Page 44 of Furry Equations
“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me when I’m angry with you.” Natalie pointed an accusing finger at his chest. “And stop doing that thing with your voice. It’s not fair.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “What thing?”
“That... that growly alpha thing that makes me want to climb you like a tree.” Her eyes widened as she realized what she’d said. A becoming blush spread across her cheeks. “I mean?—“
“Please, continue.” Marcus stalked toward her, enjoying how her breath caught. “I’m particularly interested in this tree-climbing analogy.”
“Oh, shut up.” But her lips twitched with suppressed amusement. “You know exactly what you do to me, you smug wolf.”
He reached her in three long strides, backing her against the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city lights sparkled behind her like stars. “I do,” he murmured, bracing one hand beside her head. “Just like you know what you do to me.”
Natalie’s fingers traced the buttons of his shirt, a teasing light in her eyes despite her stern expression. “Don’t think you can distract me with your... your everything.” She gestured vaguely at his body. “I’m still mad about you trying to sideline me.”
“Noted.” Marcus dipped his head to brush his lips against her neck, right where her pulse fluttered beneath the skin. “Please, tell me more about how angry you are while I do this.”
“You’re impossible,” she gasped, even as her head tilted to give him better access. “And infuriating. And — oh God, do that again.”
He smiled against her skin. “Do what again? This?” He nipped gently at her pulse point, soothing the spot with his tongue.
“I hate you,” Natalie moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair.
He chuckled, his hands settling on her hips and pulling her closer. “You love how I drive you crazy.”
The sharp buzz of the intercom cut her off. Marcus growled, low and frustrated.
“Boss?” Jax’s voice crackled through the speaker. “We’ve got a pack issue that needs your expertise.”
“I’m going to kill him,” Marcus muttered.
Natalie laughed, patting his chest. “No, you’re not. He’s your best friend.”
“I can find a new best friend. One with better timing.”
“Go handle it.” She pressed a quick kiss to his jaw. “Duty calls.”
Marcus reluctantly pulled away, already missing her warmth. After a brief conversation with some pups about when and when not to shift, he returned to find Natalie had curled up on his leather couch. The sight of her making herself at home in his space did dangerous things to his heart.
“You look exhausted,” he observed.
“Gee, thanks.” She threw a decorative pillow at his head, which he easily caught. “Every girl loves hearing that from the guy she’s sleeping with.”
“The guy you’re sleeping with thinks you’re gorgeous.” He tossed the pillow back, grinning when she squeaked and ducked. “But you need to relax.”
“Relaxation is for people who don’t have homicidal research assistants trying to steal their work.” She ran a hand through her hair, messing it up further. “Besides, when’s the last time you relaxed, Mr. Alpha?”
“Just recently, if I recall correctly.” His voice dropped suggestively. “Several times, in fact.”
Color bloomed in her cheeks. “That’s not — I meant — you’re terrible.”
“And yet you keep coming back for more.”
“Because you’re pretty and I’m shallow.”
Marcus barked out a laugh. “Stay here.”
Before she could protest, he disappeared into the kitchen. He returned minutes later with two glasses of wine, then went aboutadjusting the lighting and starting a fire in the grand fireplace. Natalie watched him with undisguised appreciation.
“I love watching you move,” she mused. “It’s like... controlled power. Very sexy.”