Chapter 19
“So,” Tank began nonchalantly, leaning back in the chair on his porch. Grimacing down at the mug in his hands, he lifted it to his lips and took a small sip. “Havin’ a good week?”
Murphy snorted, shifting in his seat before staring out at the dead grass peeking through the snow on Tank’s lawn.
It was just past ten in the morning, and while the sun was shining down overhead, the air was brisk.
Usually, the cold didn’t bother him but the heavy wind added a definite bite to the chilly air, making him wish he’d worn more than just a sweater and jeans. “You could say that. Why do you ask?”
Tank shrugged, glaring down at his tea like it had offended him before taking a resigned sip. Murphy didn’t blame him; as much as he adored Nessa, he didn’t think she could ever tempt him to give up coffee for some barely flavored water.
He had a distinct feeling she’d make it her life’s mission to convert him, though. Oddly enough, he was looking forward to it, if only because he knew it would undoubtedly result in her teasing him mercilessly until he relented in some form or fashion.
The sound of Nessa’s laughter coming from inside the house captured his attention.
Warmth spread from his chest and moved downwards, lust stirring in his gut as he recalled what they’d done last night.
How good she’d felt in his arms. In his bed.
How sweet her lips had felt on his. The sensual sounds she’d made as she rode him.
A deep, carnal growl built in his chest as he felt the sudden urge to jump from his seat, storm into the cabin, and toss his mate over his shoulder.
He could have her back in his bed in a matter of minutes, could have her teasing his cock while she used him to chase her own pleasure.
He clenched his hands into fists to keep himself in his seat, taking a deep breath to steady the racing of his heart.
As much as that idea appealed to him, he wouldn’t act on it.
Not until he knew she’d be open to that kind of possessive display from him.
She’d already voiced her concerns about what she could handle sexually, and he wouldn’t overstep.
No matter how eager he was to feel her pressed so intimately against him.
Still, his hands physically ached with the need to touch her bare skin, to slide over every inch of her tanned flesh until he’d committed it to memory.
When she’d offered to share a shower with him last night, he’d almost agreed without a single thought. Almost let his need for her, his lust, drive his decision. He wanted her naked before him, desperate to devour her with his eyes and mouth. To see her laid bare, just so he could worship her.
And then he’d remembered the scars littering his own body and he’d panicked, all but fleeing the room. He’d left her alone for the rest of the night. And he still hadn’t broached that conversation with her, hadn’t opened the door to his past all the way.
Just the thought had bile rising in his throat. He didn’t want Nessa touching his scars; they’d disgust her. Who wouldn’t find them repulsive? He didn’t want her associated with any dark part of his past. She’d been through so much already, it felt unfair to saddle her with more of his own issues.
“Can smell Nessa all over you. Figured there’s a reason for that,” Tank replied gruffly, taking another drink. He grimaced again, an irate noise rumbling from his chest.
“We’re in a relationship,” Murphy confirmed, unable to control the smug satisfaction coursing through him. He loved that Nessa’s scent was on him, and enjoyed knowing that any shifter that came near her would smell him, too. Would know, even without a mating mark, that she was Murphy’s.
Tank’s head snapped toward him. He grinned, shaking his head before releasing a dry chuckle. “Knew you wouldn’t last. Barely made it what? Five days?”
Murphy rolled his eyes, leaning forward in his patio chair. He propped his elbows onto his knees, resting his chin on his clenched fists. “Something like that.”
He wasn’t about to admit to his younger brother that he’d realized he wanted to mate with her after just one day together. Tank would never let him live it down, and he’d no doubt tell Jasper, who’d bust his balls just for the hell of it.
Doesn’t matter. Nessa’s worth it.
A smile spread across Murphy’s face.
Yeah, she was.
“When are you mating her?” Tank asked, turning to face him more fully. “Didn’t smell your scent intertwined with hers, so I assume you haven’t yet.”
Unlike other shifters, when bear shifters officially claimed a mate, their scent embedded itself into their mate’s skin, too, mixing with their own at such an intrinsic level, it never faded. It wouldn’t matter that Nessa was human—when he claimed her, his scent would always be a part of hers.
Murphy shook his head. “We’re taking it slow for now. But it’ll happen when she’s ready.”
Tank nodded. “Mom will be thrilled. Better tell her soon or she’ll throw a fit.”
Cocking a brow, Murphy asked, “Speaking from experience?”
His younger brother grumbled in irritation.
“She still hasn’t let me off the hook for not telling her first about Hunny and I.
” He cleared his throat when his voice cracked.
“Every appointment Hunny has, Mom spends half her time glaring at me. The other half is spent praising Hunny for putting up with me.”
Murphy’s lips twitched as he fought off another smile. He loved their mom, but she was a spitfire when she needed to be, especially after raising an army of dominant male shifters. “How are the kits doing? Is everything good?”
Hunny was pregnant with triplets, and while Tank wasn’t the biological father, he’d claimed her kits as his own before they’d even mated. As far as Murphy was aware, he was taking her pregnancy very seriously; reading pregnancy books, watching birthing videos, and attending all of her appointments.
He’d even finished building onto his cabin to make room for the new additions.
Tank’s eyes softened, and he took another sip of his tea. “Yeah. Find the genders out in a few days.”
“That soon?” Murphy shook his head in disbelief.
“Seems like just last week Hunny came to our territory.” Now she was well into her second trimester.
Soon enough, Tank would be a father, and Murphy would be an uncle.
His chest swelled with pride, and suddenly, he couldn’t wait to hold his nieces or nephews in his arms.
He couldn’t imagine how excited Tank was feeling.
Unbidden, an image of Nessa popped into his head, her hands cradling her stomach, her belly rounded with his child. A pang of longing hit him square in the chest, the sensation so prominent it stole his breath.
Murphy hadn’t thought about having offspring, not since Sachi.
He’d resigned himself to the fact that it would never happen, and eventually, he’d grown content with the decision.
But he couldn’t deny how appealing the notion was now, or how much he’d love the opportunity to be a parent as long as Nessa wanted kids.
Would she?
It was tempting to ask her, but she was already so unsure of how much intimacy she’d be comfortable with, he didn’t want her to assume he was desperate for children. He also didn’t want her to think kids were a deal breaker for him. He wanted her, and he’d take her any way he could get her.
Tank grunted in agreement, pulling Murphy from his thoughts. “Hunny wandering into our territory was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Murphy had to agree. Before Hunny had come along, his brother had been more or less a shell of himself. Getting him to talk to anyone at all, let alone have a full conversation like he was right now, was completely unheard of. He’d spent all of his time alone, avoiding anyone and everyone.
Now, though? He was entertaining Murphy while their mates worked on a puzzle in the dining room, the sound of their happiness drifting out to them like music to his ears.
It was tempting to wander in there, take a seat beside Nessa, and simply enjoy her company while she chatted with his sister-in-law.
But she needed some time with Hunny to catch up and reacquaint, and he wouldn’t interrupt them just because he missed her.
“Are you hoping for any gender in particular?” Murphy asked, his ear twitching at the sound of a vehicle approaching in the distance.
Marcus’s, based on the heavy roar of the engine.
He turned his head toward Tank’s long driveway, expecting to see the pickup truck turning down the long gravel road that connected to it at any second.
Tank did the same, eyes narrowing toward the sound of Marcus’s truck, though the tracker himself remained out of sight. “No. Just want them healthy.” He paused, and then added, “Okay. Maybe a girl.”
Murphy’s brows shot up in dismay. “You want a daughter that’ll boss you around and make you play dress-up?
” Tank was such a surly bear. It should have been hard to picture him having tea parties with a mini version of Hunny, holding a tiny, pink plastic cup in his hands. But it was surprisingly easy.
Tank smirked. “Why not? Hunny already bosses me around. Can’t be much different.”
The Alpha chuckled. “I’m telling her you said that.”
“You better not,” Tank snapped in outrage, casting a wary glance to the front door. “If you do, I’ll deny it.”
“Didn’t think you’d be afraid of a female half your size.”
“Her hormones are all over the place,” Tank whispered, sending another quick glance to the front door, as if his mate were eavesdropping on the other side. He scratched his beard. “I can usually calm her down with food or fucking, but when she gets angry …” He trailed off, shuddering in mock fear.
Murphy burst into laughter. As Marcus’s pickup truck turned the corner, slowly creeping up Tank’s driveway, the Alpha stood to his feet, his shoulders still shaking.
“What’s Marcus doing here?” Tank grumbled, following Murphy up.
“I asked him to meet me here. Colter, Zeke, and Jasper too.” At Tank’s questioning look, Murphy sighed. “Constantine came to my home last night wanting to cash in on the favor I owe him for Nessa’s life. I thought it best to discuss it with my enforcers.”
Tank’s brows snapped down in fury. “He entered our territory without permission? What enforcer was patrolling?”
“Colter and Jasper,” Murphy answered, watching as Marcus put his truck into park, shutting off the engine a moment later. The male jumped out of the driver’s seat, slamming the door closed behind him. Colter and Zeke were with him, climbing out of the backseats and stepping onto the driveway.
“Fucking figures,” Tank bit out. “Those two are lazy as hell.”
“Fuck you, too!” Colter joked as the males made their way onto Tank’s front yard. They neared the porch as he added with a small, carefree smile, “But why am I lazy as hell?”
“You let a leech slip by you last night,” Tank snapped, clearly not in the mood for a civil discussion.
Immediately, the smile died from Colter’s face, his blue eyes hardening. “A vampire was here? I didn’t notice anything amiss while patrolling. Was anyone hurt?”
“Everyone is fine,” Murphy assured him, ignoring Tank’s warning growl. “Constantine is welcome in our territory. He’s an ally.” Although he hated the idea of a vampire entering their space without explicit permission, he didn’t plan to sow discord where there wasn’t any.
“The only good vampire is a dead one,” Zeke muttered with a frown.
Mentally, Murphy removed the shifter from the list of possible bodyguards for Constantine’s daughter. He couldn’t send a male who didn’t give a damn if the female lived or died.
“What did Constantine want?” Marcus asked.
Murphy opened his mouth to answer and then stopped. He sent Marcus a confused look. “Where’s Jasper?” He’d asked Marcus to gather all the males and bring them here, yet his youngest brother was missing.
Just then, he heard Tabitha’s car approaching a few seconds before he saw his mom pull in behind Marcus’s truck. Jasper waved from the passenger seat while Tabitha glared through the windshield at Murphy.
Tank snickered. “This’ll be good.”