Page 18 of Furry Equations
Marcus’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. “And what do you think?”
“I think...” Natalie met his gaze boldly, “that you’re trying to distract me from asking how much renting out an entire restaurant costs.”
He laughed, the sound rich and warm. “Nice deflection, Dr. Grant.”
Before Natalie could formulate a response that wouldn’t embarrass her completely, her phone chimed with a text from Chelsea:
WHERE ARE YOU??? If you’re not here in 10 minutes, the Spring Break 2014 photos go public. Yes, including the one with the flamingo pool float.
“Saved by the bell,” Marcus chuckled. He stood, offering her his hand. “Come on. Your security detail is waiting.”
“I can drive myself,” Natalie protested, even as she took his hand.
“Not a chance.” His fingers threaded through hers, warm and strong. “I’m not letting you out of my sight until this threat is neutralized.”
“That could take weeks,” she pointed out.
His smile turned predatory. “I’m counting on it.”
The drive to Bella Luna passed in a blur of nervous energy. Natalie tried to focus on what she’d tell Chelsea and Lillian about her current situation, but her mind kept drifting to the man beside her in the SUV. Marcus sat close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed, sending little jolts through her system each time.
“You’re thinking very loudly,” Marcus observed, his eyes never leaving the road.
“I’m trying to figure out how to explain...” she gestured between them, “all this, to my friends.”
“All what?” he asked innocently.
She shot him a look. “You know what I mean. The private restaurant, the security detail, the whole...” she waved her hand vaguely, “brooding alpha billionaire thing you’ve got going on.”
“Brooding alpha billionaire?” His lips twitched. “Is that how you see me?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know exactly what kind of effect you have on people.”
“People?” His voice dropped lower. “Or you?”
Natalie’s cheeks burned. “You’re impossible.”
“You’re blushing again.”
“Enhanced senses are the worst,” she muttered.
The restaurant’s warm lighting and exposed brick walls usually created an intimate atmosphere, but tonight the emptydining room felt oddly artificial. Chelsea and Lillian were already seated at a corner table, their eyes widening as Natalie approached with Marcus close behind.
“Holy. Shit.” Chelsea mouthed silently, while Lillian attempted to hide her smirk behind a menu.
“Ladies,” Marcus nodded politely. “Enjoy your evening. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.” With that cryptic statement, he moved to a table across the room where his friend Jax waited.
“Okay, spill everything immediately,” Chelsea demanded as soon as Natalie sat. “Since when do you have an obscenely hot billionaire shutting down restaurants for you?”
“It’s not like that,” Natalie protested weakly. “He’s just being cautious because of some security concerns.”
“Uh-huh.” Lillian raised an eyebrow. “And those ‘security concerns’ require him to stare at you like he wants to throw you on that table and?—“
“Lillian!” Natalie hissed, mortified.
“What? I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.” Lillian shrugged. “And don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it. I saw how you looked at him in that suit.”
“Can we please talk about literally anything else?” Natalie pleaded, though she couldn’t quite suppress her smile.