Page 22 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)

NINETEEN

WREN

W ren's arms tightened around Rylan's waist as their hover bike soared through the evening sky, the wind whipping through her long dark hair despite the vehicle's protective dome.

Below them, the landscape of Nova Aurora spread out like a living painting—the twin suns casting everything in molten gold and deep crimson, while the endless pink ocean stretched toward the horizon in shimmering waves.

This place is literally heaven, she thought, her heart swelling with wonder. And Rylan is my dream come true.

After their triumphant day—dominating the first round of the Protocol Trials and her impossible creation of that revolutionary firewall that saved Defense Nexus—she felt drunk on success and possibility.

The emerald fabric of her dress fluttered against her legs as they banked toward the city's edge, and she couldn't suppress the giddy smile that curved her lips.

Seven days ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop complaining about my boring life. Now look at me.

The rooftop restaurant materialized ahead of them, perched on the edge of a crystalline tower that caught the dying light like a prism.

Wren recognized it from her tour with General Kael, but tonight it looked transformed—fairy lights strung between floating platforms, the glass dome overhead revealing the star-studded sky as the first moon began to rise.

"Rylan," she breathed as he guided them to the landing platform. "This is magical."

He helped her dismount off his bike, his large hands steady on her waist, and the contact sent those familiar tingles through her body. The charcoal suit he wore made his blue eyes look impossibly deeper, and the green tie brought out flecks of emerald that matched her dress.

God, he's gorgeous. How is this man mine?

"Only the best for my mate," he said softly.

Inside the restaurant, Rylan spoke quietly to the hostess—a graceful woman with silver hair and kind eyes who led them to a private elevator. As they rose toward the rooftop, Wren noticed the nervous energy radiating from him.

He's more tense than usual. Almost like he's planning something.

The elevator opened onto a breathtaking rooftop terrace with a single table positioned perfectly to overlook the pink ocean. Floating lanterns cast warm light over pristine white linens, and the scent of exotic flowers filled the air.

"Rylan, this is..." She turned to find him watching her with an intensity that stole her breath. "How did you arrange all this?"

"I may have called in a few favors," he said, pulling out her chair with old-fashioned gallantry that made her heart flutter.

When the waiter approached—a tall man with the distinctive golden eyes of a tiger shifter—Wren gestured toward Rylan. "You order. I trust your judgment completely."

Something shifted in his expression at her words, a flash of emotion too quick to identify. "The citrus-glazed moonfish with violet grain pilaf," he told the waiter. "And a bottle of your finest Sidaii wine."

As they settled into the magical atmosphere, the second moon rose to join the first, casting silver and blue light across the water. Wren felt the weight of the day's emotions pressing against her chest—triumph, relief, and something deeper she hadn't expected to feel so soon.

"I never thought I'd have this," she said quietly, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass.

"Growing up, my parents always made me feel like I was too much. Too smart, too independent, too everything." The words spilled out before she could stop them. "They thought my dreams were impractical, my career choices foolish. I was always the outsider, even in my own family."

Rylan's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists on the white tablecloth. "They were wrong about everything," he said, his voice carrying deadly conviction. "You're extraordinary, Wren. I'll support every dream you've ever had and give you the life you've always wanted and absolutely deserve."

The fierce protectiveness in his voice makes me want to climb across this table and kiss him senseless.

"My parents were pretty incredible," he continued, his tone gentling. "They taught me honor, duty, and guided me toward my military career. Everyone deserves that kind of support, and I'm sorry you didn't get it."

The waiter returned with their meal—perfectly prepared fish that flaked apart at the touch of a fork, accompanied by grains that sparkled like tiny jewels. Wren took a bite and nearly moaned with pleasure.

"This is insanely delicious," she said, then noticed Rylan barely touching his food. That nervous energy had intensified, and he kept reaching toward his jacket pocket before stopping himself. "Are you okay? You seem... different tonight."

"I'm perfect," he said quickly. "Tell me more about Earth. About how you never felt like you belonged."

Wren set down her fork, studying his handsome face.

"That's just it—I always felt different there.

Like I was waiting for something, or someone, without knowing what.

" She gestured toward the stunning view around them.

"But now I understand why. I was always meant to find Nova Aurora.

This is my true home. This is where I belong. "

"With me," he said, and it wasn't a question.

"With you," she confirmed, her heart racing at the possessive heat in his gaze.

Rylan's expression grew serious. "You know, I told you that Gerri orchestrated our meeting, but I didn't tell you the whole truth.

" He leaned forward, his blue eyes intense.

"She's not just some mysterious businesswoman.

Gerri runs the Paranormal Dating Agency—she's a matchmaker who specializes in finding fated mates. "

Wren's eyes widened. "A paranormal matchmaker? But I thought you said you didn't request?—"

"I didn't," he interrupted. "I spent years convinced that love wasn't for me, that I didn't need a mate.

But Gerri has a way of knowing things, seeing connections that others miss.

" His voice dropped to that rough whisper that made her pulse spike.

"But now, I can't imagine my life without you, Wren. I don't want to."

Is he saying what I think he's saying?

Suddenly, Rylan pushed back his chair and stood. Wren's breath caught as he moved around the table toward her, his movements predatory and graceful. Then, impossibly, he dropped to one knee beside her chair.

Oh my God. This is really happening.

Her hands flew to her mouth as he reached into his jacket and withdrew a small velvet box that seemed to glow in the moonlight.

"Wren," he said, his deep voice thick with raw emotion, "six days ago, I thought I had my life all figured out.

But I was wrong about everything that mattered.

" He opened the box to reveal the most stunning ring she'd ever seen—a platinum band holding a rare crystal that shifted from deep blue to silver as it caught the light.

"You've turned my world upside down in the most beautiful way possible.

You're my fated mate, my partner, my perfect match in every way. "

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she stared into his blue eyes, seeing her entire future reflected there.

"I love your brilliant mind, your courage, your terrible jokes that somehow make me laugh anyway," he continued, his voice breaking slightly.

"I love how you make me want to be better, stronger, more than I ever thought I could be.

So what I'm saying is that I love you." He paused for a moment and took a steadying breath.

"Wren Calder, will you marry me? Will you be my mate, my wife, my everything for the rest of our lives? "

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.

"Yes," she sobbed, launching herself forward to cup his face in her trembling hands. "I love you too, Rylan. I don't care that it's only been six days—I know what my heart wants, and it's you. It's always been you."

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—layers of 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?"