Brexton stared out the windshield as he contemplated his next words.
“How much do you know of my people? Of my world?” he asked.
“Only that females are scarce and you need women from other planets in order to survive. Earth’s government made an agreement with your people and opened the bride program, as well as Terran stations popping up all over the world.”
“Females were not born to my people for many years, until we started pairing with human females. While a few of us have found mates from other worlds, Earth is the best hope for us, as there are plentiful women here, and we can give you something in exchange for the chance of finding a bride.”
“So any fertile woman will do?” she asked.
“No. Maybe to some, but most of us want more than that. A lot of my people have formed attachments with females from your world before love was ever mentioned. Some claimed the females to save them, and others were like our Chief Councilor, who claimed a woman who was sent to him specifically. An arrangement made with a high-ranking man on your planet. But in the end they’ve all fallen in love with their mates, and their mates love them in return.”
“So you’re saying, what? That if I agree to be your mate, we’ll fall in love?” she asked.
“Nothing in life is ever guaranteed, Blossom, but I know I would die for you and those children. We just met, but all it took was one brief glimpse before you slammed the door in my face, and I wanted to claim you, to make you mine. Maybe it’s my genetics, like Pryntar said. Or maybe I just knew the moment I looked into your eyes that you were meant for me. Fate, I believe you humans call it.”
“Brexton, I…” She bit her lip and looked away.
Brexton reached out and turned her face toward his, then he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. It didn’t have the same heat as the kiss they had shared previously, but he wanted to reassure her, to show her that he cared on some level, and knew that everything would work out between them. “Blossom, let me claim you and the children. Let me protect you.” He gazed at her. “I will do everything in my power to make the three of you happy, to keep you safe, and give you anything you could ever need.”
“It’s tempting to say yes,” she said.
“But you’re not going to.” He pulled away and sighed. Earth females were so complicated.
She twisted and turned her ring, started to pull it off, then stopped. He watched from the corner of his eye, as she pushed the ring back onto her finger and stared at it. If he’d thought for a moment it would be considered a token of his affection, that it would be a symbol of her agreement to mate with him, he would have bought her something nicer. Was that holding her back? “I can get you another ring. A better one, if you’d like,” he said.
“It’s not the ring, Brexton.”
“Maybe this was a mistake. Let’s eat and I’ll take you home,” he said as he exited the vehicle. He walked around and opened her door, holding out a hand to assist her from the SUV. She stepped down and wobbled for a moment, but he steadied her.
Blossom placed a hand on his chest, and the look she gave him nearly tore his heart in two. He could tell that she wanted him, wanted to say yes to being his, but she was scared. He hadn’t taken into account the men who had lied to her in the past, had used her. While he was different from them, she needed proof. He needed to show her that he cared, that he wouldn’t hurt her. “Blossom,” he said softly.
She reached up and curled her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him toward her. He bent and when she pressed her lips to his, his hold on her tightened. Her scent teased him and Brexton growled as he deepened the kiss. Blossom trembled in his arms, but she didn’t pull away. If anything, she pressed closer to him.
When he drew back, he didn’t release her. Both of them were breathing heavy, and Blossom looked a little dazed. Brexton was still hungry for her, wanted to taste every inch of her body.
Her gaze locked onto his. “Don’t break my heart,” she whispered.
“I would never do anything to hurt you or bring you pain,” he said.
“Then I’ll be yours,” she said. “I should be strong and walk away, but I can’t. Not when you kiss me like that.”
“You won’t regret it,” he said, then kissed her again, just as hungry and passionate as the one before. He heard the click of a camera, but didn’t care. Not in that moment. All that mattered was the female in his arms, and the fact she’d agreed to be his mate. “Mine.”
“Yes, yours,” she said.
“We should eat before I forget myself and take you home.”
“Home?” she asked.
“Yes, home. And straight to bed.”
She blushed and smiled as he locked the car and led her into the restaurant. He didn’t know how the night would end, but as long as Blossom would be his, then nothing else was important. All the details could be worked out later. Right now, he needed to take care of his mate, and that meant feeding her.
The staff fawned over him and gave Blossom curious looks, but they found a seat for them immediately, even though there was a line of people waiting for a table. He’d never felt comfortable taking a spot meant for someone else, but tonight he didn’t make a fuss over it. He wanted more time with Blossom, and he didn’t like standing at the front of the restaurant with everyone gawking at her.
“Order anything you want,” he said. “We’re celebrating.”
“You know you don’t have to spend a lot of money on me, Brexton. That’s not why I’m here with you.”
