He really didn’t like that answer, nor her reaction. If she really believed she was safe, why the panic? “I won’t pry for more information, but if something scares you, or you think youarein danger, you need to tell me immediately.”
“Why?”
Because you’re mine.
The thought flashed through his mind like lightning, but instead of being followed by a quick, adamant denial on his part,Murphy felt the truth settle into his bones. “Because I’ll protect you from anything. Without a moment’s hesitation, Nessa.”
Nessa’s cheeks turned a dull shade of red before she hurriedly turned back toward the stove. Opening a few cabinets, she found two plates, pulling them out and placing them on the counter before opening a drawer and retrieving some forks. Once she’d plated the spaghetti, she set down the dish in front of him and took a seat at the other stool, careful to keep a bit of space between them.
As the smell of the meal hit his senses, his stomach growled with hunger.Damn, this smells good.Without wasting another moment, he twirled several noodles around his fork, taking a large bite. As the first taste of food hit his stomach, he groaned happily. After another forkful, he was in heaven.
“Considering you nearly burned my house down,” Murphy joked between bites, “this tastes delicious.”
Nessa let out a small laugh, taking a dainty bite of her own meal. “If you think this is delicious, even after I nearly ruined the sauce, you really need to extend your palate. Maybe some pancit. Adobo?” She sighed dreamily.
He furrowed his brow. “I’ve never heard of those. They any good?” He’d need to look up what those dishes were when she left.
“Uh, yeah,” Nessa answered slowly. Then she grinned, her features softening. She was so beautiful. It was impossible to look away, so he didn’t. “But considering I’m Filipina, I’m a bit biased.”
“Does that mean you’ll be making me some pancit before too long?” Now that she’d smiled at him like that, he didn’t give a damn what the dishes were as long as she said yes.
She paused with her fork halfway to her mouth, studying him intently. “Depends.”
Murphy narrowed his eyes into thin slits. “On what?”
“On if you stay docile like this when we talk, or if you morph back into your grumpy, snarly self. Nice Murphy can have all the food he wants. Mean Murphy can’t.” Nessa shrugged, sending him a teasing smile. “And just so you’re aware, I’m an excellent cook.”
“Burned spaghetti sauce aside?”
She gasped in mock outrage, clasping a hand over her heart as if he’d wounded her. “Strike one for Mean Murphy.”
“What if I said it was the best burned meal I’ve ever had?” he asked seriously, doing his best to keep from smirking as she gasped again.
“I’m tempted to add that as strike two,” she warned. “Luckily for you, I’m feeling charitable.”
Shaking his head, Murphy finished polishing off the spaghetti on his plate, sighing in contentment as the meal settled nicely in his empty belly. He hadn’t realized how starved he had been. Nessa was a much slower eater, taking tiny bites that drew his attention to the fullness of her lips as they closed over her fork.
Watching her eat a meal shouldn’t have been erotic, and yet, as she took another bite and swallowed, his cock twitched to life, desire licking at his insides as the minutes trickled on. He couldn’t help but wonder how perfect her lips would look wrapped around his length, or how soft they’d feel roaming over every inch of his skin.
That last thought was unsettling; Murphy’s skin was covered in scar tissue, some far more prominent than others. He never allowed anyone to see them, let alone touch them. He found them abhorrent, a brutal reminder of his pain and weakness. Yet now, all he could imagine was Nessa tracing each one with her tongue before leaving sweet kisses over the raised skin.
His dick ached at the carnal image his lust brought to life, his slacks growing tight as his erection swelled. He needed to look away, to pretend he wasn’t devouring her with his eyes, but itwas impossible. He hadn’t even realized he’d turned in his seat to fully face her until she looked up and over at him.
Her eyes widened. “Why are you staring at me like that, Murphy?”
Sexual hunger gnawed at his gut, and he barely resisted the temptation of cupping his thick cock to alleviate some of the growing pressure. “How am I staring at you, Nes?” he asked gruffly, a sensual note in his voice he couldn’t control.
She swallowed thickly before licking her upper lip. He tracked the movement, his mouth watering. “Like you want to take a bite out of me. Is it a bear shifter thing?”
“Yes,” he lied smoothly.
Dropping her fork onto her now empty plate, Nessa turned toward him as well. “Okay. Well, it’s getting really late. We either need to discuss what to do about your mating sickness or I need to head home.”
At the mention of her leaving, his bear was instantly on high alert, ripping its way to the forefront of Murphy’s mind.
“Stay with me.” The Alpha’s command rolled off of Murphy’s tongue before he could think better of it, waves of his dominant power sweeping through the room. Even though Nessa was human, she’d feel the compulsion to do as he bade. She’d have to listen to him. Immediately, he regretted the callous use of his dominance.
What the hell had he been thinking, trying to force her into anything? He opened his mouth to rescind the command.
