Page 15 of Stripe Theory

A low rumble escaped him—not quite a laugh, not quite a growl. “Your methods are... unconventional. But effective.”

“High praise from Mr. Perfect.” She stepped back before she did something ridiculous like trace that jawline with her fingers. Just to study its angle. For science.

Throughout the afternoon, she caught him positioning himself between her and various “threats”—including a wobbly stack of books, a slightly suspicious-looking beaker, and at onepoint, a delivery person who’d brought more Thai food. Each time, he played it off as coincidence, but Maya’s knowing looks told a different story.

“He’s like a very expensive guard dog,” Maya whispered during one supply run. “A guard tiger? Either way, he’s marking territory without actually marking territory.”

“He is not,” Alora hissed back, though she’d noticed how other lab techs gave her a wider berth since Rehan started prowling—she meant patrolling—her lab. “He’s just... safety conscious.”

“Safety conscious enough to growl at a guy for asking to borrow your stapler?”

“That was... professional concern about office supplies.”

Maya’s snort could have shamed a jaguar. “Honey, that man’s about as professionally detached as your lab is professionally organized. Speaking of which, you might want to change before dinner. As much as I love the dancing tigers on your coat, your mom’s trying to impress him.”

Reality crashed back in. Dinner. With her parents. And Rehan “Perfect Suit” Kedi.

“Oh god.” Alora slumped against the supply shelves. “This is going to be a disaster.”

“It’ll be entertaining, at least.” Maya patted her shoulder. “Remember when your mom spent an hour questioning my shifting process? At least he knows what he’s talking about.”

“That’s worse! She’ll never stop asking questions.” Alora banged her head gently against a shelf. “And Dad... oh god, Dad’s going to do his protective scientist routine.”

“The one where he brings out his old genetics papers to establish dominance?”

“While subtly working in questions about funding sources and future intentions.” Alora groaned. “Maybe we could fake a lab emergency?”

“Pretty sure your guard tiger out there would tear down the building if he thought you were in danger.” Maya’s grin turned wicked. “Which, by the way, is definitely not normal boss behavior.”

“He’s just... invested in the research.”

“Oh, he’s invested in something all right.” Maya waggled her eyebrows. “The question is when are you going to collect on that investment?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Now come on—let’s get you changed into something that says ‘brilliant scientist’ rather than ‘crazy cat lady with three PhDs.’“

Alora glanced down at her tiger-covered lab coat. “What’s wrong with looking like both?”

ELEVEN

An hour later, Alora stood in her office, examining her reflection in the small mirror Maya had produced from somewhere. She’d swapped her lab coat for a deep blue wrap dress that actually made her look like a professional adult instead of an overgrown grad student. Her copper-streaked hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders—Maya’s doing, after declaring war on Alora’s usual messy bun.

“There.” Maya stepped back, admiring her work. “Now you look like someone who could make a tiger shifter lose his perfectly maintained control.”

“I’m not trying to make anyone lose control.” Alora fidgeted with her tiger pendant—the one piece of feline-themed accessories Maya had allowed her to keep. “This is a professional dinner.”

“Keep telling yourself that, honey.” Maya’s enhanced senses picked up something before Alora could respond. “Speaking of control...”

Rehan appeared in the doorway, and Alora’s brain briefly short-circuited. He’d changed too—his formal suit replaced by dark slacks and a charcoal sweater that did nothing to hide hisathletic build. The casual elegance somehow made him even more devastating.

His eyes locked onto her, pupils dilating visibly. A low rumble filled his chest before he caught himself.

“Dr. Sky.” His voice came out rougher than usual. “You look... professional.”

“Thank you. You look...” Hot enough to melt my lab equipment. “...also professional.”

Maya made a sound suspiciously like a snicker. “Well, this has been fun, but I should go... anywhere else. Have fun at dinner. Try not to scandalize Alora’s parents with all your professionalism.”

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