“I’m nearly thirty, Mom,” Jasper reminded her. “You can’t forbid me from helping my clan.”
Tabitha scoffed. “Is that right? You still live under my roof, Jasper Sinclair! And as long as you do, you are subject to my rules.”
Colter snorted, and Zeke looked away, covering his mouth with his hand to keep from laughing. Even Tank chuckled, the sound hoarse and rusty.
Jasper ignored them all, looking uncharacteristically serious as he said, “You know my own cabin has been built for the better part of a year. The only reason I haven’t moved into it yet is because I know you don’t enjoy being alone.”
Tabitha sniffled. “You say that, but you’ll still abandon your poor mother to go gallivanting off with a vampire?”
Jasper rolled his eyes. “Mom, I’ve lived with you long enough to know when you’re putting on the waterworks to get your way. It won’t work. I’m the right choice for this task, and I’m doing it.”
Tabitha threw her hands into the air in exasperation. “Fine.Fine. Break my heart.”
Jasper sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut. Then he dropped his hand, his eyes popping back open. A sinister smile filled his face. “Now that Murphy and Nessa are together, I’m sure they’ll want to plan a wedding. Isn’t that popular with humans?”
Murphy blinked slowly at his brother in confusion. A wedding?
“Excuse me?!” Nessa squeaked out. Her normally tan skin paled. “Did you saywedding? We’ve been dating for less than a damned day, Jasper!”
“Don’t you want to marry my brother, Nessa?” Jasper’s smile took on an even more devious edge as he looked at his mom and continued. “Think about it, Mom. You’ve always wanted daughters, and now you’ve got Hunny, who will need help planning a baby shower, and Nessa, who will need help planning her human wedding. You’ll barely even notice I’m gone, what with everything going on.”
Murphy’s lips twitched.Oh, that clever fucker.
“Don’t you dare drag me into this, you little shit!” Hunny shouted hotly, grabbing a throw pillow from the couch and chucking it at Jasper. He dodged it effortlessly. Tank threw a pillow of his own, smacking their youngest brother in the face before he could block it.
“If you think I’ll let you change the subject,” Tabitha snapped, “you are sorely mistaken, Jasper.”
“Will you be upset if I shoot your brother?” Nessa asked Murphy, her voice hoarse. “I won’t hit anything vital.”
“If it makes you feel better, go for it,” Murphy answered, only half-joking, his attention wavering from the sounds of his family bickering back and forth and to his mate. “The wedding talk frightened you?” he asked softly.
“I’m not opposed to marriage in general.” Nessa grimaced. “But it isn’t exactly something that’s brought up in casual conversation when two people literally just started dating.”
There was that damned word again.Just.
“There isn’t anythingjustabout us, Nes,” Murphy murmured into her ear, his voice dark and full of promise. The surrounding conversations faded away as he cupped her chin, dragging her face toward his. Their eyes met and held as he ran his thumb over her full lower lip. “We’re taking this at whatever pace you want, but you’re mine. I’m yours. This is forever, Nessa.”
Nessa’s gaze softened on his. “I know. But everything’s so new between us, Murphy. If you were human, you’d run screaming inthe other direction if someone brought up the idea of wedding bells so soon.”
He raised his brows. “Do I look like I want to run away from you?”
She shook her head before blurting out, “Do shifters even have weddings?”
He smirked down at her, enjoying the way her eyes heated as they fell to his mouth. “Why? Are you asking me to marry you, Nes?”
She laughed abruptly, looking away from him in embarrassment. “You wish, Murphy.”
He sighed dramatically, tugging playfully on a strand of her hair. “Maybe I do.” Tabitha’s voice rose above Jasper’s, and as Hunny joined in to berate the male, Murphy took Nessa’s hand in his. “Do you want to go on a date?”
Her shoulders sagged in relief. “Yes, please get me out of here before your brother brings up the topic ofushaving children next.”
Without missing a beat, Murphy herded Nessa toward the door, waving to the room in farewell before they made their escape. If anyone noticed their departure, they didn’t react. He almost felt bad for abandoning Tank to a house full of guests.
Almost.
Chapter 22
Nessa fidgeted with the napkin beside her plate, more nervous now than she’d been in a long time, which was saying something.
