Page 15 of Bounty Hunter's Match

Barek made a strangled sound.

“Or perhaps something more subtle?” She brightened. “Security Measures of the Heart? Guarding Her Love? I have several working titles-”

“I’ll be doing perimeter checks,” Barek announced, heading for the door. “For at least an hour.”

“Such a shame.” Madame Hara watched him go with obvious appreciation. “Though the view as he leaves is quite inspiring...”

“The manuscript,” I said firmly.

“Spoilsport.” She pulled out a data crystal. “Though I notice you didn’t disagree about the view.”

I refused to blush. “Let’s focus on your work.”

“Darling, that’s exactly what I am doing.” Her tentacles curled with amusement. “Research is vital for authentic storytelling. Speaking of which, how flexible are Vinduthi warriors exactly?”

“That’s not-”

“And those little horns - are they sensitive? I have a scene where-”

“No.”

“Not even for scientific purposes?”

“Especially not for scientific purposes.”

The endof the business day came with the usual cascade of station announcements in multiple languages. I watched Barek do his final security sweep, admiring how he moved with contained power even performing such a routine task.

“Dinner?” The word left my mouth before I could overthink it. “For security planning, of course. The Valentine’s Gala needs discussing.”

He paused mid-stride, those red eyes finding mine. “Security planning.”

“Exactly.” I gathered my things, glad years of negotiating gave me a decent poker face. “Purely professional. There’s a new Renthian place in Blue Section that supposedly does amazing things with bioluminescent garnishes.”

“The one with the floating tables?”

“Antigrav dining platforms. Very exclusive.” I smiled. “Unless someone has security concerns about the height...”

His ears twitched. “I am not afraid of heights.”

“Of course not. Though if you’d prefer somewhere more ground-level-”

“Bishop.”

“Yes?”

“Stop baiting me.”

“Never.” I headed for the door. “Coming?”

He fell into step beside me, his long stride shortening to match mine easily. The corridors buzzed with end-of-shift activity - a Merrith engineer arguing with their datapad, two Nazoks attempting to juggle glowing spheres, a Selenthian street vendor selling what looked like crystallized starlight.

“Three credit special!” The vendor waved a sample at us. “Guaranteed to make your mate’s markings shine!”

“His don’t shine,” I said automatically, then caught Barek’s raised eyebrow. “I mean-”

“You’ve been studying Vinduthi physiology?”

“Professional research.”

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