The results load.
Ethan Prescott - 94% Compatibility
“Ninety-four.” Ethan breathes out. “We went up.”
“The algorithm might still be incorrect…”
He spins the chair to face him fully. “Or maybe we’re just that good together.”
“Ethan...”
“Four percent more compatible than before. Know what changed?”
I shake my head, not trusting my voice.
“We’re being real now. No pretense, no performance.” His hands frame my face. “Just us.”
The air between us crackles. My laptop forgotten, I lean into him, drawn by something stronger than any algorithm.
“We should—” I start.
“Test the physical compatibility part?” His grin is wicked. “For science?”
“I was going to say analyze the data breakdown.”
“After,” he suggests, already leaning in. “Definitely after.”
This kiss is hungry, weeks of tension finally breaking. I twist in his lap to straddle him properly, hands tanking in his hair. He groans into my mouth, grip tightening on my waist.
“Missed you,” he murmurs between kisses. “Two days was too long.”
“You mentioned that.” I gasp as his lips find that spot below my ear.
“Bear repeating.” His hands slide under my shirt, palms warm against my back. “Kept thinking about last weekend. About how you felt. How you sounded.”
Heat pools low in my belly. “Ethan...”
“Tell me to stop,” he says against my throat. “Tell me we should look at data and be responsible.”
“We should,” I agree, then kiss him again because I can’t help myself. “Later. Much later.”
He stands suddenly, lifting me with him. My legs wrap around his waist automatically.
“Bed?” he asks.
“Bed,” I confirm.
He carries me the short distance, laying me down carefully. The laptop glows forgotten on the desk, ninety-four percent mocking my claims about chemistry being temporary.
27
PIPER
He hovers above me, his weight on his forearms, eyes searching mine. “You’re sure?”
“I’ve been sure since you walked through my door with too much Thai food,” I admit, reaching up to trace his jaw. “Maybe since you wore those ridiculous leaves that didn’t hide much.”
His laugh rumbles through his chest. “Not my finest fashion moment.”
