Page 10 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)
EIGHT
RYLAN
R ylan placed his hand on Wren's lower back and guided her through the grand ballroom doors with protective authority.
His black suit moved flawlessly with each stride, and he couldn't help but steal glances at the vision beside him.
The way her black cocktail dress hugged every perfect curve, how her dark hair fell over her bare shoulders, and the elegant click of her heels against the polished floor—she was absolutely breathtaking tonight.
His tiger stirred with possessive satisfaction, wanting to claim her right here in the corridor, but he made himself maintain control. This wasn't the time or the place.
They strode through Defense Nexus's winding corridors toward the front entrance, the artificial lighting casting a soft glow across Wren's beautiful face. Each stolen glance made his chest tighten with something he wasn't ready to name.
"Thank you for getting me out of there. I was starting to feel really uncomfortable," Wren said quietly, her voice carrying relief. "I felt like they don't trust me, or they think I'm going to make you lose focus somehow. Distract you from your priorities while I'm here."
Damn, she's intuitive.
Rylan's jaw clenched as he processed her words. She'd picked up on the political undertones swirling around the Council and Arvox's scrutiny, even without understanding the full significance of those dangerous currents. Her instincts were sharp—another reason why she was perfect for him.
"You did nothing wrong, Wren," he said firmly, pushing open the front doors of Defense Nexus.
The cool night air swept over them, carrying the unique scents of Nova Aurora—ozone from the twin moons' energy and the sweet fragrance of night-blooming flora.
"You're doing us a favor. You're helping not just me, but the entire planet by protecting our security systems."
The two moons hung high above them, one bright yellow and the other blood orange, casting ethereal light across the landscape. Rylan felt his tension ease slightly in the open air, away from prying eyes and whispered judgments.
"If anything, they should be grateful. You didn't have to come here and help us," he continued, his voice holding that commanding edge that made his officers snap to attention.
"Besides, you already proved today that you're more than capable of handling our cyber threats and protecting everyone on Nova Aurora. "
He watched as her shoulders relaxed, the stress lines around her green eyes softening. Something protective and possessive flared in his chest—his fated mate shouldn't have to endure doubt about her worth or abilities. Not when she was already proving herself invaluable.
Rylan led her toward a peaceful boardwalk that stretched along the pink ocean's shoreline, a place he'd discovered years ago when the pressure of command became overwhelming.
The gentle sound of waves lapping against the pale yellow sand created a soothing rhythm that helped clear his mind during the most stressful moments of his leadership.
She needs to see how much she means to this place. How much she means to me.
The moonlight reflected off the pink water in shimmering ribbons, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Rylan felt emboldened by the romantic setting and the way Wren seemed to relax beside him. Without overthinking the consequences, he reached out and took her hand in his.
Her fingers were delicate compared to his, but he could feel the strength in them—the same hands that had navigated their complex systems with genius-level precision. To his relief and secret delight, she didn't pull away. Instead, she moved closer, her shoulder brushing against his arm.
Perfect. This is exactly where she belongs.
They found a weathered bench overlooking the water, and Rylan shrugged out of his black suit jacket without hesitation. The fabric still held his warmth as he draped it around her shoulders, his hands lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
"Thank you," she murmured, pulling the jacket closer and settling against him.
The contact sent electricity shooting through him. His tiger purred with joy at having his mate pressed against him, her intoxicating scent filling his lungs. Rylan wrapped his arm around her, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him.
"You are essential to Nova Aurora," he said quietly, staring up at the moons while fighting the urge to confess that she was essential to him too.
Soon. When she's ready to hear the truth about what she really means to me.
"I'm going to keep relying on your brilliant mind and sharp instincts," he continued, his voice dropping to that intimate rumble that seemed to affect her. "Not just for the cybersecurity threats, but for the Protocol Trials starting in five days."
Her eyes lit up with excitement, that spark of adventure and challenge that had drawn him to her from the moment they met. "I can't wait," she said, her enthusiasm infectious. "We're going to absolutely dominate."
There's that confidence I love so much about her.
Rylan tightened his hold on her, breathing in her scent while the pink waves created a hypnotic soundtrack. "I want you to feel comfortable here, Wren. And I want you to realize your true worth and what you really mean to this place."
What you really mean to me.
Even though he couldn't voice the truth to her quite yet, he was content to hold her under the two moons, planning how to show her exactly how much she meant to him.
Wren's delicate yawn caught Rylan's attention instantly, pulling him from his contemplation of her beautiful profile against the moonlit ocean. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, exhaustion finally showing through her composed exterior.
Damn, I'm being selfish keeping her out here this late.
His protective instincts flared as he realized what an overwhelming day she'd endured—wormhole travel, arriving on an alien planet, meeting him, diving headfirst into their cybersecurity crisis, attending a formal Council dinner, and now this intimate moment on the beach. Any human would be utterly drained.
"I should really get you back to your apartment," he said softly as guilt gnawed at him. "You've had quite the long day, and I apologize for keeping you out so late."
Wren turned to face him, her green eyes sparkling despite the fatigue he could now clearly see. "It's no big deal. I really enjoyed tonight with you—the dinner, the dancing." She paused, a soft smile playing at her lips. "You're not nearly as terrible of a dancer as you claimed to be."
God, she caught me there too. What else can she detect about me? Can she sense our mate bond yet?
"And I especially enjoyed being here at the beach," she continued, her voice dropping to something more intimate. "I liked seeing this softer side of you."
His chest tightened at her words. The wall he'd spent decades building around his heart cracked a little more. "I may be a better dancer than I claimed," he admitted, surprised by his own honesty. "And I really enjoyed this alone time with you as well."
More than I should. More than is safe for either of us.
Rylan stood first, his movements fluid despite the reluctance coursing through him.
He extended his hand to help her up, his tiger purring at the contact when her smaller fingers slipped into his palm.
The urge to pull her against him, to claim those lips that had been tempting him all evening, nearly overwhelmed his control at that moment.
She needs rest. Stop being selfish.
But as she rose gracefully from the bench, his suit jacket still draped over her shoulders, Rylan couldn't help but wish they could freeze this moment forever.
The way the moonlight shone in her dark hair, how perfectly her hand fit in his, the contentment he felt in her presence—it was intoxicating and magical.
They walked back along the boardwalk in comfortable silence, the pink waves providing a gentle soundtrack to their steps.
Rylan kept his hand on her back, partly protective and partly because he couldn't resist maintaining that connection.
Her heels clicked rhythmically against the wooden planks, and he found himself matching his longer stride to her pace.
The pathways through the military base were quieter now, most of the personnel having retired for the evening. Security lights cast pools of illumination as they made their way toward the residential sector, passing the occasional night patrol who nodded respectfully at Rylan's commanding presence.
When they finally reached her apartment door, Rylan felt that familiar reluctance to leave her side. The day had been perfect—too perfect to end.
"Goodnight, Wren," he said softly.
To his complete surprise, she rose up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The innocent contact sent fire racing through his veins, his tiger roaring with possessive satisfaction.
"Thank you for such a nice evening," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at work."
Kiss her properly. Claim those lips. Make her yours.
Every instinct in his body urged him to capture her mouth with his, and to show her exactly how much she affected him. But somehow, through sheer force of will, he restrained himself.
"Sweet dreams," he managed, his voice strained with barely controlled desire.
As she disappeared into her apartment, Rylan stood frozen for a moment, his hand unconsciously touching the spot where her lips had brushed his skin. That simple kiss had done something profound—he could feel the mate bond cementing into place, a humming energy that pulsed through his entire being.
She truly is my fated mate. I can't doubt it anymore. I don't want to.
The short walk to his own apartment in the adjacent building felt both eternal and instantaneous.
His mind raced with thoughts of Wren—how much she'd already changed his entire world in just fourteen hours.
It seemed impossible, but he supposed fated mates and the mate bond transcended logic and time.
Once inside his apartment, Rylan methodically removed his dress shirt and pants, the familiar routine doing nothing to calm the fire burning through him.
He pulled on pajama pants and padded to his kitchen to pour himself a glass of whiskey, the cool tile against his bare feet a sharp contrast to the heat coursing through his body.
The whiskey burned as it slid down his throat, but it did little to settle the desire and hunger consuming him.
Images and thoughts of Wren flooded his mind—her beautiful face illuminated by moonlight, the way her black dress had showcased every delicious curve, and how alive she made him feel in ways he'd never experienced before.
This is dangerous territory.
But as he tried to focus on the alcohol's numbing effects, his thoughts turned darker. The Council dinner replayed in his mind—Arvox's calculating stares, the whispered doubts about Wren's presence, and the loaded glances cast their way throughout the evening.
They're questioning my judgment. Questioning her worth.
The rage that thought provoked surprised him with its intensity. How dare they cast doubt on Wren when she'd already proven herself better than anyone here? She'd combatted their cybersecurity crisis in hours when they'd been struggling for weeks to figure out solutions.
Arvox's face materialized in his memory—those cold blue eyes studying every interaction between Rylan and Wren tonight with predatory interest. The Prime Minister's ambition had always been transparent to Rylan's trained senses, even if the rest of the Council remained oblivious to the manipulation.
The pattern became clearer with each sip of whiskey. Every almost-win in the Protocol Trials, every technical anomaly that had cost him points, every partner who'd seemed to sabotage him at crucial moments—Arvox's fingerprints were all over Rylan's failures.
He's been undermining me for years.
As Rylan finally made his way to bed, his analytical mind sharpened despite the alcohol.
Wren was absolutely vital to neutralizing whatever threats the unknown hacker syndicate planned to unleash next.
And if Arvox was connected to those attacks somehow, if he'd been playing everyone for years, Rylan wouldn't play along anymore.
Arvox is planning something big. I just need to figure out what.
His protective instincts surged as he settled against his pillows, thoughts of Wren filling his consciousness again.
Their mate bond pulsed under his skin, and he felt the invisible tether connecting them pull taut.
He rolled over onto his side and closed his eyes, and as his breathing finally evened out, he silently vowed that he wasn't going to let anyone disrespect or threaten his mate ever again.
She's mine to protect now.