Chapter Text
Antony shuffled around in Natalia’s old room as he watched her pace the length of floor. He had been positive that they had seen the last of her old chambers earlier that day but here they were yet again and he reached out to catch her hand and stop her in her tracks. “Natalia I know you are angry at me but you do not understand how Longinius is when you are out of earshot. He pushes me too far and winds me up on a day that has already been a lot. Your family expect me to have every answer when the truth is I have deliberately planned our travels loosely in case our movements need to change…then Achilleus chooses today to make his presence in Rome known…if only he had left Octavian a day later we could have been long gone by the time of his arrival…”
Antony sighed in frustration at the day and prayed for a little mercy from his wife after a somewhat tiresome day that had so far resulted in him soaked though and dripping all over Lena’s polished tiles.
Natalia frowned but allowed her hand to be held, appreciating that much responsibility of late had been falling at Antony’s weary feet. “I am sorry that you are under all that pressure, my family shouldn’t place all that on your shoulders. But that was why I wanted to speak with Achilleus myself, to ease the burden. That way it is not just you having to make the call on whether he can be trusted…this way it is a joint decision.”
“I know, I appreciate you for that…” Antony tried to hide his shivers, still never liking to show what he perceived to be weakness to Natalia. “…and I trust your judgement. Was I comfortable with you speaking to him? No. But I understood what you were hoping to achieve and it would have been insulting to not grant you the wish to form your own opinion on Achilleus. You should know I do not speak badly of your family either. Your father wasn’t keen on allowing you to speak with our hooded friend and I don’t entirely blame him. If I had a daughter or sister I’d be exactly the same…but Longinius - that is another matter altogether, HE was an unnecessary problem that tipped me over the edge.”
Natalia tutted yet in truth she didn’t feel any real anger, Antony was only after all being protective and if she was honest, she loved the way he always made her feel safe and cared for. Nobody, even Syphax - although he was a close second, had made her feel that way since she had been a child with her family and tribe surrounding her. Antony was like a strong barrier of protection and it was one of the many traits that she adored about him. “I understand. My family remembers me only as a young girl and accepting me as a grown woman, as a wife who knows her own mind, is an adjustment for them. It can’t have been easy for you to stand by and watch me leave with Achilleus but it was the right thing to do.”
Antony nodded, his eyes emphasising his tiredness and appreciating Natalia not wishing to battle this point out further. “And after speaking with him, you trust Achilleus’ word to be true? You got a good enough read of him?”
“Hmmm trust is too strong a word…but I believe that he needs your support Antony.” Natalia replied confidently. “I actually get the impression he has his hands full with the young, over enthusiastic yet naïve Octavian and your assistance and experience would be worth its weight in gold…even if there must be a delay to you offering that support…”
“I see.” Antony considered her words as he stared off into the distance deep in thought. “Well realistically as it stands I see no other viable choice. I shall not stand by the senate nor any claim Cleopatra’s son may have to Rome at birth…but I didn’t ideally wish to show my hand too early. I wanted Achilleus to be under the impression that I have other options for consideration if he did not allow us to leave today as we have planned…”
“Indeed, I also implied that your mind could be changed if he didn’t win me over. I didn’t want Achilleus believing it was a done deal and he could start making demands…” Natalia agreed.
“If he bought that then it can only be positive for us.” Antony shrugged before broaching the next sensitive topic apprehensively. “And so my Queen…you may as well get it out of the way…I have an instinct that I am still to reprimanded for my disagreement with Longinius…”
“Disagreement?” Natalia queried dryly. “Is THAT what you call rolling around in a bath fighting before my family and friends?”
“Disagreement sounded better admittedly.” Antony replied guiltily. “Look I know I shouldn’t have reacted but he questioned my integrity and love for you. Today has been difficult…stressful…we should have been on the road long ago and Longinius simply tested my patience too much. I was already on edge watching you converse with our cloaked friend and then predictably Cassius pipes up with his usual winging whiny voice about how I shouldn’t have let you speak with Achilleus and I was less of a man for not preventing you from doing so…maybe for a moment it made me second guess myself and I hated that.”
“Yet he has done this kind of thing many times before Antony and you have always walked away from such confrontation, eventually anyway, before a physical battle actually took place.” Natalia reprimanded. “Even if Cassius deserved it and I don’t doubt it, you must know you would easily defeat him, what purpose did the fight achieve on our final day in Rome?”
“Absolutely nothing. Point taken.” Antony grimaced at the reminder. “I guess he just pushed me too far. I felt it insulting that he had no belief in your capabilities too if you must know. I of all people know better than to underestimate you. I swore to protect you and believe me I shall do so forever more, but, in this instance, I thought you had matters under control…you DID have matters under control so my instinct was correct. I have faith in you Natalia and I will not prevent you from doing, within reason of course, anything you choose to do. I muse learn to allow you to spread your wings and not stifle you. Longinius however sees you as a defenceless damsel…I see you as a warrior who I would gladly go into battle with, though perhaps our individual strengths may differ…anyway this is obviously yet one more thing that he and I cannot agree on.”
“For what it is worth, I appreciated you allowing me the time to speak to Achilleus so your stance was correct. You obviously know me better than Cassius ever did…” Natalia replied, her voice gentle as she kissed Antony’s still damp hand reassuringly.
Antony however was already deep in his mind concerning his intrinsic dislike for Longinius and he hardly felt her affection, his mind focused and his mouth twisting into a snarl. “As I should as your husband…that was another thing. He decided to point out that you and he had been lovers in the past. Like I needed that gem of a reminder and in front of your family as well…he insults us both by bringing unsavoury history such as that up.”
Wanting to explain more, Antony stepped closer to Natalia and took her hands into his own, her face and touch calming him again. “Natalia. I am aware of your past and to be fair you are probably only aware of half of mine or we would be revisiting it for the rest of our lives. I accept it, I believe that the paths we walked before meeting deliberately led us to one another and I’ve never regretted a day with you in my arms…but it was still hard to hear…I hate that there was a time before…well before you were only mine. I know I am a hypocrite and you can add that to my list of faults of you so wish but I am honest too. I love you and it tears me apart to face thinking of you and he in any intimate setting…”
“I understand that. I never thought I was particularly jealous for you have not given me any reason to be, but then you spent that night sleeping in that whore’s bed after discovering Cassius’ old note…” Natalia said a little hesitantly.
“I swear I passed out, I really did only sleep…” Antony protested desperately. “It was so long ago..”
“Ok maybe that time but…you get what I am saying…or how about the time you stormed out of here after inviting Xanthe to the gladiator games because you believed her over me and promptly DID lay with your old whore friend whose name escapes me…” Natalia placed her hands on her hips and Antony was swiftly under no illusion that he was ever going to win this point.
“Not my finest moment…I was disillusioned and foolish…but I thought only of you…talked only of how I felt for you and afterwards…Marianne told me that I would be a fool to talk away from a woman that I so obviously loved, even if I hadn’t fully admitted it to myself at that point…” Antony shook his head at the memory. “So stupid of me, deep down I knew you had me where you wanted me…I just had to at least pretend to put up a fight. I felt so guilty afterwards and it was the moment I knew that it could only ever be you.”
“Marianne yes that was it.” Natalia remembered with an accompanying pout. “Your words are sweet but even so Antony you thought of me AFTER laying with her…then only a day ago Cleopatra secretly propositioned you before leaving Rome…that was also hard to stomach…she is after all a Queen no less and I a mere ex courtesan by comparison…imagine how I felt – so inferior.”
“But I had no interest in Cleopatra, politically or romantically, I swear it.” Antony responded earnestly. “There was no comparison to be made! Yes, I suppose a small part of me thought it ironic after how Caesar had attempted to steal you and now here was his woman coming on to me, but that was all, I’ve truly nothing to hide. I never encouraged her amorous feelings if they were ever genuine. She was utterly irrelevant. You have always been the queen of my heart and I told her exactly that.”
“…and believe me I do trust that, but can you see how I too have had to endure the effect you have upon women…first hand and as a helpless jealous woman watching from the sidelines…” Natalia met his eyes and fluttered her eyelashes at Antony, pulling at his heartstrings to emphasise the validity of her point. “Watching the man I love so very much have women constantly chasing him is never easy however secure I felt generally.”
“It made you jealous?” Antony questioned with a confident smirk. “I do not believe you have ever admitted that before… not that you had any reason to be, but still, I like it…”
Natalia moved closer to Antony as he shivered a little before her in his soaking wet clothes. “Yes, I’ll admit that to you now. We may as well begin our new chapter with everything out in the open. But I’ll also suggest that it turns you on the way that Cassius chases after me…whilst his negative opinion on you may sting a little more than you will confess to, you love the way that you have in your bed what he desired more than anything…you have always had me - I’ve always been yours and Cassius cannot compete. That knowledge keeps your blood pumping…”
By the time Antony replied, his eyes were dark with lust as he watched his wife enticingly circle him. “Maybe partly…but it is not WHY I burn for you…it is because you are my soulmate and match in every way…THAT is why I shall love you until my last day walking the earth and beyond…but, yes, it does, I suppose, add to the fuel to the fire in my heart knowing that Longinus will never touch you again…that the realisation tears him up inside no matter how hard Longinius protests to the contrary…”
Antony ran a solitary finger down Natalia’s bare arm teasingly as she passed around him once more. “Does my confession make you angry? You were never a game to me, even when we first met, but every man enjoys the thrill of knowing another desires his wife.”
“Angry…” Natalia considered it as she gazed at Antony from each new angle, his toga clinging to every solid inch of his impressive torso. The bath water formed it’s own large pool at Antony’s feet as he stood rooted to the spot, turning only his neck to look back at her as he too sized her up and gaged her mood. Natalia couldn’t deny his appeal as she took in Antony’s dark, damp hair and the trickles of water that ran down his arms and thighs, yet his increasing shivers left her concerned and Natalia’s protective instinct for her man kicked in, not that even in frustration at his fight it had ever left her. “No I am not angry. Whilst you did not need to battle with Cassius on my behalf, I too can admit to enjoying witnessing the evidence of your love for me…you probably scored points with my father too…I don’t believe he is Cassius’ greatest fan.”
Antony’s chest pounded with the urge to reach out and grab Natalia, to hold her close and warm his skin against hers yet he held firm, willing her to come to him and sure that he knew her so well, that they understood each other so thoroughly, she would do just that. “Then your father is man of impeccable taste. But nevertheless I can still tell you feel I over reacted to Cassius’ baiting. As I say, I know deep down I should have walked away…he just has a face that I have longed to punch for far too long…”
“I could always tell, to me you are like an open book. Sure you and Cassius have attempted to superficially get along whilst being cooped up in here but the peace was never going to last between you. All I was trying to point out is no matter how the women of your past have made me feel, I don’t believe I’ve ever retaliated by rolling around in a pool with them…I always feel that ultimately we belong together and the gods will ensure that is the case.” Natalia reasoned. “I’ve trusted our love will win through.”
“I’ve never doubted in us Natalia, not even for a moment. Perhaps just now was more about me putting Longinius in his place. Showing him that his abhorrent behaviour would not be tolerated in any area of my life, but, yes, I’ll concede the most important part of that life is of course you. Believe me when I say I have tried so hard to not retaliate, yet I am but a man with weaknesses…my heart is sometimes wild, uncontrollable due to the strength of my feelings towards you. I DO try to keep my thoughts in check but I shall always be over protective of you, it’s just my nature.” He admitted reluctantly. “I just couldn’t listen to him questioning how I feel for you or the notion that I had willingly placed you in danger.”
“And ultimately I’d have you no other way.” Natalia bit down on her lip as her stomach flipped at the sight of her beautiful husband stood before her, so vulnerable and seeking her forgiveness. “We have both experienced attention from others and it has caused jealousy in each of us. Still, at least we are never in any doubt as to the intensity of our feelings.”
Antony’s eyes flicked back to Natalia as she spoke once more.
“…you know…we should get you out of those wet clothes. We cannot go anywhere with you like that and you are making rather a mess of Lena’s floor…” Natalia purred, her desire evident. Just like that, Antony suspected he knew where this conversation was likely heading and he wasn’t about to complain.
“Noted but how shall I dry myself?” Antony teased huskily. “I can hardly step outside of this room bare…”
“Outside is this room? No probably not…but INSIDE these four walls I’d say it is your best option and I can be very resourceful…” Natalia advised as she deliberately looked Antony upon and down. “These cloths will not dry with you so wet…inside them.”
“Come closer then…” he asked quietly as he ran a hand though his midnight black hair. “Tell me your plan…” Antony’s voice was but a whisper as he dared to consider how quickly he could remove Natalia’s clothing by any means necessary. “I’ll need to get warmth from somewhere…”
Natalia inched closer and ran a hand down his injured cheek. “You have a cut just here…” She confirmed as she tenderly touched Antony’s face. “I should kiss it better….”
“Fucking Cassius and his nails…he really has no idea how to fight…” Antony muttered yet Natalia noticed there was only slight annoyance in his voice now and Antony’s eyes were firmly shut, his expression calm and his arms looped around Natalia pulling her close for affection and comfort.
“Uh huh…let’s not think of him…” Natalia soothed as she pulled Antony’s toga away from his damp body and took his hand. “Lay down with me my love…I have an idea…”
Eagerly discarding his undergarment first Antony complied, allowing Natalia to take the lead and lay him down bare on her old bed. Moving away briefly Antony watched her intrigued as she locked the bedroom door before rejoining him by his side.
“…I feel cold Natalia…I need your body’s heat…and attention…” Antony smiled as he looked us at his wife who hovered over him, her own eyes twinkling with excitement. “Can take it I am finally forgiven for the whole bath incident?” He questioned as Antony placed his hands behind his head lazily.
“Yes…” Natalia admitted as she stroked his injured face. “…only the gods know what Achilleus made of it all but to be absolutely honest for me it was a little bit of a turn on…”
“Shit Achilleus….he is still in the hallway…” Antony sat up quickly, shaking sense into himself and not picking up on her words. “We have literally left him out there at the mercy of your father…”
Natalia giggled and pushed Antony back down onto the bed. “Do not worry, he told me he was anxious to be on his way back to Octavian now that he had accepted he couldn’t persuade you to join him today…I doubt Achilleus will stick around…apparently Octavian is camped out about half a days travelling away. Besides I think you have provided him with enough entertainment for one day.”
“Funny Natalia. That buys us some time I guess…” Antony relaxed back onto the bed and in an instant his mischievous smile was back. “Plenty of time in fact and I do need to dry off somehow…show me this plan of yours, I was listening…turned on you were saying…”
“Glad to hear it, yes of course. Your wish is my command…” she laughed by way of response. “Now let’s forget about everyone else and relax. I’d prefer to demonstrate my idea.”
Antony sighed as Natalia crawled over his spread out body and instantly he could feel her breath upon his face. Closing his eyes he had assumed a kiss was coming his way but in its place was in fact warm air. Flicking his eyes open Antony watched as Natalia blew over his wet skin, her lips pouting enticingly as she inched closer towards him until they were almost touching, almost but not quite.
At first it was a gentle sensation and Antony nestled into the bed blissfully and relaxed but soon it became apparent Natalia had no such plans to stop at his face. Soon enough Natalia’s breath moved lower down his neck and Antony let out a pleasured shiver as it hit the sensitive flesh upon his throat. “I like this game almost too much…” he sighed contentedly.
“It may take some time to dry your skin this way, you shall need some of the warmth from my own body too…” she murmured before standing up and throwing her dress over her head, it falling aimlessly on a nearby chair. Antony sat up on his elbows excitedly as Natalia slowly peeled off the remainder of her undergarments, never losing eye contact until she finally stood before him bare. Suddenly she felt slightly bashful under his intense gaze and Natalia’s cheeks grew rosy.
“So beautiful…” Antony whispered under his breath, the sight of his wife never failing to mesmerise him. “Come back to me…” he told her with a wolffish grin, beckoning Natalia towards him.
“I still need to do my job here…my husband must be dried off and checked over thoroughly for any injuries…” she blinked in mock innocence before planting soft kisses over Antony’s torso, causing his muscles to tense at the relentless teasing by his playful wife. Antony omitted happy groans and moans as she continued lower down towards his bellybutton, every so often mixing it up with a lick of her tongue over his chiselled chest.
Unable to take much more Antony pulled Natalia tight against him and she felt his desire for her instantly. “No no you don’t…” she told him with pretend authority. “I shall dry you first and it will be worth the wait…”
Antony swallowed hard, allowing Natalia to wriggle free but in an instant he felt her breath tickle his solid erection that patiently awaited her devoted attention. His hands gripped each side of the bed in an attempt to control himself as Natalia chose to avoid the obvious area and instead focus her attentions upon the surrounding area and Antony’s inner thighs. The blowing sensation was quickly causing Antony’s heart to race and yet he laid back entirely, enjoying the surprise of where the feeling would hit his skin next. “It…it is clearly your intention to drive me out of my mind…” he panted as Antony arched his back in bliss and chuckled at Natalia’s little game.
“Maybe…I remember a time when you told me that I should learn the art of control…right before shamelessly taking me on your veranda for anyone to see…does that jog your memory?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
“That I did…” Antony cocked his eyebrow. “Although I do not recall you complaining…”
“No. That is true and neither shall you when I finally take what is mine.” Natalia confirmed with a deliberately slow lick along his hard shaft causing Antony to curse with excitement. “Now…say it. Tell me exactly what you want. Do not spare my blushes…you cannot shock me…”
“Fuck…what do…you….aarrr….think?” Antony managed to form a laboured sentence as her kisses around his groin became harder and faster. “I’d like you to not torture me..”
“THIS is torture?” Natalia giggled.
“Of sorts…yes…When did my wife become so disobedient?”
“You never even tried to tame me…you merely opened up a Pandora’s box of pleasure to me and allowed me to explore…” Natalia winked and stuck her tongue out to emphasise her delinquency.
“Perhaps so.” Antony shrugged. “You always have after all been such a willing pupil. I do hope you plan to continue honing your skills?”
“Of course my love…I plan on revising right away…”
With that Natalia leant over Antony brushing her nipples over his chest as he opened his mouth in awe. Antony’s eyes were wild and practically black with wanting as he looked up at his mischievous queen and tenderly caressed her face. Eager to continue their game she rocked her groin over him causing Antony to moan Natalia’s name once more in frustration, however this time Antony grabbed a hold of Natalia’s waist, holding her in place and letting out an animalistic growl. “I’d say the time has more than come Natalia…”
Flipping her over with ease, Antony positioned himself over a giddy Natalia who locked her legs around him. “…then do not let me keep you, take what is only yours.”
Antony toyed with the idea of giving his wife a taste of her own sweet medicine but just as speedily realised, as it was most of the time, he simply couldn’t wait that long. Slipping a hand between her legs, he took a long, slow swipe of her as she gasped. There wasn’t anything that tasted as irresistible as his wife to him and she watched dumbstruck as his traced a finger over his lips before fiercely kissing Natalia and enabling her to taste herself upon him.
“You know…” Antony told her as she gazed up at him full of adoration, “I had never wanted anything so badly in my whole life…I don’t think I ever knew what it was to be so uncontrollably thirsty for something…someone…until our paths crossed…” Antony shook his head at his own disbelief. “You Natalia are everything…I’ll never stop fighting for you…protecting you…so never ask it of me for it is the one thing I cannot agree to.”
“I won’t…I won’t…I know why you fought with Cassius…but now I just want us to leave Antony…I am tired of the constant delay…we need this break…you have been through so much of late.” Natalia let her emotions get the better of her and her voice broke.
Tenderly wiping a tear away from Natalia’s face first, Antony sat back, sensing he needed to say a little more before they could return to the inevitable outcome. “It is ok to feel frustrated, I understand. You too have been through a lot Natalia…A LOT. Caesar he…well when he returned he temporarily took away the perfection we had built between us. He hurt you and I foolishly trusted him. I shall, no matter what you say, always blame myself for not seeing through him until a lot of damage was done…but ultimately he made us stronger, now you are I are unbreakable…”
“You…you are right. All Caesar did was make you and I fight even harder to be together. The same with Cassius too. I have never really played things correctly concerning him and even today is my fault…the passionate dislike you have for one another is down to quarrelling for so long, mostly over me. I should have shut him down long ago…I guess whilst I never doubted how I felt for you, there were times when he felt safer to be with – even if I’d have been walking away from the man, you, who truly set my heart alight if I had done.”
Antony couldn’t stop a smile escaping his lips at Natalia’s confirmation of her feelings towards himself. “So, and believe me it would have broken me if you had…but WHY wasn’t it Longinius who held your heart in the palm of his hand? I am no fool Natalia. An unpredictable life with me is very different to what it would have been with him. Whilst I can afford you an excellent lifestyle, I know Longinius could, financially at least, offer you even more. Certainly more security. I have eyes, I know he is considered an attractive man…Uuugh, I mean I’ve seen worse…and, whilst I hate him and all that he stands for…so tiresome and self righteous…I don’t doubt how much Longinius wanted you, even if I do not believe that he wanted you for who you really were or understands you as I do…then politically my beliefs were a struggle for you too.”
“Hmmm….they are all valid points…is it too late to change my mind?” Natalia raised a mocking eyebrow before playfully pushing Antony. “I am joking of course. Because all that you have described is either irrelevant to me or you are immeasurably superior to Cassius so outrank him. I don’t care about an affluent lifestyle and frankly, you offer me a wonderful, exciting life regardless…yes he is attractive physically but certainly not more so than you in any way…ok so he and I never liked or trusted Caesar’s motives, but I understand why you did – you knew Caesar probably more than anyone else who walks the earth and even I can concede there must have been a time when Caesar was a good, albeit ambitious man who thought he could do more for Rome than the senate. There is no shame in trusting a man you thought of as a brother. Ultimately I didn’t TELL you what Caesar was up to and that is MY fault. I knew you loved me, I just got scared of you getting hurt if you challenged him…as for Cassius’ affection for me, I believe you are right. He only ever wanted a perfect, idealistic version of me and that is not who I am. I am flawed but you accept all that I am and forgive me…you GET me in a way he never could…and then there is the biggest reason of all…”
“Tell me Natalia…I love to hear your mind it soothes me…” Antony sat still, totally drawn in.
“Well the fact is, even if there were a million reasons for me to choose Cassius, even if no other decision made sense to anybody else…I have only ever loved you. You are my soulmate Antony, the one who my heart reaches for and my body yearns for. You are my one and I’ve never regretted my choice for one moment.” Natalia felt her cheeks heat up as her admission settled with Antony’s ego.
“I love to hear it. And YOU of course must know that no other woman compares to you…never has done and never will…you have awakened my heart and touched me like everything is new to me…almost as if my first breath was with you.” Antony spoke softly as he looked over Natalia and took her hand in his, rubbing her palm distractedly and if she didn’t know better she would say he almost looked a little shy. “So, forgive me but I do not believe I have ever asked this…what attracted you to me when we first met? Was I initially a conquest to you or…”
“Oh that’s easy…no not a conquest…but you DID make me feel incredibly nervous and excited…I thought my heart would never stop racing with adrenaline oh and then there were the butterflies in my stomach – To be honest I knew I was in trouble as soon as I laid eyes upon you.” Natalia ran a finger down Antony’s chest slowly. “That even if there wasn’t going to be a meeting of minds, for I didn’t know back then, something was drawing me in and I doubted I would be able to resist you…”
Antony laughed, throwing his head back animatedly and his eyes twinkling. “Well I will take that. It was a fair assessment. The old me WAS the very definition of mischief.”
“Honestly Antony, I could have kicked myself. There was me, I’d just met Cassius who had been the perfect gentlemen. I thought he had won me over and then YOU strode in, all alpha male, so handsome I couldn’t stop staring, so confident…the way every man was in awe of you and your tales…you knocked me off my feet and I was so annoyed. I WANTED to hate you but the moment our eyes met, I guess I always knew it was game over. I could foresee that no matter how hard I would fight against it, you and I were inevitable.”
“That may have been one of my favourite things you have ever told me.” Antony joked yet only half in jest. “Well, when I saw you…I didn’t know what the feelings were, that is, I didn’t understand them…I felt caught off guard but, most definitely blown away…intrigued and, because I never dilute my feelings around you – like I wanted you in my bed…in fact I wasn’t that fussy about that last part…I’d have taken you anywhere if you had given me the nod…”
“Antony!” Natalia slapped his hand yet her accompanying grin told him she wasn’t truly displeased. “There WAS definitely a lot of lust…and how do you feel right now?”
“Like we may never be alone without me wanting you all over again.” Antony puffed out air as the memories came flooding back. “When we met it was like you had taken my breath away and the overwhelming way I feel when we are close and alone has never left me since…so…on that point, I believe there were some games being played between us not so long ago that we’re doing me the world of good. Can I dare to hope we can start where we left off?”
“Such a heart felt plea for my affections Antony.” Natalia commented with an arch of her eyebrow. Offering her hand she pulled Antony to his feet and tugged him towards her dressing table. “Remember when we were alone in Caesar’s home and I wore that tight bodice that Lena had made?”
“Uh huh…I remember it well. A dangerous game. You looked incredible as always but it was the most frustrating piece of clothing I had ever come across…” Antony smiled at the distant memory as he swept her hair to one side, positioning himself tightly behind Natalia and dropping kisses down her spine. “It took me forever to get to what I wanted and even longer to put it back on before Caesar’s guards got too suspicious…still it was worth it..and amusing.”
Natalia placed her palms on the desk before her and bent herself over. “I liked the element of danger…but right now my love, I am thinking of a different kind of excitement. Here would suffice.” Natalia bent herself over, rubbing her voluptuous buttocks over Antony’s enlarged groin area. Natalia looked straight ahead at the highly polished bronze mirror facing her, watching Antony’s reflection as he closed his eyes at her warm skin against his bare flesh.
“Natalia…enough teasing…” he panted as she gazed in at Antony’s handsome face. “You want…what? Anything you say is yours if I can take you right now…Oh…” suddenly the penny dropped and he smirked. “You want to watch me take you…how very inventive of my clever wife…of course I am happy to oblige…”
Antony carefully placed his hand on the small of Natalia’s back and applied a little pressure so that she was bent further over the desk. Tortuously tenderly he ran his hands down her sides until he got a firm hold a her curvy hips and held Natalia in position just as he needed her.
“My husband is such a fast learner…” Natalia giggled as she gave him a playful wiggle. “Now I believe there is nothing to stop…” But before she could finish her sentence Antony had more than taken the hint and Natalia felt the cool table top against her nipples as Antony eased himself inside her and cursed under his breath with the instant pleasure.
Letting out a happy growl Antony slammed inside Natalia and joy once more consumed him. Never did he feel happier than when their intimacy was at its peak and that was surely the case now. Antony listened carefully for those perfect feminine little squeals of delight to escape Natalia’s lips and sure enough, there they were in abundance as he worked them both up into a frenzy with ease, neither needing to try – their connection so effortless as his strength moved them both.
Today had more than taken its toll on Antony, the hooded man that he was still unsure of despite respecting that Natalia deemed him to be safe enough. Then the back and forth culminating in Natalia speaking with Achilleus alone and causing Antony all kinds of anxiety in the process. There was no greater fear for Antony than the prospect of harm coming to Natalia and in that respect she was the key to everything, his strength and weakness all boxed up with a bow for anyone to exploit should they get too close. Achilleus had probably already sought that realisation out and deep down he knew that he and Natalia needed to be on their way sooner rather than later before Achilleus rethought his position and returned with an army demanding Antony’s allegiance.
Still here Antony was, pleasuring his wife and without question himself because, when things got tough, she was his safe place – the only person he entirely trusted and the only woman who had ever gifted him peace and love that he could wholeheartedly return. Albeit bad timing, Antony’s mind drifted to Cassius and how enraged Antony had felt at Longinius questioning once more how Antony felt for his wife. Yet as he looked down at Natalia he held on to her extra tightly and increased his thrusts. ‘Mine. She is and always was, mine and only mine.’
Natalia cried out as she crumbled and her body shook with the release of emotions and ecstasy running over her skin’s surface and much deeper within. Before she could collect her thoughts Antony spun her around to face him and he lifted her up upon the dresser, sweeping its bottles to the floor without a care in the world.
Natalia gasped as he pulled her separated legs to the very edge of the desk and reconnected with her, maintaining eye contact with her as he began to rock them once more. Allowing him absolute control over her body, Natalia threw her head back and relaxed herself, the pleasure building up inside her once more. She reached out, stroking Antony’s bare chest as he moved them both in synchronised motions, breathing her words that seemed to heighten his movements and tune in to his thoughts. “I…I love you….I’d go…anywhere with you…just…as long as you are mine and I…I…am…yours…”
As Antony watched her every move as she rubbed against his hot skin he couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t explode, with the obvious of course but also…just the overwhelming feelings bubbling just beneath the surface and reaching boiling point. Somehow he always wanted more of her, to be as close to Natalia as possible and this was no exception.
Lifting her leg over his shoulder to get as close as possible, Antony gyrated his hips with more speed and Natalia cried out his name sending him crazy for her until his body could take no more and Antony caved. Allowing his release to work its way though his pulsating body, Antony grabbed the back of Natalia’s neck, winding his hands though her wild hair as he kissed her hard, mumbling incoherently in her mouth. Finally each of them came down from their high and Natalia rested her forehead against Antony’s. “This never stops getting better and better…” Antony spoke a little breathlessly. “You make me feel like the most powerful man in the world and the most vulnerable all at once.”
“…and you make me feel the happiest woman, and most worshipped.” Natalia smiled in bliss. “If only everything was simple and we could simply lock the door and shut out the whole of Rome forever.”
“Maybe for a while at least we shall be free of duty and the constraints of this city.” Antony wrapped Natalia in his arms like the protective shield he always set himself up to be where she was concerned. Natalia happily responded resting her cheek on his firm chest and closing her eyes.
All Natalia wanted was this. All she had ever needed was Antony. Never the power, nor the jewels and certainly never the unwanted attention. Right now was the moment she realised she had everything and more that Natalia could ever have dared to wish for. Her family safe and thriving and the love of a man who set her heart on fire. There were no more monsters under bed, no Caesar nor Aquila or scores to settle. The time had come for her to move on, lay old ghosts to rest and walk free with the man of her dreams by her side.
Antony’s soft voice broke her from her thoughts as she grinned to herself. “Tell me what you thinking Natalia, you seem far away and I’d like to be with you on that journey…”
“You are always with me my love…” Natalia confirmed with a certain glow about her, clasping Antonys hand and placing a kiss on his neck. “I’m just thinking about the here and now and our next move…”
“Well, what would you like it to be?” Antony looked down at her, searching her face for answers. “We have no ties. I have a few friends, associates, whatever you should call them, up the coast that I have sent word to and we are more than welcome to reside with them for as long as we like. We would be far enough away from this place and you can see how you feel about the towns – you know if you would like us to stay a while or we can move on further afield. Whatever you want Natalia, say the word and I shall make it happen…”
“That all sounds wonderful yes…can we just go now? Collect our things from the villa and get going? I keep thinking when we leave this room everyone will expect us to have answers. How long shall we be away? Can Achilleus be trusted? Where shall we reside? I just want…us Antony. I’m tired of all the fighting, for Rome…for me. I’d love more than anything for us to accept that we do not have all the answers and not wait a moment longer…to just be on our way and have done with it.”
“But Natalia, your family?” Antony frowned. “Trust me when I say that I’d like nothing more than to walk outside, feel the sun on our faces and the wind through our hair but, with all that has happened today, do we not owe them some answers? You have spoken with Achilleus, I am sure they ache to know the outcome of that conversation…and Victus…he will expect me to assure him of your safety whilst we are gone.”
“Antony...” Natalia sighed as she tousled his hair. “The truth is we DON’T know anything. Is Achilleus already on his way back to Octavian and ready to advise him that you have refused to join his cause? I believed him just now, I trust that he needs you and wants to keep you on side but honestly, nobody can truly know what he shall do. Can we keep out of harms way on our travels? Let us pray that the gods protect us and are kind but we can make no promises…all I am saying is, we should take our chances now. My family will understand that there should be no further delays and that our time has come. We really should make tracks before Achilleus has a chance to change his mind…”
Antony rubbed his beard, his usual telltale sign of being in deep in thought. “I hear you and, I agree. I am just keen to not be seen to be rushing you or tearing you apart from your family. I know it was our plan to leave today but, Natalia, are you absolutely sure after all that has occurred today this timing is still good for you? I want you and I to take our leave, I WANT to show you a little of the world…but I need it to happen at the right time…”
Natalia stared up at him so that he could gaze into her eyes that sparkled with excitement and sense her sincerity. “I want our travels to begin today my love. My family and I have been preparing for this day ever since we were reunited. We all knew this was the inevitable outcome. After Caesar…well my family knew we wouldn’t stick around and, sooner rather than later, neither shall they. The time I have spent with them has been wonderful but, I am a wife now and we shall not be gone forever. We will keep Lena appraised of our location and she can send letters on to us…I am ready to take this leap and the safest time to take those steps is right now. I know that you have so much to think about but please, put this idea to the forefront of your mind…”
Antony took a deep breath as looked into Natalia’s emerald green determined eyes with wonderment. It occurred to him how far she had come in the past year and how perfectly she had developed into the woman he loved with every part of his awakened heart. She always had been more than a beautiful face but he couldn’t be absolutely sure when he had realised Natalia had the potential to be more than just another woman in his bed, maybe had always known from the instant their eyes had met in Cassius’ home. The difference being back then, Antony hadn’t understood his own feelings, let alone been able to successfully articulate them.
As he tucked that infamous strand of curl behind Natalia’s ear with affection Antony reflected on the extreme highs and occasional lows they had experienced together. How they both had learned so much from the other and even the hiccups had been worth it to steer them to where they were today, together, in love and unbreakable.
Natalia blinked back at Antony, willing him to confirm that this was it. They could finally begin their journey and travels. That the constraints of Rome were finally loosening and they were free – even if just for a while until duty once again called for Antony. She watched intently at Antony’s face which was kind and relaxed and he gazed back at her before taking a deep breath.
“I…am thinking Natalia…” Antony finally responded with a gentle kiss on her head. “I hear you…just let me collect my thoughts for but a moment…” he murmured softly as he nuzzled Natalia’s warm skin.
“Of course my love…Antony….” Natalia began cautiously.
“Natalia….” Antony responded as he searched her face in a fruitless attempt to gage the next question.
“Whilst you ponder my suggestion…I just wondered….do you truly never worry what the history books shall remember us as…I mean you specifically for I shall not matter…but you…I’d hate for YOU to only be remembered…well for your attachment to me…it seems unfair given all that you are…” Natalia asked earnestly.
Yet he merely chuckled at her words and stroked Natalia’s face tenderly. “Have I ever struck you as a man who concerns himself with the opinions of others? I truly care nothing…nothing at all for what the history books remember me as, what mistruths they write and how they understand my life to have been…all that does concern me…is YOU Natalia…that you always are able to sincerely hold me in such high regard…as your protector, your lover…your confident…your husband and most of all, the keeper of your heart…for that shall always content me.”
“Oh, well when you put it like that…!” Natalia giggled before her face grew a little serious. “That is the easiest assurance I can ever give you my love. Every day you inspire me and our connection to one another intensifies. I shall always love you more today than yesterday but never more than tomorrow the the rest of our days…”
Antony shook his head in blissful disbelief at the feeling of fulfilment running through him…the realisation that, as always, his answer would always be ‘yes’ to his wife for he would do anything to feel this way forever more.
“You know Natalia…from the day we met I always suspected I would be doing anything I could to make you happy. It just so happens that leaving here is my greatest wish also…you are right, there WILL never be a perfect time to make this leap into the unknown but…I too say let’s do this…let’s leave here right now. Rome will still be standing when we return…”
Natalia threw her arms around him as Antony held her tightly and he felt Natalia physically relax with relief. “Thank you. This makes me so content…let’s go and get our things and be gone…I love you like you could never believe!! We shall finally be free!!”
Antony grinned and spun Natalia around his arms in sheer joy. “We should probably get dressed then my queen…you may love me but I doubt your father wishes to see me in this state of undress…come let’s get out of here.”
“You know…just thinking…there was also that other woman…the brunette you took to the games that Syphax fought in….” She giggled mischievously. “Let’s not forget her from my earlier list…”
“But she…Natalia I don’t even remember the woman’s name…” Antony gasped, caught by surprise at her teasing. “I only took her to throw Glycia off the scent of what was occurring between you and I. I found you as soon as I could, I was so desperate to explain my actions!”
“And what WAS occurring between you and I back then?” Natalia enquired playfully as she twirled a finger through her curls. “Remind me…”
“What is and has always been occurring between us…absolute and pure ‘love’. The smallest of words yet it’s meaning is immense to me…to us. Now…” Antony began before leaning down and kissing her fiercely. “…I believe we have a bright future just waiting around the corner for us with a world of possibilities. Let’s get that started.”
THE END
*Tightrope – Sarah Bareilles*