Suddenly she wished she’d pressed Gaius outright and discovered exactly what he’d said to Lucia and Lucius after their discussion the other night. She knew he’d delivered his consent and that he was of the view their relationship would evolve naturally as and when Aurelia chose it to.
And suddenly she had no patience for evolution, she wanted it now, she wanted her pain buried. Wanted to get a taste of what the next few months could be like, if she just went with it.
Only one thing stopped her; she had no desire to make Lucia or Lucius do something they didn’t want to. She hated slavery for that very reason. She knew there were jobs that had to be done and would see their slaves rewarded for that work.
But this, this was different.
She couldn’t enjoy it if they didn’t enjoy it too.
And how exactly did one broach that question?
‘If it pleases Domina,’ Lucia suddenly spoke up. ‘I would like to try and make you feel better. I know I cannot replace my Dominus, but he has told me of your talk…’
It was Aurelia’s turn to colour, her cheeks blazing while her clit went into overdrive. She swallowed hard and pressed a cooling hand to her mouth.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to speak out of turn,’ Lucia rushed out softly. ‘You’re just so very different from my previous Domina, I feel like you won’t ask.’
Aurelia’s lips quirked and she lowered her hand, ‘Am I that obvious?’
Lucia nodded, her own mouth lifting in a smile that made her breath catch, its sultry quality teasing every racing nerve. ‘But you must, you only have to tell me what you want.’
‘It’s not that simple.’ Aurelia looked to the fields, her mind throwing over the varying ways in which she could ask the question she needed to.
‘Please, Domina, you can tell me anything.’
She looked back to the girl, the concern in her face coaxing out the words, ‘Will you speak plainly if I ask you something?’
Lucia’s brow furrowed and she rolled her shoulders back, straightening to say, ‘Of course.’
‘I need you to tell me if it’s something you desire too.’ Lucia narrowed her gaze and Aurelia pressed on. ‘I need to know if you want it too.’
Lucia cocked her head to the side, her gaze surprised and questioning as she swept it over her. ‘That is important to you?’
‘Very.’ Aurelia said earnestly, folding her legs underneath her to kneel as she studied Lucia’s face, looking for her honesty. ‘I cannot demand this of you, unless it’s something
that you want.’
‘Forgive me Domina, but I don’t think my words will convince you.’
Disappointment sunk heavy in her gut. ‘So, you do not?’
Lucia joined Aurelia on her knees, her eyes animated. ‘I absolutely do.’
Aurelia frowned. ‘Then why?’
‘I only mean that they are just words, if I may, you only have to touch me to know how much I desire this––desire you.’
Aurelia dropped her eyes to where she meant, words failing her, her blood rushing through her ears as the thrilling heat of desire consumed her.
‘If it pleases you to know, then touch me.’
‘Here? Now?’ Her eyes met Lucia’s once more and the girl nodded, knees shuffling forward until she was within reaching distance.
Aurelia’s mouth parted, her disbelieving gaze watching as Lucia lowered her lashes, her hands reaching beneath the edge of her tunic to slip away her loincloth.
‘If it please you, Domina.’ She raised her skirt, just enough to hint at the curls nestled between her thighs.
Aurelia scanned their surroundings, they were perfectly alone but being out in the open, so exposed, it held her back just as much as it urged her forth.