Protect. He wanted to protect the child. And her, she thought with a faint smile. She blinked the moisture from her eyes and nodded. “What was it you wanted to ask?”
“If something were to happen,” he paused to eye her and make sure she didn’t interrupt, “would your father take you under his protection?”
She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it again. She honestly didn’t know. She thought a moment then spoke her thoughts plainly, unsure of what else to say. “I… don’t know. My first thought was to say yes… but a second later, I wasn’t as sure. If…” she hated to voice the words, but pressed on, “if I were a wife… and widowed, and with no father-in-law to claim me, then I do not doubt it. It would be his duty. But… I am not that, so I don’t know where I stand.”
“Even if I were a man?” He pressed. She nodded. He made a displeased sound.
“I fear you being… what you are,” she continued, “would not help the situation. But to return as a pregnant slave, no matter who the master… well, I would be relying on affection alone to secure me a place in their home.” She tipped her head thoughtfully. “I think if my younger sister were married I might be able to go to her, and hope her husband’s affection for her would over-ride whatever shame my presence could bring into his home.”
He shook his head. “Such idiocy.” She arched a brow at him, and he returned her quizzical look with one of annoyance. His voice came out in a growl, “Forced from your home, pressed into service, and under duress… whether it be duty or fear, and for their sakes…” he paused to fume and shake his head again, “And somehow you could bring shame to them? Idiocy.” He made a sound not dissimilar to a snarl and glared at the dark, tiled wall across from him.
His expression was dour, and should have been unnerving, but she couldn’t bring herself to be put off by it. Not in the least. That tingling warmth which was still lingering in her veins had bloomed and washed all else away. She leaned into him again, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and attaching herself like a limpet to his side, and pressed her head back against his shoulder.
She felt him start when she gripped him, but he relaxed easily enough into her. A moment later she smiled as rough lips brushed lightly against her forehead. “It’s… it’s not fear or duty which compels me, my Lord.” She murmured softly against his shoulder.
“Wasn’t it?” He challenged, his voice as low as hers.
“It was. It hasn’t been… for some time now.” He said nothing. When she looked up, he was glaring at the wall again. She smiled sadly and took his face in her hand, turning it to face her. Her lips parted, to say something reassuring… but she forgot the words when her breath was stopped against his mouth.
She shivered and wrapped her arms that much tighter around him, pulling him closer until she was crushed against him. He did the same, threading fingers through her loose curls until they tightened at the nape of her neck. His mouth over hers was hard and hot… as always. And as always she melted happily into it.
How long since he’d kissed her this way? Since she’d felt like this? Days? It seemed an eternity. The joy she felt, the gratitude even, to have it back again… there weren’t words to express it.
She found herself on her back with urgent fingers tugging her dress down her shoulders. The jasper tiles of the bath were cool against her already heated skin.
Her own half-frantic fingers left him just long enough to find and release the pin holding the cloth together before reaching back for him. She gasped as her dress fell open and his mouth found her throat.
Calliope tightened her grip around the straining, corded tendons of his neck and shuddered as her nails bit into skin. He returned the gesture with a growl, biting lightly into her shoulder and wringing another delighted shiver out of her, one that made her back arch against the huge chest pinning her to the floor.
She grinned at the ceiling and let her eyes flutter closed as his mouth moved lower and his hand higher between her thighs. They fell open at his touch, her hips lifting to induce him further. However, her coo of delight as his finger tips found and pressed between the the slick folds of her sex turned to a hiss of pain as his mouth found her hard, tender nipple a moment later.
His eyes shot up to hers, questioning. She rocked her hips against his hand encouraging him to keep going. “It’s ok,” she whispered thickly, “they’re just…. tender…”
He pulled away and leaned back, bringing the hand that had been wound in her hair down over her shoulder to gently cup her other breast. Normally they didn’t quite fill his large hands, yet even with his added size, they seemed fuller than normal… and he must have recognized this since he seemed to move his hands over her experimentally, testing their weight with his palm. His expression darkened and he began to pull back completely.
“No! Don’t stop,” she gasped, reaching for his hand to pull it back to her.
He chuckled. It was a dark, thick sound… and it made her tug that much harder at his wrist.
“I must.” He rasped as he easily resisted her. She groaned in disappointment.
“Why on earth must you?” she demanded, with a more than plaintive note hitching in her voice.
He returned her glare with a rueful smile. His hand slid up her thigh, making her buck hopefully, but it passed over her hip and smoothed with a firm touch over her stomach, stopping there as his smile turned to something else. She blushed at the insinuation.
“Do you find me so undesirable already?” She asked with a trembling smile, attempting to keep the hurt and fear from her voice.
Thelios kept his hand where it was on her belly, his thumb caressing the soft skin, but lifted himself to sit next to her on the edge of the bath. He turned towards her and gripped his now evident erection with his other hand. He looked her over with a hot grin, a grin which widened when her eyes did. He was… rather large. Or larger, she should say. In fact she quailed a little at the sight, and wondered if it might not be a little bit more than she could handle just then.
He released his manhood and leaned in over her, eclipsing her with his massive bulk. He brushed his mouth lightly against hers. “I think you can put that ridiculous thought out of your mind.” She heard the smile in his voice and returned it.
He sat up again and turned serious. “I wish you’d told me sooner.” Her blush deepened and she nodded. She was still flush and breathing deeply, but his words cooled her ardor somewhat.
Calliope nodded again. “I know. I’m sorry. It was foolish of me to be so anxious about it.”
He shook his head slightly. “No, I don’t begrudge you that…” He flinched, almost imperceptibly, and turned his gaze away. She bit her lip and covered his hand with one of hers, leaning up on the other.
“What? What is it?” She pressed.
He frowned. “I’m not exactly gentle with you… the last time especially. I could have…” his jaw tightened as his words fell off.
Her own expression of concern melted and she smiled warmly at him, lifting her hand from his to lay it against his cheek. “I’m fine. We’re fine.” She added.
“Perhaps. This time.” He grumbled. “I’d rather not take that chance again.”
Her stomach dropped. “I’m… I think if we’re careful… I’ve heard it’s only in the last months that they advise against it…” She flushed and looked down. “We’ll just be careful.”
“What, are you so eager?” He smirked.
“Aren’t you?” She whispered roughly, meeting his gaze. His smirk faded and the fire in his eyes flared. Perhaps he thought she would deny it. “I’ve missed you. Missed this.” She added. Her cheeks burned, but she refused to look away, even when his eyes darkened and seared into her.
She felt his hand leave her stomach and slide lower. She dared not breathe, nor break his gaze as his fingers found her slit once more and cupped her sex with a firm squeeze.