Page 22 of Stripe for the Picking
TEN
RYLAN
The afternoon sunlight streamed through Defense Nexus's tall glass windows, casting geometric patterns across their workstations. Rylan found himself stealing glances at Wren every few minutes, mesmerized by the way she moved through the complex data streams with fluid precision. Her sleeveless white blouse highlighted the elegant curve of her neck, and the tailored navy skirt perfectly hugged her curves as she leaned forward intently, making his pulse quicken.
Focus, Kaedor. She's working diligently.
But his tiger had other ideas entirely. The beast paced restlessly, drawn to her like a gravitational force field. Every time she shifted, every soft intake of breath when she discovered something significant, every unconscious bite of her lower lip as she concentrated—it all sent heat spiraling through his body. The mate bond hummed between them, a constant thrum of awareness that grew stronger with each passing hour.
"There," she said suddenly, her fingers dancing over the interface with startling dexterity. "Cross-reference this cyber attack with the Council's emergency session two weeks ago."
Rylan leaned closer, close enough to catch her lavender scent with such overwhelming intensity that he had to clench his fists at his sides to stop himself from pulling her against him.
"The timing matches perfectly," he said, his voice roughened with barely contained desire. "The hacker syndicate attacked us exactly when Arvox would have been told that we updated our classified security protocols."
"And look at this." Wren pulled up another data stream, her excitement palpable. "The attack codes they've been using? They're targeting specific vulnerabilities that were only identified in internal reports. Reports that cross Arvox's desk."
Rylan's jaw clenched tight. The evidence was mounting, creating a damning pattern that painted the Prime Minister as either incredibly incompetent or deliberately treacherous. Given what he'd observed of Arvox's calculating and manipulative nature, incompetence seemed unlikely.
How has she accomplished this much in thirty-six hours?
The thought staggered him. Yesterday morning, Wren had been a stranger from another planet. Now, she was systematically unraveling what might be the biggest conspiracy Nova Aurora had faced in decades. Her mind worked on levels that left him breathless—not just the raw intelligence, but the intuitive leaps, the way she connected seemingly unrelated data points with startling accuracy.
Gerri was right. Wren really is my secret weapon.
But even as professional admiration flooded through him, his tiger grew more restless. The beast wanted to claim, to mark, to show this brilliant woman exactly what she meant to him. Every controlled breath felt like a battle against instincts that screamed at him to forget duty and protocol.
Strategic, Kaedor. Her presence here is purely strategic.
He repeated the logic like a mantra, desperate to maintain some semblance of control. Wren's brilliance was exactly whatDefense Nexus needed to push back against the syndicate's cyber assaults. Her quick thinking would be crucial for the Protocol Trials. Nothing more than tactical advantage.
The rationalization felt increasingly hollow as she gathered her long hair into a ponytail, the simple gesture sending his pulse into overdrive. Her lips pursed in concentration, and all he could think about was capturing that mouth with his own, tasting her, and claiming her completely.
You're losing it.
The realization hit him like ice water. In two days, this woman had managed to crack through his defenses. Made him want things he'd convinced himself were weaknesses. Made him crave a future that involved more than duty and discipline.
"I think I've got enough preliminary evidence to present a case," Wren said, leaning back in her chair with satisfaction. "We just need to?—"
"You should take the rest of the day off," Rylan interrupted, his voice sharper than intended.
She blinked, clearly taken aback. "What? But we're just getting started on?—"
"You should enjoy some of the sights while you're here." He forced his tone to gentleness, even as his tiger snarled in protest. "You shouldn't be completely consumed by work."
Disappointment flickered across her features, and his chest tightened painfully. "Oh. Okay, if that's what you think is best."
Coward.His tiger's disgust was palpable.Send away our mate because you're afraid of what she makes you feel.
"I arranged for General Kael to give you a tour today," Rylan said, hating himself more with each word. "Show you some of the local hot spots."
As if summoned by his words, General Kael's familiar voice boomed across the workstation area. "There's my tour guide assignment for the afternoon."
Rylan's mentor approached with his characteristic confident stride, his weathered face creased with genuine warmth. At fifty-five, Kael carried himself with the easy authority of someone who'd seen everything twice and lived to joke about it.
"Miss Calder, I'm thrilled to be the one to show you around our little paradise," Kael said, extending his arm gallantly. "Hope you're ready for some sights that'll make Earth look like amateur hour."
Wren gathered her things with efficient movements, but Rylan caught the slight tension in her shoulders. "I'll see you tomorrow then," she said, her tone carefully neutral.
