed. “An entirely unfeigned response. I believe you, Gaidres. You say you won’t be penetrated,” Caelius began and Gaidres’s eyes narrowed. If he thought to change his mind now, the man would have a dangerous fight on his hands and discover firsthand just how skilled a gladiator he’d inherited. “Do you penetrate or do you just enjoy the teasing games?”
Gaidres frowned, thrown by the direction of the conversation. “I’ve no issue with taking a man.” Perhaps Caelius wanted a show. Wanted to see him fuck one of the slave boys, maybe. He could do that.
Caelius smiled, eyes gleaming. “Good. I like fulfillment at the end of the teasing. Come.” He gestured, moving toward the small table where he’d been sitting. “Some wine?”
Gaidres blinked. Fulfillment? Then…But that made no sense. No Roman nobleman would allow a slave to fuck him. The sun would sooner choose not to rise.
“I do not understand.” He followed Caelius, taking the cup he offered. He seemed to be saying that often.
Caelius took a sip of his own wine and waited as Gaidres sampled his before replying. “I like to be fucked, Gaidres. Hard.”
For once he found himself speechless. “You want me…me to fuck you?”
“Yes.” A smile tugged on Caelius’s lips. “I see that I’ve shocked you. No doubt you think me odd.”
Gaidres didn’t say anything for a minute, staring at the man as if he’d grown a second head. He might as well have. “But…I am a slave.” Slaves were not given position over a nobleman, not even in bed. Especially not in bed. The rebellion in him, the Thracian who strained at the shackles of his position still to this day, said Do it! Fuck him, own him, make him your willing puppet! But a slave, an animal like a gladiator, like Gaidres, penetrating his Dominus? It was blasphemy to the Romans and cause for death. “Dominus, I…I cannot.”
Caelius’s brows furrowed and he sipped his wine thoughtfully. “You cannot or you will not?”
He tensed. “They are one and the same, Dominus. Were anyone to know…to find out…” Gaidres would find himself fed to the lions for a bit of pre-primus entertainment.
“Are you afraid?”
Gaidres glared at the floor, fist clenching around his glass. “I am confused.”
Caelius set down his wineglass. He cupped Gaidres’s jaw, lifting his head. “I know it must seem that way, but I do not toy with you, Gaidres.”
“Dominus—”
“Call me Caelius. If you fear others will tell tales, I assure you that the people who guard this room are very loyal to me. They’ll not say a word.”
That was possibly true. It would mean Caelius’s fall from power no doubt, perhaps even worse. And if Caelius fell, those he protected would be vulnerable, too.
The man claimed not to be toying with him. Gaidres wanted to spit it back in his face. It was all these Romans did. Toy with him and others like him for their own sick amusement. Still, what could he do? He’d protested, but Caelius had made it clear what he wanted and his determination to have it. To continue to resist was to
court death.
“As you wish, Dominus.”
Before he could try to come up with some other way to avoid it, he stepped forward, one arm sliding around to pull Caelius closer.
Gaidres kept waiting for guards to rush in, pull him off and cut his cock from his body, but it didn’t happen. Instead, Caelius shuddered, slid his arms around Gaidres’s neck and kissed him.
Underneath the bruised pride and the worry that he was going to end up dying not in the arena or for killing a Roman, but for fucking one, was the realization that Caelius tasted good. Like the fine wine he’d had, and a subtle spice underneath Gaidres didn’t recognize. He smelled delicious, his skin soft. Well, it wouldn’t be a hardship to rise to the situation.
Caelius had begun to think that Gaidres would rather be sent back than play, but then the gladiator began to kiss him in return. Caelius pressed against his hard body as Gaidres’s tongue sank into his mouth. Caelius speared his fingers through the man’s thick, shaggy hair.
By the gods, Gaidres could kiss, and the scrape of his unshaven jaw against Caelius’s smooth one made him tremble. Their tongues tangled and when they parted, Caelius’s breath was unsteady. He met Gaidres’s eyes and shivered. They gleamed with…dominance. No man had looked at him in quite that way before.
He slid his hands down Gaidres’s powerful arms. Caelius wanted to see him naked again and be naked before him. He wanted to get on his knees and take Gaidres’s cock into his mouth, taste him until the other man was wild to take him.
Not breaking their gaze, feeling deliciously light-headed with desire, Caelius took a step back and slipped out of his robe, letting the fabric pool around his feet. Gaidres’s eyes raked over his nakedness, almost as powerful as a touch. Caelius’s mouth went dry.
“I crave your hands on me,” he whispered. “I’ve thought of nothing else.”
The Gladiator’s Master Page 3
