Grunting, Murphy grabbed her biceps, turning them both so that the spray hit him right in the back, his large frame blocking the icy water from her body. He pressed fully against her, his warmth enveloping her as she finally felt him; skin to skin.
Nessa’s breath caught, the sensation of him all over her like an aphrodisiac she hadn’t expected. Despite the cold water dripping down her side, she felt hot, an unbearable ache building in her pussy that only Murphy could sate. Her heart pounded, and even her clit throbbed, her growing anticipation too heady to ignore.
Biting her lower lip, Nessa’s gaze danced up his body appreciatively. She grabbed onto his forearms, needing him to keep her grounded. Finally, she looked up, the back of her head grazing the wall as their eyes connected.
“Better?” Murphy rasped, his eyes heavy-lidded with desire as they swept over her face. He stepped closer, and her nipples brushed against his torso, sending a bolt of pleasure straight to her core.
“Hm. Yep. So much better,” she answered faintly, her fingers trembling as they moved up and down his forearms, hyperaware of the uneven skin sliding beneath her palms. She didn’t mind the sensation at all; it just felt like him. And he felt perfect.
“Nessa, I meant the water,” he said, his lips twitching. “Is this better until it warms up?”
Warms up?It was already sweltering in here, especially when she arched into him ever so slightly, rubbing against him like a cat in heat. Did he notice?
“Nes.”
“What?” She furrowed her brow. What had he been saying? “Oh. Yeah.”
Murphy leaned down, his nose brushing against hers, his mouth so close all she’d need to do was push up onto her toes to kiss him. He cupped her jaw, his fingers spanning the side of her neck as his thumb caressed her cheek.
“I can smell your arousal, little mate,” he rumbled possessively. “Are you needing my mouth on you again?”
Oh—
She didn’t need just his mouth. She needed all of him. Wanted to feel his cock inside her, wanted to feel him holding her close as he pumped into her body. She wanted him to claim her, to bite her and mark her as his.
Maybe it was too soon. But hadn’t she already deprived herself of him for months? She’d denied her connection to Murphy, denied wanting him. She didn’t want to hold back anymore.
Nessa took a shaky breath. “I-I—” The words stuck in her throat, and she let out a small whimper of defeat, her shoulders slumping.
God, how could she be ready for sex when she couldn’t even ask for it?
Her chin wobbled, and she looked down, squeezing her eyes shut to keep from crying.
Murphy’s fingers tightened on her ever so slightly, and then he kissed her forehead, his mouth lingering there a moment. “I’m excited to wash your hair,” he said softly.
She swallowed thickly, relieved for the change in subject. “You are?”
“Yeah. I love playing with your hair, Nes. It’s always so soft,” he murmured, kissing her again. “You ready?”
Mutely, she nodded, letting him turn her back toward the showerhead. Warm water slid over her head, cascading down her body like a waterfall. Keeping her eyes shut, she remained still, listening as Murphy grabbed a bottle from the shelf.
The lid cracked open, and he inhaled. “Normally I’m not fond of products with scents, but this is subtle enough that it doesn’t aggravate my nose. Plus, it compliments your own scent.”
The showerhead squeaked as Murphy adjusted it, and the spray moved to hit the wall beside her.
“What do I smell like?”
“Like berries and the faintest hint of vanilla,” Murphy said, sliding his hands into her hair. They were cool from theshampoo, and he began lathering it into her hair. “When we mate, our scents will mix, so you’ll smell like me, too.”
She perked up at that, some of her self-imposed misery fading away.
She was surprised that hadn’t already happened, considering she smelled him everywhere she went. Still, now she never had to worry about it dissipating. She smiled, staring down at the floor. “That’ll be nice.”
Her lashes fluttered open as his hands worked over her hair, massaging her scalp. She bit back a moan as sparks of sensation slid down her spine.
“It’s a bear shifter trait that happens when we mate. I wish your scent could embed itself into my skin, too, so I could have a piece of you with me when we’re apart. Now, close your eyes.”
He wanted a piece of her to keep with him? Her heart clenched, the rest of her doubts disappearing.
