Page 38 of Furry Equations
“It’s too dangerous.”
“News flash, Alpha—I’m already in danger.” She stepped closer, tilting her head back to meet his glare. The height difference should have intimidated her, but something about this impossible man made her feel both safe and reckless. “I can help. I know my research better than anyone, and I’m pretty good at pattern recognition. Plus, they might not expect you to bring me along.”
His hands flexed at his sides, and she watched the internal battle play across his features. Finally, he cupped her face, his touch surprisingly gentle given his fierce expression.
“If anything happened to you...”
She covered his hands with hers. “Then we’ll be careful. Let me help, Marcus. Please.”
The kiss he pressed to her forehead felt like surrender. “Fine. But we do this my way.”
“And what way is that?”
His smile turned predatory. “How do you feel about going undercover to draw out the enemy?”
“As what?” Though from the heat in his gaze, she already knew the answer.
“My girlfriend.” His thumb traced her cheekbone. “Though maybe not entirely pretend.”
Her heart skipped. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he drew her closer, his voice dropping to that intimate register that made her knees weak, “that maybe we stop fighting whatever this is between us. At least for tonight.”
“And what exactly is this between us?” She needed to hear him say it.
Instead of answering, he kissed her again. This time there was nothing gentle about it. His mouth claimed hers with passionate intensity like he could pour every unspoken word into the kiss. She melted against him, her hands fisting in his shirt as he backed her against the counter.
When they came up for air, she could barely remember her own name, let alone her question.
“That,” he said roughly, “is what’s between us. And I’m done pretending it isn’t.”
Thirty minutes later, Natalie stood in her bedroom, her skin still tingling from Marcus’s kisses. The black cocktail dress she’d chosen hugged every curve, the fabric soft against her heatedskin. She touched her lips, remembering the press of his mouth, the way his hands had?—
TWENTY-FOUR
Natalie’s phone buzzed. Only her best friend would be texting at 11:00 p.m.
Chelsea:So... playing pretend girlfriend with your sexy wolf boss?
Natalie:It’s not pretend. I mean, the mission is, but the rest...
Chelsea:WHAT?!! SPILL. NOW.
Natalie:He kissed me. Actually, he more than kissed me.
Chelsea:FINALLY! Details! Was it hot? It was hot, wasn’t it? I bet he’s an amazing kisser.
Natalie blushed, typing:Remember that romance novel scene you made me read? The one that made me fan myself?
Chelsea:OMG. THAT HOT?
Natalie:Hotter.
“Gossiping about me?” Marcus’s voice from the doorway made her jump and nearly drop her phone.
She spun around, her witty retort dying on her lips. He’d changed into charcoal gray slacks and a black button-down that made her mouth water.
“Maybe.” She set her phone down, enjoying the way his eyes darkened as they traveled over her dress. “Chelsea’s very invested in our relationship status.”