55Chapter 7
He kissed me! By the gods he kissed me! Theo kissed me, I was completely taken by surprise. It was an extremely pleasant surprise, he was so gentle and considerate, not at all like Cordius who thought only of himself. Theo was so kind and very handsome, not that it matters that much. He sat and comforted me when I needed it most, I doubt anyone else would have done so. He was my rock against Cordius, and I felt something for him, I could not really distinguish what it is but I felt butterflies whenever I saw him and I just wanted to be in his arms all the time, I yearned for him constantly and night could not have come quick enough.
I walked up and down my bedchambers so much Euphemia must have become dizzy with watching. She sat on my bed with a wide smile on her face. I had told her everything, Mia was more than a servant, she was my best friend. She was as excited as I was.
"Ooh, when is he going to get here? You did tell him Mia" I looked at her questioningly.
"Yes, yes I swear!" she laughed holding her hands up in surrender.
"Then where is he?" I wrung my hands, I was in my nightdress so as not to raise suspicion if Cordius was to pay a visit. The sneaking around made it even more exciting.
"He will be here Antonia, I promise. He looked so excited when I told him earlier" she smiled at me.
"So am I" I replied with a grin when I heard a soft knock at the door. I wasted no time in running to the door and opening it. There stood Theo with the most suggestive and cheeky smile I have ever seen plastered on his face.
"You called for me my lady" he grinned.
"So I did" I grasped his tunic and pulled him inside. Mia took this as her cue to leave, she shot me a impish smile as she closed the door behind her. I had told her to stand guard outside the door in case of an unwelcome visit from Cordius.
"What do you wish me to do my lady?" he asked.
"Entertain me" I smiled sitting on my bed, he gave me a puzzled look.
"Entertain you?" he replied.
"Yes" I replied simply.
"And how would I do that?" he asked in a discontented voice.
"Come here and I will tell you" I gestured for him to come closer and he did so. I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Kiss me" I whispered in his ear. He pulled me up off the bed and held me by my waist.
"How can I decline an order from my mistress?" he purred resting his forehead against mine, his eyes never leaving me. His face was so close that I could feel his hot breath on my lips.
"You cannot" I replied, tracing the outline of his ear with my finger. I felt him shiver.
"Well then" he smiled and pressed his lips to mine ever so gently. I felt my stomach do somersaults as his hands slid down my sides through the silk of my nightdress. I caught his hands in my own and entwined our fingers together.
Before we had a chance to deepen the kiss Mia came running in. We pulled apart and looked at her.
"Antonia, Cordius is coming!" she said in a loud whisper.
"Oh no" I looked around I had to hide Theo, there was no way he could get out. I saw my wardrobe and quickly I opened to the door and pushed Theo in. "please just keep quiet" I whispered as Cordius walked in.
"Antonia, I need to speak to you," he said with a pleading look on his face. The door was still open on the wardrobe and Theo had emerged himself between my dresses, out of sight. "Leave us," he ordered to Mia.
"No Mia, stay. I have nothing to say to you Cordius, did I not make it clear earlier?" I replied coldly and turned to the wardrobe as if picking a dress out for the next day. I could see Theo's eyes sparkling in the back as I stuck my hand in to scale through them.
"Please, just hear me out" he begged.
I was about to answer when Theo got a hold of my hand and started kissing it, my mind went blank and all I could feel was his hot lips on my hand. My mouth dropped open as I tried to reply but Theo's mouth on my hand was preventing me from saying a word.
"I - I" was all I could get out. I pulled my hand from Theo's grasp and smacked him upside the head gently. "I do not want to hear it Cordius" I replied withdrawing my hand from the wardrobe and shutting the door.
"I - " he began but I cut him off.
"Just go away Cordius!" I yelled.
"Fine" he growled and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
"That was close" I sighed and opened the door of my wardrobe. Theo came out holding one of my dresses against himself.
"What do you think? Is it my colour?" he joked, I let out a little laugh before taking my dress away from him and hitting his arm hard.
"You will be the death of me! What did you think you were doing?" I referred to him kissing my hand. He stood rubbing his sore arm with a hurt look on his face.
"Kissing your hand" he put a pout on that just melted my heart.
"Well just, do not do it again when you know we could be caught!" I smiled.
"I will just be leaving then" Mia grinned.
"And so will you" I poked Theo gently on the chest.
"Me?" he looked shocked and disappointed.
"Yes, your mistress needs her sleep" I teased. "What were intending to do if you stayed Theo?" I asked with an eyebrow raised. He blushed and coughed nervously.
"Will you at least give me a good night kiss my lady?" he asked me, curling his arms around my waist with a cheeky smile.
"Did you really have to ask?" I smiled and ran my fingers through his curled hair and pushed his head gently to mine and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, enjoying the tender touch. "Goodnight" I whispered and gave him a little kiss on the nose.
"I love you Antonia," he whispered to me. My heart felt warmth when he said this.
"Truly?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes" he smiled but then went sad. "But I know you can never truly be mine"
"But you belong to me, and I think that I love you no matter how forbidden it may be" I stroked his cheek with my fingers. "One day we will not have to hide it, but until then, take this with you and sleep well" I kissed him once more with a much power as I could muster in a short kiss and he smiled at me before bringing me into a tight embrace.
"I love you," he whispered into my hair.
"I love you too" I replied and we broke apart. Strangely enough it was almost painful to let him go. His lithe form left the room, Mia following. I stood motionless for a few seconds, just looking at the closed door. I wanted him to be with me so much it ached, every time he left the room or my presence it felt like a part of me had gone with him.
For some unknown reason I collapsed on my bed and wept. I was not sad, yet not happy. It was a kind of bitter sweetness that tore my emotions in two and all I could do was cry.
(Please R/R, if there are any flames, they will merely be used to toast marshmallows!)