Page 16 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)

THIRTEEN

WREN

W ren'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 spices releasing 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."

"I do too," she admitted softly. "Every day here feels like it's filled with excitement and new possibilities."

Rylan stood up then, clearing their plates and refilling their wine glasses. He then gestured toward his living area. "Come sit with me?"

Wren stood up and headed toward the living area with her wine glass, settling onto his leather couch. She was hyperaware of his proximity as he joined her, and the space between them felt charged with possibility.

"So," she said, deflecting some of the sexual tension with playful banter, "about that ferocious tiger of yours..."

His eyes darkened with unmistakable desire. "What about him?"

"He was pretty impressive. All that protective fury and raw power." She took a sip of wine, watching his reaction over the rim of her glass. "Definitely the sexiest thing I've ever seen."

Rylan's smile was pure predator. "Is that so?"

"Mmm-hmm." She nodded, noticing how his gaze dropped to her lips. "Though I have to say, the human version is pretty compelling too."

The last few inches of space between them on the couch suddenly felt like an impossible chasm. Wren's pulse thundered as Rylan leaned slightly closer, his masculine scent wrapping around her like a drug.

Kiss me, she thought desperately. Kiss me again.

As if he could read her mind, he grabbed her wine glass out of her hand and set it down on his coffee table with deliberate precision. Then he crashed his lips against hers with a desperate hunger, like she was the oxygen he needed to survive.

God, yes, she thought, melting into him as heat exploded through her veins. She grabbed onto his neck and pulled him impossibly closer, her fingers threading through his dark blonde hair. The kiss was everything their first kiss hadn't been—deep, consuming, and utterly intoxicating.

Rylan's control seemed to snap as he pushed her gently down onto the leather couch, his solid weight settling over her. His hand began exploring her body over her green blouse, mapping every curve with reverent touches that made her arch beneath him.

"Wren," he murmured against her lips, her name a prayer on his tongue.

She gasped as his hand slipped under her blouse, his palm finding her breasts.

The sensation sent electric shocks through her nervous system, pleasure tingling from her core to her fingertips.

When his lips moved from her mouth to her neck, finding that sensitive spot that drove her wild, she couldn't suppress the soft moan that escaped.

This is happening, she thought dizzily. This gorgeous, powerful man wants me.

But just as Wren was drowning in the pleasure tingles racing across her skin, Rylan pulled back suddenly. His blue eyes were dark with desire, but there was something else there—vulnerability mixed with determination.

"You know…" he said, his voice filled with want, "Gerri didn't just 'find' you by chance. She orchestrated this—brought you to me because she knew you'd be the one to help me, and… perhaps, to find me as well."

Wren's eyes widened, her heart racing for entirely different reasons now. "What do you mean exactly?"

Her analytical mind kicked into overdrive, connecting dots she'd been too distracted to see before. The way Gerri had appeared at exactly the right moment in the coffee shop. How she'd known Wren's name before introducing herself. The calculating gleam in those blue-gold eyes.

It wasn't coincidence, she realized with growing awe. She planned all of this.

"I mean, you're not just helping me here, Wren." Rylan's gaze softened, his voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "You're essential to me. You're… my fated mate."

"Fated mate?" The words felt foreign on her tongue, but something deep inside her recognized their truth. "What is that exactly?"

Rylan's thumb traced gentle circles on her cheek. "To a tiger shifter, a fated mate is the other half of our soul. The one person who completes us fully. We can sense the mate bond instantly—I felt it the moment we shook hands when we first met."

That electric shock, she thought, remembering the jolt that had raced through her when their skin first touched. That magnetic pull I've felt every second since.

"Why didn't you mention it sooner?" she asked, though part of her already knew the answer.

His jaw tightened slightly. "Because I was trying to deny it.

I was scared of what it might mean for me, for us.

I've spent my entire adult life convinced that love was a weakness, a distraction I couldn't afford.

" His eyes met hers with raw honesty. "But I don't want to deny it anymore, Wren. I want you. All of you."

A surge of warmth gushed through her—not just physical desire, but something deeper. That mysterious connection she'd felt from the beginning suddenly had a name and a purpose. The mate bond wasn't just attraction; it was recognition at a soul-deep level.

"I want to discover what this mate bond thing means," she said softly. "What fated mates has to offer."

"Are you sure about that?" His voice carried an edge of alpha possessiveness that caused her blood to heat with desire. "Are you not worried about what you're getting into?"

Wren reached up to cup his face. "No, Rylan. Everything with you feels right, like being with you is where I belong."

The smile that spread across his face was pure alpha male—confident and claiming. "Then let me show you exactly what being my fated mate means."

He kissed her again with a passionate intensity that stole her breath, like he was claiming her soul along with her lips. She felt consumed by him—his strength, his desire, and his absolute certainty that she belonged to him. The thrill and pleasure of it all made her dizzy with want.

This is what I've been missing all along, she thought as she surrendered completely to the fire building between them. He is what I've been searching for my entire life.