Chevi

It took Calpurnia a few moments to catch her breath and gather her wits. She had surprised herself too; she was many things, but experienced was not one of them, and she was learning new things as she went. Alexius was excellent at helping her find out what she liked. And the result was spectacular. She gave him a bright, hazy smile as he asked how she felt. "I feel... well taken care of." she stated, without a hint of guilt or hesitation. She caressed his cheek as she leaned back. "You are... very good at sweeping me away." She chuckled. "How do you feel?" @Atrice

"Oh I am very pleased with myself. Sounded like you are too" he grinned. He enjoyed teasing her, and he had no shame about it now. He looked up at her. Her hair was a mess, and her lips swollen, and she was still flushed. Goddamn beautiful. "You do. A gorgeous, gorgeous mess" he nodded, his smile softening. "Let me see." He traced his fingers along her neck, tilting her chin to make sure he left no marks on her. @Sara

Lucius lost track of time, and the outside world in general. He reveled in being with Ovinia, of learning everything about her body and what he could do to give her pleasure. They thoroughly exhausted each other, and made a right mess of the bed, before they finally settled in each other's arms, late in the afternoon. She muttered that she had to go. "Can you even get up?" he chuckled softly, making no move himself. "I remember you legs shaking recently..." @Sara

I need you now. "We'll make the most of it, then" he promised, leaning in to kiss her. They would have to part soon, and pretend none of this ever happened. And they would have to wait, and look for a time and a place to meet again, avoiding suspicion. Outside the door, a world of worries was waiting. So he'd stay, and make the most of it while they could. @Sara

Lucius laughed, remembering the days when she thought he was the worst person in the empire. But she still thought him handsome. He'd always thought she was quite beautiful too. And very annoying. She would be the death of him one day. "And I hope to the Gods they never sell this place because I am telling you now Lucius, this...can't be a one off thing. I can't go back again. Not now." "I'll buy it, if that's what it takes" he murmured, hand tracing her skin under the covers. He had nowhere near enough money, but in this moment he did not care. He lifted his head to rest his forehead against hers. "I'm yours. As long as you'll have me. Whenever you need me. Whatever you wish." @Sara

"Because you thought I was an annoying idiot who doesn't know what's good for him" he answered promptly, setting his cup aside to run his hand through her hair again. "And I thought you were a beautiful, annoying woman who'd be the death of me one day." He added, nipping at he shoulder. "And now... here we are." Thank the gods for all of it. @Sara

"HAH! I knew you'd slept with her! She was awful to me! Ugh!" Lucius knew better than to argue with her on that point. Vibia was certainly an acquired taste... but she was sharp, and independent, and he respected that about her. "So I am number five...unless...this doesn't count." "Oh, it absolutely counts. And... you are the first one I love." he added, more softly. He had been infatuated with girls in his teenage years... but that had been different. "And I could tell you wanted me... From sight but... I...did want you. I do want you." "Do you know how much I love hearing that?" he grinned at her, leaning in to press a kiss to her lips. "If I never do anything else in my life... it was already worth it." @Sara

This was different from last time. That had been Calpunia's first, loving and comfortable. This time, it was all passion, and she allowed him to sweep her up in it. Alexius knew what he was doing, and he knew what she wanted. For the short time they had spent together, he knew her. And once he had permission to not treat her with the politeness required by her station... he was a lot more fun. The crowds still roared somewhere far above them, and she muffled her own cries against his shoulder, bracing herself against the wall. They ended up in a heap on one of the stone benches, Calpurnia straddling Alexius' lap, catching her breath in the cool darkness. Her dress hiked up, pooling at her waist, and her palla slipped to the floor. She rested her forehead against his, hands still gripping his shoulders. It had been very different from last time. Better. @Atrice

"Four?... Your blonde friend from Tiberius' party?" "Yeah." he nodded. There was no use denying it. He had not had the money for Vibia since his adoption, but she was still a friend. Sort of. A very expensive one. "And two others...or three others, excluding me?" "Three" he nodded again. She looked... relieved? "I swear some of my brothers have slept with half of Rome's women by their talk...that's a...modest number by comparison." "Remember, I spent most of my youth at a villa" he grinned at her. He was relieved too, that she was not upset. Or intimidated. "I'm also... picky about who I sleep with." Pickier than her brothers, apparently. "Everybody I know who speaks about it tells each other how dreadful it is. It doesn't inspire confidence. But...you do." Lucius sighed. He knew women cursed with bad husbands... or even average ones, often got little to no pleasure from sharing their bed. It was the sad reality of Roman marriages. "It depends on how much the man cares for the woman... or if he just wants to take his own pleasure." he admitted. "I don't think many know that... it helps, if she is willing. And aroused." He looked at her, tilting his chin at her kiss. "I could tell when I touched you, that you wanted me." @Sara

He did love her in that moment. And in every other moment, but especially this one, when she was blushing, but being completely herself. He wrapped an arm around her. "My first question is...what number am I?... As in, how many women have you done this with?" "This?" Asking for a technicality was truly a waste of time, but Lucius knew this was not going to be an easy question to answer. He cleared his throat, it was his time to drink. "I've been intimate with..." He paused. "Four women. One way or another." In his younger days, exploring intimacy took on varying degrees. "And...is...the full thing...sex...very different to this, then?" "Different, yes" he nodded. "Better, in some ways... but for women, it depends. Some enjoy it as much as men. And some... still prefer to be touched. During sex." @Sara

Calpurnia knew Alexius meant everything he said. He was an honest man. He was also a kind one, and an honorable one, and he did his best to hold back in this current situation, even as he was kissing her with a sign of pent-up need. She kissed him back in kind. "Is this place... is it good enough for you?" "You are good enough for me" she whispered back. "Wherever we are." She pulled back, looking at him in the flickering light. "But darling, we don't have enough time for you to be polite." @Atrice

Lucius tried really hard to be understanding and keep a straight face, but her admission of almost calling the medicus, along with how she disappeared under the covers in embarrassment, made him laugh anyway. He imagined Lucia's face at hearing that. He was fairly sure the slave girl knew more than her mistress. He laughed, happily, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "But it...felt... So much better with you. There. Satisfied?" "Completely" he grinned. "And I love you. And I owe you a question for this one." @Sara

She leaned against him and he smiled softly, enjoying the feel of her body against his. They had a comfortable little cocoon he wanted to last longer. With his free hand he tucked the cover around her, and chuckled at her question. "I meant by yourself... but both, I guess."

Lucius set the tray down on the small table by the bed, then slipped off his tunica and joined her under the cover. As long as they had time together, he wanted to feel her near him. He poured wine into a cup for her. Happy wife, happy life. It hurt. The cracks were showing in their little bubble of make-believe, giving him a glimpse of the pain that was yet to come. She wouldn't be his wife. Or his life. "Well, I'm learning how to make you happy" he smiled anyway, pouring wine for himself. "But I am very curious now... after whatever blessed person talked to you about pleasure, the first time you tried it... what was that like?" @Sara

"Is that how it works? Men need breaks?" "Look at who's getting the taste of pleasure now" Lucius grinned up at her, running a hand through her hair. As shy and hesitant she had been, she wasn't now. And he loved to see this side of her. He'd suspected it was there - after all, Ovinia always knew exactly what she wanted. "Yes. Men need breaks." "But I didn't mean that. Just...if only this were a real domus we could have slaves to bring us up the food and wine so we'd never have to leave this bed." Lucius sighed. Part of it was for show, as he rolled out of bed, following her unspoken request. But part of it was real. If this were a real domus... They could sleep in each other's arms. And they could wake up together. Lucius put on his tunica, walking downstairs and returning soon with a tray of food and the pitcher of wine. "If this were a real domus, you'd still enjoy bossing me around" he pointed out with a grin. @Sara

Lucius looked up at Ovinia leaning on his chest, arching an eyebrow in mock disbelief. "Woman, if you expect more entertainment, you need to give me at least ten minutes to breathe..." he chuckled. He had no plans. They had already done more than he could have ever hoped for. He just wanted to hold her, as long as he could. @Sara

For the first time in a long time, Thessala was really excited about a fight. Not that she didn't enjoy being a gladiatrix in general, but this was the first event for years that she was trying something new. Fighting in a pair, alongside a male gladiator. Aeneas and she had practiced a lot, and now they would show what they could do. The arena was cleared after the gruesome execution; some murdered or other. Good riddance. They were an interesting pair, the two of them. Aeneas looking like the barbarian he was, and Thessala painted like the Thessalian witch she liked to pretend to be. Aeneas left-handed, and she with her two swords next to him. They greeted the crowds together; she could hear from their sound they were just as excited for this spectacle as she was. She flashed them a bright, ferocious grin, and let out a wailing scream. On the other side of the arena, the other pair appeared. A tall, bulky gladiator, and an equally tall, wiry gladiatrix. "Let's give them a show, shall we?" Thessala said, grinning at Aeneas. @Sarah

She couldn't read, but he could. Not very well, but knowing her name he recognized the letters, and he could make out the name of the Elysium. She was one of those girls then, the prostitutes the barber used to cut. She would not know Azarion's name, but she did succeed in figuring out his job, and seemed very excited about it. "Chariots! I've always wanted to see a race." Azarion smiled a little. It was unusual for him. He nodded. "Do you ride the chariots?" He nodded again. He gestured, miming riding a horse, and driving a chariot. The horses, and the chariots. She had not seen a race, but maybe she knew Cerealia also had horse races. "Are you one of the famous ones?" Azarion smirked, shrugging. Not yet, really. Not unless you counted being the one barbarian who won a race by using stirrups. He touched the white cloth around his neck, similar to what soldiers wore. Wearing a white tunica every day would have been a luxury, but he still wore some of the color of his team. @Sara

"I... I just hope my husband is as good as him. And...he takes it well. When...I have to get married." "Let's hope. Men can be all drama sometimes." Aia smirked. As far as she knew, husbands rarely wee anywhere near as good as lovers. And lovers never took heartbreak well. But hopefully this girl had some time yet to brace herself for both. "Was there anybody else for you? Before your Praetorian?" "Not really" Aia shook her head with a soft smile. "I mean, I flirted with some women... but it never went anywhere for obvious reasons. Decimus was... the first person I felt safe around." @Sara

Every moment we have together. Lucius knew he would never forget any of this. He was floating in a sense of bliss, holding her, images of her playing again and again in his mind. For worse... She knew what she was missing now. If she married someone else... she'd know. And he would know, too. The thought threatened to kill him, so he swatted it away, squeezing Ovinia gently closer as their bodies cooled from the heat of passion. "I really...never expected...that... I... Thank you." "Thank you" Lucius murmured with a smile, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I wanted to give you that... Whatever happens." He closed his eyes. "But I'm not letting you go just yet." @Sara

Ione. She had realized by now that he couldn't talk, at least, and asked him if he was a slave too. Of course I am. He nodded, tapping the slave tablet around his neck, tilting it so she could see. He was not sure whether she could read enough to make out his name and the name of the Whites. "Where...where do you work?" Apparently not. Azarion pointed towards the Palatine, and the Circus beyond. He did his best to explain chariot racing with gestures, miming wheels, and going in circles, and holding reins. @Sara

"They won't." she told him as he pulled her closer, and rested her head on his shoulder. "We will be clever about this, and we will find a way. I am not a young girl. I am a free woman and I have power. We'll figure this out, you and I." She had no idea why, and was not sure at what cost, but she knew this was not going to be the last time they would be together. @Atrice

"I hope not" he grinned, holding her close. Adonis, as pretty as he was, did not end up very lucky. He was content to just be Lucius, holding Ovinia for now. "This changes so much." She was whispering, but he heard her, and sighed. It did. It changed his entire world. "For better or worse?" he smirked, hand stroking her shoulder gently. @Sara

He lay down, facing her. She was so, so beautiful, glowing after the pleasure they shared. And she did not feel guilt. Not yet anyway. Lucius wanted to stay in this moment as long as he was allowed. His hand slid into her hair, and he pulled her closer. "Ovinia... you fucking gorgeous, incredible woman" he smiled, pressing his lips to hers in a short kiss that spoke volumes. "I love you. C'mere." He pulled her to his side, so she could rest her head on his shoulder, wrapping his arms around her. @Sara

Gods, she was beautiful. Lucius smiled at her. Her question... made sense, but it still made breath hitch in his throat. He had been so focused on her, or making her feel safe, than he had forgotten to consider... himself. He gave her a bright smile. "I'll show you. Come on." It only took a few moments to take the sheets off the bed, and make a comfortable nest. Once it was done, Lucius took Ovinia's hand, and pulled her away from the window. FTB @Sara