Mistress of Rome, Book Three of The Emperor's Obsession by Alex Carlsbad Read Free Book Online

crouched between her knees. He had commenced a most delectable exploration of the parts she considered to be her most private. "Yes, master," the girl whispered in reply to a soft command and the general saw her pull her knees and double in two as she tried to collect them up toward her head as far as they would go. He could see a sheen of perspiration break out along her pale skin as she waited, her hands holding her legs splayed wide for the attentions of her master.  
    Karl first touched and then pushed into parts of her that she probably never thought could be reached. Long minutes of slow, deliberate motions were punctuated by her moans and squeals of discomfort that added color to the tableau displayed before the general. After perhaps an hour of diligent ministrations, Karl finally pulled out his hand and moved to wipe it in her auburn curls. The general heard her intake of breath as her lungs were at last again able to expand into her previously occupied abdomen.  
    "Stand!" came the command and she quickly shimmied out of her prostrate position onto wobbling knees and stood before her tormentor. Karl moved around her, his eyes, ablaze — scanning, appraising. He grasped her throat, squeezed it gently, then released it, trailing across her back, moving to her front where he gently cupped her breasts, pressing them up and against her body, then letting them suddenly fall as she gasped.
    The general stood up and undid his belt. He was ready.
    "That will do, Karl. Take her to my bed and position her over you. You can enjoy her, while I will explore her nether regions."  
    The old man followed the young couple as Karl hefted the whimpering young woman by the waist, his sculpted triceps rippling as he dragged her to the master's bedroom. Fortunately for her, she was granted a reprieve, for just at the instant when the general was about to honor his promise, a chime sounded throughout the house and a slave hurried to announce the arrival of an imperial messenger.  
    For a minute Petronius caught himself weighing the repercussions of personally slaughtering the impertinent messenger that had the bad taste of interrupting him but one look at the giant of a legionary made him forget his initial annoyance.  
    The letter the praetorian bore turned out to be simple in words and exceedingly complex in execution.

    "Dear Petronius, I hope these words find you in the best of health and disposition. Not least because I need your service. It is urgent, as I'm certain you will understand, and therefore I will be brief. Upon receipt of this note you are to assume control of the praetorian legion and arrest general Varus the instant he sets foot in Rome. After that, you shall also assume command of the four legions accompanying him and march to Naples where we shall meet. Decimate any barbarians you may encounter. You can name any reward you wish when we meet." Commodus, Imperator Romini.  
    Post Scriptum: "Vergilius, the bearer of this letter, is captain of my guard. He is yours to do with as you please until we meet again."

    Petronius allowed his eyes to travel up from the letter to the massive frame of the praetorian and then down again. He smiled and licked his dry lips.  
    "Are you big everywhere, praetorian?" the general asked. He watched the initial puzzlement quickly wash away replaced by a squinty-eyed look of comprehension and a thin sadistic smile.
    "Most people seem to think so," growled Vergilius.
    "The emperor says you are to serve me for some time until we meet him. Will that be fine with you?" asked the general.
    "I do as my emperor orders," came the simple reply.
    "Excellent. We'll be riding out with the remainder of the praetorians in the morning. But first I need you to help me out with something here," Petronius turned and looked back at his bedroom. From where he stood he could see the naked calves of the woman as she lay spread-eagle waiting.  
    "Undress," he told the soldier and moved toward the bedroom.