Page 22 of Thawed Gladiator: Victor

His hands slide beneath the elastic of my sleep shorts, drawing them slowly down my legs. The cool air against my heated skin makes me shiver, but it’s nothing compared to the trembling that takes over when he settles between my thighs, his breath hot against my most intimate place.

The first slow lick of his tongue has me biting my lip to stifle a cry. His hands grip my thighs, opening me fully to his attention as he explores with exquisite patience. It’s as though he’s mapping every sensitive spot, learning what makes me gasp and what makes me moan his name.

When he focuses on my clit, alternating between gentle suction and firm strokes of his tongue, I have to grasp the sheets to ground myself. The pleasure builds like a wave, higher and higher until I’m teetering on the edge.

“Let go for me,” he murmurs against me, the vibration of his words sending me spiraling into release.

Was that all I needed? Just his persuasive words urging me to come? Because I tumble over the edge, wave after wave of pleasure crashes through me.

Is it because of our enforced intimacy? The weeks of watching him push his beautiful body to the limit when he’s only inches away from me? Perhaps it’s because I haven’t taken care of myself since before I met him.

For whatever reason, my orgasm peaks and dips, rolling through me like a thunderstorm. This is perhaps the most powerful pleasure I’ve ever experienced as he nurses me through the rollercoaster of physical bliss, drawing out my climax until I’m breathless and trembling.

When he moves back up my body, his expression holds both satisfaction and barely leashed desire. I can feel his hardness pressing insistently against my thigh, and I reach between us to touch him through his sleeping pants.

He catches my wrist, bringing my hand to his lips instead. “Not tonight.”

“Why not?” I’m sure he can hear the frustration in my voice. “I want you, Damian. All of you.”

His smile is tender but determined. “When we come together fully, I want it to be without lies between us. Without secrets. I want you, Maya. But not until you’re truly ready to be real with me.”

His words strike a chord deep within me, resonating with a truth I can’t ignore. My chest aches with the knowledge of how deeply my lies, both spoken and unspoken, have affected him. I’ve been so focused on the physical connection, on the undeniable chemistry between us, that I’ve pushed aside the emotional complexity of our situation.

“You’re right,” I admit, letting him hear the reluctance in my voice. “Something this special shouldn’t be built on a foundation of lies. There are things I need to tell you, but I can’t. Not yet.”

His expression softens, a mixture of disappointment and understanding crossing his features. His thumb brushes gently against my cheek, and I lean into the touch, savoring the warmth of his hand.

“I don’t understand,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. “But I accept your decision. You’re too smart, too kind to lie without good reason. Know this, Maya. When you’re ready to share your truths, I’ll be here. Until then, we’ll face whatever comes—together.”

His words wrap around me like a warm embrace, offering security and partnership I’ve never felt before. I press a soft kiss to his lips, a silent promise that I’ll find a way to untangle the web of deception I’ve woven.

He pulls me closer, tucking my head under his chin as he wraps his arms around me. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my ear is soothing, grounding. We lie like that for a long time, our bodies entwined, our breaths syncing into a harmonious rhythm.

The digital clock casts a soft glow over our tangled limbs, the minutes ticking by in silent testimony to our shared moment. It’s not quite the ending I’ve been craving, but it’s deeper, more intimate. It’s a promise, a connection that transcends the physical.

Eventually, his breathing evens out, his heart rate slows, and I know he’s drifted off to sleep. I stay awake a little longer, my mind racing with thoughts of how to extricate us from this mess. I need to find a way to tell him the truth—about the date, about his fellow gladiators who still live, about the multi-billion-dollar organizations that are salivating to use his body to discover its secrets, about the danger we’re both in, and about my growing feelings for him.

As I finally drift off to sleep, wrapped in the safety of his arms, I make a silent vow. I’ll find a way to free us both. No matter what it takes.

Chapter Seventeen

Maya

Waking up to find Damian already gone from his side of the bed shouldn’t surprise me. Early rising is as much a part of him as his philosophical nature. The sound of the heavy bag from downstairs tells me where to find him.

The crack of fists meeting leather fills the gym as he works through combinations, each strike precise as a surgeon’s blade. His form has improved dramatically in the past week, modern boxing and martial arts techniques melding with whatever ancient training shaped him into a warrior.

My phone vibrates against my hip. Dad’s number. Again. Part of me wants to ignore it, but last night I let the last three calls go straight to voicemail. With Empire Gym looming tomorrow, whatever trouble he’s in must be serious.

“Take five,” I tell Damian, forcing myself to look away from the mesmerizing flow of his muscles. “Stay loose.”

After acknowledging with a slight bow that sends heat curling through my belly despite our awkward intimacy last night, he unwraps his hands with that deliberate grace that makes everything look like a ritual.

Ducking into my office, I answer just before my phone cuts the call off. “What’s wrong?”

“Baby, we got big problems.” Dad’s voice carries that familiar edge of panic that always means trouble. And when he’s in trouble, somehow it always becomes “we” instead of “me.” “Tony’s been talking to some serious people about the iceman. Research facilities—they’re offering stupid money just for tissue samples.”

My blood runs cold as the information hits like a series of depth charges—Tony knows Damian’s identity… he wants to profit from it… and big pharma is about to catch up to us.

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