Forbidden Love in Pompeii

Heartache and sorrow filled her as she rested her cheek against her palm. She knew she was being foolish; she was a woman of course, so this was natural to her. But…oh, she sighed heavily. Why was the world so cruel and unfair?

“Aurelia, come back to bed.” She winced at the sound of that voice. She hated her life and wanted more than anything to throw her body over this balcony onto the rocky seabed that lay below.

“I was enjoying the sights, my love.” Aurelia whispered as she reentered the bedchamber. Her cerulean eyes gazed around at the spacious room and noticed the finery of the room. She knew that she was living in the life of luxury; there was no better marriage than that with Roman General Regillus. Aurelia’s midnight black hair had golden fabric woven in to ad a bit of color, as Regillus said. Her robe was made of the finest silk and was pinned with more gold. She should be proud to be married to this man. But all she wanted to do was plunge a dagger through her aching heart.

“Pompeii isn’t going anywhere. The sea and land will still be there at a more reasonable hour,” Regillus said in a condescending tone. He always spoke to her as if she were a child.

“I know,” Aurelia tired to keep her tone in check. “It’s just…we have yet to explore the city and I would like to.”

“I bought this summer home as a getaway from all the roman politics. I would like to spend a few hours in bed with my wife. What crime is that?” Regillus’s dark eyes frightened Aurelia as she sat down on the edge of the bed. “Besides, my love, it is extremely hot out. Even now at this early hour. We will be here well into September, which is five months from now.”

Regillus wrapped his strong arm around Aurelia’s body and pulled her towards him. She turned her head coyly in his direction and gave him a smile. However, inside she was cringing. It was not that he was bad to look at. He had a perfect body, a handsome face, and more money than the gods could ever dream of. Aurelia wasn’t exactly sure what she hated the most about her husband. It might be how he would never see her as an equal. It might be how when he got into his cups he became violent. It could be a thousand different reasons, but the main one was that she just plain out did not love him. She had been married to him for a year now and she knew that love would never be a part of their marriage.

Regillus wore nothing as he normally did while in bed, and proceeded to undress his wife. Aurelia’s body stiffened involuntarily as his large hands covered her body roughly. They moved to knead her breasts, rubbing her nipples roughly together until they turned hard. Aurelia made all the right noises that she knew he liked to hear and watched as he grew hard.

Regillus flipped her over so that she was face down. This was Regillus’s new thing. He felt more powerful when she was in a weaker position. Aurelia kept her eyes focused on the open balcony doors and the sea. The water roared and drowned out the sound of her husband’s grunting. The sun was shining brightly now and sent a thousand rays of light towards the sea, causing the surface to shimmer as if it were covered in jewels.

When Regillus finally finished they lay beside each other saying nothing. Aurelia kept her eyes focused on the sea and refused to acknowledge the fact that Regillus’s arm was draped over her bare stomach. This was something that they both had grown accustomed to. Not speaking. When they did speak they both could feel the awkwardness of it. Regillus could feel the distance between himself and his wife, but he would never voice it aloud. There was no point. They were married. Her father held a great deal of power that would one day become his. She had the body of a goddess and the face of the goddess Venus. She should be amazing in bed, but she wasn’t. She barely responded to him and his efforts. He sometimes wondered if she would be livelier with a man she desired, but the thought of her being with another man made his blood boil.

“May we explore the city now?” Aurelia asked softly against the pillow. Regillus nodded his head against her shoulder and withdrew from the bed.

A few slaves that had come with the house entered the room and helped her redress. Aurelia stood silently while they worked, when suddenly tears filled her eyes. She was horrified and tried to quickly wipe them away, but the two women standing beside her noticed. If they told Regillus she would never be permitted to leave the house.

“Do not tell Regillus,” Aurelia commanded. The two slaved nodded their heads, but kept their silence. They were Greek, Aurelia vaguely remembered Regillus saying. Captured during one of the many wars between Rome and Greece. Maybe they did not even speak the same language.

When Aurelia was restored to her former beauty she exited the room and walked down into the foyer. Regillus held out his arm and they exited the home together. The people that surrounded them as they walked down one of the cobblestone roads smiled in their direction. Everyone knew who they were and that if they befriended them they would be far better off.

“Remind me why we are doing this again?” Regillus asked as they turned a corner on the far end of the city towards the local arena. It was a good size, but was nothing compared to the coliseum back home in Rome.

“I wanted to see the city. Why are you always so disagreeable, Regillus?” Aurelia snapped. Regillus’s grip tightened on her arm until she cried out in pain.

“Do not disrespect me so, Aurelia. Especially while we are out in public.” Regillus continued walking, and had anyone looked in their direction at that moment, no one would have known anything was amiss.

“Where are we going now?” Aurelia asked, her voice teetering on anger. Regillus squeezed her arm once more as a warning as they entered the arena. Aurelia wasn’t really thinking about her surroundings any longer. All she was worrying about was how she would cover up the bruise that would surely form on her arm.

“General Regillus, what a pleasure to have you here in Pompeii.” An old man said with a smile. Aurelia noticed that he wore a robe of a politician. She tried to recall his name, but could not.

“Senator Gratian,” Regillus gave a slight bow of his head. Senator turned his pale blue eyes on Aurelia and softened a bit.

“This must be your lovely wife, Aurelia.” Senator Gratian took her hand in his old frail one and patted it gently. Aurelia could not help but smile. He was like an old grandfather. He then took a step aside to show a much younger man, standing behind him. “This is my grandson, Valerius.” He looked to be in his mid-twenties, a few years her senior. His hair was just as black as her own, his eyes the color of amber, which she found unusual. He gave her a smile and a dimple appeared in his right cheek. He had the body of a soldier, with too much bronze skin exposed through his white toga.

“Valerius,” Regillus spoke and Aurelia knew by the tone of his voice he was upset. She quickly lowered her eyes to the ground and moved a step closer to her husband.

“I have heard grand tales of your victories in the north. It is good that they have allowed you time to spend here while the more meager soldiers fight.” Valerius’s tone was light, but Aurelia could tell her meant it in disrespect. It was rare for a man to challenge Regillus, and Aurelia was impressed.

“I have earned this reprieve, whelp—” Aurelia placed her hand on his arm to calm him. He glanced at her and silenced the rest of his words.

“Is there to be a fight here today in the arena?” Aurelia spoke to draw the attention away from her husband. Valerius’s eyes focused on her first, then his grandfather. She felt her cheeks burn under Valerius’s gaze, a feeling she had never experienced before.

“Why yes, my lady. A few local gladiators. It is nothing compared to the shows at the Coliseum, but I am sure you will enjoy it nonetheless.” Senator Gratian spoke in a kind tone as he showed them to his private booth.

Aurelia sat beside her husband as was expected, but Valerius sat on the other side which infuriated Regillus. She could feel the heat from both men and wondered if a fight would occur before the day was over. But to her surprise both of them behaved themselves and Aurelia found herself back in her new home safe and sound.

However she did not feel that safe as the front door closed behind Regillus. They stood in the outdoor courtyard beside the manmade pool and marble statue that had rushing water pouring from the mouth into the pool. The sky above them was darkening as was Regillus’s mood. Aurelia had hardly taken a step before she felt the vice like grip of her husband’s hand on her upper arm.

“What in the name of Pluto was that?” Regillus snapped. “You are my wife! How dare you look at another man with interest?”

“Regillus, I never—” Aurelia hardly got out the word before he slapped her hard against the face. She fell to the ground from the force of the hit, leaving her face burning. She raised her hand to her cheek as she let out a cry of pain. Regillus had grabbed her by her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. His fingers dug into her flesh until she felt like she was about to break in half.

“You are never to leave these walls without an escort.” Regillus stormed back out the front doors and slammed it shut. Aurelia stood there in silent shock as more tears came to her eyes and fell silently down her cheeks.

Aurelia wasn’t sure how long she had been standing there when a knock came at the door. She jumped at the sound although she was not entirely surprised. They had hardly been in this house a day; of course the neighbors would want to welcome them. But her hair was disheveled and her arms were riddled with bruises. How could she speak with anyone now?

One of the slaves did not seem to share in her worries as he opened the door. Aurelia was about to bolt up the stairs when she saw who was standing on the other side of the door. Valerius.

“Valerius?” Aurelia called out in confusion. Of all people she would never have suspected him. What if her husband had still been here? He would have tried to kill him.

“I noticed that your husband had stormed off and I wanted to speak with you…” Valerius’s words died on his lips when he could fully see Aurelia. He rushed to her as the slave closed the door. “What in the gods did he do to you?”

“Nothing, I just upset him. You shouldn’t be here. If he comes home he will be furious.” Aurelia spoke these words, but a part of her did not want him to leave.

“How dare he hit you,” Valerius said, choosing to ignore her words. He took another step towards her, filling in the gap between them. Aurelia could feel his breath against her face as he raised her chin up with one finger. “You are so beautiful, Aurelia. I do not think I have ever seen such beauty. Homer would never have written of Helen if he had seen you.”
“Why do you say such things? I am a married woman,” Aurelia found it difficult to speak. Her mouth was dry and her tongue was heavy.

“Your eyes are like the depths of the sea, your face the shape of a heart, your nose absolutely perfect, your hair the color of the night sky that smells of roses and the forbidden and your lips,” Valerius paused as he licked his own lips. Aurelia felt her stomach tighten and an unfamiliar feeling form between her legs. “Your lips, the most kissable lips I have ever laid eyes upon.” As these words left Valerius’s lips they were upon hers.

Aurelia moaned against them. They were soft and yet hard, tasted of the sweetest sin, and made her forget the world around her. All her senses seemed to be going crazy. She could hear her heart beating wildly against her chest, all she could smell was Valerius, her hands were buried into his hair, and her eyes were shut tightly.

Valerius felt the animal within him roar at the sound of her moan. He pressed his tongue against her lips and she opened without hesitation. Although he was having a similar reaction to their kiss as Aurelia, his ears were trained on the door to make sure they would not be caught by her horrible husband. But as his tongue touched hers he lost all train of thought. He melted into the kiss, pulling her body against his. He never wanted to let go.

“Where is your bedchamber?” Valerius whispered against her lips. Aurelia hesitated as her mind returned to her. What was she doing? She was married. This was wrong, so wrong, but if felt so good. But if they stopped now she could pretend it never had occurred and she could return to her life, her old boring life. The thought of returning to that life made her want to cry. But if they were caught tangled together in the sheets together not only would Regillus kill Valerius, he would probably kill her as well.

“If Regillus returns we are both dead.” Aurelia said, taking a step back.

“Please, don’t. I need you,” Valerius took a step forward and took hold of her hand. His grip was so unlike Regillus’s.

Aurelia took his hand turned towards the stairs. She led him to her bedchamber against her better judgment and opened the door. Valerius picked Aurelia up and carried her to the bed. She had never felt so delicate and fragile as she did in his arms. Regillus never carried her anywhere.

The bed felt softer than it had a few hours ago as Valerius lowered her down onto the sheets. She did not know why she was doing this. Although she did not love her husband, she had always been faithful to him. She did not even know this man. For all she knew he could be married. It was all so wrong, so forbidden, but maybe that was the appeal.

Valerius’s lips were back against her own, their tongues dancing in a quick rhythm. His hands were making quick work on her toga, disrobing her within seconds. His lips then left hers and moved down towards her neck. He inhaled her sent, loving how she smelled, and kissed her softly where her heart beat wildly beneath her flesh. The soft kiss sent shivers down Aurelia’s spine and a smile across Valerius’s lips. He moved his lips slowly down the length of her neck until he reached her breasts. Aurelia sucked in her breath as she prepared for pain. But Valerius was gentle where Regillus was rough. He cupped her entire breast gently in his hand as he sucked on the other one. Feelings of pleasure Aurelia had never felt washed over until her body was withering beneath his. One of his hands dipped down and felt between her legs. He smiled as he felt her hot moisture coat his fingers.

“You are ready for me,” Valerius said as he moved his toga aside to reveal his full length. A sudden panic over came Aurelia. Her husband was not as large as Valerius was and was afraid that he would not fit.

“I do not think we should do this.”

“Why not?” Valerius kept a calm tone although his body balked at the idea of not completely the act they had started.

“You will never fit.”

Valerius chuckled at Aurelia’s childish response. He then slowly pushed himself into her and felt her tight walls constrict around him. It took all his self restraint from not coming at that moment. Aurelia was taken aback by his forcefulness and how much it reminded her of her husband. She did not want to think of her husband at a time like this, but the fear of him walking in on them was in the corner of her mind. At the same time it frightened her, it excited her, which she found odd.

Valerius pushed all the way into her and Aurelia let out a loud moan that surprised her. She had never been very fond of the act of sex until now. It felt different. It felt good. Valerius moved slowly, letting her body adjust to him. With each movement she got wetter and wetter and his movements soon got faster and faster. Her breathing was now coming in short breaths as her nails dug into his back. She moved her legs to wrap around him, allowing him to move even deeper into her.

“Faster,” Aurelia begged as she felt herself on the edge of her first orgasm. Valerius obliged her and moved quicker, pulling out and then pushing back in. Although his movements were slightly rough, Aurelia liked it. It was enjoyable compared to being with Regillus.

“Mmmm, Valerius!” Aurelia clung to him as her mind left her body and she felt a pleasure so intense she thought she had died and come back again a thousand times. Valerius came soon after her. He collapsed onto her for a moment before pulling out and rolling onto his back. They were both breathing hard and the room smelled of sex. That would be difficult to explain, Aurelia thought silently.

“Can I ask you a question?” Aurelia asked as she rolled onto her side. Valerius’s amber eyes looked up into hers as he nodded his head.

“Will I see you again?”

“As surely as the sun continues to rise.”




Well here’s my new story. I hope you like it. Tell me what you think.