The Barbarian's Mistress by Nhys Glover Page B

much more.
    For a long time the only sounds he could hear were the marsh frogs and mosquitoes, the crackling fire and the occasional hiss of fat as it hit the flames. The smell made his mouth water, but with his emotions roiling like a storm tossed deck, he doubted he could keep any of it down.
    Why did she have to be so understanding, so kind, so damned self-deprecating? It would make things so much easier to keep his distance, and his soul intact, if she was more like her mother.
    He shook his head, trying to force out of his head the images of her mother’s aging, but still beautiful face, twisted with passion as he forced his way into her yielding body, his violent, painful thrusts sending her over the edge, as he cried out his own triumphant release. There was no real triumph in that scene. No victory over his oppressor. Hurting her only pleased her more. It just fed her depravity, and brought him down with her.
    While that ugly, explosive orgasm played out in his memory he felt a gentle arm slip around his shoulder, as a chaste kiss was dropped onto his stubbled cheek. Lust, desire and need detonated in an instant.
    Shifting around, he claimed her lips with his own, mother and daughter overlapping in his mind. Startled, her mouth dropped open and gave his tongue access. He could taste her sweetness, smell the heady scent of woman, feel her soft, giving body under his hands. This was what he wanted. What he’d been fighting since the moment he’d seen her in Rome a few nights ago. This!
    But she didn’t respond. She remained acquiescent and frozen in his arms, as he intensified his assault on her mouth. He was able to draw his shattered senses together long enough to realise it.
    And let her go.
    ‘The meat,’ he said shakily, turning away.
    ‘O..of course,’ she stammered, moving away from his side quickly, so he could see to their meal.
    It was just cooked, and could probably have done with a few more minutes, but Vali couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to do something, anything to take his mind off his stupidly rash actions. How could he have expected anything but shock from her? She wasn’t her mother. Had she ever experienced a kiss before? His crude invasion must seem no different to what Publius had done to Ninia; repugnant, unpleasant and fearful.
    ‘We… we should reach the port of Tarracina tomorrow. I think we’d be better off selling the carrus and horses and taking passage with a merchant ship sailing down the coast. Any spies would have been looking for us at Ostia. If we didn’t take ship there they would assume we were travelling overland. It’ll take us no more than a day or so to get to Pompeii by ship, and be much more comfortable for you.’ He was proud of how steady his voice sounded, almost as if nothing had happened between them. Icily polite.
    Her choked out, ‘Whatever you think is best,’ only made him feel more of a cur. Shouldn’t she sound relieved that she’d be able to get away from him sooner? Instead, she sounded hurt, rejected. He couldn’t understand her.
    Using his dagger, he sliced off several jagged chunks of meat and dropped them onto the wooden dish they’d been sharing. Then he doused the fire and climbed to his feet. He needed distance from her, so he could get control of himself again. Being near her confused and confounded him, made him think and do things he shouldn’t.
    ‘Where…?’ Her voice wavered, and she didn’t finish her question.
    ‘Taking a piss. Eat while it’s hot.’
    In the time they’d taken to prepare their meal, the night had fallen like a humid cloak around them. The air was heavy and still, the sky crowded with dark clouds that hid the moon and stars from sight. It felt like rain.
    The spindly trees they had camped beneath would provide little protection from the e lements if it rained. If Lara was soaked she would likely catch a chill. But he had nothing with them to protect her. In the darkness he looked at the trees. If he