Chapter 1
“THIS IS A GOOD PLACE,” DOMINATUS SAID.
The low voice reached Lucianus’s ears as he relaxed into the feeling of comfortable sluggishness, his cheek was pressed against the bare chest of a burly body. He looked up and gently stroked the stubble growing on his beloved’s chin.
“There’s nothing here,” Lucianus said. “Only vineyards.”
“That’s the best part,” Dominatus replied. “I much prefer the quiet countryside surrounded by nature than the bustling fuss of the city. I feel calmer. More at ease.”
Dominatus fiddled with the ends of his beloved’s hair, twisting it as he pleased. He had meant to be gentle, but he commanded more power than he thought and could occasionally pull Lucianus’s hair, causing a flash of pain.
“Stop that,” Lucianus snapped. He was unable to endure the tugging for any longer and swatted Dominatus’s hand away.
Dominatus frowned. “You treat me like you’re trying to swat a fly away. You immediately turn cold the moment everything is over. Women tend to act sweet and needy after intimacy.”
Annoyed by the retort, Lucianus pinched a strand of Dominatus’s chest hair and gave a tug.
“That hurt,” Dominatus said.
“That’s how painful it is for me when you pull my hair,” Lucianus replied.
“I guarantee that it hurts more when you pluck out a single chest hair.”
Lucianus slipped out of bed and cast a glance up at Dominatus as he rubbed his chest in exaggeration. After dressing himself in a long robe that was tied in the front, Lucianus poured himself a glass of water from a nearby pitcher. He narrowed his eyes against the afternoon sun that trickled in from the window, quenched his thirst, and gazed out at the view.
The couple were at a villa owned by House Carusso. The household owned a massive plot of agricultural land, but the plot of vineyards in Filena were especially vast, and many slaves were hard at work.
This villa stood on a hill, allowing a splendid view of the vineyards that stretched for miles. Lucianus had claimed that there was nothing in this countryside region, but he had often visited this place when he was a child and was rather fond of this area. The season of harvest had long passed, and the green leaves of the vineyard had turned red and yellow. A carpet of gold and crimson decorated the hills, twisting and turning with the terrain. The dreamy scenery was vibrant and stunning.
“Give me some water too,” Dominatus said, still lying in bed.
Just who do you think you are? Lucianus internally grumbled as he brought his beloved a full glass.
“I want it from your lips,” Dominatus requested.
Lucianus couldn’t hide his exasperation. “If you wish for something so crass, ask any woman who’s more skilled at acting so spoiled.”
“I’m specifically requesting for you. I want you to quench my parched throat with your beautiful lips.”
Dominatus was practically pleading, but the gaze he pointed at Lucianus was that of a king, controlling everything in the palm of his hand. Frustratingly, the noble was unable to refuse his beloved’s requests. He tipped some water into his mouth, approached his partner, and placed his lips over Dominatus’s. Cold water slipped from Lucianus into Dominatus, the latter’s Adam’s apple bobbing with every gulp.
“Delicious,” Dominatus said with satisfaction. “The water tastes so irresistibly sweet.”
Hearing such praise made Lucianus’s chest tremble with joy, hammering home how painfully infatuated he was.
“Could I have another sip?” Dominatus asked.
Lucianus did as he was told when he felt Dominatus’s warm hand slip between the opening of his robe. The gladiator’s large hand gently stroked Lucianus’s waist and back; the noble started to feel aroused once more despite their passionate night that they’d just spent together. Are his hands magical somehow?
Even after Dominatus had his fill of water, he refused to release Lucianus’s lips. They continued to kiss as though the gladiator was savoring the sweet taste of his beloved, and Lucianus felt the strength leave his body. Before he knew it, he was straddled on top of Dominatus’s waist.
“We won’t go for another round,” Lucianus warned.
“I know. I won’t. I’m just kissing you,” Dominatus replied.
“You said that the last time too, and yet, it escalated. We already did it twice this morning. You still want more?” Though sheepish to admit that he had also been easily swept up by his partner, Lucianus managed to furrow his brow and scold Dominatus.
“Can you blame me?” He grinned in reply, then gently bit the noble’s earlobe. “You’re simply so endearing. When I touch you, my desires flow out of me endlessly.”
Lucianus knew that Dominatus was joking, but he couldn’t stop his ears from turning red at these candid sweet nothings. It’d been four days since the couple had arrived in Filena, and the two had done nothing but make love, be it night or day. Every second they had, they spent together in a loving embrace. This villa had a hot spring, and he’d brought Dominatus here in hopes of soothing his wounds, but he was spending more time in bed than in the bath. This did his injuries no favors.
“No, I won’t sleep with you,” Lucianus said. “Let’s take a bath. The longer you bathe here, the faster your wounds will heal.”
Dominatus came up victorious in his battle against Grucos, but his body was in tatters. The wounds themselves weren’t deep, but Grucos had cheated once again and tipped his blade with poison. Dominatus had predicted as much and preemptively drank an herbal tea that would act as an antidote. Thanks to his preparation, he’d managed to cling to his life, but he’d fainted the moment he arrived in his waiting room just off the arena floor. He regained consciousness in the middle of the night and dragged his wounded body to Carusso Manor to fulfill his promise to Lucianus. Lucianus, who had no means of knowing all this, felt his heart grow warm at the return of his beloved. He tried to kneel and declare his love, but Dominatus embraced him and passed out before anything else could be done.