Page 26 of Bounty Hunter's Match

“Absolutely perfect!” Madame Hara’s voice shattered the moment. “Though perhaps if the warrior’s hand slipped lower...”

“No.” Barek set me carefully on my feet as gravity reasserted itself. “We have work.”

But his touch lingered, and when he finally moved away I had to take a moment to steady my breathing.

Professional. We were being professional.

Even if his heat still burned against my skin.

BAREK

The main entrance’s security scanner crackled as another guest passed through. I kept my attention split between the readouts and the growing crowd in the reception area. Three exits. Two maintenance hatches. Multiple species with varying biological signatures.

A Nexian trade delegation argued with their formal wear’s built-in calculators, their sensory filaments twitching as they debated proper gift-giving algorithms. Two Fanaith merchants attempted to navigate the buffet without shorting out their environmental suits. A cluster of Poraki had discovered the fountain and were debating its potential as a courtship display arena.

“No swimming,” I announced before they could test their theory.

“But the twins’ cultural guide suggested water features are romantic!” one protested, already half-submerged.

“Different guide. Different species. Out.”

This was…normal enough.

No obvious threats beyond the usual social chaos.

Until Camden walked in.

Her dress caught the light from the floating displays, drawing attention to curves usually hidden under practical business wear. The bodice hugged her torso before flaring into layers that moved like smoke when she walked.

The fabric shifted colors with her movements, something the twins had definitely engineered for maximum impact. Strategic panels hugged curves I’d been pretending not to notice for weeks.

My hands tightened on the scanner controls.

“Excellent craftsmanship.” MIRA’s crystals shimmered with a too-pleased gleam. “The structural integrity adaptations are particularly elegant.”

“Focus on the security scans.” But my gaze followed Camden as she moved through the crowd, greeting guests with practiced grace.

The readouts showed nothing dangerous. Unless you counted how Camden smiled at a passing diplomat, or the way she gestured when explaining something to a confused Fanaith, or how she kept finding excuses to drift past my position. Which I wasn’t counting. Obviously.

“Multi-tasking is one of my primary functions,” MIRA chirped. “As is noting that your body temperature increases by approximately 2.3 degrees whenever Ms. Bishop-”

“Quiet.”

A Mondian couple stumbled through the scanner, their reinforced dancing gear setting off multiple alarms. The female’s elaborate headpiece scraped the ceiling.

“But the invitation said formal wear!” She adjusted her chest plate, narrowly missing her partner’s head with a spiked elbow guard. “We brought padding for the floor this time!”

“The padding is not the issue.” I reset the scanner. “Remove the retractable blades.”

“But they’re decorative!”

“Out.” I pointed to the weapons check station. “Now.”

They shuffled away, armor plates grinding. Behind them, a group of Sylphids attempted to maintain solid form long enough for the scan. Their borrowed finery kept phasing through their bodies.

“Perhaps if we adjusted our molecular density?” One suggested, half their outfit drifting toward the ceiling. “The handbook mentioned something about proper fit...”

“Those handbooks need burning,” I muttered.

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