wanted to take her in his arms once more and feel their bodies slide slick with sweat as he pumped inside her until she screamed his name. But Truro had been so worn out from working and fighting her feelings that Murphy let her rest.
After they returned to her van, Murphy had gathered her into his arms and lay down under the covers beside Truro, despite her half-hearted protest.
“Petal, I just want to hold you in my arms as we sleep.” The open-mouthed look of shock she gave him was comical. “Or we can have sex.” They were both fully clothed but for their shoes. It would take little to remove the rest.
“Sleeping is good.” Truro had rolled onto her side to ignore him.
Murphy had simply moved in behind her and pulled her back close against his chest. “Just relax.”
“You make that impossible,” she had mumbled. But before long both of them were asleep.
Murphy had enjoyed the best sleep of his life with Truro wrapped in his arms. And despite her initial hesitation, she had easily turned to him in her sleep and he had willingly given her the comfort of his body. Lying beside Truro gave Murphy a sense of calmness he had been longing for. It gave him a great feeling of peace that this lonely, wounded woman could trust him enough to surrender to him like this. While sex was one thing, the simple act of being together with no other motive but to give comfort was harder to do. He doubted Truro had allowed herself much comfort in life. William had filled him in on most of what was known of Truro’s life. It was not pleasant. Murphy vowed to try to do whatever he had to in order to make her happy for the rest of her life.
“Murphy?”
He smiled at the sound of concern in her sleepy voice. “Yes, petal?”
“Are you okay?”
“Oh yes.” Murphy walked back to the bed and looked down at his woman. Her clothes were rumpled, her hair was a mess and she was screwing up her face squinting at him through the darkness. She is beautiful . She is mine . As much as he longed to gather Truro into his arms once more and make love to her there was no time and this was a lady that he wanted to savor. “I have to go.”
“Why?”
That she wanted him to stay made him almost wish he could defy his calling. “Nature calls.”
“I have a bathroom you know.”
Murphy chuckled and leaned down to kiss her nose. If his mouth met hers, there was no way he could walk away. “I want to go check out the wolves.”
Truro yawned. “Oh right, that nature thingy. Well, be careful. They’re wild animals. We saw what happened to Rodney.”
It was not the wolves . But that was not a discussion he could have with Truro yet. He needed to speak to William and Gil to find out if there was any more news on who had done the killing. “I will be careful.”
“And it’s probably cold out there so wear a jacket,” she murmured as she rolled back onto her side.
“You’re so sweet.” That Truro cared about him meant everything to Murphy. I am home.
“No, not at all. Because if you die of a chill I won’t get payment for the rental.”
Despite all the reasons he shouldn’t, Murphy leaned in once more and kissed Truro hard. “I adore you.”
“Yeah well. Go and do whatever it is you do out there.” Truro snuggled deeper into the blankets.
“I will show you one day soon.”
Truro snapped one eye open. “Oh God no. I’m not wandering out in the dark to look at feral animals. Now go.”
“I’ll be back.”
“You better be. I need payment.”
“You need more than that. You just have to admit it.”
Truro grumbled under the covers. “Save me from freaking sensitive New Age men.”
Oh yeah, life was going to be good with Truro.
———
They stood in the moonlight and watched the transformation of man to wolf.
Tavernier was horrified. “That is the most fucking grotesque thing I have ever seen. Do you think these women realize who they are sleeping with?”
“They wouldn’t care. People in love only see