Page 11 of Stripe for the Picking
The bathroom exceeded all expectations. The shower responded to voice commands, offering an array of toiletries that materialized from hidden dispensers. As she splashed cool water on her face in the bathroom sink, her reflection in the mirror stared back with eyes still bright from adrenaline.
Focus, Calder. You're here to work, not to swoon over your impossibly attractive boss.But her body continued hummingwith awareness, every cell seemingly attuned to Rylan's presence even through layers of metal and distance.
As she looked out her bedroom window at the alien landscape, she couldn't help but think how she'd felt useful immediately at Defense Nexus—understanding their futuristic technology with intuitive ease, identifying the hackers' methods, and creating a countermeasure that had apparently eluded their entire team.
Maybe too obvious. That's probably why he overlooked it.
Pride and pressure warred in her chest. They were counting on her genius-level IQ to solve problems that had stumped their best minds. Thirty-seven hours until potential system compromise, and she was their last hope.
No pressure at all.
But underneath the weight of expectation burned fierce determination. These hackers had picked the wrong planet to terrorize. They had no idea what they were up against now that Wren Calder had entered the game.
They're going to regret the day I stepped foot on Nova Aurora.
A soft chime indicated someone at her door. Her pulse jumped as she realized exactly who would be checking on her.
One hour on the dot. Punctual as promised.
Wren smoothed down her green sundress and headed to answer her apartment door, her pulse quickening at the thought of seeing Rylan's handsome face on the other side. The fabric felt soft against her skin, but her nerves sparked like live wires beneath the surface.
Get it together. You're a professional, not some lovesick teenager.
She opened the door and her breath caught. Rylan stood there looking devastatingly handsome in his military uniform—the black fabric stretching across his broad shoulders and chest, emphasizing every carved muscle beneath.
Dear God, he needs to come with a warning label.
"Ready for lunch?" His deep voice sent heat flooding through her body. "I know a café down the block from Defense Nexus that has the best sandwiches and salads you could dream of."
Her stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly, the sound echoing in the space between them. Heat flooded her cheeks.
"Lead the way. I'm obviously starved from my eventful morning of wormhole travel and acclimating to this beautiful planet."
As they left the residential sector and stepped into the fresh air, Wren inhaled deeply. The alien scents filled her lungs—ozone mixed with something floral and metallic that made her feel oddly energized. The twin suns warmed her skin as they walked down the street lined with purple-leaved trees and holographic street signs.
Rylan's nervous energy radiated off him in waves, and she found it endearing how this powerful commander seemed rattled by her presence. The way his jaw clenched when she walked too close, and how his hands flexed at his sides like he wanted to reach for her but held himself back.
He finds me attractive.The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.
"The defense grids have been under repeated cyber attacks for weeks as I mentioned earlier," he said, falling back into business mode. "So while you're here, I'll expect you to isolate anomalies, reroute programs, and patch vulnerabilities as needed. I need precision and I need speed. We're now down to thirty-six hours, unless your countermeasure patch held."
Wren nodded, the high stakes sending adrenaline coursing through her. "I won't let you down."
The café appeared ahead of them, nestled beneath towering trees with leaves that shimmered purple and silver in the double sunlight. Outdoor tables dotted a stone patio, each one offering perfect views of the alien cityscape. They found a table by a particularly magnificent tree whose branches created a natural canopy overhead.
"This place is like paradise," Wren breathed, taking in the ethereal beauty surrounding them. "I know I'm here to work, but this makes me feel like I'm on vacation."
Rylan's rare smile appeared, transforming his stern features into something that made her heart skip beats. The expression lit up his blue eyes and softened the harsh lines of his face.
"I'm glad you like it. Hopefully I can make it feel like home for you, so you're as comfortable as possible," he said, his voice tinged with protectiveness. "Your comfort is my biggest priority. I'm grateful you chose to come help when it's probably way outside your comfort zone. Plus, putting your own business on hold for our needs."
The genuine appreciation in his tone made warmth bloom in her chest. She waved dismissively, though his consideration touched her more than she expected.
"I was overdue for some excitement and change of scenery anyways. It's no bother at all." She met his intense gaze. "I appreciate that you're taking my feelings into account though. It's very considerate of you."
A flush crept up his neck, and Wren bit back a smile at how her simple compliment affected this alpha male. They ordered their food—sandwiches and salads that looked similar to Earth cuisine but somehow more vibrant and appetizing.
When her meal arrived, the first bite exploded across her taste buds with flavors she'd never experienced. The vegetables tasted cleaner and more intense, while the protein had arichness that made her close her eyes in appreciation. Small sounds of pleasure escaped her throat as she savored each bite.
