Page 36 of Stripe for the Picking
He guided her under the warm spray, water cascading over them both. Rylan grabbed a bottle of shampoo, his hands gentle as he worked it into her long, dark hair. His touch was reverent, almost worshipful, and she leaned into him, letting the warmth of the water and his hands soothe her.
But then his hands wandered, sliding down her neck, over her shoulders, and to her breasts. He cupped them, his thumbs brushing over her nipples until they hardened under his touch. Wren's breath hitched, her body responding instantly.
"Rylan," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water.
He didn't respond with words. Instead, he lifted her effortlessly, pressing her back against the cool tiles of the shower wall. She wrapped her legs around his waist instinctively, her heart pounding in her chest. His large hand roamed her body, teasing her, stoking the fire building inside her.
And then he was inside her, filling her completely in one smooth, powerful thrust. Wren gasped, her fingernails digging into his shoulders as he began to move, his rhythm desperate and primal. Their eyes locked, and she could see the raw hunger in his gaze, the way he was completely consumed by her.
She matched his intensity, her hips rising to meet his, her body trembling with raw need. The water mixed with their sweat, the heat of their connection overwhelming. Wren's moans echoed off the tiles, the pleasure building until it was almost too much.
"Rylan, I'm—" she started, but her words were cut off as her orgasm ripped through her, her body shuddering against his. He groaned, a deep, guttural sound that sent another wave of pleasure through her as he followed her over the edge, his grip on her tightening as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
For a moment, they stayed like that, their bodies pressing together and their hearts racing in sync. Finally, he pulled back slightly, his eyes soft as he looked at her.
"Are you glad you agreed to shower with me?" he breathed.
Wren laughed breathlessly, her hands still tangled in his damp hair. "Very much so. You definitely know how to make me feel alive."
He smirked, that alpha male confidence radiating off him. "That's good to hear. Because I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon."
SIXTEEN
RYLAN
Rylan reluctantly released Wren from his arms as the warm water cascaded around them in his shower, his body still humming with satisfaction from their explosive sexual encounter. Every nerve ending felt alive, electrified by her touch and the way she'd responded to him with such uninhibited passion.
She's mine. Completely, utterly mine.
He turned off the water and reached for the towels, wrapping one around his waist before tenderly enveloping her in another, his hands lingering on her shoulders as he absorbed the sight of her flushed cheeks and kiss-swollen lips.
"Come on, beautiful. We need to get moving before I decide to keep you in this bathroom all day."
They stepped out of the steamy sanctuary, and Rylan immediately felt the shift back to reality as he moved to his dresser. He pulled out a fresh black shirt and matching pants—his standard Defense Nexus uniform that commanded respect throughout the building. As he dressed, his tiger practically lounged in contentment, finally feeling true happiness after years of fighting the inevitable.
"I'll run over to your apartment and grab all your things," he said, buttoning his tactical pants with practiced efficiency. "If that's okay with you."
Wren's face brightened with relief. "That would be extremely helpful. I don't exactly have any clean clothes here at your apartment yet."
"Consider it done." He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead, inhaling her lavender scent. "I'll be right back."
Rylan walked over to Wren's apartment with purposeful steps, his mind racing. General Kael had been absolutely right—Rylan had been an idiot for resisting the mate bond these past four days. What had he been thinking, convincing himself that love was a weakness when Wren made him feel more powerful than he'd ever felt in his life?
She chose me. Chose us. Chose Nova Aurora.
He used his security clearance to access her apartment, moving efficiently through her space. Her clothes hung neatly in the closet—professional blouses, fitted skirts, casual wear that smelled faintly of her lavender perfume. He folded everything carefully into her suitcase, treating her belongings with the same reverence he'd shown her last night.
Her backpack sat on the desk, loaded with sophisticated Earth tech gear and her laptop. His mate was beautiful and brilliant beyond comprehension, and she was staying. With him. Permanently. The thought sent a surge of possessive satisfaction through his chest.
Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to claim every single night.
He returned to his apartment in under ten minutes, and set her suitcase and backpack down with a flourish. "Your belongings, all perfectly folded and neatly organized."
"Thank you for doing that so quickly. You really are the perfect man," she said as she opened her suitcase and grabbed amatching black lace bra and panties, a sheer blue blouse, and a tailored black skirt.
Rylan couldn't help but watch and admire the view as she got dressed in front of him, and he had to resist the urge to lay her back onto his bed and forgot all about work today.
But five minutes later, as they prepared to leave for Defense Nexus, Rylan felt the familiar weight of professional responsibility settling on his shoulders. "We should probably keep things professional at work. No public displays of affection around the personnel."
