Page 22 of Thawed Gladiator: Cassius (Awakened From the Ice #3)

Chapter Twenty-Two

C assius

For a moment, I wondered if Diana was referring to a horseback ride, but between the searing heat in her eyes and the speed with which she’s pulling me toward her cabin, her meaning is abundantly clear.

After Diana leads me inside, shutting the door behind us with a decisive click, I catch her by the waist, and gently pull her to me. Her eyes, gleaming with intensity, meet mine. I need to be sure, to know she’s ready.

“Diana,” I murmur, my voice rough with desire. “Are you certain? We don’t have to… I can wait as long as you need.”

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, do your 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 fingertips tracing 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 the strophium that 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 pink subligaculum , 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 kiss to 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.

“Touch me, Cassius,” she whispers against my lips, her voice a plea. “Please.” She moves underneath me, widening her thighs.

I comply, my hand sliding between her legs, feeling the heat and wetness that awaits me. She gasps, her eyes fluttering closed as my fingers explore her, learning her most intimate secrets. I watch her face, her expressions and soft sighs guiding me, her pleasure my only goal.

Her hips move in time with my hand, her breath coming in quick, desperate gasps. I can feel her tension building, her body coiling like a spring ready to release.

I shift lower, trailing kisses down Diana’s body, savoring every inch of her velvety skin. Her breath hitches as I linger at the curve of her hip, my hands gently spreading her thighs to accommodate my broad shoulders. I can feel her anticipation building, her body trembling slightly as I position myself between her legs, my breath warm against her most intimate place.

I take a moment to appreciate the sight before me, Diana’s desire evident in the glow of her flushed skin and the subtle quiver of her thighs. Leaning in, I inhale her scent, a heady mix of sweetness and musk that sends a surge of heat through my body. No longer can I wait. I need to taste her.

I start with a soft, teasing lick, tracing the length of her folds with the tip of my tongue. Diana’s hips buck slightly, a gasp escaping her lips. I smile against her, enjoying her responsiveness. I take my time, exploring every delicate curve and crevice, my tongue moving in languid strokes that have her writhing beneath me.

Her clit is swollen and sensitive as I circle it gently with my tongue. Diana’s hands find their way to my hair, her fingers tangling in the strands as she pulls me closer. I oblige, increasing the pressure, my tongue flicking against her in a rhythm that has her moaning my name as her heels dig into the mattress.

I slide a finger inside her, her slick warmth enveloping me, and I can’t help but moan. “You feel incredible,” I murmur against her, the vibrations of my voice adding to her pleasure. “So hot, so wet, so ready for me.” I slide in another finger, my tongue still lavishing attention on her clit, my fingers moving in a motion inside her drenched channel that has her rocking against my hand.

I can feel her tension building, her muscles clenching around my fingers, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I increase the pace, my tongue and fingers working together to bring her to the edge. Her quickened breathing tells me her orgasm is approaching, her body tensing, her breath hitching. I don’t let up. I want to feel her come undone against my mouth.

And then she does. She shudders, her back arching, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure crash over her. Her grip on my hair tightens, her cries filling the room, my name a breathless chant on her lips. I continue to lap at her gently, riding out her orgasm, my fingers slowly easing their movements as she descends from her peak.

I press a soft kiss to her inner thigh, feeling the tremors that still rack her body. Looking up, her eyes open, and immediately find my face. They’re glazed with satisfaction, her cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of pink. I smile, unable to hide the pride that fills me at seeing her so thoroughly pleasured by my tongue.

Crawling back up her body, I trail kisses along her skin, lingering at her breasts, teasing her nipples with my tongue before continuing up to her neck, her jaw, and finally, her mouth. She welcomes me with a soft sigh, her arms wrapping around my neck, her body still trembling beneath mine.

“That was…incredible,” she whispers against my lips, her voice hoarse with spent passion. “I’ve never…”

I chuckle softly, my heart swelling with happiness. “We’re just beginning, Diana,” I promise, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “There’s so much more I want to share with you.”

She smiles, her eyes shining with trust and love. “I want that too, but right now…” She grips my phallus at the base. “I want you.”

Her words and touch send a surge of desire arcing through me, my body aching with need. I capture her mouth again, my kiss hungry and passionate. Her hands roam my back, her nails lightly scoring my skin, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine.

I shift, settling between her thighs, feeling her heat against my hardness. After breaking away from her mouth, my gaze locks onto hers as I slowly rock into her. Her eyes widen, her lips parting on a gasp as I fill her completely. I pause, giving her a moment to adjust, my body shaking with the effort of holding back.

“All is good?” I ask softly, brushing a gentle kiss against her lips.

She nods, her expression far away as though part of her is here in bed with me and another part is dancing with the gods themselves among the stars. “You feel so good inside me,” she says dreamily.

I chuckle, kissing her again. “And you, Diana, so warm and tight,” I murmur, beginning to move slowly, each thrust a delicious torture.

Her hips rise to meet mine, her body joining my rhythm. Our breaths mingle, our gazes lock, and the world around us fades away. There’s only her, only me, only this moment. Her fingers dig into my back, urging me deeper, and I comply, my pace quickening.

Her strong thighs hug my waist, pulling me closer, her heels pressing behind the backs of my knees. I can feel her heart racing, her body tensing, and I know she’s close. I reach between us, my thumb finding her clit, circling it gently, matching the pace of my thrusts.

“Cassius,” she breathes, her voice a plea. “I’m so close.”

“Mmm,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with desire. “Let go, Diana. Let go for me.”

Her body convulses beneath me, her back arching as another orgasm rips through her. I can feel her muscles clenching around me, her heat enveloping me, and it sends me spiraling over the edge with her. My release crashes through me, my body shaking with the force of it. I bury my face in her neck, her name a ragged whisper on my lips.

We stay like that for a moment, our bodies entwined, our hearts pounding in sync. Her breath slows as her body relaxes beneath mine. I press a soft kiss to her neck, her jaw, and finally, her lips, before rolling to the side, pulling her with me. We’re still connected.

She snuggles into my chest, her head resting on my shoulder, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, a sense of peace and contentment washing over me.

“That was…” she starts, her voice soft, her breath warm against my skin.

“Amazing,” I finish for her, smiling. “ You are amazing, Diana.”

She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “Are you sleepy? There are some things about me you should probably know.”