Centurion's Honor (Imperial Desires, Book One) by Nadia Aidan

you as a gift, but I know you’re far too stubborn and full of pride to accept.”
    “Claudius,” she tried again.
    He shook his head. “Please, or I would be insulted.”
    A sigh escaped her. She could not deny the loan was welcome, but she hated being indebted to anyone. It had cost her a great deal of pride to go to Quintus, but she’d eased her mind by telling herself he was family.
    “Think of this as a goodwill gesture between future parents within the law if that unburdens your troubled soul,” he teased as if reading her mind, bringing a smile to her face.
    “In that case.” She embraced him in a warm hug. “Thank you, Claudius.”
    Claudius departed shortly after, taking with him a burden of worry she’d carried around since she’d risen to find half of her livestock dead. For a moment she felt as if she could breathe, that was until she turned around to meet Cassius’ dark stare.
    His eyes said it all—as soon as they were alone he would deal with her, though she’d done nothing wrong. Yet she was certain he would punish her, nonetheless.
    A shudder raced through her, and she had to bite back a moan. What it said about her that she welcomed such punishment, she did not know, but neither could she stop the pulsing heat that wound its way through her.
    She headed inside on her way to the baths, but stopped when Olivia appeared before her, already bathed and dressed in fresh, clean garments.
    “Yes, Olivia?”
    “I have returned to escort you to the baths, domina .” Ah yes, any other time, Olivia would help bathe and dress her, as was the case for any Roman woman of wealth.
    Anan’s gaze unwittingly darted over her shoulder at Titus, then Cassius, the latter of whom practically brimmed with anger and impatience to get her alone.
    “That will not be necessary, Olivia.”
    The young girl nodded, but Anan did not miss the scarlet blush that stained her cheeks as she gave the two centurions a furtive, curious look of embarrassment from over Anan’s shoulder.
    In many ways Olivia was wise and mature, but on other matters, especially ones of intimacy, the girl was as innocent as any other and it was times like these when Anan was reminded of just how young Olivia truly was.
    Olivia turned to leave, but Anan stopped her with the gentle touch of her hand against the girl’s wrist.
    She looked up at Anan with topaz eyes so open and full of trust that Anan was forced to sigh as she took a step closer to the girl so that Titus and Cassius would not hear what she had to say.
    “I have made no secret of my plans for you, Olivia,” she whispered, “which is why you must abandon this childish infatuation you have with Claudius Ovidius. With your dowry, you will be better suited to a nice young man—a wealthy farmer, is my hope.” Anan recalled the rumors she’d heard of Claudius then, of the ways in which he bedded a woman. Claudius had revealed as much to her in the past. He did not hurt his lovers, at least the pain was not malicious or sadistic, but neither was he a gentle lover. He was kind and generous, but nice wasn’t a word that came to mind when she thought of him. He was certainly not the right man to usher a young virgin into womanhood. “He is far too old for you.”
    “Yes, domina , I know that he has affections for you.”
    Anan could not manage to keep the scowl from her face. “You are wrong. Claudius Ovidius and I are friends and nothing more, but no matter his affections, even if they were toward you, I would still advise against this.”
    “Because he does not find me comely?”
    Anan decided it was wise not to tell her he’d called her beautiful and instead told her the brutal, honest truth. “Because he would hurt you, Olivia.”
    Olivia’s eyes flickered, but Anan could not be certain of what emotion she’d glimpsed in her warm brown gaze—disappointment, disbelief?
    Anan could not be sure.
    With a curt nod, Olivia dismissed herself and turned to leave.
    This time Anan let