11.2 Contend

"What is your name?" You continue, your tone slightly sharp and authoritative.

A seemingly annoyed frown passes over the man's face before he brings his goblet to his mouth. Waiting impatiently, you watch as he slowly downs the rest of its contents. You feel your eyes unexpectedly drawn to the large Adam's apple that rises and falls with each drink.

"Verus." You hear him sigh after lowering the cup back down a moment later.

"What?" You ask in confusion, suddenly having forgotten your previous question.

"My name." He states curtly, his sharp gaze staring down at you somewhat irately. "It is Verus."

"Right." You blush and quickly take a drink from your own chalice.

You feel the man's gaze remain on your form as you attempt to drown your embarrassment away. The harsh drink burns your throat, providing some distraction from your confused thoughts. The cup is nearly empty when you finally set it aside.

"You ask me to provide you with more men." Verus comments suddenly, drawing your attention back to him. "Yet, you could not even remember my name."

You feel your blush returning as you're unable to refute this accusation. You've let the election completely distract you from all other thoughts. Meaning important details such as this have fallen wayside. Biting the inside of your cheek, you consider your current options. Admitting your fault might grant you some allowance. While normally this would likely be the more tactful option, you find yourself hesitant to attempt it. Instead, you consider who it is you're currently dealing with. In your experience, men of his type more frequently respond to authority rather than compassion. Not allowing yourself the room to second guess, you swallow the last of your wine before brusquely shoving the cup into the Verus' hands.

"I did not request your opinion, Praetorian." You snap in a low tone, addressing the man by his general title.

He blinks in surprise then swiftly straightens up. You're rather surprised what just a small amount of directness accomplishes. The man wordlessly refills the cup and hands it back to you somewhat warily. Your own posture straightens in kind as you realize your upper hand. As long as he perceives you as a higher rank, his morality forces him to comply.

"Now, about my request." You begin, watching the man's expression carefully.

"I suppose I can find some more men." He replies somewhat reluctantly, his eyes shifting away while he speaks.

"I am not entirely convinced of your word." You remark truthfully, having hoped for a more convictive reply.

"You have archived your goal." Verus growls under his breath before turning to leave. "I do not need to prove my word to you."

"I did not dismiss you!" You exclaim, feeling both emboldened by the wine and anger.

"You!" He snaps brusquely while turning to face you. "You will not be the Empress for much longer. You are lucky I am respecting the title until then."

"Excuse me?" You gasp in indignation, your hand tightly gripping the steam of the chalice of wine. "How dare you speak to me so boldly."

"Boldly?" He scoffs, his large figure now mere inches from yours. "It is the opinion everyone holds. You are weak and unfit to rule."

"You are insolent and out of line." You hiss through clenched teeth as heat spreads through your body.

"And what will you do about it?" He challenges in a rather aggressive tone.

You feel adrenaline coursing through you as you stare up at the large man before you. His broad frame towers over you threateningly, highlighting the significant size difference between you. Regardless, you don't find yourself willing to back down. Tossing your head back haughtily, you take a step back before replying.

"Take off your uniform."

You see the man's angry expression falter before changing to confusion. His brow furrows deeply as his face continues to soften.

"What?" He questions falteringly, seeming to be in slight disbelief.

"Do not make me repeat myself." You state curtly while taking another step back.

You raise a brow sharply and tilt your head to the side in an impatient manner. Verus' own brow rises slightly before he finally complies. Trying to keep steel your nerve, you anxiously take another sip of wine. The sound of straps being unfastening causes your blush to return. You're not entirely sure what you are doing or why. However, you're sure you have no intention of stopping. When you lower the glass you see he has already removed the metal chest plate that had been covering his torso. You watch in a mix of apprehension and excitement as he begins removing the toga the fabric covering the rest of his large frame. Your eyes widen when the garment is removed, revealing the fit form beneath. Your entire body feels flushed as you slowly take him in.

Willing yourself to remain calm, you keep your eyes on his broad chest, not daring to look lower. Inhaling deeply, you slowly move over to your bed. After setting your cup down you sit down gingerly before beginning to untie your garments. You're acutely aware of Verus' gaze on your form the moment it's revealed. Ignoring your blush, you indicate for him to approach.

"Kneel." You find yourself commanding once he is before you.

He pauses for a moment, seeming to contemplate his decision. He frowns lightly as his gaze slowly drifts across your naked form. You're also **** to view more of him than you had anticipated. Your brow also creases when you catch sight of the rest of his figure. The feeling of apprehension increases when you realize what you will ultimately be dealing with. Before you can reconsider, the man finally acquiesces. Once he's knelt, his hands are on your legs, pulling them apart. You gasp in surprise when you lose your balance and fall back against the mattress. You've hardly had time to react before unexpected pleasure courses through you. Tensing in surprise, you feel his tongue running gently along your clit.

As the sensation continues, your muscles slowly begin to relax. A small sigh escapes your lips as you realize this is what you had been after all along. Giving into the experience, you softly arch into his touch. His tongue swirls around your sensitive skin firmly, sending waves of ecstasy through your body. His fingers are digging into your thighs as your own wrap around the clothes beneath you. It's not long before you're gasping out in pleasure as you climax. His motions don't cease as you continue to writhe in further satisfaction. Your heartbeat increases when you feel his hand slide down your inner thigh. His other one grips your leg tighter as he runs his fingers along your wet slit. Anticipation builds when they slip in.

You can't help moaning when he finally penetrates you. A mix of his saliva and your liquid runs down along your thighs. Your fingers curl tighter around the fabrics while you try to maintain some composure. Unfortunately, you cannot stop the next wave of pleasure from overtaking you. Moaning again, you writhe against his touch as another orgasm erupts. His actions continue, leaving you gasping out in a mix of pleasure and mild protest. Despite your slight objection, you find one of your hands running along his cropped hair, pulling him closer. You feel your blush return at your bold action before quickly dismissing your shyness. Now that he has given into your commands, he seems fully intent on completing them to the best of his abilities. After you're brought to another climax, you finally move to push him away.

Panting, you sit up and watch as he obediently rises to his feet. Biting your lip, you take another brief glance at his lower half. Though you're apprehensive, something in your core is urging you to go further.

"Come here." You request breathlessly, hoping he does not catch the nervous undertone.

Wordless, he obliges, causing the bed to shift slightly under his weight. Breathing out softly, you slowly lie back down. More heat courses through your body when you feel his press against it. In a moment you feel his weight shift again. Your eyes quickly shut as he slowly begins moving his large member into your tight entrance. A wave of pain and slight discomfort is felt, along with a rush of liquid. The added lubrication helps him slip in further, eliciting a soft gasp from you. Verus falters slightly before finally speaking.

"Shall I stop?" He inquires, barely attempting to hide his smugness.

"I will tell you when I am through with you." You snap, slightly surprised by your own words.

Emboldened by your actions, you swiftly throw a leg over the man's side. Taking the hint, he bears down more of his weight onto you. Breath quickly escapes your lungs as his frame lowers onto and his full length into you. You realize you may have overestimated yourself as tears spring into your eyes. Groaning softly, you try shifting into a more comfortable position to no avail. Verus seems to have become distracted by his own pleasure as he begins more forcefully ramming into you. To your relief, you find yourself adjusting quickly as the feeling of pleasure returns. Your body begins arching into him again, reveling in its satisfaction. All thoughts beyond the sensations you're experiencing have left your mind. Another soft moan leaves your lips as you're brought closer to climax. Your arms wrap around the man's broad shoulders, drawing yourself closer to him.

It's not long before another orgasm is washing over your flushed form. You can hear Verus' deep breath in your ear as he continues thrusting into you. A thin layer of sweat has formed over his skin and is mixing in with your own. Your head feels slightly buzzed from the wine and pleasure. It slowly escapes your mind to try to keep control. When one of the man's hands wraps around your arm you don't think to stop him. It's not until you're roughly flipped over onto your stomach do you snap back.

"Hey!" You gasp, unable to pull your arm out of his grip. "I did not tell you to move."

"Yet you did not try stopping me." He muses, leaning down to speak in your ear. "Do not pretend you take no enjoyment from this. The Emperor was quite vocal about his... time with you."

Your eyes widen in surprise and anger as you sputter for words. Before you can react, you're **** down against the mattress. Unable to move, you feel him roughly re-enter your slick entrance. Half your face is pressed against the bed, leaving you unable to shout. Your face is red with rage and unexpected pleasure. As much as you would like to deny it, the man is unfortunately correct. Though you had derived satisfaction from his earlier actions, it is nothing compared to what you feel now. Struggling against his grasp, you find yourself only moving yourself closer to him. Groaning against the mattress, you're suddenly overcome by an intense climax. You're vaguely aware of the smug scoff Verus makes but are far too distracted to care. He continues pinning your arm behind your back, keeping in place while he keeps moving.

More liquid is running down your inner thighs while you spasm around him. Painting softly, you try to keep your mind focused. Despite your efforts, you find it increasingly difficult to ignore the ever growing pleasure. Verus' breath grows slightly ragged as his large form repeatedly slams against yours. It's all you can do to keep from crying out in ecstasy. With one of his final thrusts, your muffled gasps barely reach your ears as your body releases once more. Your weary body slowly slumps forward after he finally pulls away. You flinch lightly when you feel warm liquid splash against your back. Sitting up, you turn to face the man with a slight scowl.