Son of a bitch.
All she wanted to do was yap with Hunny about the last week, but the thought of the men overhearing everything made her feel antsy.
When Nessa and Murphy had arrived at Tank’s cabin a little over an hour ago, she’d been worried that things between her and Hunny would be awkward. She had wanted nothing more than to fall back into the easy conversations they’d had before the attack. But anxiety clawed at her gut as she had approached her friend.
Luckily, it had been like riding a bike, and conversation between the two women had been effortless, although they’d kept it light so far.
But Nessa was dying toreallytalk to Hunny. After being away from each other for the last few months with essentially no contact, she was practically chomping at the bit to gossip with her friend. To tell her anything and everything involving Murphy.
Involving howtheywere a couple. However, she felt silly knowing the object of her obsession could hear her gushing about him just on the other side of the door.
“If you talk at this level, they won’t be able to hear you,” Hunny murmured softly, reading Nessa’s thoughts easily enough as her gaze also shifted to the front door. “Now spill, before I lose my mind.”
Nessa let out a long breath, wondering where to even begin. “We hooked up last night.”
“What?!” Hunny exclaimed, dropping her puzzle piece like it was on fire. She gaped at Nessa. “Shut the hell up! How was it?”
“Whisper!” Nessa hissed in exasperation, her ears pricking as if she could practically hear Murphy stomping back into the cabin to find out what they were talking about. He wasn’t, of course—that didn’t mean he wasn’t listening in, even unintentionally.
“Details, now,” Hunny demanded quietly, scooting her chair closer to Nessa. She leaned toward her, completely immersed.
“Uh—” Nessa floundered for a moment, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. How was it that now, when she finally had the opportunity to talk about everything, she had no idea what to say? “I guess we’ve been kind of dancing around each other for the better part of a week.”
“Dancing around each other? As in, you two both realized youlikeeach other but did nothing about it right away?” Hunny waggled her brows teasingly.
A small smile formed on Nessa’s face. “Yes. I thought it was just his bear that liked me, given the whole ‘mating sickness’ thing.” Her smile fell. “Well, that and Murphy basically told me his bear wanted me and he didn’t.”
Hunny gasped. “He said what?!”
Nessa waved a dismissive hand. “I know. But we talked last night, and he admitted it wasn’t just his bear that wanted me; it was him, too. After that, I ended up staying the night at his place.”
“You dirty little minx,” Hunny praised, her eyes shining with mirth. “And you two had sex after that?”
“No, not exactly,” Nessa answered, her face flushing. “We did make each other orgasm, though.”
Hunny’s eyes widened, and then a slow, sly smile spread across her face. “And then what? Something else happened, didn’t it? You’ve got this dreamy look on your face, and I don’t think it’s from cumming.”
“Oh, my god, Hunny! What happened towhispering?” Nessa hissed, her face so warm she was certain someone could fry an egg on it. “For your information, we’re now officially in a relationship.”
Hunny lips parted in surprise. “Is that different from mating?”
“I—” Nessa cleared her throat, unsure of how to answer. “Yes. No. I don’t know, actually.” She grimaced. “Murphy said he wanted to ‘woo’ me first. He definitely mentioned mating, though.”
She just had no idea when that would happen, if ever. Maybe they’d realize how incompatible they were sexually and call it quits before a mating could even happen. Maybe Murphy would realize that, although she was his perfect match, she was too damaged emotionally to be the kind of woman he needed.
Then he’d wash his hands of her and move on to the next chick who caught his interest. Her heart clenched at the mere notion, even though she knew Murphy wouldn’t just abandon her.
You’re his mate. He wantsyou. He told you he was fine with your situation, so stop overthinking this! Besides, you didn’t freak out at all last night. Maybe you won’t when you actually have sex either.
The thought caused a shiver to race down her spine, a knot of tension forming in her lower belly that was equal parts anticipation of the future and fear of the unknown.
It was the fear that concerned her more than anything else.
Nessa sighed.
Even though Murphy was just outside chatting with Tank, she wished he was with her. He’d calm the storm clouds threatening to overwhelm her without even trying.
He could hold her hand, like he’d done on the car ride over here, and all she’d think about was how wonderfully it fit with hers. He’d be close enough that she could feel the heat of his body. She could lean into him, could breathe in his cologne.
