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Carpe Diem! – chapter 28
Cayla sat in the garden long after the guests had left. She wanted to go to Caius, to feel his strong arms around her. But she also didn’t want to just be another body to him. Another whore to warm his bed.
‘But that’s not what you are, is it?’ she thought. ‘You are one of the lucky ones to be able to go to him and have him still want you. He listens to your babbling.’
Cayla rose, wringing her hands. Seeing Juliana with Brutus had made her heart weep again. Caius unconsciously dried those tears.
“Fine,” she said through clenched teeth, giving in. “Let him think I’m just there for sex. Juliana said not to get attached…but it is too late.”
She walked to the pond full of koi and fixed her hair before heading to Caius’ chambers. When she knocked, no one answered, so she entered. He had not yet returned. Cayla walked to the window which overlooked the garden and stood watching the mood hang in the night sky.
Rian stood beneath the shadows of a tree, watching her, wishing he could climb up the ivy and whisk her away to be with him. But the time had not yet come. He left quickly because if he saw what he thought was to happen, he might not be able to restrain himself from killing that Roman.
Caius returned after Octavian had left and Juliana had already retired to bed. "What are you doing here?"
Cayla’s hair was loose about her shoulders. She turned and didn’t answer him verbally. Instead she approached him, took his face in her hands and kissed him. “I’ve wanted to do that all night,” she breathed. “You’ve looked so handsome and have been the most perfect brother.”
"I have done nothing different," he replied, inwardly surprised with her boldness.
‘Let him think I am here only for sex,’ Cayla thought again. ‘It is better.’
She pushed his toga from his shoulders and trailed her lips and tongue across the ridges of his muscles. “I know,” she whispered before gazing up into his eyes as she slid his toga off of his strong body before slipping her fingers slowly back up to rest on his chest. “I want your arms around me tonight, Caius.” She didn't realize that her words gave her true sentiments away. If she didn't care so much she'd only want his body, not his embrace.
He should send her away but he needed a way to blow off stress and would’ve summoned one of his slaves anyways.
“Is that a yes?” she asked him with a smile.
“This time. But do not think you can come here whenever you desire, strip me and expect me to take you,” he said; it was not a slave’s place to be so bold.
Cayla’s heart fell but she nodded, keeping up the act. “I was sent to you, my lord,” she said, leaning up to press kisses along his neck, remaining in her own garb, forgetting about it in the tumultuous emotions that raged in her stomach.
‘He thinks this is just what I want…good. Maybe it will keep me in check,’ she thought.
Caius smirked as he rid her of her slaves garb and pushed her back on the bed, hovering over her. “Of course she did,” he said trailing his lips over her neck and shoulders.
Cayla tipped her head back and arched against him. “She did,” she breathed, running her hands down his back. It sounded as though she were going to speak some more, but she lost herself.
Caius enjoyed the silence. He learned a lot about a ‘lover’ the first time so if there was a second he’d know how to pleasure them.
Cayla caught his lips with hers before pulling away and meeting his gaze. Without breaking it she reached down to pleasure him with her hands, kissing him occasionally. The eye contact made it ten times more intimate. She hooked her leg over his hip and trailed a line of kisses from his mouth to the sensitive spot behind his ear, wanting nothing more but to please him.
Caius pulled away enough so she released him and in a quick, but gentle, movement entered her, letting her adjust before setting a quick pace.
Cayla shut her eyes and bit her lower lip as she whimpered in pleasure. She rolled them back over and leaned down to kiss him before sitting back and continuing the quick pace. “Caius…” she breathed meeting his gaze with hungry eyes needing him, needing his hands on her body, needing to just be with him.
He tipped his head back, letting her temporarily take control setting his hands on her hips.
Cayla ran his hands over his muscular chest and bent to shower kisses upon him before leaning forward to press her lips to his passionately.
He dragged his tongue across her lips, deepening the kiss, his hands caressing her sides and back.
Cayla shuddered violently under his touch and marveled. There was something about a kiss that was so much more intimate than anything else. She cupped his face in her hands and gazed into his incredible blue eyes a long moment before kissing him again, deeply, hungrily.
Without breaking the kiss he flipped them back over, guiding her to her release before finding his soon after. He kissed her once more before rolling off her.
“No,” she breathed and leaned up to slowly kiss him again, entwining her fingers with his before she relaxed with her head against his chest, never letting go of his hand. “I don’t want this feeling to end…” It was euphoria, peace, safety.
He smirked. "It will. It always does."
Cayla climbed on top of him and pulled the covers up over them, nestling her head against his shoulder. “Not yet…please,” she asked quietly, bringing their entwined hands to her lips and kissing his knuckles.
He frowned. He didn't need his sister’s slave getting attached; he didn't want anyone getting attached. Clingy women were not attractive. "Don't get attached," he said, though not moving for the moment.
Cayla shook her head. “I won’t.”
‘Where have I heard this conversation before?’ she thought before glancing up at him.
“Are you tired? Or can you handle me again?” she challenged him gently, sitting up, forcing herself to think only of the physical.
"I've handled worse."
“Of course you have,” Cayla said with a smirk. “You are Caius the great.” Her words and smile were playful as she slowly kissed him and ran her hands down his sides that tapered to narrow hips.
He rolled his eyes at the title but went along, returning the kiss briefly. When Cayla pulled away she beckoned him into a sitting position and straddled his lap. She looped her arms around his neck and nipped at his earlobes.
She wanted to go another round; he would let her call the shots.
Cayla kissed him and slid down his body, taking him into her mouth just long enough to get him in the mood before rising and sitting on the dresser. This position would give him more pleasure than the bed and also broke from the ordinary love making. “Come here,” she whispered.
Caius rose and stepped in front of her placing his hands on her hips and with a single motion was in her again.
“You waste no time, lover,” Cayla whispered as she leaned up to kiss him before crying out. He touched different places inside of her that she hadn’t expected.
He smirked. "I can tell you really wanted me to."
Cayla had to hold onto his shoulders. She leaned into kiss him as his hands ran down her sides before tipping her head back to enjoy his skill.
He held back to draw it out and finally drove her to release and soon found his. He stepped back so she could move off the dresser and lay down on his bed. It had been a long day of business and arranging his sister’s party. He had not expected to end the night as he had.
Cayla shook her head. It was obvious he was never truly intimate with a woman. He just left immediately after. She crawled into bed beside him, intertwining their legs as she rested her head against his chest, exhausted.
He was too tired to argue and send her back to Juliana so he would allow it for this last time. It would not be the norm.
Cayla leaned up and pressed her lips to the underside of his chin before relaxing and shutting her eyes. As sleep drifted over her, she bundled her tiny hands beneath her chin and cuddled to him for warmth.
“Lavinia I told you, no. Please go aw-…Juliana!” Brutus exclaimed and pulled her inside. “How did you escape from Caius?” He hugged her tightly before holding her away from him by the shoulders to stare into her face before hugging her again.
Juliana smiled and returned his embrace. "Cayla is falling for Caius it seems and has admitted to sleeping with him. I dismissed her to go to him and after waiting for awhile to make sure he did not refuse her, I hurried over here. No one knows I've even left. I had to see you."
Brutus laughed and guided her into the atrium before finally pulling her to him for a satisfying kiss. “You looked amazing tonight in that dress and you’d been laughing all night. All I wanted to do was be with you,” he whispered. “Not just for your body, but for everything. I wanted to hear you laugh again.”
Juliana touched his cheek tenderly. “I had to sneak away to be with you. Having you so near yet unable to touch or have a genuine conversation with you was torture.”
Brutus leaned into her touch and shut his eyes. “Yes, we never get to say more than the paltry ‘hello, how are you?’ I can’t even say that I love you,” he said and pulled her down beside him on some cushions, pressing her against him and running his fingers through her loose hair.
“Well you may tell me now to your heart’s content. There is no one to stop you for I certainly will not,” Juliana said.
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t,” he said with a smirk. He let his hand trace over her hip, enjoying the feel of the silk against her body. “Diana, I have the statue that you gave me placed by my bedside.”
She smiled. “I am pleased to hear it but a statue can not kiss you or pleasure you as I can.”
“Don’t I know it,” he said with a smile as he bent to press a few kisses along her inner thigh. “Your skin is softer than this silk.”
She sighed and sifted her fingers through his hair. “I have been able to think of only you since Ephesus; our time together there. You have changed so much and yet not at all.”
“I am still a man, above all,” he said, moving to sit between her legs, sliding his hands up her thighs. “A man in love with you, bewitcher of hearts.”
“I did not bewitch you. I myself tried desperately not to fall in love with you,” she said softly.
“I didn’t even think to stop myself because I didn’t know,” Brutus said, pressing a few kisses to her thighs.
She shivered. “And now look at us.”
“Lovers,” he whispered, working his lips up her thighs to pleasure her while enjoying the texture of the silk against her body.
“And not just intimate ones,” she breathed.
“Although that part’s not bad,” he teased but did not cease in his torment until she was shaking with release. Then he crawled up her body and laid her head on her breast. “They are bigger,” he noted. “Perfect for being a mother.”
She blushed. “Of course you would notice.”
Brutus chuckled. “I’ve not seen that blush in a long time. Good to know I can still bring it out,” he said, caressing the object of their attention while leaning up to kiss her. “I am but a man, after all, my love. Please forgive me.” He made puppy dog eyes up at her but he looked thoroughly pleased with himself.
She shook her head in amusement. “You are incorrigible.”
“I’d like to think so,” he gloated. “For what would the world be without Brutus Amadeus Crescentius? If I were to change it would no longer be me but a ghost.” He slipped the silken garb off her shoulders and pressed a few kisses to it. “This must feel like heaven upon your skin when you wear it.”
She nodded. “It is comfortable.”
“So you’ve come here. I am yours.” He sat up and pulled his toga off. “Do what you will, oh priestess mine.”
She smiled. “I already told you the only reason I did that was because it was the only way I could think of to see you…I am no priestess.”
“You are MY priestess,” he said, laying beside her and pushing a bit of her garment off of her shoulder and kissing the exposed skin. He was feeling very playful as he pulled her towards him by her hip.
She giggled. “What has gotten into you?”
Brutus shook his head with a grin. “I don’t know. You. You risk everything for me and your face makes me smile,” he said, touching her cheek as he undid one button near the top of her garment. He lowered his head to kiss the bit of cleavage that was exposed.
“It is your fault for outshining all men with your beauty and for being so perfect and kind,” she said.
“Don’t say that to anyone else or you’ll sully my manly reputation,” Brutus said before hovering above her.
She took his face in her hands whispering, “Your secret is safe with me,” before pulling his head down to kiss him thoroughly.
Brutus moaned into her mouth as his hands slowly removed the silken garment. “Good,” he whispered and rolled, pulling her on top of him as he ran his arms down her back to her backside and back up.
She shivered beneath his capable hands and smiled against his lips. “I love you…I shouldn’t but by the gods I do.”
As she moved he reached up to caress her body, staring at her lovingly. “This never gets mundane with you,” he said in awe. “No matter how man times we’re together.” He pulled her down to kiss her.
She eagerly returned it, missing the way he made her feel when she couldn’t be with him and loving him more every second she was with him.
This time was quick, passionate, full of need. “I wish you were with my child,” he whispered suddenly.
She swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Let us forget about it for the time being.”
“You don’t have to fake a smile for my sake,” he whispered, rolling her beneath him. “Every emotion you feel I want to see for what it is. Even if it is hatred for me.”
“You are foolish to believe I could hate you,” she replied, leaning up to touch his cheek.
Brutus smiled down at her as he experienced his release and continued his motion until she found hers. He ran his hands over her body. “How did you keep Caius from noticing your disappearance?”
“I already told you,” she said with a breathy laugh. “She appears to be falling for Caius and asked to be sent to him.”
“Falling for him or enjoying the sex?” Brutus asked, caressing Juliana’s back.
She shrugged. “Both? I have no idea,” she said.
Brutus smirked. “I think the latter. I heard they were always fighting from Connor,” he said, pulling Juliana against his chest and kissing her forehead. He was basking in the wonderful afterglow.
She nodded, resting her head against his chest. “Probably.”
Brutus rose moments later and wrapped a blanket around her. “We’re going to spend the night in my bed, beneath the statue of Artemis and I will dream, for this one night, that I can wake up every morning with you by my side.”
Juliana rose and followed upstairs to his chambers. When they arrived Brutus turned. “I’ve done something for you. I believe a married couple should share quarters so…I’ve made a space for you. Whenever you are here, this is your home,” he said before throwing open the doors.
Juliana drew in a breath pressing a hand to her chest in a gesture of shock. “But we are not married and I cannot often sneak away,” she breathed.
Brutus pulled her inside and showed her the changes. “I know. I know. But my home is your home. I’ve had the wardrobe filled with several palus’ and foreign dresses and a vanity sketchily put together. Perhaps we can send Cayla out one time for some extra things,” he whispered, kissing her shoulder.
Juliana shook her head in amazement. “You did this knowing we cannot be together and I will hardly ever be here?”
Brutus turned her to him. “I can’t show you every day what you mean to me. I have to do it the best way I can because I fail with words. How I make love to you, the things I can give you, when I can hold you…it’s what I have to give…”
Juliana smiled. “You are too perfect for me,” she said, touching his cheek and pulling his head down to kiss him tenderly.
Brutus returned it and pulled her to his balcony where there was a platter of fruits and two goblets of wine waiting. “No, I am far from perfect,” he said, pulling out a chair for her and sitting beside her as they stared out into the night sky. The entire night was theirs for lovemaking. He just wanted a few moments to be quietly in her company.
“You didn’t know I was coming. When did you have time to set this up?” she asked curiously. “Were you expecting someone else?”
Brutus gaped at her and shook his head, putting his feet up on the table, enjoying the cool wind on his naked body. “When I got home I set up and prayed you would come…I do every night. I’m pathetic I know,” he said, refusing to look at her.
Juliana could only study him in silence. After an eternity of quiet perusal she rose and straddled his lap facing him, taking his face gently in her hands. “I love you.”
This time it didn’t make him smile. The words truly sank into his being as his hands rested on her hips. “I don’t know why, but I’m glad,” he breathed kissing her chastely.
She grinned. “Because deep down you know one is enough it ISN’T just a quip with my brother.”
“But he will never believe me” Brutus said sadly. “But all that matters is that you believe it. One is more than enough.”
She smiled. “One to love is enough for you because you never wished to love but one is not enough to make love to.”
Brutus studied her blue eyes and they were sad. “If you were truly mine…you would be enough,” he whispered. “But it’s hard to be alone so much.”
"For an epicurean" she agreed.
“For anyone. My friends are few. My father is never here. I see you rarely. Women fawn. I don’t have any close relationships. I can count them on one hand,” Brutus said. “If you couldn’t be happy knowing I was with other women, I would stop in an instant because my loneliness is not worth it.”
"No, I cannot ask you to stop your ways when you've practiced them long before me and I cannot offer myself in place of them for more than a stolen moment which are few and far between," she stated.
Brutus swallowed hard and leaned his forehead against her shoulder. “I feel treacherous thinking these thoughts. It makes me feel as though I am not loyal to you,” he admitted.
She smiled softly, raking her fingers through his hair. "Do not. Knowing it is even a struggle is a sign of love and loyalty in itselt because you are not a man to even consider such things as loyalty."
Brutus didn’t move. Her fingers calmed him, her presence was a balm for his soul. Then he pressed his lips to the curve of her graceful neck. “You are so good, my love,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her. One hand found the free one that wasn’t in his hair and he entwined her fingers. He felt the ring and smiled. She was true to her word.
She rested her head on his shoulder and pressed a kiss to the crook of his neck. "No, just a little understanding."
Brutus leaned back against the chair with her against him, straddling his lap, head on his shoulder. They were both naked and the wind kissed their flesh, but the moment was so perfect, it seemed to be framed in time. “Juliana Lucia Valerius Cresentius.”
A small wistful smile titled her lips. "It has a pleasant tone."
He ran his fingers through her hair and down her back before beginning at her head again. “Do you think there is only one love for each person? The love that they absolutely can’t live without?”
"I do not know for if there was, then why would the gods keep them from each other?" she replied after a moment of contemplation.
Brutus pushed her back a bit so he could look her in the eyes. “I don’t know what the gods define as the perfect match, but you are mine. I will never doubt it. With you I am a better man and still myself. I don’t lose my identity in order to be with you.”
"As you will be my one and only love," she replied, her voice just above a whisper.
Brutus cupped her face in his hands and stared into her sapphire eyes. She wasn’t perfect, but in her imperfections she was perfect for him. He leaned in to kiss her and flicked his tongue over the outline of her lips. “Make love to me here,” he whispered. “With the night sky as our canopy.”
Juliana nodded. "I'd make love to you anywhere you ask; our time together is too limited," she replied, lowering her lips to his.
Brutus groaned under her kiss. She was now expert at what pleased him physically, emotionally, mentally. They hadn’t made love like this before, with him sitting in a chair and he knew it would be a new kind of pleasure for her. As she took him into her, she never broke his gaze which drove him crazy. “Minx,” he breathed before locking lips with her again. His hands cupped her breasts as he knew she liked as she set their pace. In this position she had all of the control.
Juliana enjoyed the feelings of power and pleasure that came from pleasuring him, setting a pace she knew he enjoyed and would draw out their experience.
He moved his mouth to her breast as she arched her body against him. She was the best lover he’d ever had; this innocent, young, beautiful woman. Everything she did was to please him just as he did what he could to ensure her ultimate pleasure.
Her forehead dropped to rest on his shoulder. “I love you,” she whispered.
Brutus kissed her cheek as she reached her climax and ran his hands down her back, hugging her to him as he continued to move, finding his moments later. “Oh my Juliana,” he gasped, short of breath. “This is why they call it making love.”
She laughed breathily. “It would seem so.”
He kissed her shoulder multiple times and ran his hands down her back to her backside, enjoying the softness of her skin. Then he kissed her. They’d had so many fleeting kisses in passing but it had been so long since he discovered her taste, enjoyed the feel of her lips to his.
She whimpered quietly, taken aback by the tenderness with which he kissed her. She was so accustomed to passion with him that when he seldom kissed her as he did now it surprised her; speaking a whole new level of love.
Brutus deepened the kiss, caressing her lips with his tongue, allowing her time to explore him and cupping the back of her neck to bring her even closer.
After a long moment she pulled back, tenderly caressing his cheek as she pressed a kiss to his forehead before curling up on his lap, resting her head on his shoulder.
Brutus reached for the blanket that had been haphazardly tossed onto the table and covered her. “I do believe this is one of the first times that we haven’t made love more than twice just after your arrival,” he joked quietly, staring up at the stars, the hearths of the gods, praying that she would somehow no longer be bound to Septimus.
Juliana laughed but it was broken by a yawn. "I would have to agree with you."
Brutus rose with her in his arms and brought her inside, shutting one door, leaving the other open to the night air. Then he set her on the bed and crawled in beside her. “I think you need to sleep, love.”
Once he was settled she curled up so her head rested in between his neck and shoulder, her palm gently pressed to his chest.
“This is how it should be,” he murmured as his eyes sank shut. He felt completely at his with her beside him. He tightened his arm around her.
She smiled quietly to herself. Septimus never bothered to fall asleep with her but she knew if he did it would not feel so perfect.
“Night,” Brutus breathed. “Love you.” Then he was fast asleep.
She was warm; she was safe; she was content and those whispered words were the final pieces to seal the night in perfection. "I love you more," she breathed before she joined him in sleep.
“Yes Freya?” he asked kindly. She’d been a slave for his mother and had been around his entire life.
“My arthritis is quite bad as of late and I was wondering…if it wouldn’t be too presumptuous…if I could have another helping hand…” Freya asked hesitantly.
Brutus studied the old woman seriously before nodding. “It is a reasonable request. I will send Connor for one. A young woman.”
Freya smiled, revealing several missing teeth and a wizened grin. “Thank you, m’lord.”
“Fetch Connor on your way out. I will send him right away,” Brutus said and Freya bowed.
“So we’re getting a new presence in the household?” Connor said upon entering. “Is this to try to get over Juliana?” His grin was teasing.
“I doubt any slave could do that,” Brutus said with a roll of his eyes.
“Give me money and I shall be off,” Connor said, holding out a hand.
Brutus eyed his personal slave and handed him a pouch. “I want her to be taller, stronger so she can help Freya. I don’t care what she looks like. Try to have her already speak Latin because it’s a pain to teach,” he said and Connor nodded.
“Your wish is my command,” Connor said and parted.
The auction was full of large men captured in recent raids and Connor was about to give up when he saw a weeping woman being stripped and shown to a potential buyer. She was of average height, darkened by the sun and muscular. Her face was pretty from what he could see under the redness cause by tears and her body was lithe with subtle curves.
The woman glanced up and met his gaze. Her eyes were a brown so dark they were like pools of black. For a moment Connor was stunned into silence. Then he approached the trader. “How much for this one? And does she speak Latin?”
The trader name a price and then poked the woman. “Can you speak properly?”
“Y-yes. I know a little,” she said in a low, husky voice.
“My son would like her,” the man who first bid on her said, offering a higher price.
Connor knew that he had to have this girl. Her long auburn hair hung messily around her face and her eyes clung to him. She had secretly chosen him.
“Where is she from?”
“Anya is from Germania. Now can you beat that price?” the trader asked impatiently and Connor nodded.
They spent a quarter of an hour bidding until Connor finally won. He held out a hand to the woman. “Come Anya. We shall get you cleaned up and take you to meet the master,” he said slowly.
Anya’s dark eyes focused on the ground as she jumped down from the platform and shuffled behind him.
“My name is Connor,” he said quietly, tipping her chin up. “I am the master’s son’s personal servant. As long as you don’t speak to unless spoken to and follow the rules that will be explained, he is quite lenient.”
Anya nodded and bit her lip, naturally shy but she found Connor very kind.
“Thank you.”
As they walked Connor thought of things to ask her. “How old are you? And what were you taken from?”
“I am twenty-three and my new husband my parents had wed me to. He was kind, but I didn’t love him,” she said. “But the union made my parents happy so I was happy enough.”
Connor told her about his past as they walked and they reached the domus in no time. “Loti!”
The Egyptian slave came running in.
“Clean her up and then bring her to me so I can introduce her to Brutus. Go with Loti. She is kind and gentle,” he said to Anya and Loti smiled as she guided Anya away.
A half an hour later Anya appeared in slave’s garb and her hair plated into a thick braid.
“You look lovely,” Connor complimented and she blushed. “Let us go.”
They entered the bibliotheca where Brutus was planning his next trip and the expenses. Anya gaped at the back of her new master’s physique. He was tall, broad of shoulder and she could see his muscles ripple under the cloth of the tunic as he moved.
Connor glanced at her and sighed. “My lord, I’ve brought the new slave, Anya,” he said and placed the coin purse on the table with the change.
Brutus turned and perused her. She was pretty enough and looked capable. He nodded. “Anya, I am Brutus. You are to address me as ‘my lord’ as well as my father…when he deems himself ready to enter the household. You will mostly be working with Freya in the kitchen unless asked to help elsewhere.”
Anya tried not to gape at his incredible features and felt her entire body warm. “Y-yes my lord,” she stuttered and Brutus smirked, approaching her.
“Did you want something?” he asked, inches from her.
Anya’s knees were weak. Never before had she wanted a man like she wanted this one.
“N-no. It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said and Brutus leaned forward to kiss her before pulling away.
“And you,” he said and turned back to his books as Connor led her away.
“I forgot to warn you about that,” he said wryly. “Oops.”
Anya shot him a dirty look. “Is he always like that? So…so…”
“Handsome? Irresistible? Frustrating?” Connor asked and Anya nodded.
“Yup. Always. He can have any woman he wants,” Connor said and showed her to the slave’s quarters before taking her on a brief tour of the domus.
“My heart still races,” she said, pressing her palm against her chest.
“Do not love him. He will break your heart for he loves another,” Connor warned but Anya was already smitten.
‘This should be interesting,” he muttered as they went on with their day.