Chapter 11

ELEVEN

N atalie wanted to protest further, but something in his expression stopped her. The fierce protectiveness in his eyes made her chest tight with an emotion she wasn’t ready to examine too closely.

“Fine,” she sighed. “But you’re going to make Chelsea insufferable. She already thinks there’s something going on between us.”

Marcus’s lips curved into a dangerous smile. “And what do you think?”

“I think...” Natalie met his gaze boldly, “that you’re trying to distract me from asking how much renting out an entire restaurant costs.”

He laughed, the sound rich and warm. “Nice deflection, Dr. Grant.”

Before Natalie could formulate a response that wouldn’t embarrass her completely, her phone chimed with a text from Chelsea:

WHERE ARE YOU??? If you’re not here in 10 minutes, the Spring Break 2014 photos go public. Yes, including the one with the flamingo pool float.

“Saved by the bell,” Marcus chuckled. He stood, offering her his hand. “Come on. Your security detail is waiting.”

“I can drive myself,” Natalie protested, even as she took his hand.

“Not a chance.” His fingers threaded through hers, warm and strong. “I’m not letting you out of my sight until this threat is neutralized.”

“That could take weeks,” she pointed out.

His smile turned predatory. “I’m counting on it.”

The drive to Bella Luna passed in a blur of nervous energy. Natalie tried to focus on what she’d tell Chelsea and Lillian about her current situation, but her mind kept drifting to the man beside her in the SUV. Marcus sat close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed, sending little jolts through her system each time.

“You’re thinking very loudly,” Marcus observed, his eyes never leaving the road.

“I’m trying to figure out how to explain...” she gestured between them, “all this, to my friends.”

“All what?” he asked innocently.

She shot him a look. “You know what I mean. The private restaurant, the security detail, the whole...” she waved her hand vaguely, “brooding alpha billionaire thing you’ve got going on.”

“Brooding alpha billionaire?” His lips twitched. “Is that how you see me?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know exactly what kind of effect you have on people.”

“People?” His voice dropped lower. “Or you?”

Natalie’s cheeks burned. “You’re impossible.”

“You’re blushing again.”

“Enhanced senses are the worst,” she muttered.

The restaurant’s warm lighting and exposed brick walls usually created an intimate atmosphere, but tonight the empty dining room felt oddly artificial. Chelsea and Lillian were already seated at a corner table, their eyes widening as Natalie approached with Marcus close behind.

“Holy. Shit.” Chelsea mouthed silently, while Lillian attempted to hide her smirk behind a menu.

“Ladies,” Marcus nodded politely. “Enjoy your evening. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.” With that cryptic statement, he moved to a table across the room where his friend Jax waited.

“Okay, spill everything immediately,” Chelsea demanded as soon as Natalie sat. “Since when do you have an obscenely hot billionaire shutting down restaurants for you?”

“It’s not like that,” Natalie protested weakly. “He’s just being cautious because of some security concerns.”

“Uh-huh.” Lillian raised an eyebrow. “And those ‘security concerns’ require him to stare at you like he wants to throw you on that table and?—“

“Lillian!” Natalie hissed, mortified.

“What? I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.” Lillian shrugged. “And don’t pretend you haven’t thought about it. I saw how you looked at him in that suit.”

“Can we please talk about literally anything else?” Natalie pleaded, though she couldn’t quite suppress her smile.

“Absolutely not,” Chelsea declared. “Not when my brilliant best friend finally has chemistry with someone—and I don’t mean the kind in your lab.”

“That was terrible.” Natalie groaned.

“But accurate,” Lillian added. “When was the last time you even went on a date?”

“I’ve been busy,” Natalie defended. “Groundbreaking research doesn’t leave much time for romance.”

“All work and no play makes Natalie a very frustrated scientist,” Chelsea singsonged. “And frustrated is definitely not what you’re looking for in someone handling potentially dangerous formulas.”

“Though I bet Marcus could help with that frustration,” Lillian stage-whispered.

“Oh my God.” Natalie buried her face in her hands. “I hate you both.”

“No, you don’t,” Chelsea said cheerfully. “You love us. And we love you enough to tell you when you need to climb that man like a tree.”

“Chelsea!”

“What? I’m just saying what those enhanced senses of his probably already picked up on.”

Natalie’s head snapped up. “How did you?—“

“Please.” Lillian rolled her eyes. “The way he moves? Those reflexes? That whole predatory vibe? He’s obviously a shifter.” She grinned. “A very hot, very interested shifter who hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”

“Speaking of which,” Chelsea added, “what exactly are you working on that requires this level of security? Besides chemistry of the personal variety.”

Natalie took a long sip of water, choosing her words carefully. “It’s complicated. There was an accident in the lab, and now certain people seem very interested in my research.”

“Dangerous people?” Chelsea’s teasing tone shifted to concern.

“Potentially,” Natalie admitted. “But I’m safe. Marcus has been...” She trailed off, remembering how he’d rushed to protect her during the break-in.

“Been what?” Lillian prompted softly.

“Amazing,” Natalie finished quietly. “He’s been amazing.”

Chelsea and Lillian exchanged knowing looks.

“And incredibly hot,” Chelsea added helpfully.

“And clearly into you,” Lillian chimed in.

“And rich enough to rent out entire restaurants.”

“And totally your type—tall, dark, and protective.”

“With hands that look like they could?—“

“Stop,” Natalie laughed, throwing her napkin at them. “You’re both impossible.”

“We’re both right,” Chelsea countered. “And you know it. The question is what are you going to do about it?”

Natalie glanced at Marcus’s table, catching his eye for a brief, charged moment before quickly looking away. “Nothing. I can’t... It’s complicated.”

“Life is complicated,” Lillian said gently. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be happy.” She paused, grinning wickedly. “And thoroughly ravished by a sexy wolf shifter.”

“I’m disowning you both,” Natalie declared, but she was laughing.

The rest of dinner passed in a blur of good food, wine, and relentless teasing from her friends. By the time they finished their tiramisu, Natalie felt lighter than she had in days, despite the underlying tension of her situation.

Marcus appeared at their table as they were gathering their things. “Ready to go?”

“Actually,” Chelsea interjected with a sly smile, “we were just discussing how Natalie might need some... private security tonight. You know, just to be safe.”