Biological Compatibility

By M.A. Freeman

Phoebe Walden finally has it all. She’s met the love of her life, and she has a family she can tolerate, who accept her and love her no matter what. But there’s a darkness shadowing her, waiting to destroy her chance at happiness. Not on Phoebe’s watch. However it’s not just her happiness at stake, but all of theirs if she makes even one mistake.

Scott Quinn has done the best he could, floating under the radar. Hard choices have made it difficult for him even to face himself in the mirror. But things finally looking up. He’s found the perfect woman, who seems to be into him as much as he’s into her. Yet Scott has secrets. He knows who he is and what he’s done will cause friction. And always in the shadows lurks the harsh reality that his freedom has been an illusion all along.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Sep 8, 2022

Book preview

Chapter One

Scott

Something wasn’t adding up here. Scott Quinn frowned at the data scrolling across his computer screen while comparing it to the file sizes collated at the bottom. None of this made sense. Not the file sizes nor the access times or the user accounts identified with random files. To be honest, it looked like accidental typos or errors, yet there were too many of them to write off.

Movement out of the corner of his eye drew his attention. He couldn’t help but smile at the window separating his office from the IS pool. She had arrived. Scott watched with interest as Phoebe Walden entered the outer office and took her place at her assigned computer. Only a few months had passed, but Scott was used to how she captivated all aspects of him.

Those instincts, the ones that had kept him alive, had been explicit in their need the first time he had laid eyes on her. They wanted her in their den, where they could keep her forever.

Scott knew it was crazy. But he was used to it after all these years, coming to terms with behaviors by no means human. The trick was learning to coexist with them, to incorporate them into his human life. To trust they would never lead him down the wrong path.

That meant he was planning to ask the delectable Phoebe out on a date. Now granted, there were issues to overcome. One, he was her direct supervisor, so there was an element of inequality within their power dynamics. Two, there was a company policy about fraternizing among coworkers that he was planning to disregard completely. And three, there were the secrets he carried with the potential to drive a wedge into any trust they might share in a relationship.

Scott watched through the glass. His smile widened into a grin. Phoebe had a little ritual she followed every day shortly after she arrived. It was the highlight of his morning to watch her perform it. After a thorough cleaning of everything on her desk, she would carefully unpack her messenger bag. He was amused while extremely curious about the little knickknacks she placed on her desk in full view of everyone, but mainly her.

There was a small folding picture frame and a small silver orb he thought might be a ball bearing, of all things. And last, a small wrench she propped atop the picture frame. Such a weird combination of items, yet Scott knew every one of them was significant in representing aspects of Phoebe’s life. He couldn’t wait to delve deep. To know her. To understand all the quirks that made her up.

Ping.

Scott frowned at the Instant Messenger alert. He clicked it open with a sigh. It was from his boss.

M. Foltz: Did you complete the audit?

Of course, he wanted to know if the audit was complete. Scott rolled his eyes, annoyed Miles wanted an update already when the e-mail dictating the assignment had only come out this morning. But God save him from people who were tech illiterate. Or, in Miles’s case, tech dumb.

S. Quinn: The audit is going to take the better part of a week to complete. If you allow me to bring in help from the IS pool, it can be completed in three days.

Ping.

M. Foltz: No, the data is sensitive. It requires the highest of clearances. Complete it as soon as possible. Send regular updates.

He scowled. Not only was this going to be another case where Miles took credit for all his hard work, but to complete it quickly would require more than a few nights of burning the midnight oil. His plans for the delectable Phoebe were being put on hold.

S. Quinn: I’ll do my best. There will be an initial report by the end of the day.

Fuck. Miles was really starting to get on his nerves. A low growl worked its way up through his throat while his nails scratched a set of grooves into the wood of his desk. Maybe it was time to be more proactive at home. To thin the herd.

"Ahem."

Scott’s head jerked up to see Phoebe standing in his doorway with her eyebrows slightly furrowed. How much had she seen? Shit, how much had she heard? Because that growl was in no way human-sounding.

I did knock. Her voice was professional, but her face still indicated she had witnessed his less than human annoyance.

Do you need something? Scott cringed internally. His voice sounded sharp. Too sharp. Damn Miles.

She smiled with those fire-engine-red lips. They had him shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Something’s wrong with my headset. It’s nothing but static. Do you have another one I can use?

He wasn’t surprised. They worked for a multibillion-dollar conglomerate that provided substandard products for its departments. Scott got up from his desk to get one out of the supply cabinet. He always made sure to order the crap items in bulk for this very reason.

Of course. He grabbed a box with the right headset in it. Here you go. Are you settling in okay?

Phoebe gave him a genuine smile. Yes, things have been great. I was worried I wouldn’t be cut out for this, but so far, so good.

Scott blinked and had to yank his more animalistic instincts back. The attraction was strengthening so much, so it briefly stunned him. I’m glad. Don’t hesitate to ask if you do need something.

That earned him another smile before she returned to her desk to get to work. Shaking his head to clear the lust-filled fog she had caused, Scott returned to his desk. As he got back to work, a portion of his brain was dwelling on Phoebe and the best way to go about working his way into her life or her into his.

* * *

Phoebe

So hot. Phoebe had to give herself some mental slaps to stop drooling over how gorgeous she found Scott Quinn. She needed to focus on what she was there to accomplish. Her eyes strayed to the glass window dividing his office from the office pool. Yet, she was an excellent multitasker. There was just something about him that called to her.

She tore open the headset box, perhaps with more force than was necessary. The headset flew out under the desk. Pleased it had cooperated, Phoebe pushed her chair back to retrieve it. Only, she didn’t. Instead, she retrieved the exact duplicate from her bag. Then returned the new one to the box to return later.

None of the other techs paid her any attention, the small partitions hiding what she had done. Even the camera wouldn’t have picked up anything suspicious except her being a klutz. She plugged in the headset. The moment of truth was upon her.

Several windows opened and closed in rapid succession before a single box with only a cursor popped up in the corner of the screen. Phoebe glanced at the glass window again to see his hotness glaring at his own computer screen as if it had offended him. Boy, did she know that feeling. But today was not one of those days. The wireless connector embedded into the headset had done its job. She now had access to things she really shouldn’t.

Before she could begin to type in commands, her extension lit up. Of course. Someone was having issues. God save her from tech idiots. After adjusting the headset, Phoebe tapped the answer button to answer with her chirpiest voice.

IS, this is Phoebe. How can I help you?

Her eyes literally crossed when the only problem they had was the mouse wasn’t working. After walking them through how to change the battery in a wireless mouse, she pinched the bridge of her nose. Then, before anyone else could call with a stupid problem, Phoebe clicked into the small text box to type commands. First, they would target files with specific word searches so copies could be made. Next, those copied files would download to the secure server cache she had set up to be independent of her regular systems -- no need to leave a trail.

She left it running while dealing with a few other IS issues. Before she knew it, it was lunchtime. The program was still searching, so she just locked her screen and pulled off her headset.

Going to lunch?

Phoebe jumped with a yelp. She spun around in her chair to see Scott standing behind her with a grin on his face. Jesus! What is wrong with you, sneaking up on people? I could have a heart condition or something!

He burst out laughing. I highly doubt it considering you’re fine. However, I did call your name.

Phoebe scrutinized his humor, the laugh lines around his gorgeous laser-blue eyes. Those thin lips she could imagine all over her skin. Surely if he had seen the small text box he would say something. He was her boss, after all. It was his job to ensure her time was spent on work.

Uh-huh. Phoebe leaned down to pick up her ID badge from her bag. You didn’t know if I have some unspecified health condition. You could’ve killed me dead right then.

A few more snickers escaped him as he fell into step with her. "You’re fine. You mind if I join you? If I don’t get away from my computer, I’m going to have an Office Space moment."

Instant images of those three guys destroying their copier to gangsta rap popped into Phoebe’s head. Who hadn’t felt homicidal after a hard day of dealing with technology? Or idiots?

Sure. I’m just going to the cantina, though.

Scott rolled his eyes. As if we have time to go anywhere else.

True. CytrInc was located in the forested outskirts of Valleyview while still falling within the city limits. A true campus for a biotech company that incorporated labs, manufacturing on a small scale, engineering, and assorted other areas of science. However, Phoebe’s interest was personal.

It is a ways out of town. So, how long have you worked here?

The elevator dinged. They both entered it, and Phoebe was pleased they were alone. It was why she ate lunch earlier than most, so she would miss the crowds. She wasn’t the biggest fan of people crammed all around her.

I’ve been here six years. Started in the IS pool like you. Worked my way up. He leaned against the side of the elevator as it took them down one floor to where the cantina was located. What about you? This is your first job?

Oddly enough, that question embarrassed Phoebe. At least, it embarrassed her inasmuch she didn’t want Scott to think less of her because she was a few scant years away from turning thirty. It didn’t help she was petite with a youthful look to her.

No, not my first job. I’m a bit of a free spirit. I’ve worked some here and there as I traveled. Phoebe considered her next words but was saved by the ding of the elevator. They took a left. A short jaunt down the hallway led to the cafeteria on the ground floor. I moved here to be closer to friends. This was the best job locally for my skills.

They both paused off to the side of the doorway. Phoebe knew he was doing the same thing she was and trying to decide what he wanted to eat as the cantina was set up more like a food court with various offerings.

I’m going to get pizza today. What about you?

Phoebe shrugged. Pizza sounded great. You could never have too much pizza. If you did it right, it hit all the major food groups. Pizza it is.

As they wandered over to the pizza section, Scott kind of crowded close to her in the line. She pretended not to notice, but she swore he leaned down to sniff her hair. Phoebe didn’t mind, which was a rarity in itself. Of course, the attraction between them went both ways. He stayed close as they went through the line. But Phoebe was the one who led them over to a secluded corner by the window, quasi-hidden behind a decorative plant so they could have privacy with their lunch.

* * *

Scott

Phoebe’s scent was mesmerizing. It was the light floral tones of sakura blossoms -- the oppression of ozone when lightning threatened. And the warmth of fresh-baked bread. It was an odd combination, but Scott could already tell he had an addiction to it. He was curious about where those scents would be most potent, of how they would taste, but it would have to wait. It would be weird if he were to bury his face in her neck like he wanted to. Especially in their place of work. Since they were just getting to know one another.

Did you enjoy traveling? Scott was curious because he was very much a homebody. He was happiest in his den.

After she finished chewing, Phoebe’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. I didn’t dislike it. You know, it’s weird I didn’t think about whether I liked or disliked it while I was doing it. It was just something that needed to be done.

Fascinating. Scott watched her face as she puzzled over her revelation. Her slanted violet eyes narrowed the slightest bit and her smooth golden skin crinkled at the corners of her eyes, indicating she was older than she appeared. He wanted to taste that expressive mouth. The delicately arched brow movements were reflecting her thoughts. Why go, then?

She took a sip of her diet soda before answering. To test myself. To satisfy my curiosity about the world. To find my place in it.

Scott laughed. "Isn’t that what college is for?"

Phoebe just rolled her eyes. "Maybe your college experience? Speaking