Gaius Marcellus strode angrily along the corridors of his villa, clenching his fists at the thought of the temerity of his wayward sons, Flavio and Quintus. How dare they attempt to have the first taste of a slave that he himself had bought and paid for with the sweat of his brow. Those wastrels would have none of her, he resolved, his strong jaw clenching.
A maidservant suddenly crossed his path, her attention not on her own course. With a roar of pent up rage he struck her across the face with the back of his hand, sending her tumbling to the ground. When she had recovered herself enough to look up at him, her mouth trembling, on the edge of tears, her cheek purpling from his blow, he fought to keep himself in control, though the sight of her vulnerability and youth set his loins afire.
Gaius gripped her tunic in one hand and hauled her upright, the muscles of his arm rippling as he brought her to him. With her body pressed against his and her terrified face looking up at his, he felt his manhood strain to reach her through the white cloth of his robe. He contented himself with a snarled question through clenched teeth: "How... close to night is it?"