Chapter 73

The oxygen level in the lab kept climbing, and Zeta Prime was pacing nervously back and forth.

Nova Tech's tail was dripping oil all over Zeta Prime's oversized face, the streaks strangely looking like tear tracks.

Meanwhile, Megan sat there like she was on vacation,looking totally chill and unbothered by the rising oxygen concentration.

A robotic voice announced, "Lab oxygen concentration has reached 20%. Warning! Warning!"

Irritated, Zeta Prime tossed the jittery Nova Tech off his head and started spinning his meta finger on his dome.

Megan blinked. "...ls he trying to be a cartoon monk or something?"

Just then, a devilishly handsome face appeared outside the gas valve window.

Of course, it was Tristan.

With a soft beep, the valve door opened.

Wearing a sleek black suit, Tristan strode in quickly,those long legs making fast work of the distance.

His face looked grim,eyes filled with tension, heading straight for Megan.

"Warning lifted! Welcome back, Professor XAL!" the system chirped.

Leaning lazily on the leather chair, Megan looked up at him with a playful smile. "Professor XAL,huh?"

Silence fell in the room.

Zeta Prime and Nova Tech had vanished.

Now, the two robots were clinging to the gas valve,peeking in curiously.

One tall, one short, a hilariously mismatched pair.

They'd already picked up on the fact that Tristan's emotional levels were off the charts.

Then, as if proving their scans right, the man crouched down on one knee.

He gently took Megan's hand. "I'm sorry."

Zeta Prime: "..."

Nova Tech:"..."

Since when did Mr. Cold-As-lce say sorry?

Megan leaned forward,fingers under his sharp jawline."Sorry for what,exactly?"

His eyes were steady. "I shouldn't have kept it from you-that I'm XAL."

"Why not?"

He took a deep breath."|fyou knew I was the one behind those tech gifts, you'd be wary." Megan raised an eyebrow. "So you think I couldn't tell you were playing tricks? Come on, spill it."

Tristan's voice dropped to a guilty mumble. "I made the fingerprint cuffs."

Back then, afraid she'd take off again, he had made a special pair that only his fingerprint could unlock.

When Megan couldn't break free, she went on a hunger strike.

Later she even asked who made the cuffs-said if she found out, she'd make sure they disappeared from Earth.

Terrified she'd hate the creator, he lied, saying they were from some tech mogul.

No way could he admit it was him-not when that might push her away for good.

Megan leaned closer again, eyes twinkling. "What about the tiny tracker in my phone? That too?"

Tristan froze. Leave it to her to catch even that.

The micro-tracker came with both tracking and listening functions. able to work even if the phone was trashed or deep underwater.

Raising three fingers, Tristan said solemnly, "Megan,l swear, I only wanted to track your location. I didn't eavesdrop on your calls. Cross my heart-if I'm lying,may I be struck by -"

Before he could finish, her delicate finger pressed lightly against his lips."I don't wanna hear any promises," Megan twirled her fingertip along Tristan's lips, a wicked smile tugging at the corner of her mouth."So, tell me-how should I punish you?"

Tristan blinked those thick lashes of his, looking just like some shy husband being teased by his fearless wife.

He lowered his eyes. "Up to you. Whatever makes you feel better-as long as you're not walking away."

Hearing that, Megan's smile deepened. Clearly, Tristan was seriously freaked out by the idea of her leaving.

She tilted his chin up. "Do we still have that fingerprint handcuff?"

Tristan's eyes flicked up in surprise. "Yeah."

"Then register my print. This time, I'm tying you up."

Tristan: "..."

Without another word, Megan grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the lab, up from the basement.

Zeta Prime and Nova Tech collapsed where they stood. "Holy crap! Glad we didn't get disassembled!"

Nova kicked her legs around like crazy. "Nova wants Goddess!"

Zeta knocked her metal head. "You dumb pup!Goddess's about to give Boss some serious payback.You sneak< a peek, you're toast!"

Nova gave up struggling, her head spinning in all directions. "What kind of payback?" Zeta chuckled darkly. "Handcuff games. What do you think?"

Back in the room, Megan dug out the handcuffs from earlier.

Tristan updated the fingerprint lock; she added her thumbprint.

Next second, off came his suit jacket-then his shirt.

His well-toned chest was instantly exposed,pumping masculine energy all over the room.

Tristan stood by the bed, dazed, just letting her do her thing.

Before he knew it, she shoved him back onto the soft bed.

She pulled his hands up and cuffed them to each side of the bedpost.

Straddling his abs, she trailed one finger down to his throat."So? You think this punishment works?"

Tristan's heart was going wild. Usually, he was the one teasing her; now, the tables had turned, and it was messing with him-bad.

He'd been holding off for this, waiting for her birthday,or maybe the wedding day.

But if this was how she wanted it... well... fine.

Her cool fingers glided down his chest and over his abs, sending heat rushing under his skin.

His Adam's apple bobbed. "Megan, I... this is torture... come on, be good,get off..."

But Megan ignored him, hands behind her back. With a loud "click," she unlocked his belt.

Tristan's brow furrowed."Megan,you-"

She suddenly pulled a face, then jumped off the bed and bolted.

She ran.

Flirted and fled-just like that?

Tristan stared after her, cuffed wrists tugging against the restraint. Yep. Locked-up wasn't exactly comfy.

If he hadn't felt the need to trap her before, he wouldn't have even thought of using these on her.

But he didn't regret it. At least, she was emotionally his now.

The change in her was wild-like a completely different person. Still, he loved this new version like crazy.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, he tried to calm the burning tension in his stomach.

After a while, Megan peeked out from the bathroom.

She thought he was asleep-the way he was lying there,eyes softly closed.

Biting her lip, she tiptoed over to the bed and stretched her body closer.

Suddenly-those sharp,narrow phoenix eyes snapped open!