Page 46 of Furry Equations
She turned to face him, eyes sparkling with mischief. “You know what I think?”
“Hmm?”
“I think you have a thing for intelligent women.”
Marcus grinned. “What gave it away? Was it how I can’t keep my hands off my brilliant scientist girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” Natalie’s breath caught. “Is that what I am?”
“You’re everything.” The words came out more intense than he intended, but he couldn’t regret them when he saw how her eyes softened.
“Everything, huh?” She shifted to straddle his lap, hands sliding into his hair. “That’s a lot of pressure to put on a girl.”
“You can handle it.” His hands settled on her hips, steadying her. “You can handle anything.”
“Smooth talker.” She leaned down to brush her lips against his. “But what about you? Ready to handle a genius with control issues and a tendency to attract trouble?”
“Born ready, sweetheart.”
Their next kiss sparked like wildfire, burning away everything but the need to be closer. Marcus lost himself in her taste, the soft sounds she made, and the way she moved against him. His wolf howled in satisfaction as she pressed herself closer, deepening the kiss until they were both breathless.
A loud explosion from the forgotten movie made them jump apart, laughing.
“Maybe we should actually watch the end,” Natalie suggested, though she made no move to leave his lap.
“Or...” Marcus’s hands slid under her blouse, tracing patterns on her bare skin. “We could move this somewhere more comfortable.”
“But don’t you want to know how it ends?”
“I already know how this ends.” He stood suddenly, lifting her with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist with a squeal of surprise. “With you in my bed.”
“So presumptuous.” But she was already working on his shirt buttons. “What if I had other plans?”
“Cancel them.”
“Bossy alpha.” She nipped at his jaw. “What if I say no?”
Marcus carried her toward the bedroom, enjoying how she clung to him. “Then we’ll stay right here and finish the movie like responsible adults.”
“Ugh, fine.” Natalie laughed against his neck. “Take me to bed, you ridiculous wolf.”
“As my lady commands.”
Later, much later, they lay tangled in his sheets, Natalie’s head pillowed on his chest. The city lights painted patternsacross their skin through the bedroom windows, and Marcus couldn’t remember ever feeling so content.
“We never did finish the movie,” Natalie mused, tracing lazy patterns on his abs.
“Worth it?”
She pressed a kiss to his chest, right over his heart. “Definitely worth it.”
Marcus stroked her hair, marveling at how right this felt. How perfectly she fit in his arms, in his life, in his heart. His wolf purred with satisfaction, knowing their mate was safe and happy.
“Marcus?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for protecting me.” She propped her chin on his chest to look at him. “I know I fight you on it, but... it means a lot, knowing someone cares that much.”