The children and I are honored that you chose to join us this evening.
Oh dear. Why had Aubrey just said that?
If she didn’t watch her words, Claus might think he had a chance with her. She was under no illusion that he’d brought the gifts out of the goodness of his heart. It was obvious he had ulterior motives. Like getting into her pants and convincing her to accept him as her mate.
How could she fault him when he seemed so sweet and oblivious to human customs? He’d outright announced his plans to woo her. A human man wouldn’t put it quite like that.
Dinner passed pleasantly enough. Claus and the boys enjoyed the chicken marengo, everyone having seconds and thirds. In fact, Claus repeatedly and very sincerely complimented her cooking skills.
The boys seemed in awe of their alien guest, and they took turns asking Claus questions about his life on New Vaxx. Claus patiently answered each question, even the difficult ones, like when Marcus inquired about the war against the Irrcons and how the aliens had managed to destroy planet Vaxxlia, which was the original Vaxxlian homeworld.
“It was a great tragedy,” he said, “but we were fortunate to discover an unspoiled and unoccupied planet on which my people could settle. New Vaxx. It is a glorious planet filled with endless forests, huge winding rivers, clear sparkling lakes, and the most breathtaking plant life I have ever encountered. There are many interesting animals as well, including a giant, six-legged white bear that roams the mountains.”
“A bear with six legs?” Wyatt gasped. “Are bears on New Vaxx friendly? The bears here aren’t. Mommy never let us play in the woods by ourselves because she said the bears or wolves might sprinkle salt on us and eat us for supper.”
The corner of Claus’s mouth quirked. “The bears on New Vaxx are not friendly. They would most definitely eat you for supper.” A mischievous look abruptly flared in the Vaxxlian’s eyes, and he leaned close to Wyatt and made an exaggerated nom nom nom sound as he pretended he was about to take a bite of the child’s arm.
The boys erupted in laughter, and Aubrey found herself joining in. She felt more relaxed than she had in weeks, and the reason suddenly dawned on her. Day after day, she spent so much time entertaining the boys, always trying to distract them from their grief, that it was nice to have someone helping her for a change. Claus’s presence removed much of that burden from her.
Watching the children speak with Claus as she enjoyed dinner while saying very little herself was relaxing. And fun. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d been so entertained herself. Claus was a natural storyteller. How sad that this evening was the first time in years that he’d eaten a meal with others.
She pondered his curious admission of loneliness. Had all his friends and family members died in the war? She wanted to ask, but not in front of the boys. Her heart ached at the prospect of learning he’d lost all his loved ones. Yet he could still smile and joke around with the children. There was a pureness to him that she doubted could ever be vanquished. Not for the first time, she found herself incredibly drawn to the huge muscular alien.
Kindness. He radiated kindness, and it didn’t seem like an act.
From what she knew of the Vaxxlian-Irrcon War, he must’ve endured great suffering and loss. He’d likely watched his fellow warriors die, and he’d likely lost loved ones when the Irrcons had destroyed Vaxxlia. Yet he hadn’t turned cruel or conniving.
“Aunt Aubrey, don’t you have any questions for Claus?” Finn asked.
Oh dear. She straightened in her chair and flushed. Leave it to Finn to put her on the spot. She peered at Claus as a thousand questions flitted through in her mind, but most weren’t appropriate to ask in front of the children. Not because they were scandalous, but because she didn’t want to bring the lively mood of their dinner party crashing down. Surely it wasn’t appropriate to ask why he’d gone years eating alone, or inquire if any of his family had survived the war.
“Yeah, Aunt Aubrey,” Wyatt said. “Don’t you have any questions for Claus?”
She cleared her throat and fumbled for a response. Then a perfectly reasonable question popped into her mind. Her mouth went dry as she held Claus’s gaze, and she could’ve sworn his visage became softer the longer he looked at her. It was a gentle, caring look that caused butterflies to flutter in her stomach. “Um, yes, I have a question for you.” She smiled briefly. “How did you travel to Earth?”
“Like most Vaxxlians, I traveled to Earth on my own cruiser.” His eyes glimmered and he didn’t blink once as he continued holding her stare. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Did you travel through the Eshunna Passage?” she asked, even though she supposed it was a silly question. These days, any Vaxxlian warrior who came to Earth used the newly discovered wormhole. It shortened the trip that used to take months to mere hours. But she wanted to keep the conversation going, especially with Claus giving her his full attention.
“Yes, I used the Eshunna Passage. Have you ever taken the wormhole during your travels as an interpreter?” He shifted closer to her, and the heat of his breath tickled her neck.
She shook her head. “No, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful.”
He reached for her hand and the whole world faded. Her heart pounded in her ears, and delicious trembles seized her insides. She quivered with the need to be nearer to him, but the sound of a child’s sneeze yanked her back to reality.
“Bless you,” she blurted in a strangely high-pitched voice, not even certain which of the boys had sneezed. Claus was still holding her hand, and though she ought to pull away and scold him for touching her with so much familiarity, she couldn’t summon the action.
Truth be told, she liked his touch. Craved his nearness.
What would it be like to kiss him?
What about a simple hug?
She imagined falling into his open arms and pressing her face to his muscular chest.
Her heart raced faster, and her palms became sweaty, which was a tad embarrassing since he was still holding her hand.
“You will see the beauty of the Eshunna Passage very soon, Aubrey,” he said, switching from English to Vaxxlian. “As soon as you agree to become my mate, I will whisk you away from Earth and bring you and the boys to New Vaxx.”
“What are you doing to me?” she replied in Vaxxlian. She still couldn’t bring herself to retract her hand from his. And she still longed to fall into his arms, press an ear to his chest, and listen to the steady beating of his heart. She’d never wanted anything more.
“What do you mean?” He gave her a playful look with the barest hint of concern. “Are you feeling all right, sweet human? You appear flushed, and your breaths keep increasing.”
“Whenever you look at me or touch me, I feel incredibly hot and flustered. I can’t think clearly either, nor can I catch my breath. And before you go claiming I must be attracted to you, I don’t believe that could be the case. I have never in all my life felt this way before. I feel as though I’m floating. Drugged, perhaps.” She whimpered, unable to help herself, and she was glad the boys couldn’t understand what they were talking about. “Um, Vaxxlian males don’t emit pheromones, do they?”
“I swear to you, beautiful Aubrey, I haven’t drugged you. And no, Vaxxlian males don’t emit pheromones.” A look of victory entered his gaze. “I suppose this can only mean one thing. You desire me as your mate.” He leaned closer and took a deep inhale.
Oh dear God, he’s smelling me.
Yet she didn’t try to escape. Instead, she remained in her seat, allowing him to hold her hand as he kept his head so very near hers and took a series of deep inhales.
“You smell delicious.” He straightened and met her eyes. “ Fluxx , how my mouth is watering to taste you.”
Another sneeze, and this time Aubrey managed to regain her senses. She yanked her hand from Claus’s and rose to her feet.
“Bless you,” she uttered, still unsure which of her nephews had sneezed. She turned to the counter, hoping to hide her flushed face from the Vaxxlian warrior who, much to her annoyance and confusion, incited her desires. “Who wants dessert? I made double-fudge brownies.”
“Meeee!”