Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

M arcus watched Natalie pace the length of his penthouse living room, her frustration radiating off her in waves. Her disheveled look enhanced her appeal. His wolf prowled beneath his skin, unsettled not just by the danger they’d faced, but by the magnetic pull she had on him.

“I can’t believe you’re trying to bench me from my own investigation,” Natalie spun to face him, her hazel eyes flashing. The movement sent a wave of her scent toward him—jasmine and vanilla mixed with the lingering traces of their earlier passion. His wolf growled in appreciation. “This is my research, my life’s work. You can’t expect me to sit on the sidelines while someone else handles it.”

“Your life matters more than your research.” Marcus deliberately lowered his voice, knowing how it affected her. Sure enough, her pulse quickened. “These people aren’t playing games, sweetheart. They’ve already tried to hurt you multiple times.”

“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 about adjusting 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.”

“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?”