Page 57 of Furry Equations
“I...” She swallowed hard. “That’s a very unscientific conclusion. Where’s your empirical evidence? Your peer-reviewed studies?”
“Want me to show you my data?” His lips curved against her temple. “I have extensive research on the subject.”
A watery laugh escaped her. “You’re impossible.”
“You love that too.” He kissed her forehead.
“Now, back to the elephant in the room. When can start testing this masterpiece?”
“I have one more test running. It will be done in a bit.” Her fingers played with his shirt buttons. “Assuming the molecular bonds stabilize properly and the protein chains align correctly...”
“And what should we do while we wait?”
Her smile turned wicked. “I do have several theories that need testing...”
“Do any of them involve actual science?”
“Only the biology of alpha werewolf stamina.” She stretched up to kiss him. “Though technically speaking, from a purely academic standpoint-“
Marcus decided there were better uses for her mouth than scientific lectures. He kissed her thoroughly, enjoying how she melted against him, her brilliant mind temporarily derailed from molecules and formulas.
When they finally came up for air, her eyes were slightly unfocused. “That’s... highly irregular lab protocol.”
“File a complaint.”
“I might.” But she pressed closer, fingers tracing the muscles of his chest. “After I complete my current research.”
A chime from her computer interrupted whatever reply he planned to make. Natalie reluctantly extracted herself from his arms, returning to her workstation with professional focus that would have been more convincing if her lips weren’t swollen from his kisses.
“The initial protein synthesis is stable,” she reported, scanning data streams. “Now we just need to...” She trailed off.
He kissed her cheek. “Ready to make scientific history?”
She glanced down at his borrowed button-down, which she’d been wearing since their earlier... distraction had rendered her blouse unwearable. “This is very unprofessional lab attire.”
“I like it.” His wolf rumbled in approval at seeing her in his clothes. “Though from a safety perspective...”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” She poked his chest. “Now sit down and let me wire you up for monitoring. And stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re calculating how quickly you can get me out of this shirt too. This is serious science time.”
Marcus grinned. “I can multitask, too, you know?”
THIRTY-FIVE
Ten minutes later, Marcus sat shirtless in the secure testing chamber while Natalie attached monitoring equipment to his chest. Her touch remained clinical and professional, but he didn’t miss how her fingers lingered on his skin or how her heart rate spiked every time he “accidentally” flexed.
“Stop that,” she muttered, placing another sensor. “I’m trying to be scientific here.”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“You’re doing the muscle thing on purpose.” She glared up at him. “I can literally see your smirk.”
“Maybe I’m just nervous.”
“You’re never nervous.” But she softened, running a hand down his arm. “Though if you are, we can wait. Run more simulations, do additional testing-“