Page 52 of Warrior Revealed

Her breath stuttered as she took him in. The man looked positively regal. His outfit was like the one Tellar had on earlier, but was vibrant gold. The bands crisscrossing his arms, chest and legs accentuated his physique, which was just as impressive with or without his armor. Despite knowing his bony shell covered all the tantalizing bits and pieces, her gaze drifted to his crotch. It was covered by a pair of skimpy briefs but she still stared.

I think the bulge in his shell has grown.

“You put your tresses up in a knot instead of the tail you usually wear,” he commented, brushing back one of the tendrils hanging down by her cheek.

She shook loose of her wayward observation and focused on his face. “Oh, yeah, I thought it looked a little nicer.”

“It looks nice any way you do it.” He smiled.

“Flattery will get youeverywhere.” She batted her lashes and did a little shimmy with her hips as she looked pointedly at him.

Aculus let out a little laugh but didn’t take the bait. “Do you have everything you need here?” He glanced around her room.

That wasn’t quite the response she was expecting. She took another look at her accommodations. “I think so.”

“Sorry. It’s the closest suite that was free.”

“I remember where you are if Ineedanything. This floor ishuge.” She wagged her brows. “But you’re basically just down the hall.”

Again she tried goading Aculus, and again he refused to counter her innuendo with the rowdy comeback she was hoping for.

Well, I guess I wouldn’t be all flirty if I was in my parents’ house either.She shrugged, mildly disappointed.

“I suppose we should go, before Matron Axilla comes looking for us.” He held a hand toward the door.

“Okay.” She followed him out.

They made their way through the central stone corridor, until it turned into a mezzanine that looked onto the grand vestibule. As they descended on another of those odd spiral escalators, she checked out the crowd of Osivoire dignitaries talking and eating below.

“Romion,” Aculus greeted the uniformed Sanctuary guard when they reached the bottom.

“Tarsus is unimpressed with his harness or all these people,” the guard replied after a formal bow.

“Where is he?” Aculus looked around.

The guard nodded toward a large decorative pot.

She peered over the rim and giggled at the tiny ball of fluff curled in the cramped space. Big blue eyes blinked at her just like a house cat, so she blinked back.

“How did you manage to wedge yourself in there?” Aculus chuckled as he reached for the little panther.

Tarsus protested with a petulant miniature growl as Aculus extricated the beastie from the pot.

“Aw, did bonehead spoil your hiding spot?” she commiserated with the overgrown kitten.

The guard coughed, and her eyes widened realizing she’d used the nickname she teased Aculus with.

Crap! Nice going. I’m just bound and determined to cause an interplanetary incident,she groaned.

Aculus’ lips tipped up in amusement at her, before turning his gaze to Tarsus. “I know, I’m so mean.”

Tarsus butted his head against Aculus’ chest and she grinned.

“He’s happy to see you. Head bonks and blinkies are good things,” she informed him while scratching between Tarsus’ ears.

“Really? Interesting.” Aculus blinked at Tarsus then chuckled when the kitten did it back.

“See.” She smiled.

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