“There’s nothing wrong with claiming Blossom and her children,” Brexton said, a touch of defensiveness in his tone.
“You want to claim us?” Blossom asked incredulously. “We just met!”
“Brexton is… different from others of our kind,” Pryntar said.
“Different how?” Blossom asked.
Pryntar nodded at Stella. “Not until she leaves. I do believe the big guy threw her out. Or at least told her to get the fuck out.”
Stella bristled, but tightened her grip on her purse and stormed out of the room. When the front door slammed, Brexton’s entire body relaxed.
“What’s going on?” Blossom asked.
“Tell her,” Pryntar said. “She won’t judge you for it.”
“I’m different from others of my race. I believe your people would call me a throwback? Some of my genetic structure is more primitive than the rest of my people. It’s why I have facial hair, and it also means…” He looked around like he didn’t want to finish the sentence.
“It means what?” Blossom asked.
“It means he’s a natural protector, but even more than that, when he finds a female he likes, he’ll… what’s the human term? Imprint on her? I don’t think that’s quite right either, but it’s the closest translation I can come up with. Basically, he likes you, likes your children, and something in his genetic makeup has decided you’re his,” Pryntar said.
“You want to keep us?” she asked Brexton uncertainly.
He ran a hand through his hair and turned away from her. “I know you don’t want me like that, that we just met and humans need more time to form relationships. I won’t act on my feelings. You’ll be safe here, and I don’t want you to think I expect anything in return.”
His body was tense and she looked at Pryntar, uncertain what she should do. Blossom remembered the gentle way he’d held her children, the way he’d been so open and friendly with them. In the few hours they’d spent together, Brexton had been nicer to her kids than their own fathers ever had. But she couldn’t base a relationship off something like that. It was crazy!
Yes, she found him attractive, but… she’d found other men attractive before and it hadn’t ended very well for her. She didn’t know what to say or do in this situation, but she knew she didn’t want to leave. Not yet anyway. And it wasn’t just the pretty house or all the things he’d purchased for them. She had genuinely liked being with him today, had enjoyed their outing and the way she’d felt safe and protected. It didn’t hurt that her body warmed every time he touched her.
“May I make a suggestion?” Pryntar asked.
“What?” Blossom asked.
“Stay here, with Brexton, and let the world think you’re his family for now. See what it’s like being part of his world.” He smiled a little. “Actually, you would be his entire world.”
“No pressure, right?” she asked.
“He will never ask for more than you’re willing to give. Are you not attracted to him? Not even a little?”
Her cheeks warmed as she glanced at Brexton, who still hadn’t turned around.
“That’s not the problem,” she said. “I’ve been attracted to men before and they hurt me, hurt my kids. Maybe not physically, but their lack of caring and attention has taken its toll on my family.”
Pryntar moved closer and stared down at her. “Do you honestly think Brexton would do that? Just based off the time you’ve spent with him today, what do your instincts tell you?”
“That he’s too perfect? And that we’ll ruin his life.”
Brexton growled and turned to face her, fury blazing in his eyes, and this time it was directed at her. She gasped and took a step back, but he was right in front of her before she could get very far.
“You will not ruin my life! Do you think I care about any of this?” he asked, sweeping his hand at the room in general. “I have enough money that I don’t have to ever work again, as long as I don’t live extravagantly. Money has never mattered to me, Blossom, and it never will. Love. Family. Those things are far more important, and the one thing I’ve never had.”
“I don’t understand,” she said. “What do you mean you’ve never had a family?”
“His parents died when he was young,” Pryntar said softly. “Another family took him in, and they treated him well, but it wasn’t the same. They weren’t his parents, his blood. I’ve known Brexton all his life, and since reaching maturity, all he’s wanted was a family of his own.”
“People think your children are mine,” Brexton said. “I know they have fathers who will tell the world it was all a lie, but I liked the way it felt when people assumed I was out with my son and daughter. They’re sweet and when you let me hold them…”
Blossom felt her heart crack at the look in his eyes. She knew what it was like to want something and fear you’d never have it. To have something within reach, only to have it taken away again. Brexton was a good, honorable man. She didn’t have to know him for a long time to be able to figure that much out.
