Taurus by Christine Elaine Black Page A

warm, scented water, she heard footsteps. Taurus entered with the satrap’s man waddling along with him. Behind them came Barca and Hamilcar.
    Kallie blushed and dipped low in the water, glaring at the men who filed into the bathhouse. She silently questioned their presence but waited for enlightenment.
    Taurus wore a mocking smile. “Awake at last.” He gestured to the satrap’s envoy. Kallie instinctively guessed this show was for the toad. She inclined her head and smiled to welcome the governor.
    “She is happy and willing to be here with me.” Taurus added carefully, “You are willing, are you not, Prima?”
    Kallie swallowed her increasing doubt over his intention; perhaps Taurus had finished his game with her, eager to send her on her way.
    “I am happy here, Governor,” she answered truthfully.
    Taurus smiled at the satrap’s man. “She is well looked after. Tell your master the fault lies with Rome as to why the girl is no longer available. Gregorian underestimated his sister’s wit and resourcefulness. I suggest you seek compensation from them.”
    “And her virtue?” the man asked, as though she were but a piece of meat at market.
    “Long gone.” Taurus said apologetically. “I’m afraid someone beat me to it. Probably the giant she travels with. No doubt she rewarded him with her body.”
    The toad retreated, his face flushed with annoyance. Taurus signaled Barca and Hamilcar to follow Ben Alim out of the bathhouse. He stripped off his clothes and plunged into the pool. Kallie made a dash for the edge, where the gentle slope of stairs led the way out. She failed miserably, as Taurus easily reached out and pulled her into his grip. She struggled until his lips met hers. Then she melted into his embrace as he held her in his strong arms.
    “Why did you lie and tell him I was not a maid?”
    His lips were on hers as she spoke and he smirked. “Because I have no wish to inflame his master into making war on me if he believes I violated you. It leaves doubt in his mind. Caius Gregorian will have some explaining to do. Offering a maid who turns out to be a wanton wench will be viewed as a gross insult.”
    “Oh.” Kallie understood but was irritated that he called her virtue into question in front of the men in the room.
    He lifted her out of the water and carried her to the bedroom. “You understand that, as long as you enjoy my hospitality, I will enjoy you?”
    Kallie could not complain at his rationale. Free of the emperor’s plans, she must now concentrate on freedom from Panua. If she could reach Corinth and her mother’s people, she had the chance to live the life she wished and not be subjected to the will of men who sought to use her to produce heirs in a game of chauvinistic domination.
    “I understand, and I agree as long as you treat me with respect. I am the granddaughter of Primus Gregorian, and as such…”
    His eager kisses smothered her words. She fought to resist, but her body responded to him without command. Understanding the physical nature between a man and a woman no longer remained a mystery, but the emotional connection formed when a couple surrendered their bodies to one another added an unexpected element to her confusion.
    ****
    Taurus pressed his mouth over hers, unwilling to listen to her plea. Since early morning he had thought of taking her but did not have the heart to rouse her from a sound sleep.
    Speechless during their first encounter, how could he express himself to the most beautiful woman he had ever known? He had not lain with noblewomen—that would be a grave error. He kept his distance from entanglements with those ladies. Noble families would know if he favored one above the other, and he kept them on equal footing. Lidia had schooled him to keep them at bay, and he intended to maintain the advantage. Panuan women were pretty, some lovely to look at, but something about the girl in his arms outshone all of them. In looks alone she carried a room, but