"Cleitus, my dear boy. Keeping my beautiful daughter company, I see?" Cleitus nodded.
"Your daughter is the most beautiful woman I have laid eyes on, General. I was accompanying her home. It would be a tragedy if anything were to happen to her."
"Indeed it would, she is still young and not yet married. What am I ever going to do with you," Costas said, turning to his daughter.
"Father, please. I have been invited to Alexander's quarters for dinner, I shall be accompanying Cleitus. I do not know when I shall return," Costas signaled that he had heard her, and she lead Cleitus through to the kitchen quarters of their house.
"Shall I make you something, are you hungry.. Or…?" she asked him. Cleitus smirked.
"What is the 'or…'" he inquired, standing to move closer to her as she fixed them some wine. By now he was right next to her, standing behind her. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck. Again it made her heart race. He leant across her, brushing his chest against her back as he picked up his goblet.
"Cleitus I.." she started, as she turned around and into him. They were inches apart now. His eyes were open and vulnerable to her again. This was not lustful, this was something else. She wanted to taste him. She needed to taste him. Claudita brought her hands up to remove his goblet, and placed it back down on the stone counter. Instinctively she placed her hands on either side of his face, as he leant into her. He wrapped his strong arms around her body and kissed her with such a great passion. Claudita intuitively responded to his kiss. Never before had she kissed a man with such fervor, such passion. His lips were soft as silk on hers and the slight tickle of his beard excited her more. She removed her hands from the side of his face and placed them on the back of his head, pulling him deeper into the kiss.
Cleitus had never felt such a strong impulse towards any woman before, and this was a completely foreign feeling to him, but he was greatly enjoying the sensation of her lips on his. She tasted sweet, oh so sweet, and he only wanted to taste more of her. But that was inappropriate. For they were not married. But as if by a silent vow, in that kiss they had both promised themselves to each other, forever, and Cleitus would not have any other woman apart from Claudita. His Claudita. Reluctantly, he pulled his lips away and rested his forehead against hers. They were both panting: both slightly out of breath.
"You have the most beautiful eyes, Claudita. I can not believe I've not noticed them," His brown pools staring into her green ones. She stroked his head, gently playing with is thick dark hair.
"As do you, soldier," she quipped. He smiled, and kissed her again, this time it was gentle and slow.
"It is almost sundown, we must be getting ready for dinner," Claudita told him, gently pushing on his chest as he let her pass. Cleitus turned and gazed at the young woman. She was already dressed elegantly in a long mauve toga with her hair flowing freely to just below her shoulders. It was slightly longer than his own hair.
"You are already an image of perfection. You need not change," Cleitus spoke his words freely, for they were words of truth. By the gods, if he could marry her now, right away, he would.
"You are such a sweet man, Cleitus. But please, entertain yourself as I fix my hair. I shall not be a moment," Claudita told him, stroking her palm across his face as she exited the room.
Cleitus, on the other hand, did entertain himself. He made his way back towards the study of Costas, and gently knocked on the door.