Ranvik’s eyebrows shot upward as he stared at Betsy.
“This is Blossom’s guard for today,” Brexton said. “Betsy, this is Ranvik.”
“Well, hello, sexy,” Betsy said, then winked at the warrior.
Brexton tried to contain his amusement. Betsy had to be a decade or more older than Ranvik, though Brexton wasn’t entirely certain of the warrior’s age. He knew the warrior gravitated toward young females and poor Betsy didn’t stand a chance, but it didn’t seem to bother her. While Betsy flirted shamelessly with the warrior, Brexton stole a kiss from his mate.
“You don’t belong in this shadowy corner,” he murmured, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear. “You should be front and center so everyone can see how proud I am of my mate.”
“It’s fine, Brexton.” She glanced toward the director. “But I don’t think everyone understands that your kind mate for life. The blonde over there seems to be here for you.”
“I don’t want her. Never have,” he said.
Betsy tapped him on the shoulder. “Are you going to stand for this nonsense?”
“No, I’m not.” Brexton stood then scooped Blossom up into his arms. She gave a squeak of surprise and threw her arms around his neck.
Brexton walked past the cast and crew, heading straight for the chair with his name on it. He sat down and held Blossom in his lap, the director casting him a hateful glare.
“I told you that your little groupie needed to remain out of the way,” the director said.
“She’s not a groupie, and she’s exactly where she belongs,” Brexton said.
Ranvik stood over his shoulder directly behind his chair, and folded his arms. The warrior might not have Brexton’s size, but he was intimidating just the same. Brexton tried not to smile as the director looked at Ranvik and paled a little.
“Since when do you need security?” the director asked.
“He’s not here for me,” Brexton said. “He’s here to protect my mate when I’m otherwise occupied.”
The director looked at Blossom and sneered. “It figures someone like her would be in trouble. You should throw her back in the gutter where you found her. A man like you needs someone of good social standing, someone who knows how to navigate in the ‘it’ crowd.”
He felt Blossom shrink against him, as if she wanted to disappear and fury engulfed him. Brexton stood and eased Blossom down onto his seat before approaching the director. Bracing his hands on the chair arms, he leaned into the director’s personal space until the man shrank back from him.
“That woman is my mate, my everything, and the mother of my children. You will treat her with the respect she’s due, and if you plan to work with any of my people, you should learn more about us,” Brexton said.
“Wh-what’s that supposed to mean?” the director asked.
“It means they mate for life, dumbass,” Betsy said, coming to stand next to Blossom. “You can shove your daughter under his nose all you want. He’s never going to take the bait. Besides, why would he want her when his mate is so much prettier and sweeter?”
Brexton flashed Betsy a grateful look before glowering at the director again. “I’ll make sure the studio is aware, as is my manager, that I will no longer work with you. Once this scene is filmed today, I’m finished. Any project that has you directing it will automatically be put into the trashcan if it comes my way.”
The director paled even more and sweat dotted his brow.
“I didn’t mean any offense,” the man stammered. “I didn’t know, didn’t understand.”
“Apologize to my mate,” Brexton said, standing upright again and trying not to punch the asshole.
The director glanced at Blossom and visibly swallowed. “My apologies if I offended you.”
“Is his apology acceptable?” Brexton asked his mate.
“Yes,” Blossom said.
Brexton smiled softly at her. “Such a sweet female. So forgiving.”
“If you’re ready to work, we can start filming the scene,” the director said. “Or if you need more time with your… mate, then perhaps we should reschedule.”
Brexton had no doubt the male would like it a great deal if they rescheduled, and Blossom remained at home. That wasn’t going to happen though. He wanted her here with him, wanted to see what it was like to film a movie. The scene they were re-shooting had a kiss at the end, and he wasn’t certain how she would handle it. Or how he would, for that matter. It would be his first time placing his lips on another woman since claiming a mate, and even the thought of it was distasteful to him.
