Passions of New Pompeii Read online

  He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, unwilling to separate their bodies. “I am sorry. You should not be taken like this. I was rough and it was wrong to—”

  “You didn’t do this to me, Theos. I encouraged you every step of the way.”

  They both groaned as he lifted her off his cock and set her on her feet. “Even so. I am not a very good protector.”

  She chuckled and adjusted the fall of her tunic. “You’ll do better next time.”

  He righted his clothes and led her from the alley, pausing to make sure no one noticed their emergence. The street was empty. The houses close together and unremarkable. “Which way?”

  She shot him a playful smile. “I want to try every way possible.”

  They continued down the street in companionable silence, awareness flowing between them. Knowing she wanted him as badly as he wanted her intoxicated and unnerved him. I am yours…and you are mine. Her words echoed through his mind, keeping his desire smoldering.

  He was a slave! He had no claim to himself much less anyone else. She found him amusing. If he allowed himself to feel anything but lust for this woman, he was the worst kind of fool, one who deluded himself.

  She turned down a side street and led him to a house slightly offset from the others. It wasn’t as large as the palatial villas perched on the hillsides, but it was inviting nonetheless. The front door opened after a light beam passed over her body. Her brother had a similar device separating the villa from the ludus. Theos had always attributed the phenomenon to Venus. Was it possible these wonders were nothing more than “technology”?

  “Are you coming?” She tossed the question over her shoulder as she moved farther into the interior of the house.

  Trepidation stalled his steps and made his heart pound. He didn’t sense danger or doom, more an overwhelming impression that everything was about to change.

  She noticed his hesitation and turned around. “Are you all right? There’s no one here but me, I promise.”

  He didn’t find her assurance comforting. His world had been steadily unraveling ever since he was summoned to her bed. She challenged his fundamental beliefs and promised freedom, a concept he had all but abandoned in his youth. “I am fine.” He made the assertion as much for himself as for her. Straightening his shoulders, he took a deep breath and stepped into her world.

  Chapter Six

  The door closed behind Theos and Elaina smiled. They were alone, truly alone for the first time. There was no possibility of interruption and no overeager guards to interfere. His stance was tense, his gaze watchful as he moved farther into the room. They were still on his side of the barrier, but they were one step closer to her world.

  She’d only glanced around and tossed her bag on the bed when she’d checked in hours before. Though much smaller than her brother’s villa, this house was every bit as lavish. Sculpted marble and intricate mosaics, colorful wall murals and a sunken tub. Running water and a high, curtained bed, the house boasted all of the expected amenities.

  “If this is not about pleasure,” Theos prompted, “why have you brought me here?”

  “Have you heard of the House of Morpheus?”

  He shrugged, his gaze moving around the room before returning to her face. “There are temples all over the city. What is your interest in this one?”

  “It’s not a temple. I’m not even sure it’s a physical place.”

  “Then how do you hope to find it?” He glanced toward the covered window, obviously curious about what lay beyond the house. “Is it your intention to find it?”

  She moved to the window and raised the shade, revealing a steep incline and the energy barrier pulsing in the distance. The sun had started its daily descent but had not yet surrendered its light. “It’s my intention to expose what the proprietors are doing. Visitors contact the House of Morpheus when they want to live out particularly violent or depraved fantasies.”

  His dark gaze searched hers for a long moment before he asked, “Who decides what is depraved? Fucking in public is considered depraved by many, and no one will deny that the games are violent.”

  When Laetif explained her concerns about Mikko’s new endeavor, Elaina hadn’t thought about the parallel to the gladiator games. But she should have. The similarities were unmistakable. “This is different. If my information is accurate, and I have no reason to doubt the source, these fantasies hurt, at times kill Pompeii’s inhabitants.”

  “As do the games.” He strode toward her, his gaze narrowed on her face. “Are you still on a campaign to end the games?”

  “No.” The response sounded sharp and defensive, so she pulled back and reconsidered the question. “I don’t know. If gladiators were given the choice whether or not to fight, I would not have a problem with the games.”

  “I chose to become a gladiator. I am content with this fate.”

  “I know. Laetif told me.” Elaina sighed. This wasn’t supposed to be about him. She wanted to work with him to right a wrong, not continue to tear apart the things he valued. “But you’re the exception, not the rule. Most of your brothers were captured in battle or… Would you go on fighting if other options were open to you?”

  “What other options? Become a tradesman or a soldier? Die of boredom or die on the battlefield?” He shook his head and crossed to the window. “I would rather die with honor in the arena, the crowd’s cheers echoing in my ears.”

  She moved up beside him, leaning her hip against the window frame. “The House of Morpheus allows visitors to rape and torture innocent inhabitants. I will debate the morality of the games another day. This needs to be stopped right now.”

  Without turning his head, he asked, “What do you want from me?”

  The list was endless. She wanted his arms around her and his body sliding against hers. She wanted the unexpected warmth of his all-too-infrequent smiles. She wanted to snuggle against him as she fell asleep, knowing he’d still be beside her when she woke up.

  “I’m hoping people will be more talkative if one of their heroes is translating for me.”

  “Your questions will have to wait until morning.” He motioned toward the gathering darkness. “We have lost the light.”

  She nodded, feeling the distance between them widening with each passing moment. “Why don’t we take a bath? It will help us relax.”

  “Whatever pleases you, domina.”

  “Do you want to return to the ludus?”

  His head whipped around, anger burning in his eyes. “Do not threaten me. You will not like the result.”

  “I didn’t mean it as an ultimatum. I don’t want you to stay here if you don’t want to be here. I’m giving you the choice.”

  “Spend the night pleasuring you or return to the cold isolation of the barracks? Does that sound like a choice to you?”

  For someone content with their fate, he sure had a lot of pent-up hostility. “You’re right. Please stay here where it’s warm and comfortable. But if you don’t honestly want to ‘pleasure’ me, I’d rather you didn’t—”

  He pulled her into his arms and silenced her with his mouth. Their lips meshed and parted, their tongues gently dueling. His hands ran up and down her back, pressing them together from shoulders to knees. “Does this feel like obligation? How can you doubt I want you?”

  His cock bucked against her belly and she gasped. “Maybe the bath can wait.”

  “No.” He picked her up, cradling her against his chest. “Anticipation only sweetens the pleasure. Where is the bath?”

  Like Fedoran hot tubs, the baths in New Pompeii were meant for soaking rather than cleaning. Theos set her down in the large shower stall and they both washed off before entering the sunken tub. Electricity wasn’t allowed in the city, but running water didn’t violate the noninterference clause.

  Theos sat on the tiled bench, submerged to mid-chest. The water came to Elaina’s chin as she sat sideways, legs extended along the bench, feet lightly resting against his
thigh. The throbbing demand she’d been unable to ignore had receded to a faint ache, a banked fire waiting for a warm breeze to fan the flames.

  “Who told you about the House of Morpheus?” Theos asked after a long, silent pause.

  “Does it matter? They have no reason to lie. In fact they stand to lose a lot if the operation is shut down.”

  He pivoted toward her, leaning against the side of the tub rather than the back. “Laetif.” He didn’t wait for her to confirm the guess. “You must be careful. Things are often more than they appear when Laetif is involved.”

  “You think she has an ulterior motive for bringing this to my attention?”

  “Laetif has an ulterior motive for everything she does.” He grabbed her knees and dragged her forward. She bent her legs as he spun around and she ended up straddling his lap, their faces inches apart. “Her motivation might not diminish the value of the information. Just be aware of her duplicity.”

  He stroked her from knee to hip, his hands even warmer than the water. Her thighs spread wide over his, the water teasing her pussy. “I’ll be careful.” She canted her hips, trying to bring her mound into contact with his hard abdomen, or better yet, his cock. He made her feel wanton and needful.

  “Lock your hands behind your head.” His voice dropped, his tone taking on a demanding edge. “Offer me your breasts.”

  Far beyond self-denial or hesitation, she raised her arms and arched her back, thrusting her breasts forward. He squeezed one as his lips closed around the other, sucking with firm insistency. Her nipples hardened in tandem, and tingling heat rushed from her chest to the apex of her thighs.

  With his free hand, he clasped his cock and parted her folds with the wide, blunt head. She groaned and wiggled, desperate for his fullness deep inside her.

  “Be still. Let me guide you.”

  His mouth shifted from breast to breast while he traced her slit with his cock head. She tried to remain still, to accept the sensations he triggered, but her core tightened and her clit launched confusing shivers up her spine each time he brushed across it.

  “Please,” she whispered. “I need you inside me.”

  “I know what you need.” His fingers took the place of his cock, the caress more focused. He rubbed her clit with his thumb while his fingers circled her opening.

  She clenched her teeth against the pleasure spiraling up through her. If he’d just push inside, even with his fingers, she’d come. But he kept her teetering on the brink, release just out of reach. His lips pulled harder, his teeth lightly scraping. She tossed her head from side to side, her hair tangling in her fingers.

  “Stand up.” His hands grasped her waist, propelling her upward.

  “Wait! What…” He pressed his mouth against her pussy and she had her answer. She felt off balance and awkward until he brought her knee to his shoulder and tilted her hips. Her thighs were spread by the new position and his strong hands steadied her.

  His dark gaze bore into hers as his tongue circled her clit. Each slow pass sent her arousal higher, making her need more demanding. She clutched his head, fighting the urge to grind against his mouth and drive his tongue deep into her passage.

  He explored her folds with patient licks and careful suction, his gaze never leaving hers. He grasped her ass and drew her closer, his tongue finally penetrating her trembling body. “Can I come? Please let me come.”

  “Come.” His lips moved against her then his tongue thrust back inside.

  She moaned deep in her throat as her orgasm rolled through her. His mouth encouraged each spasm, prolonging her pleasure until she was weak and trembling. Then he brought her down into the water and kissed her as she settled astride his legs.

  Framing his face with her hands, she returned his kiss, thrilled by the proof of her pleasure lingering on his tongue. “I want to taste you. You’ve done me twice and I’ve yet to return the favor.” He kissed her again, tongue trusting boldly in her mouth. “Does that mean yes?” She smiled when his mouth finally released hers.

  He shifted her to the bench then stood in front of her, cock jutting proudly from his body. She reached for his shaft, but he caught her wrist, his gaze glistening yet unreadable. “Why…would you do this for a slave?”

  The pain in his tone stabbed into her heart and filled her eyes with tears. “You aren’t a slave when you’re with me. I refuse to think of you like that.”

  Theos searched her tear-bright gaze for any hint of deceit or manipulation. She obviously believed what she said, but her attitude didn’t change reality. “Your brother owns me. Nothing you can say changes that fact.”

  “Not for long.” She pulled her hand out of his grasp and closed her fingers around his erection. “I’ll find a way to free you. I have powerful friends.”

  “As does your brother.” Theos eased her hand away from his cock and moved out of reach. “I will help you investigate the House of Morpheus, but do not make promises about a situation you do not control. It is cruel.”

  She started to object then nodded. “I won’t make promises, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying. This isn’t just about you and me.”

  “It is right now.” A surge of possessive passion brought his hand to the back of her head. He lightly grasped her hair and tilted her head back. “Do you really want my cock in your mouth?”

  “Among other places,” she said with a mischievous smile. She licked her lips, her gaze dropping from his face to his groin. “May I touch you?”

  “No. Just part your lips.” The only way to control his raging desire was to control her. Understanding unfurled within her eyes and she opened her mouth. The first brush of her tongue against his heated flesh dragged a groan from the back of his throat. Her warm lips closed around his tip and tension rippled through his abdomen. She sucked him deeper, her lips sliding smoothly against his shaft.

  He felt wild and wicked. Slaves sucked their masters’ cocks. Mistresses did not give pleasure to their slaves! I’ll find a way to free you. Her naïve declaration was almost as sweet as the warmth of her mouth. He pulled back and thrust faster, bumping the back of her mouth. She scooted to the edge of the bench, her hands resting on his hips.

  She stared up at him, eyes wide and luminous. Longing twisted through him, every bit as demanding as the tension in his balls. He wanted her, not just the lush softness of her willing body. He wanted the right to pursue her, to win her as…as what?

  Her nails bit into his ass and her lips tightened around his cock. She released him long enough to say, “Don’t think about tomorrow. I’m here with you right now.”

  He pushed back into her mouth as he smoothed the hair back from her face. She was right. They had to live in the moment. Take each pleasure as it came and savor it to the fullest. He rocked his hips, focusing on the snug pressure of her lips and the silken rasp of her tongue.

  With his rhythm established, he closed his eyes and shut out everything but the pleasure she was giving to him. Her hands stroked over his ass, lightly scratching his flesh with her nails then pulling his cheeks apart. Humid air teased his anus, making him shiver and slide faster into her mouth. Her fingers grew bolder, easing into his crack to circle the tightly puckered opening.

  “Do it,” he urged, easily anticipating her next move.

  Her finger burrowed inward, working past the tight collar of muscle before she applied firm inward pressure. The slight fullness drove his arousal higher. Restlessness coursed through his body as he chased that elusive ending.

  She slowly pulled her finger back then matched his next thrust. He trembled with his need to spurt, and yet he fought back the pleasure, unwilling to end the blissful ascent. She pulled back until only the tip of his cock remained in her mouth. Her lips sucked so hard he cried out and surrendered to his need for release.

  He thrust to the back of her mouth and spilled his seed. Drawing on him with firm suction, she prolonged each shuddering spasm. Her wicked finger dragged one final gasp from his throat as she sl
owly pulled her finger free. Their gazes locked and she released his cock as well, scooting back on the bench with a triumphant smile.

  “You look rather pleased with yourself.” His senses were still humming, yet he felt content and warm.

  “I was just enjoying your surrender for a change.”

  “I have never done that before,” he admitted as he lifted her into his arms and headed for the stairs.

  “You’ve never let a woman go down on you?” She sounded doubtful, but her gaze turned soft and searching.

  “I never trusted a woman enough to allow them control. When they used their mouths to arouse me, I always reasserted myself before I…came.” He stumbled a bit over the new word, but it sounded more appropriate than the metaphorical expressions common in his native tongue.

  Her warm hand touched his face, drawing his gaze back to hers. “Thank you. Watching you come was thrilling for me.”

  Tenderness squeezed his heart, the sensation alien yet exciting. Despite his determination not to care for this woman, she was sneaking beyond his defenses, sinking deeper with each moment they spent together.

  They dried each other with lingering touches before she led him into the bedchamber. She wrapped one of the drying cloths around her body, but Theos was comfortable with his nudity. The room was large and lavishly decorated. A cool breeze stirred the bed hangings and drew his attention to the bed. High and wide, the mattress promised comforts he could hardly imagine.

  “When is the last time you slept in a bed?” Her smile was playful, but the question brought the harshness of his life into focus.

  “I have never slept in a bed like this one. Even before I became a gladiator, my life was…simple.”

  “Tell me about your life before. I want to know more about you.”

  “We have no past and no future. We exist only in this moment.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed his gaze. “It’s not fair to use my words against me.”