Read Online Ancient Ties by Jane Leopold Quinn - Free Book Online
Authors: Jane Leopold Quinn
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frigidarium.”
“Uh, sure,” Janney laughed. “That’ll wake me up.” They made short work of the cold pool, both women shivering as they entered the comforting confines of the warmer tepidarium.
“When you’re ready, we’ll meet Gaius and Marek in the Great Bath,” Augusta announced. “Everyone bathes there. Don’t worry, my dear, you’ll feel relaxed enough by then.”
Janney’s stomach definitely dropped at that. “I’m not so sure.”
Marek. She hadn’t thought of him in, oh, the past few minutes. She waved her hand in front of her face fanning herself.
She tried to focus on the architectural details instead of thoughts of a naked Marek. In the surrounding decorative frescoes, vivid paintings depicted men and women in athletic poses, and languid and relaxed poses. Almost every one of the figures was naked—
proudly, unselfconsciously, fully frontal nude.
Although Janney had been confused and slightly tipsy from the strong wine the night before, she could hardly forget Marek’s body, his firm chest and thighs. He’d wanted her last night; there’d been plenty of evidence of that. However, today, here in the baths, seeing each other naked, almost naked, would be far too intimate. They barely knew each other.
Ha! Barely is right. After this, they’d be much better acquainted.
Don’t think about Marek naked as the day he was born. Relax.
Sure! Easiest thing in the world.
Janney gulped. She couldn’t forget that she was in a different century, far away from home. About as far as a person could get.
The tepidarium had been wonderful, the water temperature just right, steam rising gently, opening her pores, relaxing her body, sheltering her in the womblike water.
Then the servant massaging fragrant oils into her tranquilized body, crooning an odd tune, further mesmerized her almost into unconsciousness. The woman’s strong fingers reached muscles that Janney hadn’t realized were so tight. At first, she bit back her pleasured moans, embarrassed at their salacious sound.
Oh boy, I really need this.
As she let herself succumb to the talented masseuse, titillating thoughts of Marek seeped into her mind. His broad hand on her bare back, hot and calloused, sliding around to her breast; balancing it in his palm. Then, for an instant, his fingers, with an agonizingly sweet pressure, tweaked her nipple. Any longer, any harder, and she would have died from the pleasure.
Janney squirmed and bit her lower lip to stifle the moan gathering in her lungs. The woman’s able fingers moved in a circling fashion on one thigh just below her bottom cheek.
Dwelling on Marek at this point would be too dangerous.
Suddenly, she wasn’t relaxed any longer. Her insides shook and every sensual pulse ached. His lips on hers, parting them, performing a massage of his own. Janney squeezed her eyes tightly shut, as a long sensual mmm escaped her lips.
She was grateful, and at the same time sorry, when the massage was over. The whole bathing experience was a sensuous heaven. No wonder the Romans loved it so much.
Arm in arm, Augusta and a shaky-kneed Janney entered the Great Bath. Janney was determined to keep her fluttering insides and lusty thoughts under control. Hardly anyone was clothed, but she felt more secure in the light gown. She told herself that there was no need to feel conspicuous.
Emulating Augusta’s dignified style, Janney, with the help of a servant’s guiding hand, lowered herself into the water until she was covered breast high. Taking a deep breath, she gazed around her. No one paid her any special attention. Good. Maybe
she would enjoy this after all. Augusta spoke to friends and introduced Janney as a friend visiting from the west of Britannia, the cover story they had decided on to explain away any questions.
Taking another deep relaxing breath, Janney smiled, her mind drifting away from the people.
Oh, Lord, I am in the ancient Great Bath surrounded by real Roman
“Uh, sure,” Janney laughed. “That’ll wake me up.” They made short work of the cold pool, both women shivering as they entered the comforting confines of the warmer tepidarium.
“When you’re ready, we’ll meet Gaius and Marek in the Great Bath,” Augusta announced. “Everyone bathes there. Don’t worry, my dear, you’ll feel relaxed enough by then.”
Janney’s stomach definitely dropped at that. “I’m not so sure.”
Marek. She hadn’t thought of him in, oh, the past few minutes. She waved her hand in front of her face fanning herself.
She tried to focus on the architectural details instead of thoughts of a naked Marek. In the surrounding decorative frescoes, vivid paintings depicted men and women in athletic poses, and languid and relaxed poses. Almost every one of the figures was naked—
proudly, unselfconsciously, fully frontal nude.
Although Janney had been confused and slightly tipsy from the strong wine the night before, she could hardly forget Marek’s body, his firm chest and thighs. He’d wanted her last night; there’d been plenty of evidence of that. However, today, here in the baths, seeing each other naked, almost naked, would be far too intimate. They barely knew each other.
Ha! Barely is right. After this, they’d be much better acquainted.
Don’t think about Marek naked as the day he was born. Relax.
Sure! Easiest thing in the world.
Janney gulped. She couldn’t forget that she was in a different century, far away from home. About as far as a person could get.
The tepidarium had been wonderful, the water temperature just right, steam rising gently, opening her pores, relaxing her body, sheltering her in the womblike water.
Then the servant massaging fragrant oils into her tranquilized body, crooning an odd tune, further mesmerized her almost into unconsciousness. The woman’s strong fingers reached muscles that Janney hadn’t realized were so tight. At first, she bit back her pleasured moans, embarrassed at their salacious sound.
Oh boy, I really need this.
As she let herself succumb to the talented masseuse, titillating thoughts of Marek seeped into her mind. His broad hand on her bare back, hot and calloused, sliding around to her breast; balancing it in his palm. Then, for an instant, his fingers, with an agonizingly sweet pressure, tweaked her nipple. Any longer, any harder, and she would have died from the pleasure.
Janney squirmed and bit her lower lip to stifle the moan gathering in her lungs. The woman’s able fingers moved in a circling fashion on one thigh just below her bottom cheek.
Dwelling on Marek at this point would be too dangerous.
Suddenly, she wasn’t relaxed any longer. Her insides shook and every sensual pulse ached. His lips on hers, parting them, performing a massage of his own. Janney squeezed her eyes tightly shut, as a long sensual mmm escaped her lips.
She was grateful, and at the same time sorry, when the massage was over. The whole bathing experience was a sensuous heaven. No wonder the Romans loved it so much.
Arm in arm, Augusta and a shaky-kneed Janney entered the Great Bath. Janney was determined to keep her fluttering insides and lusty thoughts under control. Hardly anyone was clothed, but she felt more secure in the light gown. She told herself that there was no need to feel conspicuous.
Emulating Augusta’s dignified style, Janney, with the help of a servant’s guiding hand, lowered herself into the water until she was covered breast high. Taking a deep breath, she gazed around her. No one paid her any special attention. Good. Maybe
she would enjoy this after all. Augusta spoke to friends and introduced Janney as a friend visiting from the west of Britannia, the cover story they had decided on to explain away any questions.
Taking another deep relaxing breath, Janney smiled, her mind drifting away from the people.
Oh, Lord, I am in the ancient Great Bath surrounded by real Roman
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