Hiring a few people would make her life easier, though …
Murphy was silent for a moment, and then he released a deep breath. “I do. It’s draining, but I enjoy taking care of my family and my clan. As a dominant shifter, it’s ingrained in me to be of use. To be needed. Being the Alpha fulfills that longing.”
“That’s nice,” Nessa replied, biting her lower lip as a morose thought intruded.
Murphy squeezed her thigh gently, reading her easily. “What are you thinking?”
Before she could think better of it, Nessa asked, “If you’re running yourself ragged to take care of everyone around you then who’s taking care of you, Murphy?”
Why had he felt like he couldn’t lean on his family these last two months while he was unwell? He’d been sufferingalone,and the thought broke her heart.
Did he always deal with his problems by himself? Did he have no one to rely on when he felt overwhelmed by his job or just needed to vent? Why should he have to take on all the responsibility alone?
He had to have someone, right?
Me! It should be me,a voice screamed in her head, demanding that she take action and dosomething.
Murphy’s fingers tightened on her thigh, and he looked lost as he answered gruffly, “No one. But it’s fine. I’m fine.” He shovedhimself to his feet abruptly, towering over her. “It’s late. I should go.”
“Oh.” Nessa cleared her throat, standing up, too. “Right. I’ll walk you out.”
Her mind was reeling as she followed a now silent Murphy into the hall and toward her front door. He opened the door, murmuring farewell as he stepped over the threshold and out into the night.
He’d just made it down the steps of her porch before she nervously blurted out, “Murphy!”
Well, actually, she practically screamed his name, so loudly it echoed down the street. She flushed, grabbing her doorknob like a lifeline to keep from slamming it closed just to cover up the embarrassed look no doubt plastered on her face.
He swung around, scanning the area warily before sending her a curious look, his dark gaze penetrating her very being. “What is it?”
“I’d—I mean, I’d … I could—” Nessa’s tongue felt swollen in her mouth, the words heavy and difficult to get out. Finally, she managed a frantic, “I’d like to be the one. T-To take care of you. You know, I mean, if that’s cool with you.”
As soon as she shut her mouth, she wished the world would open up under her and suck her inside it just to escape the shocked look on Murphy’s face.
‘If that’s cool with you?’ Who the hell says that? Someone from 2015? What will I do next? Blast him some finger guns and then a wink?
She felt lightheaded as the seconds ticked by in absolute silence between them. And not the comfortable silence from earlier, either. No, this was oppressive, and bleak, andembarrassing.
Why wasn’t he answering?
He was probably horrified by her offer.Shewas horrified by it. What the hell did she even mean? Why had she said it? ‘Take care’ could mean anything! What if he thought she was offering to have sex with him to take the edge off when he was frustrated with work?
She didn’t think her face could heat any further.
Another second ticked by, and then another, each one feeling like it was an hour.
She couldn’t stand the quiet any longer.
“Okay, goodnight,” she choked out, slamming the door closed. She thumped her head against it, stifling a small groan of despair.
Did she have any wine in the fridge? God, she hoped so.
Chapter 12
Murphy was going to claim her.Nessa.
His mate.
The decision had finalized in his mind last night, right after Nessa offered to take care of him.
