Read Online The Gladiator’s Master by Fae Sutherland and Marguerite Labbe - Free Book Online Page B

Gaidres, and then withdrew his hand. This man had been hurt in ways far more painful than the obvious scars on his body indicated. It made Caelius question what he had meant earlier about being dead already and he vowed to find out what he could about Gaidres’s former life. Perhaps Felix could help.
    Maybe he shouldn’t prod Gaidres so hard. It had to be an unusual situation for the gladiator, finding pleasure instead of pain at the hands of a Roman. Caelius turned back toward the rumpled bed and tossed Gaidres a glance over his shoulder.
    “I know that your body experienced the same pleasure mine did and that you crave wine and something good to fill your belly.” He stretched out on his stomach on the bed and propped his chin on his hand. “You stare at me as if I just bit you.”
    Caelius’s eyes caressed Gaidres’s chest. He could already see the changes in Gaidres’s appearance. The pinched look was gone about the eyes and mouth and while he was sweaty from toiling in the sun and the fucking that had followed, it was still clear that the gladiators had been given access to the baths each evening. Gaidres smelled of sun, wind, hard work and sex. Remembering it sent yearning ricocheting through him.
    “Though, I’ll admit, the thought of biting you has crossed my mind. You look at me as if you’d just eaten something foul. Other than being a Roman, is it so hard to be in my company?”
    Gaidres lowered his eyes. “No, Dominus. Apologies for my offense.”
    He groaned. “I despise that proper talk. It’s all I hear, all day every day, proper this, deference that, the politics and the falsehoods. I tire of it, Gaidres, and would like my time with you to be at least a bit more honest.”
    Gaidres glanced sidelong at him as if unsure how to respond.
    Caelius sat up on the bed, as an idea occurred to him. “Perhaps an agreement between you and me?” He gestured to the room. “In this chamber, you may speak your mind. Without repercussion.”
    Gaidres’s brows shot up. “You jest.”
    He grinned, shaking his head. “I do not. I’m afraid you’ll have to hold off on that strangling me while you fuck me idea, but in this room consider your words your own.”
    “And when we leave this room? What of repercussions then?”
    “Ah. You mean, will you be punished later for what you say now? I would be offended by the suggestion that I would be so devious, but given the circumstances perhaps it makes sense. No, Gaidres. Words are not weapons. You cannot slay me with them, much as I think you might like to. I would know your mind here, even if it is not what I may want to hear.” Caelius tilted his head, his expression curious. “Can you do that?”
    Gaidres gave him a short nod, his expression still not sure. Given what Caelius had learned of the gladiator he thought that Gaidres would consider it worth a lashing to not have to mind his words. He was sure Gaidres’s tongue burned with the hundred and one things he longed to say. “Yes, Dominus.”
     
    “You called me a fool.”
    Gaidres winced inwardly. He could just imagine the punishment for that error in judgment. He did not deny it, though. “I did, Dominus.”
    “I cannot tell you how much that pleased me.”
    “Now I know you jest.” Gaidres stopped as the curtains at the door parted and two young men entered, one bearing a laden platter covered by a fine cloth, and the other a jug of wine and two cups.
    “That I do not.” Caelius gestured for them to set it on the small table near the bed and then for their dismissal. “For a moment, you’d spoken your mind. In truth, a fool I may be, and not just for taking you into my bed. And you would not be the only one who thinks so.” He laughed. “Just the only one who would say such to my face.”
    Gaidres had expected reprisal for his words, his threat, his painful grip. Instead, Caelius seemed amused by it. The man was an enigma. What did he want of him? Sometimes it seemed like all he desired was