Page 113 of Eryx

He waited for me to attack first, but he wasn’t fast enough to dodge me. I threw him to the dirt then did it again before he’d even gotten to his feet. By the end of training, he had pink welts on his skin and bruises on his back and ribs.

“You brought it upon yourself for challenging me in front of the boys,” I said to Axios once the field was cleared.

“Perhaps I did it on purpose.” He tossed me a crooked smile. “You are always more intense in our lovemaking when I challenge your dominance.”

“Is that why you enjoy being a thorn in my side?” I asked, sliding my hands along his hips.

Axios gently nipped my bottom lip before stepping away from me. “We must meet Gaius for our drills.”

I growled and followed after him. My gaze lingered on the small dips in his lower back as he walked in front of me. I got the impression he was intentionally teasing me, especially when he stopped to run a hand down his muscled chest, complaining of the sun’s heat. In winter, days could still be warm, but not hot.

I narrowed my eyes at him, which he responded to with an innocent smile.

Later that night, we snuck out of the barracks and went to the stables. For what I planned to do to him, we needed complete privacy. Because I knew he wouldn’t be able to contain his cries of pleasure.

And I was right.

After I threw him to the hay and prepared his body, I crushed my mouth to his and slowly sunk into him. He gripped my biceps and moaned against my lips. Once he had relaxed more, I sat back on my knees and pulled him closer to me. The new angle had him panting as I quickened my pace, taking him wild and hard just as he wanted it.

Axios slid his hand down my chest as I pumped into him, and when he touched where we connected, the sensations became too intense. I tilted my head back and groaned as his fingers wrapped around my base. Wishing to savor the feel of him for as long as possible, I slowed my movements and took him slower. Deeper.

“Ery,” he moaned, laying his head back in the hay and staring up at me with half-shut eyes. “More.”

I thrust in all the way, hitting him as deep as I could, before pulling back slowly. Too slow for his liking. I smiled as I met his sexually frustrated stare. He squirmed beneath me and tried to make me go deeper, and I denied him by gripping his hips and holding him in place.

He had to be punished for his defiance earlier.

The thought made my smile widen.

Just as he opened his mouth to say something, I slammed forward. Hard. He gasped and dug his nails into my shoulders. As our bodies slammed together again and again with each quick thrust, he cried out so loud that I knew anyone outside the stables could hear him.

I failed to contain my groans too. Every day with the other men, I held my emotions at bay. I buried my feelings and remained indifferent most of the time. But there with Axios, I was able to let go. To tear down my carefully structured walls and surrender myself to love and lust.

My fingers dug into the tops of his thighs as I anchored myself in place, driving into him with abandon.

“Gods, Ax. You feel incredible,” I said on a moan. “The way your body clings to mine.” I needed something more. A different position so I could go even deeper. I stopped moving and withdrew from his body before flipping him to his stomach. “Get on your knees.”

Axios obeyed and lifted himself up. He didn’t question my actions.

Gripping my cock, I teasingly brushed it against his entrance before pressing it inside. My thighs shook from the tight heat of him. I smoothed a hand down his spine as I took him from behind, my heart thumping wildly as sweat coated my chest. His whimpers grew louder and he begged me to go faster.

I took hold of his cock and stroked him in sync with my thrusts.

“Eryx!” he shouted, as his body began to shudder. “Please.”

I refused to deny him. I stroked him faster and angled my hips, searching for the spot that would drive him mad with lust. I knew I’d found it when he began to whimper uncontrollably. He fisted the hay and arched his back as his cock pulsed in my hand and shot ribbons of white. The force of his orgasm had his whole body trembling and intelligible words falling from his lips.

My thrusts faltered in rhythm as warmth traveled down my spine. Sweat dripped from my brow and my muscles quaked. And then I joined him in ecstasy, gripping his hips as I released into him.

“Remind me to defy you more often,” Axios said with a tired smile.

“That defeats the purpose of a punishment, if you enjoy it,” I said, before kissing the hollow of his throat. I flipped to my back and pulled him to my side. He rested his head on my chest, where I was certain he heard the chaotic beating of my heart.

I tucked one arm behind my head and held him with the other. As I traced designs on his soft skin with my fingertips, my mind drifted to earlier that day.

“What was it you and Nikias were discussing today during training?” I asked. “I did not favor the look upon your face. Your eyes were troubled. If he said something to upset you, I have no problem cutting out his tongue.”

“He did not upset me,” Axios responded, sounding as sleepy as he looked. “Keep your blade away from the poor man. He…”