Chapter 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

L ater, Lucas found Emma in the backup annex lab. The room was dark except for the soft glow of monitors and the pale blue radiance of her crystal. She sat cross-legged on a stool, her tablet balanced on one knee, muttering excitedly to Bernard Sr. the older genetic sequencer in the lab.

“The residual power distributions are unseen,” she said as Lucas approached. “We should really analyze these quantum field fluctuations under more controlled conditions and?—”

Her words were cut off as Lucas captured her lips in a kiss, heated and fierce. The cat—or perhaps the man—was too close to the surface to maintain complete control. His hands framed her face as though she might disappear, the kiss consuming and possessive.

Emma froze for only a heartbeat before responding, her tablet sliding from her lap and clattering onto the floor. Supernatural energy surged between them, sending her crystal into a symphony of pulsing light.

Their next kiss was even more intense than the previous, a clash of pent-up emotions and mate-bond chemistry that sent her heart racing. Emma’s thoughts, typically so methodical and precise, scattered like leaves in the wind. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a voice insisted that this connection absolutely warranted a full physiological analysis—but it was drowned out by the sheer sensation of Lucas.

She gasped when they finally broke apart, her hands clutching his shirt as though to anchor herself.

Lucas’s lips curved into a mischievous grin. He leaned in, brushing a kiss against her throat, right where her crystal pulsed with the glowing remnants of their combined power. The resulting surge of energy made her gasp again, her knees weak as the harmonics danced through her body.

“No more readings,” he growled playfully against her skin, his breath warm and deliciously distracting. “Unless you’d prefer to measure quantum fluctuations instead of exploring these mate bond dynamics?”

Emma’s laugh was breathless, her protest half-hearted. “The physiological implications of both are remarkable,” she said weakly, though her hands had already tangled in his hair, drawing him closer.

His answering laugh rumbled through her, vibrating deep in her chest and sending shivers of energy through their strengthening bond. “Then I’ll make it simple for you, Dr. Greene.” His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, “Focus on me.”

And she did. Her analytical mind fell silent for once, overwhelmed by the sheer presence of him. His kisses softened, shifting from feral urgency to something slower, deeper, laced with tenderness that made her crystal pulse with joy. Emma fell into him, forgetting the monitors, the data, even the world outside the lab.

“You’re beautiful when you’re focused,” Lucas murmured between kisses. “But I prefer you like this. Present. With me.”

Emma opened her mouth to respond, but her words were stolen by another kiss, his hands sliding down her arms to settle on her waist. She felt utterly claimed, not in a way that stifled but in a way that felt like belonging—like home. The energy between them swirled and danced, their bond growing stronger with every passing moment.

Her fingers trailed over his shoulders, memorizing the shape of him, the heat of his skin beneath the thin fabric of his shirt. “Your heart rate is elevated,” she noted breathlessly when they broke apart, her scientific instincts struggling to reassert themselves.

Lucas hummed against her throat, the sound sending another ripple of warmth through her. “Just conducting some very important research into mate dynamics,” he teased.

Her laughter was soft, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. “I should warn you that I’m a very thorough researcher. I’ll need to repeat these experiments... extensively.”

Lucas smirked, his golden eyes glowing faintly as his panther rumbled in approval. “I’m counting on it.”

He lifted her effortlessly, settling her on the counter and stepping between her knees, his hands firm on her hips. The new position brought them closer, and Emma’s breath hitched as his gaze locked onto hers. The weight of his attention was intoxicating, and for a moment, the rest of the world ceased to exist.

“Emma,” he said softly, his voice rough with emotion. “Do you feel it? This bond between us? It’s not just chemistry or biology—it’s us. You and me. I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.”

Her heart clenched at the raw vulnerability in his words, the strength of his feelings laid bare. “I feel it,” she whispered, her hand resting over his heart. “I’ve never felt anything like this. It’s... overwhelming, but it’s also perfect.”

Lucas leaned his forehead against hers, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You’re mine, Emma. And I’m yours. No data set or experiment can capture what this is.”

Tears pricked her eyes at the intensity of his declaration. She wanted to respond, to tell him that she felt the same, but he kissed her again, slow and reverent, silencing her in the most exquisite way.

The kiss deepened, the energy between them building into a crescendo that made her crystal blaze with light. It was more than attraction, more than passion—it was the unmistakable force of their bond solidifying, wrapping around them like a protective cocoon.

When they finally broke apart, both breathless and glowing, Emma rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heart. “This deserves documentation,” she murmured, her voice tinged with awe. “But I think I’ll just remember it instead.”

Lucas chuckled, his arms tightening around her. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go long enough to write it down.”

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms as the tension of the day faded into the background. For the first time in what felt like forever, Emma allowed herself to simply be . No data, no mysteries, no crises—just Lucas and the unshakable bond they had forged.