Page 4 of Pawsitive Data

His office door closed behind them with a soft click that seemed to echo in her bones.

“Please, sit.” Lucas gestured to a leather chair across from his desk, but remained standing a moment longer, his eyes doing another slow sweep that made Emma forget basic motor functions.

Emma sank into the chair, crossing her legs and immediately uncrossing them when his gaze tracked the movement. She could do this. She was a professional scientist. Just because he looked like genetic perfection and moved like some kind of predator, and oh god, he was sitting now and leaning forward slightly and?—

“Your paper on genetic stability markers was fascinating.” His voice cut through her mental spiral. “Particularly your theories about hereditary trait preservation in stable bloodlines.”

Right. Science. She could talk about science. Science was safe. Science didn’t have eyes that changed color or a mouth that should come with a warning label.

“Thank you! Data suggests some genetic sequences remain practically unchanged through generations, almost like they’re protected by an unknown mechanism. It’s fascinating because normal DNA shows variation between generations, but these families—” She caught herself gesturing enthusiastically and nearly knocked over a very expensive-looking paperweight.

Lucas caught it with impossible reflexes, his hand brushing hers. The contact sent another jolt through her system, and Emma swore his nostrils flared like he was... scenting the air? She filed that observation away for later analysis.

“Sorry,” she managed. “I get excited about genetic discoveries. And apparently gravity becomes optional when I’m nervous. Not that you make me nervous. Well, you do, but in a good way. A professional way! Because of your work in genetics, which aligns perfectly with my research on hereditary trait preservation. Not because—” She forced herself to stop talking.

But instead of looking annoyed, Lucas smiled. Really smiled. The expression transformed his face from merely gorgeous to absolutely devastating. “Tell me about your breakthrough.”

THREE

Emma’s brain tried to focus on science while her body was very aware of how he’d shifted forward, how his eyes had darkened to that rich amber color, how the air between them felt charged with possibility.

“It’s about stability markers,” she began, proud her voice sounded steady. “Some bloodlines maintain incredibly consistent traits over generations, defying normal genetic drift. Almost like their DNA has some sort of protection built in, keeping certain characteristics pure across centuries. The statistical probability of such consistent inheritance patterns is...” She trailed off, noticing how intently he was watching her.

“Fascinating.” The word rolled off his tongue like dark honey. “And you’ve identified these markers?”

“Yes! Well, potentially. You see, DNA is kind of like a recipe that gets slightly changed each time it’s copied. But some families have recipes that stay perfect for generations, which shouldn’t be statistically possible unless?—”

She broke off as Lucas stood suddenly, walking around his desk to lean against it right next to her chair. The movement brought him close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him, smell that woodsy scent that made her want to do veryunprofessional things like lean closer and see if he tasted as good as he smelled.

“Unless?” he prompted softly.

Emma’s scientific mind waved a white flag of surrender. How was she supposed to think about genetics when he was looking at her like that? Like she was a particularly fascinating experiment he wanted to study thoroughly?

“Unless there’s something unique about their genetic structure,” she managed. “Something that protects certain traits, keeps them pure despite environmental factors or generational drift. It’s remarkable really, almost like some families aren’t quite...” She paused, watching his eyes shift color again. “...standard Homo sapiens.”

Lucas went very still. Something flickered in his eyes – Interest? Concern? – before his expression smoothed back to professional attention. But Emma could have sworn she saw a flash of pure gold in his iris.

“And what made you start researching genetic stability?” His voice had dropped lower, more intimate.

Sadness hit her heart. “My grandmother was a brilliant genetic scientist for her time. She was an incredible woman, full of life and fantastical ideas. A bit quirky in her ways, but who isn’t? She had me interested in science that normal kindergarteners couldn’t pronounce, much less understand.”

“That’s wonderful,” Lucas said. “Where is she now?”

“Unfortunately, Grandma Mags’s brain was attacked with early onset dementia. She died when I was in grade school. I promised her I would carry on her legacy and find cures for genetic diseases.”

“Grandma Mags,” he said with a smile as if thinking about his own family.

“Her name was Magdalena, but none of us kids could pronounce that. So…” she shrugged. A nervous habit, her fingersfound the crystal around her neck and she rubbed it, noticing it was warmer than it should be.

Lucas’s eyes widened briefly. “That’s an interesting necklace.”

She yanked her hand away, embarrassed by her unconscious ticks. “Uh, thank you. Grandma Mags gave it to me before she stopped recognizing my face.”

Grandma Mags also told her that science couldn’t explain everything and not to be afraid of that.Don’t be scared, be logical. And Emma had lived her life by that dogma.

“Indeed.” Lucas straightened, and Emma had to fight the urge to follow his movement like a flower tracking the sun. “Which is exactly why we’re interested in your work, Dr. Greene. Particularly regarding... unique genetic structures.”

“Emma,” she said automatically. “Dr. Greene makes me feel like I should be wearing my lab coat and safety goggles and not noticing how your pupils change shape in a way that defies human physiology.”

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