Page 20 of Thawed Gladiator: Cassius

A low growl escapes his throat as his hands slide down to cup my ass, lifting me higher against the wall. I wrap my legs tighter around him, feeling his hard length pressing against my core, sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through me. My eyes flare wide at the passion coursing through this. I don’t remember ever being so aroused, so impatient… so ready.

His mouth leaves mine, trailing hot kisses down my neck, lingering on the sensitive spot where my pulse races. He nips gently, soothing the bite with his tongue, drawing out a moan from deep within me. I clutch at his hair, lost in the sensation, lost in him.

His hands move under my shirt, pushing it up, exposing my skin to the cool air. His calloused palms brush against my nipples outside of my bra, making me gasp. They harden under his touch, begging for more. He teases them, rolling them between his fingers, sending jolts of passion straight to my core.

Our tongues tangle, dancing, exploring. His hands roam over my body, igniting fires everywhere they touch.

He pulls back slightly, gaze locked onto mine, pupils dilated with desire. “I want to taste every inch of you, Diana,” he murmurs, voice hoarse with need. “I’ve lost sleep wondering what your nectar tastes like.” He doesn’t wait for a response, dipping his head to capture a hardened nipple in his mouth, sucking andbiting through the lace of my bra. I arch into him, crying out at the intense pleasure, my hips rolling against his in a silent plea for more.

Then he returns to claim my mouth. I don’t know if he’s a sadist, teasing me mercilessly, or if he’s waiting for me to urge him to rip my clothes off, but I spar with his tongue, loving the taste of him,

His breath mingles with mine, ragged and desperate. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, echoing my own frantic rhythm. His skin is hot, almost feverish, as my hands trace the lines of his muscles, acquainting myself with the terrain of his body.

He pulls away from our kiss, his lips trailing down my jaw, my neck, his stubble scraping deliciously against my sensitive skin. I shiver, goosebumps erupting over my flesh.

“You drive me mad, Diana,” he whispers against my skin, his voice raw, almost feral. His hands grip my thighs, fingertips digging into my soft flesh, holding me firmly against him. I can feel his arousal, hard and insistent, pressing against the heat between my legs.

My hands find his belt, tugging at the leather, desperation making my fingers clumsy. I need to feel him, to release the pent-up desire that’s been building since our gazes first locked.

Perhaps it’s the sound of his belt slapping to the floor, but suddenly, reality crashes back in.

Dear God, what have I done? The plan was simple: coffee, a conversation, a chance to put my attraction out there since I haven’t been able to hide it very well. If he felt the same way, maybe we’d date. If not, I’d have to rein myself in. I never expected our clothes to end up in a pile on the floor.

I pull away, my breath coming quick and sharp. “Wait,” I whisper, shaking my head as I realize I need to stop before things spiral out of control. The heat of the moment fades as I ground myself, remembering why boundaries matter.

“Diana, I…” he murmurs, his words thick with desire, but I can’t let this go further. Not now.

My logical brain barges to the front of my mind, though it’s too little, too late. My arousal fades as quickly as if I’d been thrown into a freezing lake.

Damn it to hell, but I’ve just fallen back to Earth from the heavens and it’s a hard crash.

He’s tuned into me. I’ll give him that. He’s stopped kissing me and has placed his hands chastely on my waist as he eases my feet to the floor.

He doesn’t have to ask; he knows I just shut down.

I reach to cup his cheek, hoping he sees all the affection I’m feeling for him, and then I pull him to sit at the table with me.

He looks like a deer in the headlights. Poor guy, he has no idea what’s going on inside my head, but clearly understands that no means no, even though I never said the word.

“I… I should explain.” He nods and shifts his weight as though he’s ready to wait as long as necessary to hear what I have to say.

“I need to explain something. I didn’t plan this—any of this. I wanted to simply talk. But the emotions, our mutual attraction, the heat in your gaze… felt so right. Then I realized I was falling back into old patterns. Patterns that have hurt me before.” Shit, there’s so much I need to explain and I’m not proud of any of it.

As I take a deep breath, I search for the right words. “I hope you don’t think I’m playing with you.” My voice is shaky. Cassius shakes his head, his eyes filled with concern and patience, though it’s clear he has no idea why the woman who was just combusting in his arms has turned into an ice princess.

“I-I had a hard childhood.” The words, so basic yet so fraught with meaning, catch in my throat. As I speak, I debate how much to reveal. The abuse, the foster homes and group homes, the feelings of abandonment and worthlessness—it’s all too much for one night. I decide to keep the worst parts to myself, at least for now.

“As a teenager, I was… promiscuous,” I admit, that word tastes bitter on my tongue. “It wasn’t really about desire. It was about trying to feel worthy, trying to fill an emptiness inside me. Every time, I thought ‘maybe this one will make me feel whole.’ But it only left me feeling more broken. It went on for a while. Ithought it would make me feel wanted, loved. But it just left me feeling empty.”

Cassius’s gaze never leaves mine as he listens quietly, his hand reaching out to grasp mine. The warmth of his touch, so supportive, gives me the strength to continue.

“The worst part wasn’t the physical intimacy—it was giving pieces of myself away before I was ready, before I truly knew and trusted someone. As I pulled my life together and reclaimed my self-esteem, I promised myself I wouldn’t do that again, no matter how strong the attraction. Eventually, I realized I was seeking approval from men in all the wrong ways. It took time, but that need finally faded.” Squeezing his hand, I’m grateful for his silent support when he squeezes back.

“From then on, I vowed to take things slow, to get to know someone well before becoming intimate. Genuine affection became my priority in any relationship. It’s not about playing games or leading you on, Cassius. What I feel for you is real—maybe too real. That’s why I need to be sure we’re building something lasting, not just acting on passion.”

Gazing into Cassius’s eyes, I see understanding and compassion there. “I’m very attracted to you, Cassius. Um… yeah,very.That kiss was…” I sigh, dreamily, “amazing. But I don’t want to lead you on or take things further until I’m more certain about how we both feel. I hope you can understand that.”

Cassius nods, a soft smile on his face. “Of course. I’m honored you trusted me enough to reveal some of your past. I wish I could tell you more about me. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to tell youmy secrets. But I understand what you’re asking, and I respect your wishes.”

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