Passions of New Pompeii (8 page)

“Right.” Speculation narrowed Laetif’s gaze.
“What about Theos? Don’t you want to see him again?”

“Last night was…” Wonderful, terrifying,
intense, exasperating. “It’s probably best if I leave it
alone.”

“Nonsense.” Laetif tapped her foot, her mind
obviously scrambling for a justification. “You need a
bodyguard!”

Elaina shook her head while anticipation
fluttered through her belly. “Mikko will see right through
that.”

“Of course he will, but he loves you enough
to let you have your way. Besides, the more you care about Theos
the more likely you are to come around to our way of thinking.”

“What is your way of thinking? Somehow I
don’t think your way is the same as Mikko’s way. Am I right?”

Laetif’s smile was completely unrepentant.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“And I’m sure there is more going on here
than you’re telling me.”

Muffled voices warned them of Mikko’s
approach. He strode into the garden, his gaze darting immediately
to Elaina. “Back so soon?”

She cleared her throat and manufactured a
smile. “I couldn’t stay away. This place is far more addictive than
I ever imagined.”

His gaze shifted to his wife as he said, “Do
you think it’s the games or our surly champion that has my sister
mesmerized?”

“Surly?” Laetif echoed. “Did Theos wake up on
the wrong side of the bed?”

“Something like that.” He turned back to
Elaina and asked, “Is this just a casual visit, or is there
something I can do for you?”

“Actually, I’m hoping to do something for
you.” She moved away from the fountain and into the shade beneath
the gallery. “As I thought back on my reports, I realized that
they’ve been very one-sided. Now they are editorials, so
objectivity isn’t required, but I feel I’ve been somewhat
remiss.”

“And how do you intend to rectify this
oversight?” He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression
overtly suspicious.

“I’m going to interview inhabitants from all
over the city, allow the people of New Pompeii to tell their side
of the story.”

He snorted, brow arched, eyes cold. “Let me
guess. You want to start with the city’s champion?”

“I hadn’t thought about interviewing Theos,
but it’s a good idea.”

“She wants to hire him as a bodyguard and
translator,” Laetif volunteered. “The inhabitants don’t know who
she is, but the Fedoran participants are downright hostile.”

“No one is going to hurt you. They might
mutter a name under their breath, but no one will—”

“Three assholes cornered her in the market
about an hour ago. They dragged her down an alley and threatened to
beat her if she didn’t stop ‘slandering’ New Pompeii. She was in
hysterics when she arrived.”

Elaina suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
Laetif was laying it on a bit thick, but the concept worked. “I
know they were just trying to scare me, but I don’t want to go
through that again.”

Anger melted the suspicion in his gaze and he
wrapped his arm around Elaina’s shoulders. “They didn’t hurt
you?”

“No. They shoved me up against the wall and
threatened to do all sorts of delightful things, but none of them
actually touched me.”

“Do you know who they were? Fedoran laws
still apply. I can have them arrested.”

If Fedoran laws still applied, every
inhabitant would be free. She chose not to bring the detail to his
attention. “I’m fine, really. Just unnerved. I was going to
surprise you with the finished product, but I really would feel
better if I had an escort.”

“It doesn’t need to be Theos.”

“I know, but I’m comfortable with Theos and I
think the inhabitants will be more likely to open up if I’m with
someone they trust. I’d lined up a translator, but any Fedoran is
going to intimidate them.”

“He isn’t scheduled this weekend,” Laetif
said, “so it’s not going to hurt Theos to be away from the
ludus
for a few days.”

“A few days? Why would he need to be away for
more than a few hours?”

“I told you I wanted this to be a surprise. I
reserved one of the guest villas. As I find people I want to
interview, I’ll take them to the villa. According to the
noninterference clause, technology can only be used if the
inhabitants are unaware of it.”

“Can’t you set up here?”

“I’m trying to create a nonthreatening
environment where people can relax and open up. I don’t think the
largest
ludus
in New Pompeii qualifies.”

He stared at her for a tense moment, eyebrows
scrunched together. “There is something about this I don’t like. I
just can’t put my finger on it.”

Laetif chuckled. “You micromanage everything,
my love. You don’t want anything to transpire beyond your sphere of
influence.”

He was teetering on the edge of capitulation.
One nudge and she’d have him. “Why don’t we let Theos decide? If
he’d rather stay here and train, I’ll settle for a guard.”

Pain jarred Theos’ shoulder and pulled at the
stitches on his chest. Damn it! After his disconcerting
conversation with Max, Theos had been unable to sleep. He stared
into the darkness, reviewing Max’s claims and searching for flaws
in the
doctore
’s conclusions.

When exhaustion finally claimed him, he’d
been assailed by images and sensations. The warmth of Elaina’s eyes
and the softness of her skin had filled his dreams in tormenting
detail. Would he ever see her again, or had he been a one-time
curiosity?

Frustration surged through him, propelling
his wooden sword. He was a gladiator! The fickle needs of females
were not his concern. Sextus deflected the blow with his shield
then immediately countered.

“What is wrong with you today?” The amusement
in Sextus’ tone made Theos growl.

“Lack of sleep.”

The bastard had the gall to laugh. “No
doubt.”

The entire
ludus
knew he’d spent the
better part of last night with their master’s sister. He hadn’t
expected their snickers and jeers to be so aggravating. Sextus
swung wide and Theos ducked, responding with a short, controlled
jab.

“Theos!” Max called over the rhythmic thud
and crash of mock battle. “Come here.”

“Jupiter smiles on you, my friend,” Theos
muttered as he crossed to the trainer.

“Make yourself presentable. You have a
visitor.” Max spoke softly, but a chorus of chuckles and taunts
followed Theos into the barracks.

He washed and donned a simple tunic,
infuriated by the frantic beating of his heart. She should not have
this power over him. Nothing good could come of it. The guard
didn’t restrain him, which only added to his anxiety.

Elaina stood beside the fountain in the
villa’s airy garden, a serene smile bowing her lips. She appeared
cool and composed, and unbelievably beautiful. Her red-gold hair
created a nimbus around her lovely face while her flowing garments
showcased the gentle curves of her body. Was excitement or
apprehension sparkling in her bright green eyes?

He glanced at his master, whose expression
was much harder to read. If
dominus
had not wanted his
sister dallying with a gladiator, why had he arranged the
meeting?

“Elaina needs a bodyguard and she has
requested you,” Mikko informed him.

Unwilling to exclude the subject from the
conversation, Theos switched to Fedoros. “Is she in danger?”

A faint smile curved the corners of her
mouth. “My reports on the abuses prevalent in New Pompeii have
angered fans of the city.”

“She was accosted by three men this morning.
I want to make sure nothing like that ever happens again.” Mikko
stood beside his wife, expectation clear in the tilt of his head
and the subtle slant of his eyebrows. “This is outside the realm of
your usual duties, so I won’t require it of you. However, my
sister’s safety is obviously important to me. I think you are
uniquely qualified to meet her needs.”

The double entendre was not lost on Theos. So
his position as her private plaything was to continue. His body
stirred, more than ready to resume their exploration. But
resentment threaded through the heat, adding a sharper edge to the
longing. “I am not opposed to protecting her, but is she not safe
in your villa?”

Mikko smiled and swept his arm toward Elaina.
“I’ll let her explain. I have a
ludus
to run.”

Laetif followed her husband from the garden,
leaving Theos alone with Elaina.

For a long moment they just stared at each
other, she then took a deep breath and said, “You don’t have to do
this if you don’t want to.”

He closed the distance between them with two
long strides. “I have thought of little else since I left you. I
cannot get your image out of my mind.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Brushing her cheek with the back of his
fingers, he smiled. “My only regret is leaving your side while we
still had time available to us.” His thumb lingered over her lower
lip before he pulled his hand back. “What is this really
about?”

“Not here,” she whispered, and took his hand.
“You’ll be staying with me for the next few days. Do you need to
pack a bag or something?”

He pulled his hand out of hers as shame
crawled up his neck and warmed his face. “Packing a bag” required
possessions and he had none. “Everything I need is provided by my
master.”

“Of course. How foolish of me.” She tried to
soothe him with a smile, but the pity in her eyes cut like a
dagger.

He followed her out into the sunbathed yard,
tension gripping his belly. Unable to fight the impulse, he looked
back at the high, stone walls surrounding the training yard.

“Is this the first time you’ve been outside
the walls?”

“Certainly not.” He looked into her eyes as
he added, “But I am usually in chains when I am transported.” He
waited for the pity to return, but her expression was warmer, more
intimate.

“Let’s go somewhere where we can talk.”

“Let’s go somewhere where we can fuck,” he
whispered in return.

She tensed, yet carnal hunger smoldered in
her gaze and her nipples hardened beneath the fabric of her tunic.
“This wasn’t an elaborate ruse so I could be alone with you. I
really do have something I need to accomplish.”

He caught her wrist and pulled her toward
him. “After. I have ached to be inside you since I left you last
night.”

“One whole night?” She laughed. “How in the
world did you survive?”

Warm and engaging, her laughter rolled over
him like a healing salve. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere where we can fuck.” She grinned
and pulled her hand out of his, darting down the pathway on her
right.

He lengthened his stride to keep up with her
hurried steps, his cock growing harder and harder. Thank the gods
for his loose tunic. The gentle sway of her hips drew his eyes to
the intriguing roundness of her ass and her fragrance drifted to
him on the breeze. Each step he took jarred his erection and
compounded the heat in his balls. By all that was holy, he had
never needed release this badly!

They reached the bottom of the hill and
followed a narrow street toward the outskirts of the city. He’d
never been in this area before. An occasional shop or temple was
mixed in with the visitor apartments, which lined both sides of the
street.

He tried to ignore the need pulsing through
his body, but her frequent looks and casual touches fueled his
desire. “How much farther?”

She shot him a sultry sidelong glance. “Are
you that anxious to arrive?”

Lust stabbed into his groin, demanding
attention. “Look at me like that again and you will find yourself
pressed against the side of a building with your legs wrapped
around my waist.”

“I’m not sure I’d mind.” She licked her lips
as she turned back to the road. “You’re not the only one who’s been
aching.”

With a strangled groan, he grabbed her elbow
and dragged her down a shadowed alley. He gripped the back of her
hair and claimed her mouth as he pressed her against the wall. Gods
he needed to be inside her. Her lips parted beneath his, her tongue
warm and seeking. She grasped his shoulders and rubbed against him,
her actions nearly as frantic as his.

“We need to calm down,” he whispered against
her lips. “I won’t fuck you in an alley like a whore.”

“I can’t wait.” She rocked her hips, grinding
her mound against his thigh. “Fuck me now.”

Her boldness shocked him and incited his own
arousal. “Are you sure?” He raised his head and looked around,
scanning with his ears as well as his eyes. Silence and shadows
stripped away his good intentions.

She drew her tunic up with one hand and
brought his fingers to the apex of her thighs with the other. “You
tell me.”

Hot, silky cream welcomed his touch. His
fingers slid against and into her and she dropped her head back
against the wall. “I will trigger your release and then we
can—”

“No! I want your cock inside me now! Fuck me
hard and fast. I don’t care who sees us.”

His gut clenched, lust driving the breath
from his lungs. He raised his tunic with one hand and drew her leg
up with the other. He shouldn’t do this. She deserved better than
to… Her scalding passage closed around the tip of his cock and
Theos was lost.

He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around
his hips, driving him deeper into her body. He tensed, determined
to slow down yet lost in savage demand. She wrapped her arms around
his neck and drew his mouth back to hers as he filled her with his
rock-hard cock.

Reality faded around them. He pulled back and
thrust home, quickly finding a steady rhythm. Her inner muscles
gripped him, massaging his shaft as he slid in and out.

He drew her breath into his mouth along with
her tongue, wanting to mesh with her, fuse their bodies as
completely as possible. His mouth muffled her startled cry and her
body rippled around him. He thrust faster, harder, keeping her
firmly against the wall as he rammed deeper into her wet heat.