or
could we stay like this a while?"
Looking up at him, Mandi asked, "You realize what time it is, don't you?"
"It's about ten to one, but we don't have to be anywhere until the con opens
tomorrow. Not even then, really, unless someone calls a briefing on a Saturday
morning."
"Are you willing to chance that on only a few hours of sleep? You've had a
long day, Ed, and as far as I know, I'll be here tomorrow night, too."
Cade cocked his head slightly as he looked at her.
"Ah, but what if you aren't here tomorrow night for some reason? Mandi, I've
been up too late a few times before and survived early briefings." He paused and
kissed her again before emphatically adding, "And tonight I'm with a superwoman
who may as well be a goddess. Hell, yes, I'll take a chance like that! Want some
help in the shower? Not to brag, of course, but I'm considered something of a
lay expert in matters of gynocentric eudemonics."
Mandi pulled back a bit and eyed Cade for a moment, then asked, "You do know
some unusual words, don't you?"
"Yes'm. And since you aren't asking me what 'eudemonics' means, so do you.
Probably all of them, I figure."
She nodded slightly and smilingly said, "My education was very thorough. So
you're a 'lay' expert, huh?"
"Well, a rather advanced student at the very least, ma'am."
"Uh, huh. I only have your word for that, so you must realize I'm going to
have to make you prove it. I hope you don't mind my blatant skepticism, sir."
With a dismissive shrug, Cade said, "Oh, of course not, milady. I completely
understand. Some things are just too important to be left unverified."

Chapter Fourteen

Cade went to the bathroom to lose some used beer as Mandi again went to her
suitcase. When he came out a few minutes later, a gloriously naked Mandi
smilingly strode past him and cavalierly handed him the fancy shampoo bottle as
she breezed by. Setting the bottle down on the desk, Cade kicked off his boots
and skinned out of his clothes, then grabbed the bottle and followed her.
Mandi grinningly stood still or moved as directed to allow him best-possible
access with the shampoo and soap as Cade took his sweet time about washing her.
It surprised him to learn that she was ticklish in all the usual places.
It surprised Mandi equally to learn that Cade hadn't been kidding at all
about the level of enjoyment he achieved simply by touching and tasting, but