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I was being reckless, I told myself. I was putting everything I’d worked for at risk. If the guards came by early, or someone heard us, it would be over for both of us. Tarshi would be killed and I wasn’t sure if I’d even be allowed to live either, and yet I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Tarshi there was something about him that seemed to pull me closer. These last few nights tending his wounds, I’d felt it even stronger than before. Before, I’d been able to ignore it. It was forbidden and I couldn’t risk my chance at revenge over an attraction, however strong. Aside from that, I had enough with Marcus and Septimus going on that was enough to fill my mind with confusion, but the feel of his skin under my hands had sent shivers through my body, even as I’d tried my best to heal him. I’d pushed the thoughts away, trying not to think about this beautiful, sad man in front of me, who’s soul seemed to call to mine in a way I’d never felt before. Trying not to remember he wore little more than a loincloth, and we were very much alone. Tonight though, the pull between us had been impossible to ignore. I hadn't been able to fight the urge to touch him, to kiss him. His kiss had set me aflame, and my body burned for him like a wildfire that raged, driving me onwards, and Inferi be damned to the consequences.

The second kiss was harder, more urgent, and I felt his hands around my waist pulling me closer. I leaned in, conscious not to rest my hands on his shoulders where the lighter wounds lay exposed to the air. After a moment, I pulled back, breathing hard.

I cupped his face, brushing my thumbs across his cheekbones, feeling the roughness of stubble beneath my fingertips.

"Are you sure?" I whispered, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt.

Tarshi nodded, his breath hitching. "I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

My eyes dropped down his body, over that dark expanse of skin over tight muscles, to the loincloth he wore. His own desire was now extremely obvious, and I reached down to pull the cloth up. His breath hitched as I did so, and my lips parted at the sight of him, smooth, thick and long, and so ready for me. I’d heard the slave women talk of Talfen men, of how they were larger than human men, but it had been all talk. No one we knew had ever slept with one - it was as forbidden as lying with an animal - but there had always been rumours. Now I knew the truth of it. I licked my lips slightly unnerved by his size, but leaned down to take the head of his cock into my mouth.

Tarshi gasped, his hips jerking involuntarily as my lips closed around him. I swirled my tongue, tasting the salt of his skin, feeling him pulse against my mouth. His hands tangled in my hair, not pushing, just holding on as if I were his anchor in a storm.

"Livia," he breathed, voice strained. "What… I…”

His hips jerked again and I placed a steadying hand on his thigh, feeling the muscles quiver beneath my palm. I slid lower, taking more of him into my mouth, sliding my tongue over his warm skin. I pulled back slowly, letting my tongue drag along his length. Tarshi's grip in my hair tightened, a low moan escaping his lips. I looked up at him to see him watching me, his eyes wide and his lips parted as he panted softly.

"By the gods," he whispered, voice husky. "I never imagined it could feel like this."

I worked him slowly, savouring every gasp and shudder, wanting him to feel good but also wanting him to feel desired. His inexperience was evident in the way he trembled beneath me, in the desperate sounds that escaped his throat, and each moan felt like a reward to me.

I could feel him tensing, his breaths coming faster, and I knew he was close. Part of me wanted to keep going, to bring him to completion with my mouth, but another part of me ached to feel him inside me.

Suddenly, his hands tightened in my hair. "Livia, wait," he gasped. "I... I don't want to finish like this."

I pulled back, looking up at him questioningly. His face was flushed, eyes dark with desire.

"I want to be inside you," he said softly, almost reverently. "If... if that's alright."

I nodded, unable to say anything as I took in the sheer size of him once again. Not wanting him to see me hesitate, I carefully straddled him, lifting my shift up around my waist. The heat of him pressed against my core, and I bit back a moan. I wrapped my hand around him, rubbing the head of his cock over my pussy. I was already slick for him and he groaned, his hands settling on my hips.

"Livia," he pleaded, voice rough with need.

Our eyes locked, and I saw a flicker of nervousness in his gaze.

"It's alright," I murmured. “I’ve got you.” I sank down slowly, gasping at the stretch as he entered me. He was so big, it was bordering on painful. I sank down an inch or two, then lifted slightly before sliding further down. Inch by inch, I took him in, trying to relax as I adjusted to his size. Tarshi's fingers dug into my hips, his eyes wide and unfocused as he fought to stay still.

"Gods," he breathed, his voice strained. "You feel... I can't..."

"Breathe," I whispered, my own voice shaky. "Just breathe."

Slowly, I began to move, rising and falling on his length. Each movement sent sparks of pleasure through me, the slight pain only heightening the sensation. Tarshi's eyes were fixed on my face as if I were some sort of miracle. Each time I sank down onto him, I took more of him inside me, and I could feel him trembling beneath me, struggling to hold back.

He took a deep breath, and I realised he was getting himself under control. He began to help lift me, guiding me slowly back down over and over.

“More?” he asked, and I must have hesitated, because he stilled for a moment.

“Are you ok? Am I doing something wrong?” he asked quietly.

“No, you're not at all,” I said quickly, looking up at him. I blushed. "You’re just…um… rather a lot to…”

He glanced down and then up at me again, understanding dawning.

“Oh.”

“It’s fine,” I reassured him. “More than fine, only I need to take it slow and um… adjust.”

“I can go slowly,” he said. He lifted me again, watching this time as I slid back down over him.

“Gods that’s… watching that… watching how well you take me in…”

I moaned as he pulled me down a little lower, then lifted me again.

“I love watching this,” he said, his eyes still fixed on where our bodies joined. “I love watching you take me in. Can you take more, Livia?”

I nodded, barely able to breathe myself as he pushed deeper, sensation filling me.

“You’re so good,” he murmured. “So beautiful. Take more of me, that’s it…”

His words had heat flaring inside me, and I rested my hands on his arms, trusting him to guide me down. He groaned as I sank further on to him, and I gasped, feeling an incredible fullness inside me.

“One more,” he urged, lifting me again.

“I’m not sure…” I paused, wanting to take him all, but suddenly nervous.

“You can," he insisted. “One more time. Take all of my cock, Livia.” He guided me down one final time, pushing even deeper inside me and I cried out as I felt the last of his length slide inside, filling me completely. Tarshi sucked in his breath hard, closing his eyes for a moment, before looking down at me.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly, concern evident in his voice.

I nodded, unable to form words just yet. The feeling of fullness was overwhelming, a delicious ache that bordered on too much but felt so impossibly right. Slowly, I began to move, rolling my hips against him. Tarshi's hands on my hips guided me, setting a steady rhythm that had us both panting.

"Is this... am I doing it right?" he asked, his voice uncertain despite the pleasure evident on his face.

I nodded, cupping his face in my hands. "You're perfect," I whispered, before capturing his lips in a deep kiss.

"Livia," Tarshi moaned, his voice thick with desire. "I've never felt anything like this. You're so warm, so tight..."

His words sent a shiver through me, and I increased our pace slightly, relishing the way he filled me so completely. Every movement sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body, and I could feel myself getting close to the edge.

"Tarshi," I gasped, my fingers digging into his shoulders. "I'm... I'm close."

Tarshi's hands slid up my sides, cupping my breasts through the thin fabric of my shift. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as he explored my body. I arched into his hands, a soft moan escaping my lips.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his eyes roaming over me. "I want to touch every part of you, to learn every curve and dip of your body."

I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his. "We have time," I whispered, though I knew it was a lie. We had stolen moments, nothing more. But I couldn't bear to see the hope fade from his eyes.

His hands slid down to my hips again, gripping tighter as he thrust up into me with more force. I gasped, pleasure sparking through me.

"Like that?" he asked, voice rough.

I nodded frantically. "Yes, gods yes."

He repeated the motion, finding a rhythm that had me clinging to his shoulders, careful of his wounds even in my growing frenzy. The sound of skin on skin filled the small space, along with our panting breaths and muffled moans. I reached for his hand, pushing it down between us, guiding his fingers to where I so desperately needed them. He followed my lead without question, immediately mimicking my movements and circling my clit. The added sensation was almost too much.

"Oh gods," I cried out, burying my face in his neck to muffle the sound. He jerked for a moment, and I remembered the wound on his shoulders. I pulled back to apologise, but he kissed me hard, as his other hand still guided me up and down on his cock. He shifted underneath me, thrusting upwards with a new angel that had me crying out. His hand sank over my mouth immediately, silencing me.

"Shh," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "We can't let them hear us."

I nodded, biting my lip to keep quiet as he continued to move. His thrusts were growing more erratic, and I knew he was close. I was amazed he’d lasted this long. The tension built within me, a coiled pressure that threatened to snap at any moment. Tarshi's fingers worked relentlessly against my clit, his inexperience made up for by his eager enthusiasm. His other hand over my mouth, keeping my cries muffled as I rode him with increasing desperation.

"Livia," he gasped, his voice strained. "I can't... I'm going to..."

Suddenly, Tarshi's hips jerked upwards, burying himself impossibly deeper inside me. The sensation was enough to push me over the edge, and I shattered around him, my cry of release muffled by his palm. I pulled his hand away, pressing my lips to his and swallowing his moans as I felt him swell inside me. His hands settled on my waist again as he thrust upwards into me, deeper and deeper, and I felt the heat of his release fill me as he continued to drive me down onto his still hard cock. I whimpered, even as I felt myself tighten around him, and then suddenly the world exploded into white-hot pleasure once more.

"Oh gods," Tarshi gasped, his fingers digging into my hips hard enough to bruise.

We collapsed against each other, breathless and trembling. Tarshi's arms wrapped around me, holding me close as we both struggled to regain our composure. I could feel his heart racing against my chest, matching the frantic pace of my own.

"That was..." Tarshi began, then trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Incredible," I finished for him, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, burying his face in my hair. "I never knew it could be like that," he murmured. "Is it always so...intense?"

I pulled back slightly, looking into his eyes. There was a vulnerability there that made my heart ache. "No," I said softly. "No, it's not always like that. This was...more.”

"Are you alright? I didn’t hurt you? I was worried I would…"

“I’m fine, really.” I smiled up at him. “You were perfect.”

Tarshi's arms tightened around me, pulling me closer. I could feel him softening inside me, but neither of us made a move to separate just yet. The intimacy of the moment felt too precious to break.

“Will you come back again?” he asked after a few moments.

“Of course, I’ll need to change your dressing another couple of times before-”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said softly.

I sighed, realizing only now how late it was. The guards could come back at any moment, and I needed to get back to my room. I really didn’t want to leave though. I shifted slightly, wincing as I felt him slip out of me. The loss of him left me feeling strangely empty. I adjusted my shift as I stood, feeling the warmth of him on my thighs. My legs felt weak, and I had to steady myself against the wall for a moment. Tarshi watched me, concern etched on his face.

"You didn't answer my question," he said softly. "Will you come back? Like this, I mean."

I hesitated, knowing I should say no. It was too dangerous, too reckless. But the thought of never feeling his touch again, never seeing that look of wonder in his eyes... it was unbearable.

"I shouldn't," I whispered, kneeling beside him. "It's not safe for either of us."

"I know the risks," he interrupted. "But I also know that I've never felt anything like this before. Please, Livia. Even if it's just once more. You haven’t even left, and I already need you again."

I glanced down, and my eyes widened at the confirmation of his words. I looked up at him.

“Already?”

He grinned, but I could still see the seriousness behind his eyes. “You’re like an addiction,” he said softly. “One taste isn’t enough. I need more.”

He reached down, lifting my shift and slid his hand up my thigh. I shivered at his touch.

“Tarshi, I need to go,” I said, gasping as his fingers slipped between my legs.

“I know,” he said, but he didn’t stop. I moaned quietly as he slid two fingers inside me, parting my legs for him.

“So warm and slippery,” he murmured. “So perfect…”

The rational part of my mind screamed at me to leave, but my body betrayed me, arching into his touch.

"Tarshi," I breathed, "we can't... the guards..."

"Just a little longer," he pleaded, his thumb finding my clit. "I want to feel you come apart again."

I whimpered, torn between desire and fear. His fingers curled inside me, hitting a spot that made me see stars. I found myself rocking against his hand, chasing the pleasure he offered, crying softly when he withdrew.

"On your hands and knees," he commanded softly. "Please, Livia. Let me have you one more time."

Against my better judgment, I complied, turning and positioning myself before him. I felt his hands on my hips, then the blunt pressure of his cock against my entrance. He slid in easier this time, my body still slick from our previous coupling.

"Gods," he groaned, gripping my hips tightly. "You feel even better like this."

Tarshi's hands gripped my hips firmly as he began to move, setting a slow but deep rhythm that had me gasping with each thrust. The new angle allowed him to reach even deeper inside me, hitting spots that sent shockwaves of pleasure through my body.

"Is this okay?" he whispered, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.

I nodded frantically, unable to form words as he filled me so completely. The rational part of my mind screamed that we were being reckless, that we needed to stop, but my body craved more. I pushed back against him, taking him even deeper.

Tarshi groaned, his fingers digging into my flesh. "Livia," he breathed, "you're incredible. I never want this to end."

His words sent a pang through my heart. I knew this couldn't last, that we were living on borrowed time, but in this moment, I wanted to believe it could be real.

"Harder," I pleaded, needing to feel every inch of him. "Please, Tarshi."

He complied, increasing his pace and the force of his thrusts, and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Tarshi leaned over me, his chest pressed against my back as he continued to drive into me. The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed in the small space, and I prayed to every god I knew that the guards wouldn't choose this moment to make their rounds. The danger only seemed to heighten my arousal, and I found myself pushing back against him, matching his rhythm.

Tarshi's hand slid around to my front, his fingers sliding over my skin. I reached back, guiding him to my clit and then moaned as he began to work it gently.

"Come back tomorrow night," Tarshi panted, his thrusts becoming erratic. "Promise me."

"I... I can't," I gasped, even as my body clenched around him.

"Tell me you don't want this," he challenged, his breath hot against my ear. "Tell me you don't crave my touch as much as I crave yours."

I moaned, unable to deny the truth in his words. My body sang with pleasure, every nerve ending alive and crackling with electricity. "Tarshi," I gasped, feeling my climax building rapidly.

"Promise me," he insisted, his movements becoming more frantic. "Promise you'll come back."

I was teetering on the edge, my body trembling with the effort of holding back. "Yes," I finally cried out, my voice barely more than a whimper. "Yes, I'll come back. I promise."

As soon as the words left my mouth, Tarshi redoubled his efforts. His fingers worked furiously against my clit as he pounded into me, the sound of our coupling echoing off the stone walls. I buried my face in my arms, muffling my scream as I came again, my muscles clenching around him tightly as the waves of pleasure flooded my body.

Tarshi followed moments later, his grip on my hips tightening as he thrust deeply one final time. I felt the warmth of his release inside me, his body shuddering against mine as he came. We stayed like that for a moment, both of us panting heavily, before Tarshi slowly withdrew.

I winced slightly as he slipped out of me, my body already aching from our vigorous activities. Tarshi's hands were gentle as he helped me sit up, pulling me against his chest.

“Will you come back?” he asked.

I nodded, even as a part of me screamed that this was madness. "I promised, didn't I?"

Tarshi's smile returned, brighter this time. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "Thank you," he murmured against my mouth.

The sound of footsteps in the distance made us both freeze. My heart raced as I quickly adjusted my clothing, trying to make myself look presentable.

"You need to go," Tarshi said urgently.

I scrambled to my feet, wincing at the soreness between my legs. Tarshi watched me with concern, his eyes darting to the cell door.

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

I nodded, smoothing down my shift. "I'll be fine. I just need to move quickly."

The footsteps were getting closer. I could hear the jingle of keys and the low murmur of voices. My heart pounded in my chest as I grabbed my medical supplies.

"Livia," Tarshi said urgently, reaching for my hand. "Be careful."

I squeezed his fingers, allowing myself one last moment of connection. "I will. Rest now. I'll be back to check your wounds tomorrow."

With a final glance at Tarshi, I slipped out of the cell, locking it behind me. I forced myself to walk quietly down the corridor, praying to every god I knew that I wouldn't run into the guards. My legs felt unsteady, and I could feel the evidence of our coupling on my thighs. Near the entrance to the cells was a large storage room, and I opened the door quietly, slipping inside and pulling the door to, but not closed. The door to the cells swung open, and I heard the guards enter, chatting quietly. I froze, waiting for them to pass. Their footsteps ambled slowly down the corridor, but finally I heard them pass through the other door at the end, and I let out my breath. I slipped out of the store room, and then out into the main part of the ludus, making my way quickly to my room.

As I slipped into my room, I leaned against the door, my heart still pounding. The reality of what I'd just done crashed over me like a wave. I'd risked everything - my position, my plans for revenge, possibly even my life - for a few moments of pleasure with a man I barely knew. And yet, as I closed my eyes, all I could see was Tarshi's face as he slid inside me, and I knew without a doubt that I would go back again.