“No wonder your grandmother gave it to you. No one else would know how to work it all.”

He smiled with that boyish grin that warmed and charmed her completely. It was such a strange incongruity to see the playful side of such a fierce soldier. “It’s not that hard.”

“Umm-hmmm.” Then she couldn’t help teasing him about something that really did irritate her. “By the way, was Eleron so scantily clothed while your yaya lived here?”

An extremely attractive blush crawled over his face. “That’s normal Andarion fashion.”

Yeah, right. “I’m sure it is.”

His blush darkened. “I normally change it out when I know humans are coming over.”

“And I hope you change it out whenever Darice visits.”

That killed the humor in his eyes instantly.

Sumi wanted to kick herself as it occurred to her that Dariana had most likely never allowed Darice to visit him at home.

His gaze still sad, he pulled her to stand in front of him. “This is how you access a monitor.” Taking her hand in his, he showed her the gesture. “You can either type like this…” He moved her hands to the desk. “Or use voice commands.”

She leaned back in his arms to look up at him. “I knew you were intelligent, but damn. Dancer, this is… beyond.”

“Mmm.”

Sumi smiled as she realized he wasn’t listening to her. Rather he was nuzzling her neck and staring down her cleavage while he held her against his body. “Dancer?”

Slowly, he opened her dress so that he could run his hand down the valley between her breasts. She felt him hardening against her hip.

“Eleron,” he said in a tight tone, “shield the room and start my shower. Continue to run my searches and notify me when they’re complete.”

The house responded immediately.

He gently nipped at Sumi’s ear, sending chills through her while he ran his hand over her breasts and then down her stomach. “I’m dying to be inside you, munatara. But I’m filthy.” Growling in frustration, he pulled away then paused after a step to look back at her. “Care to shower with me?”

Was he joking? She lived to see that body naked. “Absolutely. After you.”

He pulled her into a huge bathroom.

She gaped at the size of it, and the ornate fixtures. She doubted if a palace could be more grand. “I think we could fit a shuttle in here… Maybe two.”

He laughed in her ear.

But she wasn’t kidding. The whole room glistened like a rare jewel. There was a massive marble tub up four steps, on a dais surrounded with columns that would easily hold four or five people. To her right were his-and-her vanities and a shower large enough for ten people. It had an etched glass door with a motion sensor that opened and closed it automatically.