Page 45 of Furry Equations
“Keep talking like that and we won’t make it to the movie.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Movie?”
Marcus pulled up the selection screen on the massive TV that dominated one wall. “You mentioned wanting to see this one.”
“Split?” Natalie sat up straighter, eyes lighting up. “You remembered!”
“I remember everything about you.” He settled beside her on the couch, close enough that their thighs pressed together. “Like how you talk during movies and try to poke holes in the science.”
“I do not—“ She stopped at his knowing look. “Okay, fine. But someone has to point out when they get the details wrong.”
“Of course, they do, sweetheart.” He handed her a wine glass, using his free hand to pull her legs across his lap. “Now shush and watch.”
As predicted, Natalie couldn’t stay quiet for long. Her running commentary was far more entertaining than the movie itself.
“That’s not how Dissociative Identity Disorder works at all,” she complained, gesturing at the screen with her wine glass. “The manifestation of alternate personalities is much more complex than?—“
“Natalie.”
“Yes?”
“If you don’t stop talking about medical accuracy, I’m going to have to silence you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And how exactly do you plan to do that?”
TWENTY-SEVEN
Marcus turned to her with a predatory smile. “Would you like a demonstration?”
“I would love to see you try to?—“
He cut her off with a kiss that started playful but quickly turned heated. Natalie made a small sound of pleasure in the back of her throat, and Marcus’s control frayed. He deepened the kiss, tasting wine and desire on her tongue.
When they finally broke apart, Natalie looked satisfyingly dazed. “Okay,” she admitted breathlessly. “That’s a pretty effective silencing technique.”
“I have others.” His hands skimmed up her thighs, making her shiver.
“Don’t you dare.” She batted his hands away. “I actually want to watch this movie.”
“Fine.” He pulled her closer, tucking her against his side. “But every time you critique the science, I get to kiss you.”
“That’s not fair. The science is terrible—they’re completely misrepresenting the neurological components of?—“
Marcus claimed her mouth again, swallowing her words. This kiss was slower, deeper, filled with all the emotion buildingbetween them. When they parted, Natalie’s eyes remained closed for several heartbeats.
“You’re going to make me forget the movie entirely,” she accused softly.
“That’s the plan.”
Despite his best efforts at distraction, they did manage to watch most of the film. Natalie’s commentary became increasingly amusing as the wine loosened her tongue.
“But why would his personalities have different physical capabilities?” she demanded during one scene. “That’s not how biology works. You can’t just... just manifest superhuman strength because one personality believes in it. Though...” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “I suppose if we factor in the placebo effect and its influence on adrenaline production...”
“You’re cute when you’re being a science nerd,” Marcus interrupted, nuzzling her neck.
“I’m always a science nerd.”
“Exactly.”