Nope.
All she had cared about was that he’d smelled magnificent, even more alluring than the cologne that had taunted her every waking moment. It instantly relaxed her. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt that unguarded. That peaceful. And it all made no sense.
Was that why she’d agreed to come inside his home?
Maybe.
Or maybe it was the look he’d given her when she’d mentioned rejecting him. The pure panic in Murphy’s eyes had made her feel like the worst person in the world, and she couldn’t figure out why. She thought rejecting him would make him better, but after his adamant refusal, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
She also didn’t understand why the thought of letting him go made her feel sick to her stomach. She didn’t think she could ever be in a functional relationship again, so parting ways was the only logical option.
Wasn’t it?
Besides, it seemed they were both on the same page about being in a relationship—mating, she reminded herself.
Murphy didn’t say anything as he led Nessa up the porch steps and into his massive cabin. It was two stories high and at least double the size of Tank’s own cabin—not that she rememberedmuch about his and Hunny’s home. She’d only been inside it once, and her memories of the place weren’t the best.
Suddenly, she felt claws ripping into her—
Don’t think about Jason.
Nessa took a steadying breath, ignoring the slight chill that swept down her spine.
Murphy looked over his shoulder, his eyes still that glowing, molten pool of gold. He studied her speculatively. “Cold?”
Nessa shook her head, lips pursed. Murphy’s eyes narrowed dangerously and then he huffed, turning to face ahead once more. His fingers squeezed hers reassuringly, though, as he stepped through the front door, which was still slightly ajar.
Her jaw dropped as soon as she entered the spacious living room. Black leather couches faced one another, a dark wooden coffee table nestled in between them, and a large stone fireplace lingered just beyond that. Two black, sleek chandeliers hung from the high, vaulted ceiling.
The open floor plan made the front of the house look massive, but that wasn’t what filled her with awe.
It was the giant wall made of floor-to-ceiling windows, held together with oak trim. A glass door led out to a large porch overlooking the woods. The moon was clearly visible in the night sky, giving the giant trees surrounding Murphy’s property an ethereal glow. It was beautiful. And it put the view from her kitchen to absolute shame.
She’d never seen anything like this in Chicago, that was for damn sure.
Instead of taking her to the couches, Murphy gently pulled her to the left, through an archway that separated the dining room from the living room.
The dining room was smaller than she’d expected, but as soon as she spotted the kitchen, just past another archway, giddiness took hold, pushing everything else away.
“Holy crap!” Nessa all but shoved Murphy aside, wriggling her hand from his as she rushed into the giant space. The bear growled lowly as soon as they lost physical contact, but she barely noticed.
To be honest, it didn’t bother her. It was actually kind of cute, which probably should have alarmed her. But who knew a man growling over something so ridiculous would have her lips twitching as she fought back a smile?
“You like it?” Murphy asked gruffly as he stopped beside her. His arm brushed hers as he surveyed his kitchen like he was seeing it for the first time.
“Like it? My kitchen is nice. But this?” Nessa made a sweeping motion toward the kitchen with her hand. “This isniiiice.”
Seriously. Black granite countertops, light oak cabinets with the stainless steel appliances built in … The refrigerator had to have cost him a fortune, given that it was huge with french doors, one of which was a solid wall of glass.
Murphy grunted, moving toward the long island in the center, complete with a double basin sink. A sink set into the island? Nessa almost drooled, right then and there. He pulled out a barstool, nodding for her to take a seat.
“What?” Nessa cocked a brow, doing as he silently instructed and sliding onto the stool. “You don’t think your kitchen is impressive?”
Turning away from her, Murphy wandered over to that magnificent fridge, opening the glass door and looking inside.
“I’d probably think more about it if I spent any of my time in here. I can’t cook anything worth a damn.” He rummaged through the contents and sighed. “I was hoping for some takeout to eat, but everything is old.”
Nessa looked at the clock hanging on the far wall. “Did you not eat dinner?” She hadn’t, either, but she’d been too nervous about coming here to stomach anything.
