I feel Lucius tense, his thrusts becoming jagged and then he grunts hard, his cock pulsing as his hot seed surges within me.
He rocks and I move with him, our Domina drops back into the couch, encouraging me with her. I rest my head on her belly as Lucius folds into me, his body heat mixing with the bliss-like warmth coiling through every limb and I smile to myself––I am so lucky.
I am a slave but I’m one of the lucky ones.
Or so I was…
Chapter Two
Gaius
‘Come Gaius, you should be proud of the role I offer you.’
Proud––His chest tightened. The man was deluded, so pumped on the idea of battle and the honour it bestowed, that he couldn’t see past it to the true horror.
Only Gaius could.
Home two months, married for one, his dream of having a family and running his land, the gift of a hard-earned retirement, barely even started. And here was Tiberius demanding he abandon it.
He eyed the legendary Legatus and supped at his wine. As a Centurion, his rank had ensured he obey, as a retired Centurion, his options were no different.
‘I am not asking you to fight,’ Tiberius pressed, his lips blustering with the heat of his words. ‘I’m asking you to train, to make these men as powerful as you, to push back these blasted Picts from the north and regain our stronghold.’
‘And what of my land?’ Gaius asked steadily. ‘Who will take care of it in my absence?’
Tiberius waved a flippant hand, ‘It will survive, your foreman will ensure it.’
‘And what of my wife?’
‘Ah-ha,’ Tiberius now chortled, nodding as he grasped a handful of grapes from the bowl being proffered by his half naked serving woman and relaxed back into his chaise longue. ‘Now the truth is out, it’s really all about the woman…granted they are worthy of being distracted by.’
He trailed his fingers down the back of his serving girl, his eyes tracing the move. ‘But if we don’t see off these invaders, we won’t have the land on which to enjoy their offerings––hmm?’
His eyes returned to Gaius, their piercing snake-like shade probing and seeing far too much. ‘If that is all you are concerned with, you know of old that a man such as you can have your pick of the spoils…after all, isn’t that how you met your woman?’
Anger rushed his veins and he took a slow, deliberating breath. Gaius hadn’t fought his way through the ranks by letting his temper win out. But the bastard was making it a challenge like no other. He thought of his golden-haired Aurelia, his native bride, and her soothing beauty. Her passion, her joy, her ability to see good in all around her. Even he. After he’d desecrated her land, all in the name of Rome, and rescued her from a fate worse than death, she had learned to love him, to forgive him.
A raven-haired girl appeared at his side, her clothing or lack thereof leaving nothing to the imagination and Tiberius gestured to her. ‘You see, I can help ensure you are never left wanting.’
She curved her palm over his thigh, her touch soft, her eyes beneath her lashes promising him a thousand pleasures and he stiffened, his hand shooting out to take hold of hers, stopping her. He smiled to soften the rejection and lifted her away, his eyes returning to Tiberius. ‘I only have need for my wife.’
‘Then take her with you, we will secure you a townhouse, you can––’
‘I have no wish to take her closer to danger.’
Tiberius cursed, launching out of his seat, his patience lost. ‘You have no choice Gaius, Augustus Constantius commands it of you.’
And there it was, the real reason he was fated to this path. There would be no denying Augustus, not if he wished to retain the future they dreamed of.
But Aurelia, how would she fair while he was gone?
He flexed his fists and held Tiberius’ eye, ‘I want men to protect my land.’
He gave a one-sided sneer, ‘You mean, to protect your wife.’
‘Yes.’ His affirmation was strong but inside he was crumbling. She was young and she was lonely. And in a new household such as theirs, she had no advocate, no friend, no one to care for her while he was gone, no one to ensure her happiness.
‘What has you so pained now?’