And then…

After resting and watching, they joined in the next few dances, whirling and twirling with the others on the polished floor. Torin took great delight in Sunshine’s evident enjoyment of the music and intricate movements of the dances. As the music faded from the most recent dance, he led her aside.

“Had enough?” he asked. Sweat ran down his chest. Sunshine’s neck gleamed with perspiration and the hair at her temples was damp.

“What did you have in mind next?” she asked.

He grinned. “I was thinking a swim would feel good, or a quick bath in cool water and then there is something I think you will enjoy very much.”

She sipped the juice he had handed to her, gazing at him over the rim of the cup. “Why do I think it involves nudity?”

Torin shrugged one shoulder and drained his own cup. “I have no idea why you would think that, Sunshine.” He offered the most innocent smile he could muster, dark eyes wide and mischievous. “It does, mind you.”

Sunshine put her cup on the table and laughed softly. “Yours, mine or both?”

He set his empty cup by hers. “Either, or both. Are you interested?”

“I’m interested in cooling off first. That sounds like an excellent idea. I think I can guess what follows.”

He offered his arm and she took it. He led her out of the ballroom and down the hallway to the baths. “Your guess would be wrong,” he said. “Partly. What you’re thinking comes after the after-bath thing.”

She looked up at him. “Oh.” Her eyebrows climbed her forehead. “Now I am curious. What is it? Does it involve food?”

“No food. You’ll see. And I guarantee you will enjoy it.”

He led her to one of the baths that had cooler water, calling to one of the attendants to make sure there were robes in the small bath chamber. They undressed quickly and stepped down into the welcome coolness of the water.