Page 35 of Furry Equations

“My hero.” She smiled against his lips. “Even if you do growl at octogenarian scientists.”

Jax cleared his throat. “Not to interrupt this touching moment, but we should move. NYPD will be here soon.”

TWENTY-TWO

Marcus kept Natalie tucked against his side as they walked to the SUV, his body between her and any potential threat. He helped her into the back seat before sliding in beside her.

“Home, James,” Natalie quipped to Jax as he got in the driver’s seat.

“Wrong movie reference, Doc,” Jax chuckled, raising the privacy partition. “Try ‘get us out of here before someone else tries to kill us.’”

As the SUV pulled away from the Met, Marcus pulled Natalie closer, needing to feel her safe against him. She turned in his arms, her hands coming up to frame his face. The soft silk of her evening gown whispered against his bare chest as she moved, and her touch sent electricity through his skin.

“You scared me,” she whispered, her fingers tracing his jaw with a tenderness that made his heart ache. “When I saw them hurt you...”

He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “I’m fine. Shifter healing, remember?”

“Still.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, the hazel depths swimming with emotions that stole his breath. “I can’t lose you, Marcus. I?—“

He couldn’t let her finish that sentence. Not here, not like this. Instead, he cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs ready to brush away the tears that threatened to fall. For a heartbeat, he just looked at her—really looked at her. The way her lips parted slightly, the faint dusting of freckles across her nose that only his enhanced vision could detect, the way her pulse fluttered at her throat.

When he kissed her, it was with all the gentleness he possessed. His lips brushed hers softly at first, a whisper of contact that made her sigh against his mouth. Her hands slid up his chest, careful of his healing wounds, until her fingers tangled in his hair.

The kiss deepened naturally like waves rolling into shore. He tasted mint and champagne and something uniquely Natalie as she melted against him. Her lips were soft and warm, moving with his in a dance that felt both familiar and thrillingly new. His wolf purred with contentment as she pressed closer, fitting perfectly in his arms as if she’d been made for him.

One of his hands slipped to the small of her back while the other cradled her head, holding her like she was precious—because she was. To him, she was everything. The kiss wasn’t just passion; it was a promise. A vow to protect, to cherish, to love.

When they finally parted, both breathing heavily, he couldn’t resist pressing another soft kiss to the corner of her mouth, then her cheek, then her temple. She hummed contentedly, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck in a way that made him want to purr like a giant cat.

“Marcus,” she breathed his name like a prayer, her forehead resting against his.

“I know,” he murmured, because he did. Every unspoken word, every emotion too big for language—he felt it all.

She nuzzled closer, tucking her head under his chin. Her breath fanned warm against his throat as she pressed a gentle kiss to his healing skin. “Your wounds?—“

“Are already healing.” He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip. “And entirely worth it.”

“Stubborn alpha.”

“Only for you.” He kissed her again, softer this time. “Stay with me tonight.”

She raised an eyebrow, a hint of her usual sass returning. “Pretty presumptuous, Mr. Vale.”

“I meant—“ He growled as she laughed. “You know what I meant. I need to know you’re safe.”

“Well, you do have that obscenely comfortable couch...”

“And a state-of-the-art security system.”

“And that fancy coffeemaker I love...”

He tucked a stray curl behind her ear, his expression serious despite her attempt at levity. “And me. You have me.”

Her playful smile softened into something that made his heart stop. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I have you.”

The rest of the drive passed in comfortable silence, Marcus holding her close as the city lights blurred past. His wounds were already closing, his wolf settled now that their mate was safe. And if his arms tightened around her every time they hit a bump, well... he was just being protective.

“Marcus?”

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