The Gladiator’s Master (15 page)

“I could stare at you for many hours and be happily occupied.” Caelius gestured to his cooing son. “He takes to you.”

“And I, him.” There was little use in denying it. He was sure Caelius had a very clear idea of his growing attachment to the babe and his fondness for children in general. In fact, Faustus reminded Gaidres very much of Caelius. Deceptively strong, clever…beautiful.

“I can see that. You are welcome to hold him any time you like. You have but to ask.”

“Gratitude, Dominus.” Gaidres glanced up as Caelius rose to speak with one of the women, no doubt to request Helene be found and sent for. When the other man returned, Faustus was beginning to fuss. “He is hungry, just as you expected.”

Caelius chuckled. “He often is.”

They both sought to soothe the infant as they waited for Helene, who whisked Faustus away.

With the babe gone and the other children engrossed in a game of their own making, Gaidres found himself at a loss for what to say. He glanced at Caelius. “I should find the men and see to joining their training.” Though formal duties in the villa had been suspended for the day in respect to Valeriana’s laying to rest, surely he could find a man or two willing to spar. “Do you need me to stay?” It was, after all, his primary duty to protect Caelius.

“No, go. I fear you will find protecting me boring while here at the villa. It would take a foolhardy man to try to get at me here. It’s while we are in town and when there are visitors that you need to be wary.”

Gaidres glanced around the courtyard and its sense of warm comfort. “I think I understand, Dominus. Your people would die to protect you.”

It was a strange group. They seemed to regard Caelius as not just their dominus, but almost as a friend. At the meal last evening, they didn’t just tell him about the running of the villa, but about their families and themselves, from a new babe Demetrius said was destined to be a fine playmate for Faustus to news of the death of an old woman, at which Caelius showed genuine remorse.

Even more confounding was their reaction to his presence as Caelius’s personal guard. No one seemed to question his position at all and it felt strange. Had he been a slave so long that he no longer remembered how to be anything else? None of the slaves or other guards looked askance at him being amongst them. It was a strange feeling, yet not unpleasant.

“And I them, Gaidres. All of them.” Caelius caught Gaidres’s eyes, and he got the sense that the other man included him in that group.

Unsure how to respond to that, he rose, inclining his head. “You know where to find me if you have need of me.”

Gaidres strode away, and it took a moment for him to realize he had company. He glanced over to find Caelius hurrying along beside him.

“I’d like to watch, if you do not mind.”

Gaidres did mind, but shook his head instead. It wasn’t that he cared if Caelius wanted to watch them train. It was his right and the mark of a good master to show interest in the condition of his men. The fact was, however, that Caelius was a distraction. Even thoughts of him were a distraction and in battle, feigned or otherwise, distraction could be deadly.

Best he get used to it, though, because come the Lupercalia when Gaidres and others from the
ludus
were set to debut, Caelius would be watching then. Better to become accustomed to the feel of his gaze on him here and now, where it would not mean Gaidres’s head separated from his neck.

Caelius frowned at him as they approached the other men gathered behind the barracks. “Would you rather I did not?”

Gaidres gave him a sharp look. “Do as you will, Dominus.” And cease with asking for his opinion as if it mattered. Perhaps it might here, in this strange villa that seemed apart from the rest of the world and a Republic that destroyed everything it touched, but this was not his world. It would never be. He could not get used to the way it was here.

Not even two days yet and already he was beginning to forget his cell, his shackles, his purpose. By the gods, he was becoming the fool Demos forever accused him of being.

He moved forward to join the other men and did his best to pretend Caelius wasn’t there, throwing himself into the sparring. It was easier said than done. Occasionally, as he’d turn to block a swing of his opponent’s sword, he’d catch sight of Caelius along the building behind them, leaning against the wall.

Any other man of Caelius’s status would have several servants nearby, one for shade, one to bring him wine, another to fan him even though it wasn’t so hot here by the sea. But, as he’d already come to find out, Caelius was not like every man of his status.

Why was that so difficult to wrap his mind around?

Caught gathering wool, Gaidres took a hard blow across his back and was grateful they sparred with wooden swords and not live ones. Still, he heard the faint sound from Caelius’s direction and glanced over to see concern on his face.

Gaidres didn’t know why, but the sight of Caelius worried for him made something akin to anger rise up. What was wrong with Caelius? Why did he not know the rules of the world when everyone else, even Gaidres, did? And why did he insist on trying to make Gaidres play by those rules of his, bent as they were?

As the match continued, Gaidres’s temper grew, his own strikes and blows growing more fierce, more uncontrolled until he stopped, meeting his opponent’s eyes. “Apologies. I fear other duties call,” he ground out.

He threw down the
rudis
and strode toward Caelius, who saw him coming and straightened, eyes widening as if he knew what was coming.

“I would speak with you, Dominus,” he hissed, glancing around. “Alone.”

Caelius shivered and his mouth went dry. By the gods, the man was stunning when a full fury was on him, and he hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing Gaidres like this in several weeks. It made his whole body tremble.

Gaidres had never looked more like a lion than he did now, standing out in the full sunlight and facing him down. Proud and dangerous. Though right now he was more akin to a lion with a thorn lodged in his paw.

“As you wish, Gaidres.” Caelius turned toward his quarters.

Caelius wished he had known Gaidres before his life had been destroyed. Then he might not feel so much like he was foundering in dangerous waters. Had Gaidres always been so moody or had it only been since he lost his home and lover?

Or maybe it was just because Caelius wouldn’t act in the manner Gaidres expected. That would be upsetting to a man so intent on hating all things Roman. If that was the problem, then Gaidres would just have to adjust. He wasn’t about to turn into a tyrant to justify his lover’s anger. Perhaps it would rattle the man enough to knock him out of the mental and emotional rut he had gotten into.

Gaidres didn’t say a word as he stalked behind him, so close that Caelius imagined he could feel Gaidres’s hot breath against the nape of his neck. He didn’t know what brought about this change in his gladiator and he didn’t care at all. He just wanted to be alone with him so he could revel in the full force of Gaidres’s passion.

“Leave us,” Caelius said to his attendants as they entered his rooms. “I’ll send for you if we need anything.”

They left with silent, curious glances. When they reached their room, Caelius turned toward Gaidres, who lingered just inside the doorway. He was a sight to behold, all glistening muscles and skin smudged with dust from his brief sparring. Caelius bit his lip, shivering. “Gaidres…”

But Gaidres shook his head, holding up one hand. Caelius held his breath, heart racing out of control. Oh gods help him, his lion was going to devour him. He could see it coming and had not a single drop of desire to get out of the way of the oncoming assault.

“Remove your robe.” It wasn’t a question. It was an order, spoken in a deceptively quiet tone. Gaidres’s expression belied the calm in his voice. His man was strung tight as a drum and the knowledge that
he
had caused such a reaction thrilled Caelius.

Shaking hands obeyed the command and lifted to loosen the draped fabric, allowing it to fall in one motion to puddle around his feet. He had never felt so exposed, and it made him want to beg, to kneel and crawl and worship Gaidres as his own personal god. The things the man did to him, it was insanity.

His breath caught when Gaidres strode toward him, the intensity in his gaze and the purpose in his body making Caelius stumble backward on pure instinct. It served no purpose. Gaidres just shoved him back against the wall.

Caelius panted, eyes wide, their faces so close as Gaidres stared down at him. He trembled under Gaidres’s splayed hand, which had not moved from his chest. “Please, Gaidres…” He needed to be touched. He needed Gaidres in every way.

Gaidres’s eyes swept over him and he could almost feel them travel over his skin. “Your cock already rises to attention and I have not truly touched you yet, Dominus.”

“You arouse my body with ease.” That wasn’t the only thing that Gaidres aroused in him, but he had no intention of driving away his lion again with tender talk. He moved to touch Gaidres and a sharp shake of his lover’s head had Caelius dropping his hands again. “Gaidres.”

Gaidres braced his hands on either side of Caelius and already Caelius missed the feel of his lover’s hand on him. “You play the wanton. What would you do for a touch?” Gaidres lowered his head, lips not quite brushing Caelius’s skin. His heart pounded as he felt the trail of Gaidres’s breath, teasing as he craved more. “For a kiss?”

“Anything.” Caelius lifted shaky hands to grip Gaidres’s hard arms. “I’d do anything you demand.”

Gaidres’s gaze flicked up to him as his mouth hovered over Caelius’s chest, making his nipples tighten. Gaidres’s eyes were wicked and Caelius had no doubt that Gaidres would dare to make demands of him that no one else had before. “Do you truly wish to give me such power?”

Caelius gasped as Gaidres’s teeth closed on one nipple, giving it a rough tug. He arched into his lover, his hands tightening on Gaidres’s arms. “Yes, for you. Gaidres, please.”

Gaidres straightened then and Caelius waited, wondering what he would demand. Whatever it was, Caelius would give it without hesitation. He trembled, eyes closing briefly as Gaidres slid one hand up to flick Caelius’s nipple, still damp from his lover’s mouth.

“Turn around.”

Thank the gods for the wall, because that low, rough order nearly had Caelius’s knees buckling beneath him. He turned, breath hitching at the brush of Gaidres’s body against his own. The rough material of Gaidres’s
subligar
felt deliciously abrasive as Caelius’s bare ass rubbed against it. Facing the wall, he pressed his hands against it, head turned, breath shaky.

“Now what?”

Caelius could hardly breathe. It was torture, waiting for every demand, wondering what Gaidres would want, what he might make him do. Delicious, wicked torture.

“Now I am going to make you scream, Caelius. And beg. And you will know who is the master between us.”

Before Caelius could respond, Gaidres dropped to his knees and jerked Caelius’s hips back from the wall, strong hands spreading his cheeks.
Oh…Jupiter, grant mercy.
Caelius cried out as his lover’s tongue pushed within him and if he had the breath he might have told Gaidres that he knew exactly who mastered whom. He could sooner control the position of the moon in the sky than control Gaidres.

Nor did he want to. He loved Gaidres the way that he was. A fierce lion in battle, a gentle protector when he cradled Faustus. Caelius could not stomach trying to force or cage a man such as Gaidres, yet he was helpless to free his gladiator until the man allowed him to do so.

Caelius’s hands curled on the wall, his cheek pressed against the cool stone as Gaidres’s tongue drove into him. He moaned his lover’s name, crying out again as Gaidres’s tongue left him, leaving him aching and empty. A rough nip on the cheek of his ass sent a shudder through him. “Gaidres…Gaidres, please.”

“What do you beg for, Caelius?”

Caelius trembled at the sound of his name on Gaidres’s lips in that low growl. He sagged against the wall, looking over his shoulder at his lover. “For you. For whatever you would have me say.”

He sank down onto his knees, twisting to face Gaidres. The raw desire on his face made Caelius’s heart pound faster. “Please, Gaidres.” He wet his lips. “I beg you, let me touch you. Let me feel you inside of me. Would you have me crawl? I’d do it. Would you have me scream your name? Whatever you desire.”

Gaidres groaned, leaning in, lips so close but never touching Caelius’s. “I would have you crawl, Caelius.” His voice was a rough whisper that sent shivers dragging down Caelius’s spine. “But I will make you scream whether you wish to or not.”

Caelius bit his lip, leaning closer and groaning when Gaidres leaned back. Caelius did crawl then, all over Gaidres as his lover stretched back on his elbows. Caelius straddled him, rubbing against him, hands splayed on that beautiful, strong chest. “But I do wish it. I always wish it. Were it possible, I would never be parted from you or your cock, my lion.” To have Gaidres with him constantly…The idea made Caelius’s heart race. Hours spent with nothing but loving on their minds and pleasure at their fingertips.

Gaidres bucked his hips then, rolling Caelius to his back and pushing his thighs wide. Caelius moaned, arching under him, hands roaming over every inch he could reach. This was how he liked his gladiator best. Wild, rough, dominant. Taking him, pinning him, his weight against Caelius a sensual pleasure all its own.

“Please, Gaidres, I need you. Please…come inside…” His fingers found Gaidres’s nipples, and some wicked part of him couldn’t resist the urge to twist one. Gaidres shouted and Caelius laughed, winding his legs around Gaidres’s hips and twisting beneath him. “Hurry, my lion, before I grow claws of my own and take what I want.”

“You’d dare mark me?” He growled and grabbed Caelius’s hands, pinning them down. Caelius adored the laughter and hunger in Gaidres’s eyes, even as he ached for more of both.

“I would.” Caelius arched against him. “And then I’d see them as you sparred with the guards and know my hands put them there.”