Murphy stilled, his eyes flashing gold. “I’d love for you to mark me, Nessa.”
Sexual tension stretched taut between them, so thick in the airshecould practically smell it.
“I think I’m done with my sandwich,” she said faintly, the warmth from his palm soaking into her skin, making her wish his hands were somewhere else on her body.
Murphy’s eyes returned to their normal shade, but that intensity, that lust, didn’t fade as he watched her. “Do you want to go back to your place?” he rasped, his tone low and full of the same need she felt inside herself.
Back to her place? Alone, whereanythingcould happen?
Nessa nodded eagerly. “Absolutely.”
Chapter 23
When Murphy had suggested to Nessa that they go back to her place, he wasn’t sure what he’d realistically expected them to do. Lust had clouded his brain, his cock thick and heavy in his jeans as images had danced through his head; Nessa’s lips sliding over his throat, her teeth grazing his skin as she pressed her body flush against his.
All he’d wanted was to get out of that restaurant, to be alone with his mate with no distractions.
But whatever he thought they’d be doing when they reached her home, it hadn’t been this.
“We can put on something else if you want,” Nessa offered, sitting stiffly beside him on her couch. His arm was slung over the back of it, just slightly out of reach from draping over hershoulder, their thighs pressed together asPride And Prejudiceplayed quietly on the TV in front of them.
“This is fine,” Murphy answered, his focus entirely on her and not at all on the movie she’d put on when they’d arrived.
She’d been a bit off since they’d left the diner.
Several times, she’d squeezed her knees tightly with her hands or blurted out some random comment, only to look away from him quickly and focus on the movie, feigning interest in Lizzie and Mr. Darcy’s on-screen romance when it was obvious she wasn’t really watching it either. Currently, she was drumming her fingers on her kneecaps absentmindedly, staring blankly at the screen.
Something was definitely up with Nessa, and considering how well he’d gotten to know her over the past week, he could only assume she was anxious. About what, though? It had to involve their talking of claiming marks back at the diner.
She’d been completely fine before that.
Did she think he was going to shift into his bear form, latch onto her shoulder with his teeth, and chomp down on her flesh like some kind of rabid animal? He didn’t think so, mostly because he’d mentioned pleasuring her to keep her from feeling the pain of the bite. He’d scented her desire when he’d mentioned that, so he didn’t think she’d dislike the experience.
In fact, he was confident she’d love every moment of it.
So what was going on?
“I’m due for a rewatch,” he added when she said nothing else.
Nessa craned her head up toward him in surprise, her fingers stilling momentarily before picking up the same silent rhythm as before. “You’ve already seen this? When?”
Murphy shrugged. “When it first came out, and then a few times since.” Well, maybe closer to fifteen times, if he was being honest. He’d also watched the TV series from the nineties more than a handful of times.
“Huh. I had you pegged as more of a war movie kind of guy. Maybe it’s the Alpha superiority complex,” she joked, glancing down, her fingers still dancing on her knee.
“I’m a bit of a movie buff when I have the time to watch anything. I enjoy reading, too. I’ve got a pretty impressive library in my office. I enjoy collecting the classics.” He even had special editions of all Jane Austin’s completed works.
Unable to ignore her behavior any longer, he nudged her thigh with his to get her attention. She lifted her chin, her eyes meeting his. “Why are you nervous, Nes?”
“What? Me? Nervous?” She let out a short, strained laugh. “Why do you think I’m nervous?”
“You fidget a lot when you’re anxious.” Murphy’s eyes dropped pointedly to her hands and then back up to her face. He sent her a cocky smirk. “Plus, you’ve been chatting about random things on and off during the entire movie.”
“Okay,” Nessa drawled, dropping her hands into her lap. She bit her plump lower lip, and he nearly growled, wanting to be the one to nibble on it. “I am nervous. Not in a bad way or anything. I just … I’m going to feel ridiculous if I try to explain it.”
Unable to keep his hands to himself a moment longer, he palmed the side of her neck, his thumb caressing her jaw. He leaned in close. “Tell me what’s on your mind, little mate. I don’t care if it’s silly.”
Besides, even if it was something ludicrous, he wouldn’t mind. He loved listening to her talk about anything and everything.
