Page 45 of Stripe for the Picking
His hands shook as he slipped the ring onto her finger, the crystal seeming to pulse with inner light as it settled into place. Then he surged to his feet, pulling her up with him, and captured her full lips in a kiss that tasted like promise and forever, and like coming home after a lifetime of wandering.
As they broke apart from their kiss, Wren's heart raced while she gazed at the beautiful ring adorning her finger. The crystal gleamed in the moonlight, and she couldn't stop the delirious smile spreading across her face.
I'm engaged. To Rylan. This gorgeous, perfect man just proposed to me on an alien planet under twin moons.
The waiter materialized beside their table with impeccable timing, setting down a dessert that looked like edible art—layersof violet cream and crystallized fruits arranged in delicate spirals that shimmered under the floating lanterns.
"Congratulations," the tiger shifter said with a knowing smile. "The chef insisted this be complimentary for such a special occasion."
Wren's eyebrows shot up. "How did he?—"
"News travels fast among our kind," the waiter replied with a wink before gliding away.
Rylan chuckled, handing a silver spoon to Wren. "Well, so much for keeping things quiet now."
"I don't care," Wren said fiercely, her green eyes blazing. "Let everyone know you're mine and I'm yours."
They shared bites of the impossibly sweet dessert, their fingers intertwining on the white tablecloth between tastes. The intimate gesture sent warmth through her, and she marveled at how natural this felt—like they'd been sharing meals and dreams for years instead of days.
"So," she said, savoring another spoonful of the violet cream, "what does home mean to you?"
Rylan's expression softened. "Before you? Home was duty, order, protecting Nova Aurora. But now..." He lifted their joined hands, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Home is wherever you are. It's watching you light up when you solve an impossible problem, seeing your beautiful face next to me in the morning, feeling your body against mine every night."
He's going to make me cry again with declarations like that.
"For me, home was never really a place either," she admitted, her voice growing husky with emotion. "It was always this feeling I was searching for but never found." She squeezed his fingers. "But now I know I was biding my time until I found you. And now, home is this life, this planet, this incredible future we're building together."
"What kind of future do you want exactly?" he asked, his thumb stroking over her engagement ring.
Wren's mind raced with possibilities that seemed both thrilling and terrifying. "I'd love to work beside you at Defense Nexus every day, but I'm not sure they'd ever consider giving me a permanent position. I'm just a human consultant, and they probably think I'm leaving once we figure out these cyber attacks and stop the hacker syndicate for good."
Rylan's jaw clenched with determination. "I have no doubt we'll stop them and expose Arvox soon. And once I announce that we're engaged and you're staying permanently, I guarantee you'll get your dream life," he said, his voice lowering to that commanding tone that made her stomach flip. "No one will dare question my mate's place at Defense Nexus."
"You know what's really crazy about all this?" she said, her cheeks flushing. "I never imagined getting married and having a family. But with you..." She trailed off, suddenly shy about voicing the impossible dream.
Rylan's entire body went rigid with excitement. "A family?"
"Maybe someday," she whispered. "I mean, if that's something you'd want. I know you're focused on your career?—"
"Wren." He leaned forward, his eyes blazing with a burning intensity. "Having a family with you would be my ultimate dream come true. Watching you with our children, teaching them to be as brilliant and fearless as their mother..." His voice roughened. "And maybe, just maybe, I could finally showcase my photography, find that balance between duty and personal desires."
"I love how you see our future," she said softly. "Like we can have everything—love, family, careers, and adventure. On Earth, I always felt like I had to choose."
"On Nova Aurora, with me, you never have to choose anything," he said fiercely. "You can have everything you've ever imagined and more."
As they finished their dessert, their conversation grew more playful and intimate. Rylan's fingers traced patterns on her palm while she teased him about his photography hobby.
"So, you're telling me the big, scary commander has always had this secret artistic side?"
"Only you get to see that side for now," he rumbled, his deep voice taking on that possessive edge that made her squirm in her chair.
Through their mate bond, she could sense his desire building like a storm, matching the heat pooling in her body. The way he stared at her—like she was a feast he wanted to devour—made her want to forget propriety and make love to him right here on the dinner table.
"Ready to get out of here?" he asked, his voice husky with barely controlled hunger.
God, yes. I need to get him alone before I combust from wanting him.
"Lead the way," she said breathlessly.
