Chapter 12

TWELVE

T he moment the council doors closed, Lucas had Emma pressed against the nearest wall, his body caging hers as he fought for control. Her scent was driving him crazy – all that brilliant enthusiasm mixed with attraction and a hint of mischief.

“So,” she said breathlessly, “about those tissue samples?—”

“Emma.” He pressed his forehead to hers, inhaling deeply. “You just stood in front of our highest council, babbled about genetic markers, sassed my uncle, and tried to negotiate DNA collection rights. All while smelling like...” He growled softly. “Like you want to conduct very thorough experiments on shifter mating habits.”

“Well.” Her fingers traced his jawline, her touch setting his beast on fire. “I am a scientist. Thorough research is very important. Though my current hypothesis suggests you have some non-scientific activities in mind...”

His laugh rumbled between them. “What gave it away? The elevated pheromone levels?”

“Actually, it’s the way you keep looking at me like you want to drag me off to your lair and...” She bit her lip. “Do very unscientific things.”

“Lair?” He raised an eyebrow, trying to distract himself from how badly he wanted to taste her mouth.

“What else would you call that ridiculous penthouse office of yours? Though I have questions about?—”

Lucas cut off her scientific babble with a growl that was pure predator. “My dazzling, impossible mate. What am I going to do with you?”

“Well, I have several suggestions. All involving extensive physical testing. For research purposes, of course.” Her eyes sparkled with that deadly mix of intelligence and desire. “Though first, maybe we should discuss why that intruder was so interested in my lab.”

A throat cleared behind them. Zayne stood there, looking far too amused.

“Sorry to interrupt what I’m sure is a fascinating discussion about security protocols,” he said, not sounding sorry at all, “but we’ve got a situation with the intruder. And Dr. Greene’s new lab equipment just arrived. Something was mentioned about names?”

Emma perked up. “Oh! I’m calling the mass spectrometer Marie, after Curie. And the electron microscope is going to be Darwin. Though I’m open to suggestions for the centrifuge...”

Lucas pressed his face into her hair, inhaling deeply. Of course, his mate was naming lab equipment after famous scientists. Of course, she was more excited about research possibilities than the fact that she’d just been accepted by a council of shifters.

“The centrifuge should definitely be Newton,” she continued enthusiastically.

“Emma,” Lucas rumbled against her ear. “Perhaps we should discuss the security breach first? Before you name every piece of equipment in the building?”

“Right! The intruder. The canine indicating possible rival shifter packs...” She caught his heated look. “And I’m doing the science thing instead of focusing on the potential danger. Again.”

“Never change,” he murmured, then louder to Zayn: “Have someone escort Dr. Greene to her lab while I deal with our guest. And set up additional security protocols. No one gets near her without clearance.”

Lucas kissed her.

His world narrowed to nothing but Emma.

The first touch of his lips to hers ignited something primal and possessive. She made a soft sound of surprise that quickly turned into a sigh of surrender, and his beast roared in triumph. Her scent bloomed with desire, wrapping around him like a drug – jasmine, lightning, and pure need.

He meant to be gentle. Meant to maintain some semblance of control. But then Emma’s fingers slid into his hair, her nails scraping lightly against his scalp, and his last thread of restraint snapped.

Lucas growled into her mouth, pressing her more firmly against the wall as he deepened the kiss. She tasted like sunshine and brilliance and home. His mate. His perfect, impossible mate who saw his true nature and wanted to study it instead of run.

Emma kissed him back with the same enthusiasm she showed for research, all curiosity and passion and fearless exploration. When his fangs dropped slightly, she didn’t pull away – she traced them with her tongue, making him growl again.

“Fascinating,” she whispered against his lips. “My necklace is heating. Perhaps?—”

He silenced her scientific analysis with another kiss, this one harder, deeper, letting his beast show in the possessive sweep of his tongue and the sharp edge of his fangs. Emma melted into him, her heart racing against his chest, her scent turning molten with desire.

His hands slid down her sides to her hips, pulling her tighter against him. She gasped into his mouth, and the sound made his claws emerge, pricking lightly through her silk blouse. The tiny pain should have frightened her. Instead, her scent spiked with arousal.

“Emma,” he growled against her throat, fighting the urge to mark her right there. “You need to stop smelling like that.”

“Like what?” But the breathy quality of her voice suggested she knew exactly what she was doing to him.

“Like you want me to show you exactly how a shifter claims his mate.”

She shivered, her fingers tightening in his hair. “Maybe I do.”