For a Roman's Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

pressed into hers, and his long torso covered her back. Surrounded by his power, she didn’t know what to say or do. She’d never felt this comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. A man had never ridden a horse with her like this, had never held her back against him. A man had never, ever protected her. Sensations new and delicious danced within her. She didn’t know how to react.
    It stunned Adrenia into silence.
    The centurion set the horse in motion, and the optio rode alongside. They headed across the field toward her home. As they progressed, wild sensations filtered up and down her body. One of the man’s arms tucked up under her breasts, his hips pressed into her butt. Her nipples peaked tight against their tunic, and between her legs moisture gathered in a sweet, delicious rush. She quivered at the forbidden feelings. She’d felt this way before, once when she’d seen a slave shirtless and working hard in the field. His muscles had flexed and rippled. She wondered what the centurion would look like half dressed.
    Naked.
    She flushed with heat.
    “Where are your people?” the centurion asked.
    “My father is probably working the fields or perhaps in town.”
    “Who else is in your family?”
    “My mother. Ulpia Flora.”
    “You said you have sisters.”
    “They are married and live in town.”
    “No brothers to help work your farmland?” the optio asked.
    “I only had one brother, Severianus Primus, and he was…he disappeared three years ago when he was ten.”
    The centurion’s arms tightened around her a fraction, so slight she couldn’t say for certain if she’d honestly felt it. “Disappeared?”
    Panic raced up her throat, constricting muscles to a painful degree. She rubbed at her throat absently. She couldn’t…shouldn’t speak so freely. She stiffened in his arms. He didn’t seem to notice, his grip firm but not painful. What would she do when her father saw them? Maybe if she got off the horse quickly and sent the men on their way, no one would see her.
    They’d almost reached the long house with its thatched roof when her father walked around the side of the building. The soldiers slowed their horses to a stop at the front of the house.
    “Adrenia?” Her father’s gruff voice held an instant accusatory tone. When he looked closer at the centurion holding her in his arms, he straightened and smiled.
    She licked her lips and managed to press words through her throat. “Centurion, this is my father. Severianus Adrenus Brigomalla.”
    The centurion nodded. “Your daughter was taken ill along the road, and I thought it best to bring her home quickly.”
    Her father approached, his expression filled with an appreciation she knew was false. “Why thank you, soldier. Who may I thank for this good service?”
    “Terentius Marius Atellus. This is my optio, Domitius Quintus Victor.”
    Victor’s expression stayed closed and wary, and he didn’t speak.
    The centurion left his horse and reached up for her. As he settled her on her feet, his entire body brushed along her length. Once more, pleasant shudders coiled in her body. At the same time, trepidation made her heartbeat faster. She pulled back from the centurion and hurried away to stand by her father. She started to unhook the cloak.
    “Keep it, Adrenia. I will purchase another,” The centurion said as he mounted his horse.
    Her father’s expression slipped from pleasant to angry in a disturbing flash as he glared at her. Then, almost as if she’d imagined it, his gaze returned to fatherly concern. “My dear, why are you wearing his cloak?”
    “She was in the elements unprotected.” The centurion’s voice was terse. He glanced up at the sky, which had turned darker with the approach of more storm clouds. “Where I come from, women are provided such necessities.” He turned his horse so it faced her father, and the inflexibility in his eyes matched her father’s.
    “Of course.” Her father’s voice came without