Chapter 18
Nessa felt like she was floating on a euphoric cloud as she followed Murphy toward the front door, his large sweater ending at her mid-thigh, covering her nakedness. Her body was buzzing, her inner thighs still damp from her orgasm.
She still couldn’t believe she’d kissed Murphy.
Well, she’d done way more than just kiss him.
Aftershocks coursed through her still, a teasing reminder of the passion they’d shared only a few minutes before.
As soon as he’d slid his lips over hers, returning her affection, she’d lost herself in him.
Being in his arms, realizing he was as drawn to her as she was to him …
That he wanted her … It was a heady feeling, and she’d been unable to resist it.
To resist him.
When was the last time she’d done something so wanton?
No idea. She was definitely rusty with any sexual interactions.
But with Murphy, it had felt as natural as breathing.
And when he’d encouraged her to ride him, his guttural groans filling her ears, his hands squeezing her ass as he thrust his cock between her thighs, she’d thought of nothing but pleasing him.
She had wanted him to experience the same pleasure that thrummed through her veins.
It was such a bold, uncharacteristic move for her.
Once upon a time, years ago, she was daring like that.
Adventurous and carefree. A sexual being who was proud of her body.
She felt that way now, and it was all because of Murphy.
Because of the way he made her feel. The way he treated her; not like she was some broken, damaged victim. But like she was a woman.
His woman.
Her face heated. She was his woman, wasn’t she? They were in a relationship now, after all. Giddiness swept through her at the thought, and it was all she could do to keep a silly grin off of her face as she followed him into his living room.
Her gaze gravitated toward his ass as he moved, the dark denim jeans encasing his muscular legs only adding to how mouthwatering he looked. Her fingers itched to trace over his bare skin. To touch him and learn every curve and angle of his body.
She reached out, intending to do just that.
A sudden spike of anxiety hit her hard, and Nessa dropped her hand as if she’d just burned it. She swallowed thickly, looking away from Murphy and to the floor as despair threatened to close in on her.
This is all new. It’s fine to be nervous. Murphy told you he’d go at whatever pace you wanted.
Nessa sucked in a trembling breath, determined to not let her negative emotions get the best of her. Not now, at least. She wanted to enjoy tonight, not worry about all the ways a relationship between them wouldn’t work out. But the depressing thoughts invaded, anyway.
Even if Murphy could truly look past the fact that she was a human, could she get over her own issues?
She wanted to say yes, to tell her fear, her worries, and her past to fuck right off. But it wasn’t that simple, and it might never be.
What does mating him even entail?
She didn’t really know that either. Hunny and Tank had bitten each other, but she wasn’t a shifter.
She couldn’t just take a bite out of Murphy …
right? That seemed absurd. And what if he bit her to claim her and the pain triggered a panic attack?
She’d taint something special with her unresolved trauma, and she’d feel horrible.
She didn’t want that. Didn’t want to diminish what was growing between them.
Murphy stiffened as he neared the front door, a low, menacing growl rumbling from his throat. Instantly, Nessa froze, eyes rounding in trepidation as every other thought fled. This wasn’t the cute, grumpy growl that she adored.
It was the warning rumble of a predator ready to maul someone to death. Another knock sounded at the door, and Murphy’s growl intensified, tension lining his shoulders.
“Murphy?” Nessa willed her feet to move, the tremble in her legs nothing to do with her post-orgasmic haze and everything to do with the fear ignited from whatever peril lurked on the other side of that door.
Just as she neared him, Murphy moved, reaching around and grabbing hold of her hand. He pulled her to him, keeping her front pressed to his back, acting as a barrier between her and their unexpected visitor.
“Who’s there?” she whispered, her mouth dry.
“Constantine,” Murphy gritted out.
“The vampire?” she hissed in shock.
Holy shit.
Nessa peered around Murphy’s body, staring at the closed door with wide, slightly horrified eyes.
Holy shit!
“Can he hear us?” she whispered.
“Probably,” Murphy answered gruffly, his growl cutting off abruptly despite the tension still lining his body.
Another heavy knock at the door split through the living room.
“Are you going to get that, or do we just ignore him?” Nessa asked hesitantly. Considering Murphy owed him a favor, she didn’t think getting on the vampire’s bad side was a bright idea.
She’d just opened her mouth to say exactly that when Murphy sighed, squeezing her hand before they crossed the last few feet to the entryway.
“Stay behind me,” Murphy instructed.
“And hide? Isn’t that kind of rude? He won’t hurt us, right?” She doubted he would, otherwise why knock and announce his arrival?
Unless he enjoyed playing with his food first …
She moved closer to Murphy as a trickle of fear crept in. What if that was exactly what the vampire was doing? Toying with them before he attacked?
Could he come inside a home without an invitation? That was typical vampire lore, and it had to start from somewhere. Hopefully, it was accurate. The shifter lore she’d read had been pretty on point so far.
What other rules were there regarding vampires? Could they transform into bats? Did they sleep in coffins?
Why hadn’t she thought to ask Murphy about this days ago when he’d first brought up the topic of vampires? She blew out an unsteady breath, her grip on Murphy’s hand like a lifeline, keeping her relatively calm despite how surreal the situation was.
He looked over his shoulder, eyes glowing that beautiful gold that always filled her with awe. “I told you, little mate. No one will ever hurt you again.”
This time, when the vampire knocked on the door, it was light. Delicate even, as if he’d heard Murphy’s declaration and was trying to sound less intimidating. Nessa relaxed somewhat.
Breaking eye contact, Murphy unlocked the door, pulling it open and revealing the man on the other side. Despite his order for her to hide behind him, she peeked around his body, more curious than scared of what awaited them.
Nessa didn’t know what she’d been expecting, but seeing a bald vampire in a three-piece suit with brown leather Oxfords on his feet and a gold chain dangling from the front pocket of his vest wasn’t it.
He was maybe a few inches taller than her, the jade green color of his clothing complimenting his dark skin tone.
He was muscular, though not as impressive as Murphy, his suit fitting his body like a glove.
“Ah, Murphy. A pleasure to see you,” Constantine greeted.
His eyes shifted from the Alpha to Nessa, and she gasped, totally unnerved, as his gaze locked onto her.
His irises were red, his body unnaturally still as he stood there on the porch.
He smiled widely, lips peeling back to reveal a set of long, sharp, white fangs.
Nessa recoiled, her heart stuttering painfully as terror exploded through her chest. Her instincts screamed at her to slam the door closed, run and hide. To flee the creature in front of her and never return. It was only Murphy’s hand entwined with hers that kept her from doing just that.
“Easy now,” Constantine said softly, his red eyes growing brighter the longer he stared at her.
“It’s a natural reaction when a human first meets someone like me.
Your mind can sense a predator, but I look too human for your body to discern the threat.
The feeling will pass. You will stay silent until it does. ”
Nessa swallowed past the lump in her throat, irritated at his audacity. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
Constantine blinked at her, his mouth going slack in surprise. His eyes glowed brighter. “You will stay silent,” he ordered, flashing a bit of fang as he bit out the last word.
“Do not try to compel my mate,” Murphy snapped, placing himself directly in front of Nessa, cutting off her view of the vampire completely. As soon as he was out of sight, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she registered his words.
Wait—
“Compel?” Nessa furrowed her brows, studying Murphy’s back. Like compulsion? She’d heard of that in TV shows and movies.
Vampires could actually do that?!
He’d try to compel her!
That son of a bit—
“Vampires can infiltrate human minds,” Murphy informed her over his shoulder, confirming her suspicions. “They can make them believe things that aren’t true, alter their memories, and even force their actions.”
Like silencing her? But wait … Why hadn’t it worked? She should have been grateful he couldn’t, but did that mean there was something wrong with her mind?
Well, given all the shit she’d been through, she wouldn’t be surprised if she’d suffered some kind of psychotic breakdown at some point. Would that affect anything?
“I’ve never met a human I couldn’t control until now,” Constantine stated.
Nessa gaped at Murphy’s back, not comforted by that statement at all.
A stilted silence passed between the three of them before the vampire cleared his throat.
“I apologize, Alpha Sinclair. It was only my intention to quiet the female down so we could talk.”
“My mate,” Murphy reiterated. The corner of Nessa’s mouth lifted, her fear taking a back seat as happiness took hold in its place. “Don’t attempt something like that again, or the truce between us will be null and void.”
“I understand.”