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“It looks like Dallin has gone home.” Wren strode to the large room where the new intake of animals were being kept. She peered through the glass and gasped. “I don’t believe it.”

“What? Is he in there?” Striker said.

“He’s not only in there, but he’s nuzzling with the norkie. The one who bit him.”

“Whoa! They’ve made up,” Striker said.

“He’s getting the cage door open!” Wren laughed as Dinky made short work of the latch on the cage, sliding it open to let the female out.

Striker nuzzled her neck, and she shivered. “They’re a perfect pair.”

“The new norkie could have been testing him the first time they met. She wanted to see what Dinky was made of and whether he’d stick around when the going got tough.”

Striker wrapped his arms around Wren’s waist and pulled her back against him. “She’s making sure he’s got staying power. She’s smart.”

Wren bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. She didn’t want Striker to go, but was he leaving because things were getting complicated between them? Was that how he operated? He was here for the fun, but anything else was too much trouble. If that was true, she’d never get him to stick around. She’d always be wondering if he’d bail when things got difficult.

Striker lifted his head. His low chuckle sent a tremble through her.

“Will you look at that?” he said. “Dinky was on a promise.”

Wren opened her eyes and gasped. Dinky had mounted the other norkie. “That’s amazing. I was hoping to get a breeding pair. I never thought it would happen so quickly.”

“Sometimes, nature just knows. And they have the right idea. How about we give that a go?”

“You want to do it here in the lab?”

“It works for me.” His hand spread across her stomach, and she felt his hardness press against her.

“We shouldn’t. Anyone could come in.”

“ELVIS, we need privacy mode in the lab. Lock the door and make sure no one enters,” Striker said.

“Privacy mode engaged,” ELVIS said.

Wren turned, desire sliding through her at the heat in Striker’s eyes. “How do you always get ELVIS to do exactly what you want?”

“I told you, he’s easy to bribe.” He kissed down her throat. “ELVIS is always hungry for knowledge. I happen to have access to a rather sweet archive he’s desperate to learn all about.”

“Artificial intelligence shouldn’t be open to corruption.” She tried to look stern, but all she could focus on was Striker’s mouth as it edged toward hers.

He drew her away from the door and over to a desk. His hand went to the zipper on her jumpsuit, and he eased it down.

She glanced at the door.

“Relax. It’s just you and me and some horny animals in the next room.” He traced a finger from her chest to her naval.

“You know how to set the mood.”

“I’m always in the mood for you.” He captured her mouth, and she lost herself in his taste, wrapping her arms around him and drawing him close. He got her turned on so quickly. Maybe the six months they’d worked together had been one long foreplay session with all his flirting and teasing. It felt like it. She was about ready to burst if she didn’t have him inside her.

Wren wanted to give herself to Striker. But... what happened next? Was this a one off? Could she handle that?

Striker lifted his head and touched a finger against her forehead. “You’re always in there. Why don’t you let go? Focus on one thing.”

She swallowed. “What shall I focus on?”

His smile grew wicked as he slid his hand inside her pants and stroked her wet folds. “Letting me make you come.”