“No. The only people who can teleport are demons and witches. Vampires move too fast for the human eye to notice and can travel long distances in seconds. That’s how blood was delivered in time to save your life.”
“Demons and—” Nessa felt lightheaded. She shook her head in disbelief before filing that information away for another time. “You were right, by the way. About how creepy he is,” she added. “I couldn’t figure out why he unnerved me so much, but every time he talked, I kept feeling like something was wrong with him.”
Murphy stepped into his bedroom, and then into the adjoined bathroom, turning on the light before setting her onto her feet. “Vampires aren’t alive like we are, Nessa. Oxygen in the blood they consume sustains them, so they don’t need to breathe.”
“His chest didn’t move!” That’s why he looked so unnaturally still when he spoke! Because he wasn’t breathing.
Murphy hummed in agreement, starting the shower. The water kicked on, shooting from the showerhead and hitting the bottom of the porcelain tub. After a few seconds, steam filled the air.
Nessa bit her lip, another thought plaguing her now that he’d cleared up this one. “What did Constantine mean when he saidhe’d never been unable to compel someone before? Is there something wrong with me?”
Murphy shook his head. “Absolutely not. There is nothing wrong with you. But I noticed it before, too. A powerful shifter can send out waves of their dominance to command others. It’s useful if someone is being unruly and prevents altercations. Or if a shifter has difficulty managing their counterpart, I can use my ability to keep them from losing full control,” he explained.
Her brow furrowed, a sliver of hurt cutting through her. “You used your dominance on me before?”
When? Why hadn’t she noticed it? And would he do it again? The thought worried her.
A pained look crossed his features that helped ease some of her hurt. “I would never intentionally do that to you, I swear. It happened the night you showed up at my door. My bear and I didn’t want you to leave, and he pushed to the surface, demanding that you stay.”
Murphy scowled, as if just remembering that event pissed him off. “I was infuriated with my bear for doing it, but before I could take it back, you told me you had to go. You’d brushed it off as if it were nothing. I’ve never seen anything like it. I realized then that it hadn’t worked on you at all.”
“You didn’t try again, just to test it out?” she asked, a slight quiver in her voice.
“No,” Murphy answered fiercely, his eyes never leaving hers. “I never want to take a choice away from you, Nessa. I didn’t try again because I was ashamed of what I’d done. I don’t care that it didn’t work. In fact, I am glad it didn’t. I hate that I lost control of myself in that moment. I never even want it to be a possibility.”
Nessa stared up at him for a handful of seconds, studying his features for any sign of deception. All she saw was a man who regretted his actions.
And she believed him.
“Okay,” she said softly, placing her hand over his. “I trust you.”
Murphy’s shoulders sagged in relief. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a big, warm hug. “I can look into it for you, see if there’s any information on why you can resist compulsion,” he murmured into her hair. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find anything, but I’ll do what I can.”
“I’d like that.”
“Alright, little mate.” He kissed the crown of her head. “The shower’s ready if you want to take one before you go back to sleep.”
“Does that mean you’re not planning to take a shower with me?” she blurted out, both surprised and impressed that she’d had the courage to ask him. It probably helped that her face was buried against his chest, hiding her from view.
Murphy stiffened, his tension returning. “Not tonight, Nes,” he said tightly, letting her go abruptly.
Then he left the bathroom, closing the door softly behind him. Nessa watched him leave, confused about what she’d done wrong.
Chapter 19
“So,” Tank began nonchalantly, leaning back in the chair on his porch. Grimacing down at the mug in his hands, he lifted it to his lips and took a small sip. “Havin’ a good week?”
Murphy snorted, shifting in his seat before staring out at the dead grass peeking through the snow on Tank’s lawn. It was just past ten in the morning, and while the sun was shining down overhead, the air was brisk. Usually, the cold didn’t bother him but the heavy wind added a definite bite to the chilly air, making him wish he’d worn more than just a sweater and jeans. “You could say that. Why do you ask?”
Tank shrugged, glaring down at his tea like it had offended him before taking a resigned sip. Murphy didn’t blame him; asmuch as he adored Nessa, he didn’t think she could ever tempt him to give up coffee for some barely flavored water.
He had a distinct feeling she’d make it her life’s mission to convert him, though. Oddly enough, he was looking forward to it, if only because he knew it would undoubtedly result in her teasing him mercilessly until he relented in some form or fashion.
The sound of Nessa’s laughter coming from inside the house captured his attention. Warmth spread from his chest and moved downwards, lust stirring in his gut as he recalled what they’d done last night. How good she’d felt in his arms. In his bed. How sweet her lips had felt on his. The sensual sounds she’d made as she rode him.
A deep, carnal growl built in his chest as he felt the sudden urge to jump from his seat, storm into the cabin, and toss his mate over his shoulder. He could have her back in his bed in a matter of minutes, could have her teasing his cock while she used him to chase her own pleasure. He clenched his hands into fists to keep himself in his seat, taking a deep breath to steady the racing of his heart.
As much as that idea appealed to him, he wouldn’t act on it. Not until he knew she’d be open to that kind of possessive display from him. She’d already voiced her concerns about what she could handle sexually, and he wouldn’t overstep. No matter how eager he was to feel her pressed so intimately against him.
