Page 12 of Stripe Theory

Rehan moved faster than she thought possible, placing himself between her and the malfunctioning equipment. A low growl rumbled in his chest—not quite human, not quite tiger.

“Relax, Mr. Kedi.” Alora laughed, waving a hand through the smoke. “If we’re not blowing things up, we’re not learning.”

“Learning doesn’t justify recklessness.” His voice turned arctic, though something else flickered in his eyes as he watched her brush purple powder from her lab coat. “This is exactly why we need protocols.”

“Says the man who moved at superhuman speed to protect me from a minor smoke bomb.” She met his gaze, challengesparking between them. “Seems like someone’s instincts don’t always follow protocols either.”

His jaw clenched. Before he could respond, Maya burst into the lab, probably drawn by the commotion.

“Do I smell burning...” Maya’s eyes widened, taking in the purple-tinged scene. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Alora, supply closet, now.”

“But the samples?—”

“Will survive five minutes without you making them explode.” Maya grabbed Alora’s arm, dragging her toward the closet. “Mr. Kedi, feel free to... prowl, or whatever it is you do when you’re not glowering at innocent scientists.”

The supply closet door clicked shut behind them. Maya turned to Alora, her hazel eyes gleaming with that particular shifter knowledge that made Alora nervous.

“You know he can’t stop tracking you, right?”

“Tracking me?” Alora frowned, absently reorganizing pipette boxes. “Like... keeping tabs on my work?”

Maya’s laugh held a distinctly feline purr. “No, sweetheart. His tiger is tracking you. It’s a shifter thing.”

“That’s ridiculous. He barely tolerates me.”

“Honey, that man’s inner tiger is about as subtle as your lab coat.” Maya gestured to Alora’s outfit, which today featured cartoon tigers doing the cha-cha across the pockets. “He’s positioned himself between you and danger twice in the last ten minutes.”

“The centrifuge wasn’t dangerous?—”

“He didn’t know that. His tiger saw a threat to you and reacted.” Maya’s grin turned wicked. “Just like he keeps finding reasons to check your lab personally instead of sending his army of minions.”

Alora’s cheeks warmed. “He’s investing millions in this research. Of course, he wants to monitor progress.”

“Mh-mmm.” Maya’s knowing look spoke volumes. “And I’m sure his enhanced senses focusing on you every time you move is purely professional interest.”

EIGHT

Alora was speechless.

“Now come on,” Maya said, “let’s go see if Tiger Boy’s done reorganizing your lab into alphabetical order.”

Rehan stood examining her workstation when they returned, his broad shoulders stretching his suit jacket in ways that really shouldn’t be legal before noon. Or ever, if Alora wanted to maintain her professional dignity. Not that dignity stood a chance when faced with those amber eyes and that jawline that could probably cut diamond.

“See something interesting, Mr. Kedi?” She aimed for professional, but her voice came out breathier than intended. Damn, those shoulders.

He turned, and oh—that predatory grace did things to her insides that had nothing to do with science and everything to do with the way he moved like a barely contained storm. Focus on the research, she commanded herself. Stop imagining how that controlled power might translate to other activities. Like training. Or yoga. Or?—

“Your notes are surprisingly thorough,” he said, derailing her increasingly dangerous train of thought. “Though your organizational system...” His fingers traced the edge of a tiger-striped sticky note, and her mind immediately supplied helpful images of those elegant fingers tracing other things.

“My system works perfectly.” Alora bustled past him, needing distance before she embarrassed herself. The man radiated heat like a furnace, and her body had apparently decided that was fascinating. “I can find anything in seconds.”

“Really?” His voice dropped lower, rumbling in a way that made her toes curl in her sensible lab shoes. “Then perhaps you can explain why there’s a takeout menu filed under ‘viral mutation patterns’?”

“The restaurant’s logo has a tiger on it.” She snatched the menu, trying to ignore how his proximity sent electricity dancing across her skin. “It’s completely relevant.”

Maya coughed something that sounded suspiciously like “smooth.”

“I see.” Rehan’s lips curved, almost smiling, and Alora’s heart did a completely unauthorized backflip. “And the cat toys in the centrifuge drawer?”

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