But she had left, slamming the door in her wake.
CHAPTER 18
“Ibelieve you are incorrectin your interpretation of the data.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to recall them.
He knew he had an argument on his hands when her chin lifted, and her lips compressed in that obstinate manner she had. Why he found her small irrationalities charming instead of irritating was something he’d need to analyze later.
“Oh? How so?” She played with the little cake on her plate. She had been quiet and reserved since their quarrel yesterday about the whereabouts of their case studies.
Damn it. He didn’t want to argue. Not now. They were having a picnic in Richmond Park. The place was quiet and, this early in the morning, not too crowded. Only a few governesses with their charges. He had even splurged on one of the expensive Fortnum & Mason hampers, which, he had to admit, was some of the best food he had tasted since the start of this trip.
They’d set up their blanket in a quiet spot far from everyone and were having a pleasant breakfast, enjoying the sunshine, the excellent food, and each other’s company. Until they had once again got into the prickly subject of their research.
He was loath to spoil the peace and serenity of this outing with an argument. He had planned the picnic as a way of mending fences with Kalli. Alas, he had already started it. And he knew she would not shy away from it.
“The brain scans you are interpreting as love could be nothing more than attraction and lust.” He darted a quick glance at her, unsure how she would receive this statement.
A brief frown appeared between her eyebrows. “I don’t discount that there is that. But the presence of oxytocin is proof that there are feelings of closeness, a deeper attachment. In other words, love.”
“And that’s the thing. There’s a big leap from deeper attachment to this feeling of deep, abiding, all-encompassing love you are describing. I feel attachment towards my parbot.” He shrugged.
“And yet, your scans showed no signs of oxytocin. I wonder if they are the same now,” she mused, eyeing him speculatively.
Icy dread shot through him, and he stiffened, bolting up straight. “Don’t even think about scanning me and subjecting me to your analysis.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Dariux,” she replied calmly, looking him straight in the eyes. “That was our agreement, and I wouldn’t violate its terms or invade your privacy without permission.”
He relaxed fractionally. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. It is just...”
“You don’t need to explain. You have a right to your privacy. But I wonder. What do you have against love, anyway?”
“I already told you. It is an unstable emotion. If it even exists.” How could he get her off the damned subject?
“Of course it exists! There are thousands of years of literature, and at least three centuries of video footage expounding on it.”
He snorted. “Like that is proof of anything. Most of that literature and footage are fiction. You realize that, don’t you? People were making it up.”
