Chapter 34

THIRTY-FOUR

H ours later in the safe house, after eating their delivered food, Emma was once again surrounded by her even-better-makeshift lab. She’d sweet-talked Victor into bringing out more equipment.

Lucas snuggled up to her while she did her scientific work, though it was a bit awkward.

Perhaps this was just Lucas’s way of “ensuring optimal security parameters” by keeping her tucked against his side.

“The defensive cuddling suggests overacting protective instincts,” she noted while trying not to melt as he nuzzled her crystal.

“Just maintaining proper mate bond connection,” Lucas assured her with heated tenderness that made her pulse jump. “Unless you’d prefer I stop demonstrating these interesting claiming frequencies?”

“No!” she replied quickly, then blushed as her crystal flared.

His laugh rumbled through her as he drew her closer. “My marvelous mate, trying so hard to be professional while I remind her exactly why those resonance patterns kept her busy earlier.”

“Your purring is causing my sensors to vibrate, which is making the lines on the screen wiggly.”

“Wiggly?” he asked with a chuckle. “Is that your scientific observation?” He nibbled on her earlobe.

She gasped. “What are you doing?”

“Multitasking,” he murmured against her throat. “Protecting my mate while simultaneously conducting very important research into how many times I can make her forget about documentation.”

Emma’s attempt at a scientific response dissolved into a soft sigh as his lips found hers.

His kiss was slow and thorough, full of promises about their future. “Perhaps we could focus on more interesting experiments?” he suggested with tender mischief. “Like measuring exactly how long it takes you to stop thinking about readings when I do this...”

His touch sent shivers through their bond. “I-I’ve never felt that before,” she whispered.

“All part of the scientific process,” Lucas assured her. “Testing mate bond development under various conditions. For thoroughness.”

She hummed in agreement, words not working in her brain.

“I love you,” he said simply, eyes pure gold with emotion. “My extraordinary mate who makes everything an adventure worth documenting.”

Emma’s crystal blazed with joy as her heart did complicated things in her chest.

His smile held equal parts heated promise and tender affection. “Ready to conduct some very important experiments about forever?”

“For science?” Emma whispered, her crystal glowing with deeper emotions than just curiosity.

“For us,” he corrected softly, drawing her toward their bedroom. “Though I expect significantly less documentation during the actual romance this time.”

Her playful pout was ruined by the pure love shining in her eyes.

“How about we explore frequencies on forever ?” he murmured against her crystal. “Without the tablet this time?”

Emma’s heart sang with equal parts scientific wonder and pure devotion. “Absolutely.”