Page 7 of Stripe for the Picking (Paranormal Dating Agency #92)

FIVE

WREN

T he corridors of Defense Nexus stretched before them like arteries of polished metal and glass.

Their footsteps created an odd rhythm as Rylan led Wren to her new apartment on the military base—his confident stride in combat boots and her lighter steps in sandals.

Wren clutched her suitcase handle tighter, hyperaware of the careful distance Rylan maintained between them.

Yet that distance did nothing to diminish the electric current that seemed to arc between their bodies whenever he moved too close.

What the hell is happening?

Her advanced mind cataloged every detail of their walk while her body hummed with unfamiliar energy.

The fitted black t-shirt that showcased his broad shoulders and defined chest. The way his tactical pants emphasized the powerful muscles of his thighs.

How his perfectly styled dark blonde hair caught the sunlight streaming through the glass windows.

Even his military bearing radiated authority and barely leashed strength.

He's definitely a Greek god who somehow ended up commanding alien cybersecurity and global security systems.

"Your apartment is just ahead," Rylan said, his deep voice carrying that same rough edge she'd noticed during their handshake. "It's close enough to mine that you can come to me if you need anything. Anytime."

The way he emphasized 'anytime' sent heat spiraling through her body. Professional courtesy, she told herself. Nothing more.

But her treacherous mind replayed their introduction on endless repeat. Less than an hour ago, Gerri had walked her into Defense Nexus like she owned the place. Then Rylan had turned around, and Wren's world had tilted sideways.

The man belonged on magazine covers, not buried in military command centers. All sharp jawlines and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through her. When their hands had touched during that innocent handshake, every nerve ending in her body had exploded like Fourth of July fireworks.

I've never felt anything like that before. Ever.

The recognition had been instant and overwhelming—like her soul had suddenly remembered something her mind had never known. Which made absolutely no sense because she'd never met him before. She was certain she'd remember a man who looked like sin wrapped in a uniform.

"Here we are." Rylan stopped beside a sleek door marked with holographic numbers. "I'll check back in an hour after you've had time to freshen up. Then we'll grab lunch before returning to see if your countermeasure patch held."

The practical words should have felt routine. Instead, they sent anticipation skittering along her spine.

"Sounds perfect." She fumbled with the door mechanism, suddenly clumsy under his intense gaze.

As Rylan turned to leave, her body immediately protested his absence. The loss hit her surprisingly hard—this overwhelming sense that he belonged beside her, not walking away down some sterile corridor.

What is wrong with you? You just met him.

But watching him move with predatory grace, those powerful shoulders and narrow waist creating a perfect V that made her mouth water, she couldn't deny the magnetic pull.

Every guy she'd ever dated—the professors, the tech executives, the supposed intellectuals—none of them had made her feel simultaneously calm and electrified.

Like a moth to a flame. The comparison should have worried her more than it did.

Wren slipped inside her apartment and immediately stopped in surprise. The space stretched far larger than she'd expected for military housing—a cozy living area flowed into a dining nook and compact kitchen, while a doorway revealed glimpses of an unexpectedly spacious bedroom.

"This is bigger than my place in Vermont," she murmured, setting down her luggage. "I could definitely get used to this."

The thought struck her as odd. She'd been here exactly two hours total yet already felt more settled than she had in years of Earth-bound routine.

Moving through the apartment, she unpacked her suitcase with methodical efficiency, hanging clothes in the surprisingly generous closet and filling the dresser drawers.

Something about the gesture—arranging her belongings in alien furniture—felt less like temporary accommodation and more like moving in. Which should have concerned her but instead filled her with unexpected warmth.

The bathroom exceeded all expectations. The shower responded to voice commands, offering an array of toiletries that materialized from hidden dispensers. As she splashed cool water on her face in the bathroom sink, her reflection in the mirror stared back with eyes still bright from adrenaline.

Focus, Calder. You're here to work, not to swoon over your impossibly attractive boss. But her body continued humming with awareness, every cell seemingly attuned to Rylan's presence even through layers of metal and distance.

As she looked out her bedroom window at the alien landscape, she couldn't help but think how she'd felt useful immediately at Defense Nexus—understanding their futuristic technology with intuitive ease, identifying the hackers' methods, and creating a countermeasure that had apparently eluded their entire team.

Maybe too obvious. That's probably why he overlooked it.

Pride and pressure warred in her chest. They were counting on her genius-level IQ to solve problems that had stumped their best minds. Thirty-seven hours until potential system compromise, and she was their last hope.

No pressure at all.

But underneath the weight of expectation burned fierce determination. These hackers had picked the wrong planet to terrorize. They had no idea what they were up against now that Wren Calder had entered the game.

They're going to regret the day I stepped foot on Nova Aurora.

A soft chime indicated someone at her door. Her pulse jumped as she realized exactly who would be checking on her.

One hour on the dot. Punctual as promised.

Wren smoothed down her green sundress and headed to answer her apartment door, her pulse quickening at the thought of seeing Rylan's handsome face on the other side. The fabric felt soft against her skin, but her nerves sparked like live wires beneath the surface.

Get it together. You're a professional, not some lovesick teenager.

She opened the door and her breath caught. Rylan stood there looking devastatingly handsome in his military uniform— the black fabric stretching across his broad shoulders and chest, emphasizing every carved muscle beneath.

Dear God, he needs to come with a warning label.

"Ready for lunch?" His deep voice sent heat flooding through her body. "I know a café down the block from Defense Nexus that has the best sandwiches and salads you could dream of."

Her stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly, the sound echoing in the space between them. Heat flooded her cheeks.

"Lead the way. I'm obviously starved from my eventful morning of wormhole travel and acclimating to this beautiful planet."

As they left the residential sector and stepped into the fresh air, Wren inhaled deeply.

The alien scents filled her lungs—ozone mixed with something floral and metallic that made her feel oddly energized.

The twin suns warmed her skin as they walked down the street lined with purple-leaved trees and holographic street signs.

Rylan's nervous energy radiated off him in waves, and she found it endearing how this powerful commander seemed rattled by her presence. The way his jaw clenched when she walked too close, and how his hands flexed at his sides like he wanted to reach for her but held himself back.

He finds me attractive. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

"The defense grids have been under repeated cyber attacks for weeks as I mentioned earlier," he said, falling back into business mode.

"So while you're here, I'll expect you to isolate anomalies, reroute programs, and patch vulnerabilities as needed.

I need precision and I need speed. We're now down to thirty-six hours, unless your countermeasure patch held. "

Wren nodded, the high stakes sending adrenaline coursing through her. "I won't let you down."

The café appeared ahead of them, nestled beneath towering trees with leaves that shimmered purple and silver in the double sunlight.

Outdoor tables dotted a stone patio, each one offering perfect views of the alien cityscape.

They found a table by a particularly magnificent tree whose branches created a natural canopy overhead.

"This place is like paradise," Wren breathed, taking in the ethereal beauty surrounding them. "I know I'm here to work, but this makes me feel like I'm on vacation."

Rylan's rare smile appeared, transforming his stern features into something that made her heart skip beats. The expression lit up his blue eyes and softened the harsh lines of his face.

"I'm glad you like it. Hopefully I can make it feel like home for you, so you're as comfortable as possible," he said, his voice tinged with protectiveness.

"Your comfort is my biggest priority. I'm grateful you chose to come help when it's probably way outside your comfort zone.

Plus, putting your own business on hold for our needs. "

The genuine appreciation in his tone made warmth bloom in her chest. She waved dismissively, though his consideration touched her more than she expected.

"I was overdue for some excitement and change of scenery anyways. It's no bother at all." She met his intense gaze. "I appreciate that you're taking my feelings into account though. It's very considerate of you."

A flush crept up his neck, and Wren bit back a smile at how her simple compliment affected this alpha male. They ordered their food—sandwiches and salads that looked similar to Earth cuisine but somehow more vibrant and appetizing.

When her meal arrived, the first bite exploded across her taste buds with flavors she'd never experienced.

The vegetables tasted cleaner and more intense, while the protein had a richness that made her close her eyes in appreciation.

Small sounds of pleasure escaped her throat as she savored each bite.

This is incredible. How is everything here so much better than Earth?

She opened her eyes to find Rylan staring at her with a piercing intensity that made her skin tingle. His muscles had gone taut, his jaw clenched, and his knuckles were white where they gripped his utensils. The way he watched her mouth move sent heat pooling low in her belly.

"Am I still making you uncomfortable?" she teased, though her voice came out breathier than intended.

"No. Definitely not." His voice was rough and strained. "I'm enjoying observing your reactions to my home's food and landscape. It's refreshing to see it through your eyes. Makes me feel proud of everything we've built here."

The deflection was obvious, but she let it slide. Something about the way he looked at her—like she was fascinating and dangerous all at once—made her pulse race.

"We should get back to Defense Nexus," he said abruptly, standing and tossing credits on the table. "Make sure your patch held, and no other cyber attacks happened while we were away."

As they walked back down the street, his hand hovered near the small of her back without quite touching. The possessive gesture sent electricity sparking along her spine. She found herself hoping he'd actually make contact, craving the jolt of awareness that came with his touch.

What is happening to me? I've never reacted to anyone like this.

Once inside Defense Nexus, they headed to their side-by-side workstations. Wren's fingers flew over the holographic interface as she checked her countermeasures. Relief flooded through her as the data confirmed her patch had held—no further attacks had occurred.

"I can't believe you actually did it," Rylan breathed, falling back in his chair. "I wish I'd had you come sooner. Would have saved me weeks of stress."

"I'm glad I could help. And all that matters is that I'm here now."

Something flickered across his expression—intense and vulnerable—before he shuttered it away. "Maybe you should keep familiarizing yourself with our systems. Work on checking for other anomalies or vulnerabilities for the rest of the day."

"On it, Commander."

The title made him stiffen, and she caught the hint of a blush creeping up his neck. Power surged through her at the realization that she could crack through his controlled exterior. This dangerous, authoritative man was affected by her, and the knowledge was intoxicating.

As the afternoon wore on, Wren lost herself in the work.

Her fingers danced across the holographic console, lines of code streaming past in rivers of light.

The technology was unlike anything on Earth, yet her genius IQ allowed her to understand it intuitively.

With each passing hour, the systems felt more familiar, like recovering a forgotten language.

From her peripheral vision, she watched Rylan work—muscles coiled with controlled power and eyes scanning multiple grids simultaneously.

The way he moved with predatory grace even while seated made her body hum with awareness.

She'd always worked independently, but something about being beside him felt right. Natural.

Like we're meant to be here together.

The thought should have annoyed her, but instead it filled her with unexpected contentment.