Page 50 of Thawed Gladiator: Cassius (Awakened From the Ice #3)

Chapter Fifty

D iana

We’ve tumbled inside the cabin, a tangle of limbs and desperate breaths, leaving only Cassius and me in this moment. His arms wrap around me, strong and sure, pulling me against him as his mouth captures mine in a kiss that steals my breath away.

This kiss is different from our others—deeper, hungrier, filled with a promise that spikes desire through my system. It’s a kiss that speaks of passion and longing, of a love that has weathered storms and come out stronger. I can taste it on his lips, feel it in the way his body presses against mine, hard and unyielding.

“Diana,” he breathes against my lips, his voice a low rumble that sends a thrill through me. He lifts a strand of my hair as though it’s precious. “Goddess of the moon.”

To compare me to a goddess? And the way he looks at me, his gaze filled with sparks of love and lust? I’m already dripping for him.

My answer is to kiss him harder, to pour all my emotions into this kiss. I’ve missed him, missed this. The scent of him—clean and masculine—fills my senses, making me dizzy with desire. His hands roam my body, tracing curves and igniting fires, each touch a brand that marks me as his.

He walks us backward, never breaking the kiss, until my back hits the wall. I gasp at the sudden coolness against my heated skin and he takes advantage, deepening the kiss, his tongue barging inside my mouth, exploring with a thoroughness that leaves me wrecked.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmurs, trailing kisses down my jaw, my neck, each press of his lips a spark that sets my skin ablaze. “Missed this. Missed us.”

“Me too,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over my pounding heart. “So much.”

His hands find the hem of my shirt, and he pulls back just enough to slip it over my head. The cool air hits my skin, but it’s his gaze that makes me shiver—hot, hungry, latched onto every inch of me as if I were a feast laid out before him.

“You’re beautiful, Diana,” he says, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Every part of you.”

I feel beautiful under his gaze, cherished, desired. I reach for him, pulling him back to me, desperate to feel his skin against mine. His chest is warm and solid, a stark contrast to the cool wall behind me. I can feel his heart racing, matching the rhythm of my own. He captures my mouth again, his hands exploring my body with a reverence that makes me ache.

“Too many clothes,” I murmur against his lips, my fingers fumbling with the drawstring of his sleep pants. He chuckles, a low sound that vibrates through me, as he helps me push them down, kicking them aside with impatience.

I take a moment to appreciate him, the way the moonlight streaming through the window plays on his muscled form, casting shadows that highlight every ridge and valley. He’s magnificent, a living statue of strength and grace. And he’s mine.

His fingers hook the waistband of my jeans, tugging me forward. I go willingly as he unbuttons my jeans, his knuckles brushing against my skin, sending jolts of electricity through me. After quickly unzipping my pants, he slides them down my legs, his hands trailing a path of heat as they go.

I step out of them, kicking them aside to join his. We stand still for a moment, breathing each other in, our bodies barely touching, but the heat between us is palpable. His gaze roves over me, hungry and appreciative, and I feel a surge of power, knowing that I’m the one who put the look of a half-crazed animal in his eyes.

“Come here,” he says, his voice a low growl as he pulls me into his arms. Our bodies press together, skin against skin, heat against heat. His mouth descends on mine, hungry and insistent, and I melt into him, my body molding to his as if we were created to fit together.

He lifts me, my legs wrapping around his waist, and carries me not to the bed, but dances me around the small cabin.

“Shall I tell you what I want to do to you? With you? Tell you in perfect detail what I’ve dreamed about both waking and asleep for the months we’ve been separated?”

“Mmm.” I smile against the heated skin of his neck as his words cause arousal to jolt through me. “Yes. Tell me. I want to hear every detail of what you imagined doing with me. Perhaps someday I’ll share my fantasies with you.”

“I dreamed of dancing with you like this, our bodies pressed together, your skin hot against mine. I dreamed of spinning you around, your laughter filling the air as your hair fanned out behind you. I dreamed of dipping you low, my mouth finding yours in a kiss that left us both breathless.”

He demonstrates, spinning me around the small cabin, my giggles echoing off the walls. Then he dips me, his arm strong and sure behind my back, his mouth capturing mine in a searing kiss.

“I dreamed of laying you down on a bed of silken pillows, your hair spread out around you like a halo. I dreamed of exploring every inch of your body with my hands, my mouth, my tongue. Tasting you, teasing you, making you writhe and moan beneath me.”

He walks us to the bed, his intentions clear that he’s ready to lay me down gently and cover my body with his, but I’m not ready for that. I want to hear more.

“Keep talking, Cassius. Tell me what this big, strong gladiator imagined doing to me during all his lonely nights.”

“Oh, Diana,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble as he holds me close, our bodies swaying gently to the rhythm of our shared desire. “I imagined taking my time, worshipping every curve and line of your body. I dreamed of running my fingers through your hair, tilting your head back to expose the delicate line of your throat.” He trails kisses down my neck, punctuating each word with a soft, warm press of his lips.

“I imagined tracing the scar that runs across your lip,” he continues, his thumb gently brushing against the mark, “and kissing it softly, reverently. It’s a part of you I cherish, a testament to your strength and resilience.”

I shiver at his touch, his words sending waves of warmth through me. He lifts me higher, my legs still wrapped around his waist, and carries me to the small kitchen table, setting me down gently on the edge. His hands grasp my hips, pulling me closer as he steps between my legs.

“I dreamed of exploring your body with my hands,” he says, his voice husky as his fingers trace patterns on my skin. “Of cupping your breasts, feeling their weight and softness in my palms. Of teasing your nipples with my thumbs, making them harden and peak beneath my touch.”

His words paint vivid images in my mind, and I can feel my body responding, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. He leans down, capturing one taut nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it as his hand plucks the other tip. I arch into him, a soft moan escaping my lips.

He chuckles, a low sound in his chest. “Just like that, Diana. I imagined you leaning into my touch, your body responding to mine like an instrument played by a master musician.”

His hands leave my breasts, trailing down my sides, my hips, my thighs. He kneels before me, his gaze locked onto mine as his fingers hook into the waistband of my panties. I lift my hips, helping him, eager to be bare before him. He tosses them aside, his gaze raking over me, raw hunger in his eyes.

“And I imagined tasting you, Diana. Gods! I dreamed of burying my face between your thighs, of licking and sucking and driving you wild with my tongue. I missed the taste of you, though I could conjure it in my mind when I tried. I remembered the feel of your hands on me, your nails scoring my back as I moved inside you. I dreamed of the sounds you’d make, the gasps and moans and whispers of my name. I dreamed of the way your body would feel, hot and tight and perfect around mine.”

A jolt of lust spikes through me, causing my channel to clench around nothing. His words are making me spiral so high, I wonder if it will take more than one heated touch to send me over the edge.

“I dreamed of feeling you shatter against my mouth, your pleasure my reward,” he murmurs, his finger tracing the length of my slit, making me gasp. “

He crouches between my thighs, his broad shoulders pushing them apart. His breath is hot against my core, making me squirm as I grip his blond hair. He looks up at me, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

“Is this what you want, Diana? Do you want me to taste you? To make you come undone?”

I nod, my breath hitching. “Yes.”

He lowers his head, his tongue tracing the same path his finger took moments before. I gasp, my fingers tightening in his hair as he begins to explore me with his mouth, his tongue, his lips. He’s relentless, his touch igniting fires that burn deep within me, stoking a need that only he can satisfy.

“You taste incredible, Diana,” he murmurs against me, the vibration of his voice adding another layer of sensation. “Just as I remembered. Like honey and spice.”

His words send a shiver coursing through me, and I can feel my body responding, my hips moving in rhythm with his tongue. He slides a finger inside me, then another, his touch sure and confident, knowing exactly how to play my body. I can feel the tension building, the coil of need winding tighter and tighter.

“Cassius,” I gasp, my voice a ragged plea. “I’m close. So close.”

He doubles his efforts, his fingers moving faster, his tongue flicking against me with an intensity that sends me spiraling over the edge. My back arches, my body convulsing as waves of pleasure crash through me. I cry out, his name a chant on my lips, my fingers tugging his hair so I can keep tethered to the earth.

He rides out my orgasm with me, drawing out every last shiver, tremor, and sigh. When I finally come down, I’m panting, my body limp and sated. He presses a soft kiss to my thigh, then looks up at me, a satisfied smile on his lips.

“That was…” I start, struggling to find the words. “Incredible.”

He chuckles, rising to his feet, his hands sliding up my body to cup my face. “And that was just the beginning, Diana,” he promises, his thumb brushing against my cheek. “We’ve been apart all night. I want to ride you all night.”

I reach for him, my hands finding the waistband of his boxer briefs, the last barrier between us. After tugging them down, my eyes lock onto his as I free him. He steps out of them, kicking them aside, and stands before me, completely bare. I take a moment to appreciate the sight of him, the raw, masculine beauty of his body.

“You’re magnificent,” I whisper, my voice barely audible as I take in every inch of him. His body is a testament to his strength and power, each muscle defined and honed to perfection. A true gladiator, a warrior in every sense of the word. How did I live without him, his touch all these months? I was only half alive.

He smiles, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. “And you, Diana, are a goddess come to life. The promise of this—just the slimmest belief that you might love me—kept me going through my dark times.”

I hurt him. He hurt me. But all that is behind us.

I reach out, wrapping my fingers around his thick cock, feeling the heat and hardness of him. He groans, his eyes fluttering closed as I begin to stroke him, my touch exploring every ridge and vein. I want to give him the same pleasure he gave me, want to make him feel as cherished and desired as he makes me feel.

“Diana,” he murmurs, his voice hoarse with need. “You don’t have to—”

“I want…” I interrupt, my gaze locked onto his. “To taste you. To make you feel good.”

He nods, his breath hitching as I slip to the floor, ease to my knees, and lean forward, my tongue flicking out to taste him. He’s salty and warm, his skin soft and velvety over his steel-hard shaft. I take him into my mouth, my tongue swirling around him, my lips tightening as I move, taking him deeper with each plunge.

His hands clutch my hair, his fingers tangling in the strands, guiding but not forcing me. He lets me set the pace, lets me explore him at my leisure. I can feel his body tensing, his breath coming in ragged gasps as I bring him closer to the edge.

Perhaps I taste a little of the power he felt vanquishing one of his foes in the arena. With just my mouth and hands, I control this strong, muscular man’s pleasure.

“Diana,” he rasps, his voice a warning. I look up, meeting his gaze, his eyes dark with desire and something more—a question, a plea. I understand. He wants to be connected, truly connected, when he lets go. I release him, trailing kisses up his body as I stand, my arms wrapping around his neck.

“I want you, Cassius,” I whisper, my voice steady and sure. “Inside me.”

His mouth crashes down on mine, hungry and urgent. His hands grip my hips, lifting me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He carries me to the bed, his body covering mine as we fall onto the soft mattress. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, echoing my own racing pulse.

He breaks away, just long enough to ask, “Are you sure, Diana?” His voice is hoarse, his breathing ragged, but his eyes are clear and focused, wanting—needing—my consent.

I smile, cupping his face in my hands. “Don’t make me beg, Cassius.”

He grins, a boyish, excited smile that makes my heart flutter. Then he captures my mouth again, his kiss slow and deep, savoring me, cherishing me. I melt into him, my body arching into his touch as his hands explore me, tracing curves and igniting fires.

He slides a hand between us, guiding himself to my entrance. I can feel him, hot and hard, pressing against me. I wrap my legs around his hips, urging him on, inviting him in. He pushes into me slowly, gently, his gaze locked onto mine, watching for any sign of discomfort or regret. But there’s only pleasure, intense and overwhelming, as he fills me completely.

He starts to move, unhurried, deliberate thrusts that build a rhythm that’s uniquely ours, the symphony of our love. I match his pace, my body synching with his, our breaths mingling, our hearts beating the same rhythm. His fingers lace with mine, our hands clasped above my head, our bodies pressed together, skin to skin, heart to heart.

“You feel amazing, Diana,” he murmurs against my lips. “So warm, so tight. Perfect.”

The only thing I can do is moan in response, my body consumed by sensation, by the feel of him moving inside me, the sound of his voice, the taste of his skin. I can feel the tension building again, the coil of need tightening, threatening to snap. I cling to him, my nails digging into his back, my body rising to meet his, urging him deeper, faster.

He complies, his pace quickening, his thrusts becoming more urgent. Our bodies are slick with sweat, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. I can see the strain in his expression, the effort it takes for him to hold back, to wait for me. But I don’t want him to wait, I don’t want him to hold back. I want him to let go, to lose control with me.

“Cassius,” I gasp, my voice barely a whisper. “Let go. Come with me.”

His eyes widen, then he nods, a small, sharp jerk of his head, and he drives into me with a grunt, hard and deep. Just a few more passionate thrusts and he pushes me over the edge. My body convulses, waves of pleasure crashing through me, and I hear him shout, feel him pulse inside me as he finds his release.

My release goes on forever. Just when I think I’ve fully peaked, my body gears up for another racing, blissful climax. Although he’s spent, Cassius keeps thrusting, coaxing more pleasure out of me until I collapse into the mattress with a deep, satisfied breath.

We cling to each other, our bodies shaking, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. The world around us fades away, leaving only Cassius and me, our hearts pounding in sync, our bodies entwined. It’s just us, lost in this moment, lost in each other.

Eventually, our breathing slows, our heartbeats return to normal. Cassius rolls to the side, pulling me with him, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I snuggle into his chest, my head resting on his shoulder, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on his skin. He’s still inside me. We’re still connected.

“Mmm…” I want to tell him what that felt like, what it meant to me, but words fail me. There’s nothing I can say to describe what just happened between us, the intensity, the connection, the sheer raw emotion of it all.

Cassius chuckles, a low rumble in his chest. “I agree.” He nips my lower lip, his voice filled with awe and wonder. He presses a soft kiss to my forehead, his arms tightening around me.

We lie for a while, basking in the afterglow, our bodies pressed together, our fingers tracing patterns on each other’s skin, memorizing, loving. It feels right, natural, as if this is where we’re meant to be.

For a moment, a spike of worry jolts through me when I realize we haven’t talked about the future, not really. Then I relax, settling back comfortably, half on him, half on the mattress.

After all, what is there to discuss? He said he loved me and that home is wherever I am. I feel exactly the same way. All the rest is just… details.