Page 43 of The Cruelty of Thorns

I bent down and placed a kiss on her lips. “Let me worry about what’s possible. You just promise me you’ll stay here until I come for you. I can’t…I can’t lose you.”

She squeezed my hand. “Do you love me, Julianus?”

Did I? I’d only known her a few weeks, but during that time she had grown to be the most important person to me in this place. Whether that was love or not, I had no idea. But she was watching me with such hope, I had to say something.

“I know I’d do whatever it takes to keep you safe. If that’s love, then so be it.”

“I think it is,” she replied. “And I think I love you, too.”

♦ ♦ ♦

She loved me, but did I return the sentiment? The question kept turning itself over in my head as I made my way back to my room. Did I love Rosetta? I had known many girls in my time, most of them meaningless flings I forgot almost as soon as they were gone. A night of passion spent under the stars or in the back of a stable that were no more than bragging rights to my friends Francisco and Gianni. Some nights it was a contest between us to see who could bed the most maidens. I held my own and often came out on top because from an early age I made it a point to observe and learn from the young men in town as they wooed women into their beds. I had even bedded some of those same women myself, courtesans looking for adventure and unconcerned with how young or inexperienced their partners might be. I liked to think it was what I learned from those encounters that allowed me to satisfy the Contessa’s insatiable lust.

But what I felt for Rosetta was different. I wasn’t driven by a desire to bed her. I wanted to protect her. To cherish her. I looked forward to every encounter with her and missed her when we were apart. If that’s what love was, then that’s what I felt for her.

Regardless of what it was, I knew I was not going to let Christopher or the Contessa hurt her again. It was too late today to find a way off the estate, but tomorrow as soon as I rose, I would make that a priority. The Contessa’s men couldn’t be everywhere at once, and I intended to exploit that.

But first I had to get through tonight.

Because the maid had brought my toiletry, I knew the Contessa was expecting me in her room. And I had no doubt Christopher would be there. I washed and dressed quickly and tamped down my anger as I made my way down the hall. Rosetta’s life depended on my ability to play the role of the dutiful lover. Tonight I would give them everything they wanted, for as long as they wanted. I needed Christopher to be sated so he wouldn’t go looking to satisfy his appetites elsewhere.

He was the one who opened the door when I knocked. He was nude, as was the Contessa, and I could smell the telltale scent of sex in the air.

“Julianus! Just the man I wanted to see,” Christopher greeted as he draped an arm around my neck and pulled me closer to the bed. “You fell asleep last night just as we were getting started. I had to prowl the hallways in search of relief.”

I swallowed my rage and smiled through gritted teeth. “Sorry. I’ll do better tonight.”

“You see, Anastacia? He’s sorry. That can only mean he intends to make it up to me.”

“As long as you leave something for me,” she purred.

“I’m sure there’s more than enough to go around. He’s young and durable, not like the rest of your staff. Honestly, darling, as I’ve told you before, you need to upgrade. Find some lusty, brood-aged women who can take a beating.”

“I’ll take that under advisement,” she replied, reaching for me.

I steeled myself for her touch as she stripped my shurt then indicated for me to remove my breeches. When I was naked, she drew me toward her, pulling me onto the bed.

“I need you to fuck me,” she breathed.

I nodded and started to crawl toward her but Christopher grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

“Just a minute. Before he does that, I want him to suck my cock.”

“You can wait.”

He pretended to pout, though on him it looked more like a scowl. “And what am I supposed to do with this while he’s fucking you?” He grabbed his hard on and waved it in our direction, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from scolding him like a child.

The Contessa narrowed her eyes at him but finally sighed and shrugged. “Very well. You are my guest.”

“Indeed I am,” he replied brightly, then looked at me. “On your knees, then.”

He pulled me off the bed and shoved me down to the floor, where I was the right height to face his cock. “Now don’t tell me you’ve never done this before,” he warned. “I’m sure you’re a quick study, so I expect you to excel at it.”

He shoved his cock against my lips, forcing me to open my mouth and take him. His taste reminded me of the Contessa’s pussy, a salted, musky flavor that seemed to overwhelm my senses and stir my own hunger. Was it something in what they were that caused this reaction in me, making me want to devour them with no will to resist?

I ran my tongue up his length and circled his head, rimming his foreskin and sliding my tongue beneath it then up to his slit. He bucked against me, his hand on the back of my head, forcing me to swallow his length. I gagged as his cock hit the back of my throat, opening my mouth wider to suck in some air, but he didn’t give me a chance to pull back. He began fucking my mouth, building a rhythm as he shoved his cock against me, leaving me breathless. Tears streaked down my cheeks, mixing with the drool that leaked from my mouth.

“That’s it,” he moaned, his hand tangling in my hair. “You’re a natural at this.”

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