A hardened survivor of more than a dozen gladiatorial combats, Valenss raw masculinity fuels many womens sexual fantasies. He is outside polite society, and Roman noblewoman Julia Antonia knows she should have nothing to do with a man who is little more than a slave.But with a wisp of scandal clinging to her stola, Julia is drawn inexorably toward the forbidden danger he represents. For Valens, Julia is a tantalizing reminder of the life hed been torn from. To claim her, he must fight one final timeand win!