Page 16 of Furry Equations
His phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number lit up the screen:
For non-security emergencies only? So I shouldn’t mention that the scary CEO’s fortune cookie trick made me smile?
A second message followed:
Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone you’re secretly smooth.
Something warm unfurled in his chest. Behind him, Jax made a gagging sound.
“Oh god, you’re already getting the dopey mate smile. I’m out. Call me when there’s actual security stuff to handle.”
Marcus ignored him, typing back:
Fortune cookie tricks are classified information. Very high security clearance required.
Her response came quickly:
Higher than bulletproof lab coats?
Much higher. Top secret.
Good thing I’m good at cracking codes then.
He smiled at his phone like an idiot until Jax threw a pen at his head.
Right. Focus.
Maybe he could do it all while making her smile.
The wolf in him certainly thought that.
TEN
Natalie squinted at the data scrolling across her monitor screen, trying to make sense of the mutated formula’s molecular structure. The numbers and chemical compounds blurred together as her attention drifted—again—to the tall, imposing figure leaning against the doorframe of her lab.
Marcus Vale stood with his arms crossed, radiating an air of quiet authority that made her skin tingle. His presence filled the room like a gravitational force, pulling at her awareness no matter how hard she tried to focus on her work.
Focus, Natalie.She forced her gaze back to the screen, irritated at her own distraction. She’d spent years building a reputation as one of the most focused researchers in her field. Now here she sat, stealing glances at her new boss like some lovestruck intern.
Though to be fair, most interns didn’t have bosses who looked like they’d just stepped out of a romance novel—all brooding intensity and perfectly tailored suits that did nothing to hide his impressive physique.
“Your heart rate increases every time you look at me,” Marcus said, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. Her brow raised.
“Enhanced senses,” he replied, pushing off from the doorframe with a fluid grace that shouldn’t be possible for someone his size. “It’s not something I can turn off.” His lips curved into a slight smirk. “Though I admit, I find your reactions... interesting.”
“Interesting?” Natalie raised the other brow, trying to ignore how her pulse quickened as he approached. “Is that your scientific assessment, Mr. Vale?”
“Doctor Vale, actually,” he corrected, settling into the chair beside her. “Though I prefer Marcus, especially from women whose heartbeats I can hear.”
“That’s creepy,” she informed him, though she couldn’t help smiling. “And potentially an HR violation.”
“I don’t think HR has a policy on shifter senses yet.”
“Right. Because you’re a...” She hesitated. Though, now that she thought about it, being a shifter explained so much—his commanding presence, the predatory grace in his movements, the way he seemed to occupy more space than should be physically possible.
“Shifter,” he finished. “A wolf shifter, to be precise.”
“That... actually makes perfect sense,” Natalie said slowly. “I mean, the whole sexy brooding alpha male thing was a bit much for a regular CEO.”