Chapter 4

FOUR

E mma’s head spun with what had transpired in the past 4.5 minutes: She secured a dream job working with a dream boat and she identified him as an alien. How was she still an employee?

As Emma and Noelle headed toward the elevators, Emma pulled out her phone:

Emma texted to Janie: Got the job.

Janie: Did you dazzle him with your sexy science brain???

Emma : Also maybe a date? For science???

Her phone exploded with exclamation points and emoji just as another message came through – this one from her mother: Darling! Just heard from a colleague that you’re joining Spectre Industries! Did you notice Lucas has excellent bone structure? Perfect for passing down genetic traits...

Emma groaned, but couldn’t stop smiling. She had a breakthrough in genetic stability, a dream job, and a dinner date with a man who was definitely not entirely human and found her science babbling charming.

“Hypothesis,” she muttered to herself as she followed Noelle to HR. “I’m either having the best day of my life or I’m still asleep at my desk having caffeine-induced hallucinations.”

By the time Emma finished with HR, her brain was fried with more than just employment paperwork. Her phone had exploded with messages:

Janie : DINNER DATE??? With CEO Hotness??? I’m coming over to dress you. No arguments. No science puns. No lab coat.

Mom : Just sent you an article about genetic compatibility in successful marriages...

Emma typed quick responses while waiting for the elevator.

To Janie : It’s for research purposes! Studying genetic anomalies. Over dinner. With wine.

To Mom : Please stop sending me genetics papers about reproduction.

The elevator doors opened and Emma stepped in, only to freeze when Lucas appeared beside her. Again. How did he move so silently?

“Going down?” His voice rumbled through her like bass notes of some primal song.

Emma’s brain helpfully short-circuited. “That depends. Are you going to keep doing that appearing-out-of-nowhere thing? I’m developing theories about your molecular density and potential teleportation abilities.”

His laugh filled the small space, wrapping around her like warm honey. “Teleportation? That would be impossible.”

“Says the man whose eyes change color and who moves like physics is optional.”

“Why, Dr. Greene.” He stepped closer, and Emma’s back hit the elevator wall. “Your observations are remarkably... accurate.”

The air thickened between them. Emma’s scientific mind noted his elevated body temperature, the way his pupils dilated, how he seemed to be breathing in her scent. The rest of her was too busy trying not to spontaneously combust.

“I should warn you,” she managed, “I tend to pursue mysteries until I solve them. Scientifically speaking.”

“Is that what I am?” His voice dropped lower. “A mystery to be solved?”

“You’re definitely something that defies explanation.” Emma surprised herself with her words. “My current hypothesis involves several impossible factors.”

“Such as?” He was definitely closer now, one hand braced against the wall beside her head.

“Such as why my heart rate accelerates around you in ways that violate basic cardiovascular principles. Or why—” She gasped as his other hand came up to brush a strand of hair from her face, the touch electric. “Why I can’t seem to think straight when you’re this close.”

“Interesting hypothesis.” His thumb traced her jawline, featherlight. “Any other observations?”

The elevator dinged, breaking the moment.

Lucas stepped back, but his eyes promised more. “Tonight. Seven o’clock. I’ll send a car.”

Emma barely made it home before Hurricane Janie descended, armed with makeup, hair products, and an entirely too-knowing smile.

“Spill. Everything. And don’t you dare start with the genetics.” Janie dropped an enormous shopping bag on Emma’s couch. “I want to hear about the chemistry – the non-scientific kind.”

“There was a perfectly professional discussion about genetic anomalies,” Emma began, then caught Janie’s look. “Fine. He might have had me pressed against the elevator wall while discussing said anomalies.”

“Science Daddy strikes again!”

“Don’t call him that!” Emma buried her face in a throw pillow. “He’s my boss now. This is probably highly inappropriate. I should cancel. Yes. Canceling is the logical choice.”

“Honey,” Janie pried the pillow away, “the man practically pinned you to a wall to discuss DNA. I don’t think ‘logical’ is on tonight’s menu.”

Emma’s phone buzzed with a text from Lucas:

Looking forward to continuing our discussion of genetic anomalies. Wear something suitable for Le Bernardin.

“Le Bernardin?” Janie peered over her shoulder. “Oh, damn, he’s not playing. That’s not a ‘let’s discuss work’ restaurant. That’s a ‘let me wine and dine you while eye-fucking you over genetic theories’ restaurant.”

“Janie!” But Emma couldn’t help grinning. “It’s probably just... convenient for business discussions.”

“Right. Because all CEOs take their new employees to Michelin-starred restaurants on their first day.” Janie started unpacking her bag. “Now, let’s make you hot.”

“You should have seen him move – like gravity was optional and physics was just a suggestion. And his eyes...” Emma flopped onto her bed. “They literally changed color, Janie. Not like normal hazel eyes in different lights. They went from green to actual gold when he...” She trailed off, blushing.

“When he what? Don’t you dare leave out details.”

“When he looked at me like... like I was something he wanted to devour. In a good way. A very good way.”

Her phone buzzed again:

Mom : Darling, Le Bernardin has excellent mood lighting. Perfect for studying genetic compatibility indicators.

Emma : HOW DO YOU EVEN KNOW ABOUT DINNER?

Mom : A mother has her sources.

Janie rummaged through Emma’s closet. “Now, where’s that black dress you never wear?”

“The one you made me buy that I said was too sexy for a science conference?”

“Exactly. Though something tells me your Science Da– sorry, your new boss – will appreciate it more than the genetics panel did.”

Janie emerged with the dress. “Now strip including the crystal necklace. It doesn’t match. We have an hour to transform you from ‘sexy scientist’ to ‘goddess who makes CEOs forget the laws of physics.’“

“I’m pretty sure he already doesn’t follow the laws of physics,” Emma muttered, unwillingly removing the gem her grandmother gave her. “Nobody moves that fast or looks that perfect or makes my heart rate accelerate beyond normal human parameters just by existing in the same space.”

“Honey,” Janie paused in her makeup preparation, “are you actually saying he might not be entirely human?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, not letting on about her earlier conversation with the man who admitted he wasn’t human. “There’s a scientific explanation for everything. You just have to find it.”