Full of promise.
“You’re growling, Murphy,” Nessa said again, cocking her head to the side as she sat down across from him. “You said you were feeling better this morning, but is your mating sickness acting up?”
“No, I—” Murphy felt tongue-tied as he struggled to answer. “I like seeing you in my shirt,” he replied gruffly, dropping into his own seat as indecision stirred to life within him, alleviating some of his desire.
Should he have said that? Was he pushing too hard? He grabbed his fork, his fist closing tightly around the metal as he waited for her to say something. It felt like a lifetime passed by, though it was likely only a few seconds of silence at most.
Nessa blinked. “You mean your bear likes seeing me like this,” she corrected carefully.
His jaw clenched, the notion that his bear was the only part of him affected by her presence irritating him beyond belief.
“I meantme,” he declared resolutely, refusing to backtrack now. His gaze met hers, staring into her beautiful brown depths. “Ilike seeing you in my shirt, Nes. It feels like you’re mine. Like I’ve claimed you. And that makes me feel good.”
Horny as fuck, actually.
If it were possible, Nessa’s cheeks heated further, her eyes widening into saucers before she looked down at her plate. “Oh.”
One word. That was all she said. His mate was never at a loss for words, and yet he’d silenced her with the truth.
Fuck.
He’d screwed up tonight by making her uncomfortable. Why couldn’t he have kept his damned mouth shut? She’d opened upto him, allowed him to see a glimpse into her life before she’d come to Montana, and he’d ruined it by acting like a possessive mate.
I am her mate, damnit.
He gripped his fork so tight, the metal bent, the only outward sign of agitation he’d allow himself to show.
Nessa reached for her glass of water, taking a large gulp. She licked her lower lip, looking nervous as her gaze shifted to him and then back to her plate. “It makes me feel good, too,” she suddenly said in a rush, the words so low he almost missed them.
When they registered, the oddest thing happened.
Murphy remembered a long time ago, back when he’d asked his dad what being mated was like and how he knew he’d fallen in love. His dad had looked at him with a wide smile, and said,‘That’s easy, Son. My heart isn’t mine anymore. It’s your mother’s, and it beats only for her.’
That’s what Murphy felt now. His heart stuttered in his chest, stalling for a brief moment. And then it picked up the rhythm of Nessa’s, matching it perfectly.
Beating only for her.
Chapter 16
Nessa’s face felt like it was on fire as she tentatively speared a piece of chicken with her fork, taking a small bite while keeping her eyes downcast.
Had she really just said that she liked wearing Murphy’s shirt? Yes.
Hadhereally just said that he liked seeing her in it? Not his bear.Him.
Yes. Hedefinitelyhad.
Her heart raced, and her fingers shook slightly as she gripped her fork. Quickly, she swallowed her food, barely tasting the spices that danced on her tongue.
All men like seeing a woman in their shirts.It doesn’t mean anything.
Except …
Nessa really wanted it to mean something. She wanted Murphy to want her. If the last week in his presence had taught her anything, it was that she loved having him near her. Loved sharing her day with him. Loved the way he touched her. His hands always slid over her so reverently, like he wanted to commit every part of her to memory.
She wanted more of that, craved his hands on her body in a way she never had for anyone ever before. Her fear of sex had completely evaporated because of him, and she felt touch-starved, like she’d wither away and die without him.
‘It feels like you’re mine. Like I’ve claimed you. And that makes me feel good.’
