Page 28 of Thawed Gladiator: Cassius

She silences me with a finger to my lips, a soft smile playing on hers. “I’ve watched you for weeks now. Watched you grow, doyour exercises, work with the horses and the teens. I’ve caught you looking at me dozens of times with desire, but that’s not as revealing as when I see you gazing at me with affection. That’s why I trust you. I want this. Now.”

A low growl escapes me as I pull her even closer. A jolt slices through me when our bodies press together. Leaning down, I capture her mouth with mine in a kiss that heats my blood. She responds eagerly, her lips parting, inviting me in. I taste her, explore her, my tongue tracing the line of her scar, claiming every bit of her as she does me.

Her hands grip my hair, pulling me closer, deeper. The scent of her, like the earth after a rain, fills my senses. I can feel her heart pounding against my chest, echoing my own racing pulse. Sliding my hands down her back, I trace the curve of her spine, feeling the strength and grace of her body.

She pulls away, breathless, her gaze never leaving mine as she slowly unbuttons her shirt. I watch, transfixed, as she reveals herself to me. How can she be both shy and bold at the same time? My gaze follows the path of her hands, appreciating the soft skin she unveils from her collarbones to the garment that covers her breasts.

“You’re beautiful,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with emotion. “Every part of you.”

She smiles, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks as her gaze darts from mine. “And you, Cassius. You’re like no one I’ve ever known.”

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs tracing the line of her jaw. Kissing her again, slower this time, I savor the taste and feel of her. As I hum a deep groan of appreciation, she melts into me, her body pressing against mine in a way that leaves no doubt about her desire. When I notch my thigh between hers, she opens her stance to welcome the intrusion, then gasps when I apply more pressure.

Deepening the kiss, my tongue explores her mouth slowly, taking my pleasure as I conquer her inner depths. She responds with a soft moan, her fingers digging into my shoulders, pulling me closer. I can feel her warmth, her breath mingling with mine—an intimate hint at what’s to come.

Breaking away from her lips, I trail soft, smacking kisses along her jaw, down her neck, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my touch. She tilts her head back, giving me better access, a soft sigh escaping her lips. Her body responds eagerly to mine, her breath hitching as I kiss the hollow of her throat, my hands sliding down her sides to grip her hips.

Pulling back, my gaze locks onto hers as I slowly lift my shirt. Her eyes follow my movements, her lips parted, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. I can see the desire in her eyes, the hunger that matches my own. After letting my shirt fall to the floor, I stand before her bare-chested, proud of the way my body makes her nostrils flare with desire.

She’s seen me shirtless dozens of times as I work with the horses, but her expression is different now. It’s full of hot lust. Has she looked at me with arousal before, but hidden it from me? There’s nothing secret about it now as she reaches out, her fingertipstracing the lines of my muscles, exploring the scars that cross my skin.

Each touch sends a jolt of heat through me, igniting a fire that burns deep within. Her eyes flicker with appreciation as she learns the contours of my body.

“You’re like a statue come to life,” she murmurs, her voice barely a whisper. “A marble god stepped down from his pedestal.”

I chuckle, a low rumble in my chest. “I’m no god, Diana. Just a man. A man who wants you as fiercely as Mars craves victory in battle.”

She smiles, her gaze meeting mine. “Then show me, Cassius. Show me how much you want me.”

My fingers hook into the waistband of her jeans, pulling her against me. Her soft, panting breaths graze my skin, her breath hitching as I undo her button, my gaze never leaving hers. I can see the trust in her eyes, though her vulnerability shines through.

“I will never hurt you, Diana. Let me make you feel good.”

Her jeans slide down her silken legs until they pool at her feet. She steps out of them, kicking them aside. Standing before me in just her undergarments, her body’s a landscape of soft curves and firm muscles. I take a moment to appreciate her, the way the dim light of the cabin plays on her skin, casting shadows that emphasize her beauty.

Having no idea how to remove thestrophiumthat covers her breasts, I shrug. “You’ll have to help me with this.”

Turning her back to me, she lifts her hair with one hand in a pose that would rival Venus herself. “Pull the two halves together, then they’ll part.”

Her description makes it child’s play, this feat of modern engineering.

I chuckle, a low sound in my throat. “Now turn around, my Venus. Let me see what that torture garment was hiding.”

When the fabric falls away, I’m left breathless at the sight of her. I cup her breasts, my thumbs brushing over her nipples, feeling them harden under my touch. She gasps, her head falling back, and I lean down, capturing one tight peak in my mouth. Her body arches into mine and her fingers grip my hair as I swirl my tongue around it.

“Cassius,” she gasps, her voice a ragged whisper. I love the sound of my name on her lips, the way it escapes her like a secret.

Trailing my mouth lower, I explore every inch of her skin as if it were sacred ground. I kneel before her, my hands gripping her hips, my mouth pressing kisses to her stomach, her thighs, her hips. I hook my fingers into the waistband of her flimsy pinksubligaculum, then look up at her, waiting for her nod of consent.

She bites her lip, her eyes dark with desire, and nods. I slide the scrap of fabric down, revealing the last of her. I press a soft kissto the inside of her thigh, feeling her shiver beneath my touch. The scent of her arousal swirls around me. It’s so heady it makes my heart thunder.

I stand, sweeping her into my arms, carry her to the bed, and lay her down gently. Her gaze follows me as she bites her lip in anticipation. Stepping back far enough for her to watch me, I unfasten my button, my gaze locked onto hers. I can’t see anything but her, my entire world narrowed to this moment, this woman.

Kicking off my jeans, I stand before her, completely bare. I vaguely remember the arena, though the thoughts are hazy, I recall standing naked in front of thousands. I’ve never wanted anyone’s approval as much as I want Diana’s in this moment.

Her eyes widen, taking in all of me, and I let her look, let her see the effect she has on me as my phallus pulses with arousal. Joining her on the bed, I cover her body, pressing against her in a way that sends a jolt of pure need through me.

I capture her mouth again, our tongues tangling, our breath mingling. Her heart races, her body arching into mine. Trailing my hand down her side, over her hip, and along her thigh, my fingers leave a path of gooseflesh in their wake.

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