Page 30 of Stripe for the Picking
Wren's heart still hammered in her chest as Rylan guided her through the entrance of his apartment building, his hand warm and possessive against her lower back. The adrenaline from the attack mixed with the memory of that earth-shattering kiss, creating a cocktail of emotions that left her feeling dizzy and exhilarated.
God, the way he transformed into his tiger to protect me,she thought, stealing glances at his profile as they climbed the stairs. The black and gold tiger that had erupted from Rylan's human form had been majestic—all lethal grace and protective fury.
"Here we are," Rylan said as he unlocked his door, the torn fabric of his tactical pants a tangible reminder of his shift.
Wren stepped inside and immediately felt like she was getting a glimpse into Rylan's soul. The apartment was larger than hers, with clean lines and minimal furniture that screamed military precision. Everything had its place—from the perfectly aligned books on the floating shelves to the spotless kitchen counters. But what surprised her were the touches of personality scattered throughout. Vibrant green plants that softened the stark edges and photography books stacked on the coffee table.
"Your place is nice," she said, watching him unpack their market purchases with the same methodical efficiency he brought to everything. "Very... you."
"Meaning uptight and rigid?" His lips quirked upward as he arranged crystalline spices beside the fish fillets.
"Meaning organized and sophisticated." She wandered toward the bookshelf, drawn by a leather-bound volume. "With some surprising depths."
The book in her hands contained stunning photographs—landscapes of Nova Aurora captured with an artist's eye. Purple forests bathed in the light of the twin suns, the pink ocean at sunset, intimate portraits of city life that revealed the photographer's deep affection for his world.
"Did you take these?" she asked, flipping through pages of breathtaking imagery.
Rylan paused in his food preparation, something vulnerable flickering across his features. "Photography is a passion of mine. Makes me feel calm and more myself than being a commander does."
"They're incredible." She studied a particularly striking shot of the Defense Nexus building at dawn. "You have a real gift, Rylan. So why did you choose to become a commander instead of a photographer?"
"Because I love this planet, and protecting it is everything to me. Plus, being a leader is so natural for me. So it made perfect sense," he said, seasoning the fish with precise movements. "But photography... it holds a special place in my heart."
Wren set the book down carefully, touched by this glimpse of the man behind the commander's mask. "Have you ever thought about displaying them? These deserve to be seen."
A genuine smile transformed his serious face. "Maybe someday." He fired up the cooking surface, the crystalline spicesreleasing an intoxicating aroma as they hit the heat. "For now, let me focus on not burning dinner for my beautiful guest."
Beautiful guest.The compliment sent warmth flooding through her cheeks.
"Need any help?" she offered, watching him move around the kitchen with confident ease.
"I just want you to sit back and relax and let me handle everything." His eyes met hers across the space. "Even though I've never cooked for anyone as special as you before."
The open flirtation in his voice made her pulse skip. This was the side of Rylan she'd only glimpsed in stolen moments—relaxed, charming, and utterly magnetic.
"Well then, no pressure," she teased, settling onto a barstool to watch him work.
He cooked and plated their meal with artistic precision—the grilled fish glistening with crystalline spices, violet grains that seemed to shimmer in the light, and glasses of Sidaii wine that glowed red.
"This looks amazing," Wren said as he carried their plates to the dining table. "I'm impressed by your culinary skills, Commander."
"Rylan," he corrected, pulling out her chair. "Tonight, I'm just Rylan."
The intimate atmosphere settled around them as they shared their meal, conversation flowing effortlessly. Wren deliberately steered clear of work topics, savoring this glimpse of the man Rylan became when he let his guard down.
But as they finished eating, reality crept back in.
"Why was I targeted tonight?" she asked, setting down her wine glass. "Do you think it's because people don't want me here on Nova Aurora? Or because of what I'm doing to help you at Defense Nexus?"
Rylan's expression grew serious. "I have a sneaky suspicion Arvox is mixed up in it. I can't think of anyone else who would feel threatened by you."
"So someone was probably sent to scare me into leaving the planet." Wren lifted her chin defiantly. "Well, they picked the wrong woman to mess with. Because I don't scare easily, and it'll take a lot more than one masked attacker to run me off this planet."
"I won't let anyone hurt you." The possessive edge in his voice made her stomach flip. "And I don't want you to leave Nova Aurora any time soon because I'm enjoying having you here. Plus, I can't imagine my life without you working beside me every day."
Every day.The casual way he said it, like they had all the time in the world, made her heart beat faster.
"I'm getting quite used to having you around," he continued, his gaze intense. "I actually look forward to every day now."
