Chapter 34

THIRTY-FOUR

A loud beeping from her computer made Marcus jump from his position on the lab’s couch. He’d been mesmerized by watching his mate move around the lab and expend more brain power than any shifter could imagine.

She pulled up complex data streams on her monitors. “Oh! Oh, this is fascinating. The preliminary models show- Marcus, come look at this!”

He moved behind her chair, one hand settling on her shoulder as he tried to make sense of the scientific jargon scrolling past. “In English, sweetheart.”

“Based on these simulations, we can create a compound that would essentially lock down shifter abilities at the molecular level - temporarily, of course. The neural pathways that control shifting would be blocked, rendering any attempt at enhancement useless.”

Awe flooded him. His brilliant mate had turned Tomlinson’s potential weapon to their advantage before he could even steal it. “How long to synthesize a prototype?”

“A few hours for the initial batch.”

“I’m ready,” he said.

She slumped. “Marcus?—“

He pulled her up into his arms. “We’ve been over this, my love. You won’t hurt me.”

“You don’t know that.”

He silenced her with a gentle kiss. “I believe in you. More now than ever after watching you work.”

“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” He brushed away a tear that escaped. “You love me.”

She stiffened in his arms, eyes going wide. They hadn’t said those words yet, despite both feeling them.

“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?”