Page 23 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)

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.

They left the restaurant hand in hand, wandering down a luminous riverbank that wound away from the city lights. The alien flora glowed softly in the darkness—trees with silver bark that pulsed like heartbeats and flowers that chimed like wind bells when the breeze touched them.

"This place is truly heaven," Wren murmured, leaning into Rylan's warmth as they strolled along the glowing water.

"Everything's heaven with you," he replied, his arm tightening around her waist.

Their conversation grew more playful and charged with sexual tension.

Rylan's fingers intertwined with hers, his thumb continuously stroking over her engagement ring in a gesture that felt both possessive and reverent.

When she stumbled slightly on the uneven path, his hands immediately steadied her, lingering on her shoulders and back with heated touches that made her skin tingle.

"Careful," he murmured against her ear, his breath sending shivers through her. "Can't have my fiancée getting hurt before we win the Trials."

The way he says 'my fiancée' like a claim of ownership makes me want to rip his clothes off right here.

They paused under a massive tree whose branches dripped with luminescent blossoms, the soft light casting dancing shadows across their faces. Wren turned in his arms, her hands splaying across his broad chest, feeling his heart thundering beneath the fine fabric of his charcoal suit.

"Rylan," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the gentle chiming of the alien flowers.

His blue eyes darkened to midnight as he cupped her face with his hands. "Are you comfortable, beautiful? Do you want this tonight, want me?"

The careful questions, the way he checked for consent even in the midst of their desperate attraction, made her heart clench with love.

"Yes," she breathed. "I want you."

Something primal flashed in his eyes at her words. He took her hand, leading her deeper into the glowing forest until they reached a secluded clearing that felt ancient and sacred. Crystalline formations jutted from the ground like natural altars, and the air hummed with otherworldly energy.

Rylan turned to face her, his expression fierce with possession and tender with love.

"Wren, I want to fully claim you tonight.

Mark you as mine forever, complete our mate bond in every way.

" His voice dropped to a gravelly whisper.

"Will you let me make you my mate in the most primal way possible? "

"Yes," she said without hesitation, her entire body trembling with anticipation. "I'm yours, Rylan. Completely and forever yours."